Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
9-9-2026
Abstract
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is increasingly linked to dysfunction of the gut–brain axis, where microbial dysbiosis and altered host metabolism may contribute to neurodegeneration. Bile acids are key signaling molecules connecting the gut microbiome and host physiology, yet their role in PD remains poorly understood. This study leveraged the newly developed MoveKit™ BA assay to achieve comprehensive and high-resolution profiling of the fecal bile acid landscape in Parkinson’s disease.
Methods: 10mg of Lyophilized fecal samples from age- and sex-matched PD individuals (n=33) and healthy controls (n=33) were analyzed using the newly developed MoveKit™ BA assay (Move Analytical, USA). Quantitative bile acid profiling was performed using a Thermo Vanquish UPLC coupled to a Thermo Orbitrap Exploris 120 mass spectrometer, followed by multivariate statistical and pathway enrichment analyses to identify PD-associated metabolic alterations.
Results and Discussion: Distinct bile acid signatures were observed between PD and control groups. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed significant perturbations in bile acid biosynthesis and cholesterol-related metabolic pathways, including bile acid biosynthesis, congenital bile acid synthesis defect pathways, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, and familial hypercholesterolemia pathways (FDR-adjusted q< 0.05). These findings collectively indicate disruption of the cholesterol–bile acid metabolic axis in PD. The altered bile acid profile is consistent with emerging evidence linking gut microbial dysbiosis to aberrant bile acid transformation and signaling within the gut–brain axis. Several discriminatory bile acids contributed to the separation between PD and controls, highlighting their potential utility as disease-associated metabolic markers.
Conclusions: Our findings support bile acid dysregulation as one of the hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease and establish fecal bile acid profiling as a powerful new approach for advancing precision medicine strategies in neurodegenerative disorders.
Recommended Citation
Ashrafi N. Disruption of the cholesterol–bile acid axis in parkinson’s disease revealed by newly developed Movekit™ BA assay fecal metabolomics. Presented at: The 8th Annual Metabolomics Association of North America (MANA) Conference; 2026 Sept 8-11; UC Davis, CA.
Comments
8th Annual Metabolomics Association of North America (MANA) Conference, September 8-11, 2026, UC Davis, CA.