Publication
Non-pharmacological interventions modulating immune response in Parkinson's disease
| Summary: | Parkinson's disease (PD) imposes a growing socioeconomic burden due to its increasing prevalence and lack of a cure. Existing treatment options primarily manage motor and nonmotor symptoms but do not halt or slow disease progression, underscoring the urgent need for more effective and preventative strategies. Growing evidence suggests a strong link between immune system dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and the early pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, often occurring years before the onset of motor symptoms, thereby indicating a critical window for early intervention. In this review, we examine current evidence on non-pharmacological approaches such as dietary changes, physical activity, and gut microbiome regulation, focusing on their potential to modulate both peripheral and central immune responses, thereby influencing the progression of PD. Besides being complementary to standard pharmacological treatments, these approaches not only reduce systemic inflammation but may also help delay, prevent, or improve clinical management of PD by targeting and modulating its immunological foundations. |
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| Main Authors: | Pirovano, Elenamaria |
| Other Authors: | Silva, Inês P.; Camacho, Marta; Çanak, Asuman; Aktas, Busra; Crompton, David; Gökçe, Evrim; Tan, Fu Miao; Marino, Franca; Domingos, Josefa; Almeida, Mafalda F.; Comi, Cristoforo; Dragic, Milorad; Figueira, Inês |
| Subject: | Diet Exercise Immune response Neuroinflammation Parkinson's disease Systemic inflammation Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Cell Biology |
| Year: | 2026 |
| Country: | Portugal |
| Document type: | review |
| Access type: | open access |
| Associated institution: | Universidade Nova de Lisboa |
| Language: | English |
| Origin: | Repositório Institucional da UNL |
| Summary: | Parkinson's disease (PD) imposes a growing socioeconomic burden due to its increasing prevalence and lack of a cure. Existing treatment options primarily manage motor and nonmotor symptoms but do not halt or slow disease progression, underscoring the urgent need for more effective and preventative strategies. Growing evidence suggests a strong link between immune system dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and the early pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, often occurring years before the onset of motor symptoms, thereby indicating a critical window for early intervention. In this review, we examine current evidence on non-pharmacological approaches such as dietary changes, physical activity, and gut microbiome regulation, focusing on their potential to modulate both peripheral and central immune responses, thereby influencing the progression of PD. Besides being complementary to standard pharmacological treatments, these approaches not only reduce systemic inflammation but may also help delay, prevent, or improve clinical management of PD by targeting and modulating its immunological foundations. |
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Funded activities
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