Enterococcus hirae QT4713-derived dopamine ameliorates intestinal inflammation and MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease in mice.

Parkinson's disease (PD) has been determined as one of the fastest growing neurological disorders with regards to disability and death. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study estimated 11.8 million people living with PD in 2021, an increase of 274% from 1990. The age-standardized global prevalence of PD in 2021 was 138.6 per 100,000 people (168.2 in males and 114.5 in females), with a continuous projected upward trend in burden. However, the true prevalence remains challenging to determine, largely due to reporting biases, inconsistencies in data collection and reporting, and the under-diagnosis of PD in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and among under-represented groups in high-income countries (HICs). Almost half of the global population of persons living with PD reside in LMICs, yet research, advocacy and funding remain centered in HICs. The significant burden posed by PD to individuals, families and society – physically, socially and economically – reflects the recognition of PD as a global public health issue requiring a unified public health response. To outline and address these gaps and needs, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a ‘Technical Brief’ on PD in 2022. The brief outlined key actions to develop strategies, programs and services to improve the lives of persons impacted by PD, forming the ‘Six Action Steps’ to address global disparities in PD: disease burden; advocacy and awareness; prevention and risk reduction; diagnosis, treatment and care; caregiver support; and research. The subsequent inclusion of PD as a ‘tracer condition’ in the WHO's ‘Intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders 2022–2031’ (IGAP) is an acknowledgement of its growing burden. Tracer conditions are carefully chosen diseases used to shine a light on systemic problems that affect a wider group of conditions. In this case, PD (among other conditions) was identified by WHO to understand barriers that affect many other neurological disorders. IGAP – a 10-year action plan – was adopted by all countries at the 75 World Health Assembly to promote and support a comprehensive, coordinated response to neurological disorders across multiple sectors. The goal of IGAP is to reduce the stigma, impact and burden of neurological disorders (including PD) and to improve quality of life for people with neurological disorders, their carers and families. WHO has published an IGAP ‘toolkit’ to provide resources for countries in the implementation of IGAP. This is intended as a ‘go-to’ resource for stakeholders to approach country-level, tailored action.