Abstract Details

Title Pilot Trial Investigating the Effects of a Prebiotic Fiber Bar on the Gut-Brain-Axis of People with Parkinson’s Disease (PD)

Topic Movement Disorders

Presentation(s) P8 - Poster Session 8 (11:45 AM-12:45 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 17-016

Objective

To evaluate the effects of a prebiotic fiber blend (NeuroFiber) on microbial metabolites, gut inflammation, and clinical outcomes in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background Gut dysbiosis is increasingly recognized as a hallmark of PD, contributing to gastrointestinal dysfunction and systemic inflammation. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) support gut barrier integrity and regulate inflammation. Reduced SCFA levels are associated with increased intestinal permeability and elevated fecal calprotectin concentrations, a marker of gut inflammation. Increasing SCFA production and lowering calprotectin may therefore improve gastrointestinal health in PD. Prebiotic fibers selectively stimulate SCFA-producing microbes, yet their therapeutic potential in PD remains underexplored. We developed a prebiotic fiber blend designed to enhance SCFA-producing taxa and reduce gut inflammation in individuals with PD.

Design/Methods Participants with PD (n=18) consumed one fiber bar daily for 4 weeks. Tolerability, gastrointestinal symptoms, and PD-related motor and non-motor features were assessed through questionnaires. Blood and fecal samples were collected at baseline and week 4 for SCFA, bile acid (BA), calprotectin, and lipid analyses (NCT07127120).

Results NeuroFiber was well tolerated, with no adverse events reported. Total SCFA concentrations modestly increased, while fecal calprotectin significantly decreased (p = 0.021), suggesting reduced gut inflammation. Select primary (cholic acid) and secondary (lithocholic and nor-deoxycholic) BAs declined, indicating altered microbial metabolism. Motor and non-motor symptoms improved over the 4 weeks, and 78% of participants experiencing constipation reported relief and reduced laxative use. Total and LDL cholesterol levels significantly reduced (p = 0.0063 and 0.0002, respectively).

Conclusions This pilot study suggests NeuroFiber has the potential to modulate microbial metabolism, reduce intestinal inflammation, and improve gastrointestinal and metabolic outcomes in individuals with PD. Larger, controlled trials are currently underway to validate these findings and assess their influence on neurodegenerative outcomes. Nevertheless, these results underscore the therapeutic potential of prebiotic fibers in targeting gut-related pathways relevant to the progression of PD.

Authors/Disclosures
Bryan Smith, MD (DC VA Neurology 3BW) PRESENTER	Dr. Smith has nothing to disclose.
Olivia Todd, PhD	Dr. Todd has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Sorridi Therapeutics . The institution of Dr. Todd has received research support from NIH.
Indika Edirisinghe, PhD	The institution of Dr. Edirisinghe has received research support from NIH. The institution of Dr. Edirisinghe has received research support from Biofortis. The institution of Dr. Edirisinghe has received research support from California Colors . The institution of Dr. Edirisinghe has received research support from NutriScience . Dr. Edirisinghe has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. Dr. Edirisinghe has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Edirisinghe has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.
Britt Burton-Freeman, PhD	The institution of Dr. Burton-Freeman has received research support from Sorridi.

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