Objective: We performed a pilot study looking at the safety and tolerability of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation, its effect on the microbiome, and improvement of symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease.

Background: There is growing evidence that differences exist in the gut microbiota of patients with Parkinson’s Disease compared with health controls, and so treatment with Faecal Microbiota Transplantation may provide a novel approach towards altering disease progression and response to treatment.

Method: This was an open label study wherein 12 patients with mild to moderate Parkinson’s Disease were administered Faecal Microbiota Transplantation via enema for 6 months. The primary objectives were safety and tolerability of therapy as well as changes in motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

Results: Faecal Microbiota Transplantation administered as liquid enema was safe and well tolerated, associated with mild and self-resolving gastrointestinal symptoms. We found no significant change in motor outcomes post Faecal Microbiota Transplantation however showed a trend towards improvement in daily OFF time after 2 months of treatment. We found no significant improvement in non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease after 6-months of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation, however showed improvement in quality of life and non-motor symptom scores at 2 months as well as a trend towards improvement in parts 1 and 2 of the Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. All improvements regressed back to baseline after 6 months of treatment.

Conclusion: The administration of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation over an extended 6-month period for the treatment of mild to moderate Parkinson’s Disease is safe and tolerable. Faecal Microbiota Transplantation was associated with a transient reduction in daily motor OFF time as well as multiple self-reported non-motor symptoms.

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