Gastrointestinal dysfunctions represent the most common non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Of
note, changes in gut microbiota, impairments of intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB), bowel inflammation and neuroplastic rearrangements of the enteric nervous system (ENS) could be involved in the pathophysiology of the
intestinal disturbances in PD. In this context, although several review articles have pooled together evidence on
the alterations of enteric bacteria-neuro-immune network in PD, a revision of the literature on the specific morphological changes occurring in the intestinal mucosal barrier, the ENS and enteric muscular layers in PD, is
lacking. The present review provides a complete appraisal of the available knowledge on the morphological
alterations of intestinal mucosal barrier, with particular focus on IEB, ENS and enteric muscular layers in PD.
In particular, our intent was to critically discuss whether, based on evidence from translational studies and preclinical models, morphological changes in the intestinal barrier and enteric neuromuscular compartment contribute to the pathophysiology of intestinal dysfunctions occurring in PD. CLICK TO REVIEW
Key words: Intestinal epithelial barrier, enteric nervous system, neuromuscular compartment, patients, animal
models, Parkinson’s disease.