Chronic isolation stress is associated with increased colonic and motor symptoms in the A53T mouse model of Parkinson’s disease

Abstract Background Chronic stress exacerbates motor deficits and increases dopaminergic cell loss in several rodent models of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, little is known about effects of stress on gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction, a common non‐motor symptom of PD. We aimed to determine whether chronic stress exacerbates GI dysfunction in the A53T mouse model of PD and whether this relates to changes in α‐synuclein distribution. Methods Chronic isolation stress was induced by single‐housing WT and homozygote A53T mice between 5 and 15 months of age. GI and motor function were compared with mice that had been group‐housed. Key Results Chronic isolation stress increased plasma corticosterone and exacerbated deficits in colonic propulsion and whole‐gut transit in A53T mice and also increased motor deficits. However, our results indicated that the novel environment‐induced defecation response, a common method used to evaluate colorectal function, was not a useful test to measure exacerbation of GI dysfunction, most likely because of the reported reduced level of anxiety in A53T mice. A53T mice had lower corticosterone levels than WT mice under both housing conditions, but single‐housing increased levels for both genotypes. Enteric neuropathy was observed in aging A53T mice and A53T mice had a greater accumulation of alpha‐synuclein (αsyn) in myenteric ganglia under both housing conditions. Conclusions & Inferences Chronic isolation stress exacerbates PD‐associated GI dysfunction, in addition to increasing motor deficits. However, these changes in GI symptoms are not directly related to corticosterone levels, worsened enteric neuropathy, or enteric αsyn accumulation.