Background pattern of a brain with neural connections

Team Kaplitt

α-Synuclein Effects on Gut Brain Circuits and Pre-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease

2021-Present

Our international team of leading physician-scientists will address the critical question of how Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathology spreads from the gut to the brain, and how this effects activity of neural circuits controlling critical body functions. Early symptoms which can be associated with increased risk for PD include constipation and sleep disorders. These may result from effects of PD pathology on neurons controlling bowel function and from spread into lower brain circuits controlling sleep. Our findings should create opportunities to better treat these symptoms and to potentially block disease spread before developing the movement disorder and more severe problems.

Tags
Alpha-synucleinCircuits and symptomsGut-brain axisMotor symptoms

Project Highlights

Contributions

Here is an overview of how this team’s article findings have contributed to the PD field as of June 2025. There are two different categorizations of these contributions – one by impact to the PD community and a second by scientific category.

Research Themes

Categories

Accolades

Members of the team have been recognized for their contributions.

Network Spotlights

Roberta Marongiu, Sabina Marciano, Per Svennigsson, Eileen Ruth Torres, Jacquelyn Haytayan

In the News

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Our Research Teams

Members of the CRN work diligently to advance our understanding of Parkinson’s disease. Learn more about recent CRN discoveries and achievements.