Severe gastrointestinal issues—nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation—are common for Parkinson’s patients. In fact, for some patients GI issues precede neurological dysfunction by decades. In recent years, research has started to point to a connection between the gut and the brain that is more than incidental. The gut, experts like Harvard Medical School’s Trisha Pasricha say, may be where Parkinson’s starts. If supported by future research, the model could revolutionize our understanding of Parkinson’s and could someday lead to treatment for patients even before neurological symptoms appear. #harvard #HarvardMed