Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42315784›Full record

ArticleNeurology and therapy2026

Prebiotics and SCFA Alleviate Parkinson's-Related Constipation: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Tobias Hegelmaier, Alexander Duscha, Christiane Desel, Lisa-Marie Würtele, Jana Peplinski, Diana Jauk, Riccardo Troisi, Martin Klietz, Simon Faissner, Thomas Müller and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Neurology and therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Tobias Hegelmaier *Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
Alexander Duscha *Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
Christiane Desel *Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
Lisa-Marie WürteleDepartment of Neurology, Ruhr University Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Jana PeplinskiDepartment of Neurology, Ruhr University Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Diana JaukDepartment of Neurology, Ruhr University Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Riccardo TroisiDepartment of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
Martin KlietzDepartment of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
Simon FaissnerDepartment of Neurology, Ruhr University Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Thomas MüllerDepartment of Neurology, Alexianer St. Joseph Krankenhaus Berlin-Weißensee, Berlin, Germany.
Aiden Haghikia *Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany. haghikia.aiden@mh-hannover.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9629-3298

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionConstipation is a prevalent and clinically significant non-motor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD), affecting up to 90% of patients and often preceding motor dysfunction by several years. Imbalance in the gut microbiota and reduced short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production potentially contribute to PD pathogenesis and symptom onset. This study aimed to determine whether supplementation with SCFAs, the prebiotic 2-fucosyllactose (2-FL), or their combination alleviates constipation and improves the quality of life of individuals with PD.

methodsIn a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group clinical trial, 72 patients with PD were assigned to either SCFA, 2-FL, or combined supplementation groups for 6 months. Constipation and quality of life were assessed using the Cleveland Clinic Constipation Score, Bristol Stool Scale, and Patient Assessment of Constipation-Quality of Life, alongside routine neurological evaluation and physical activity questionnaires.

results2-FL and combined supplementation significantly reduced constipation severity after 6 months, with the combination yielding the most pronounced and sustained benefits concerning stool consistency, defecation frequency, and patient-reported outcomes. Physical activity remained unchanged and did not affect constipation-related outcomes.

conclusionCombined prebiotic and SCFA supplementation effectively alleviate constipation symptoms in patients with PD and improves patient quality of life. Future research should assess the long-term implications and potential disease-modifying effects. TRIAL REGISTRY: The study was retrospectively registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) under the identifier DRKS00027061 on 19 November 2021 ( https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00027061/details ).

Indexed as

Gastrointestinal symptomsMetabolitesMicrobiotaParkinson’s diseasePrebioticsShort-chain fatty acids

Identifiers

PMID42315784
PMCPMC13396302

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.