Exploring the alteration of gut microbiota and brain function in gender-specific Parkinson’s disease based on metagenomic sequencing

Background The role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in Parkinson’s disease (PD) has received increasing attention. Although gender differences are known to an essential epidemiology and clinical course PD, there no studies on sex specificity development progression PD. Methods Fresh fecal samples from 24 PD patients (13 males, 11 females) were collected for metagenomic sequencing. composition function gut microbiota analyzed by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Gender-dependent brain ALFF values their correlation with further analyzed. Results relative abundance Propionivibrio , Thermosediminibacter Flavobacteriaceae_noname was increased male patients. LEfse analysis showed that Verrucomicrobial Akkermansiaceae Akkermansia dominant males. In female patients, Propionicicella decreased Escherichia Escherichia_coli Lachnospiraceae predominant. expression sesquiterpenoid triterpenoid biosynthesis pathways statistically different females. Compared Male left inferior parietal regions, positively correlated regional values. Conclusion Our study provides novel evidence gender-specific relationship between alterations highlighting critical