AUTHOR=Chao Yin-Xia , Gulam Muhammad Yaaseen , Chia Nicholas Shyh Jenn , Feng Lei , Rotzschke Olaf , Tan Eng-King TITLE=Gut–Brain Axis: Potential Factors Involved in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2020 YEAR=2020 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2020.00849 DOI=10.3389/fneur.2020.00849 ISSN=1664-2295 ABSTRACT=Increasing investigations in the past decades have identified the association of the gastrointestinal (GI) disorders to susceptibility and progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Gut-brain axis has been proposed to play important roles in the pathogenesis of PD. Though numerous studies have focused on the association, the direct evidence of the factors contributing to both conditions are yet to be confirmed. In this mini review, we have summarized the factors involved in both PD and GI disorders, focusing on the common genetics, altered gut microbiota, diet and potential involvement of mucosal immunity. Understanding the contribution of gut factors to PD will help to decipher the mechanisms leading to PD development. Despite the existing challenges, current research on gut-brain axies provides opportunities to identify early diagnosis markers and potential novel therapeutic strategies which targets to stop or slow down the progression of dopaminergic neuron demise and PD development.