Adrian Florentin Florentin Dragomir

Dr. Adrian Florentin Florentin Dragomir


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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CBCristiana Aurelia Barbu
Cristiana Aurelia Barbu
SSSmaranda Stoleru
Smaranda Stoleru
AZAurelian Zugravu
Aurelian Zugravu
EPElena Poenaru
Elena Poenaru
ADAdrian Florentin Florentin Dragomir
Adrian Florentin Florentin Dragomir
FIFulga Ion
Fulga Ion
The microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGBA) comprises a complex bidirectional communication network integrating neural, immune, metabolic, and endocrine pathways. Dopamine, traditionally viewed as a central neurotransmitter, also plays essential roles in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where it regulates motility, secretion, barrier homeostasis, and mucosal immunity. Growing evidence indicates that the gut microbiota significantly contributes to intestinal dopamine metabolism through specialized enzymatic pathways, particularly tyrosine decarboxylase in Enterococcus species and catechol dehydroxylase in Eggerthella species. These microbial reactions compete with host processes, alter dopaminergic tone, and degrade orally administered levodopa (L-DOPA), providing a mechanistic explanation for the variability in treatment response in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Beyond PD, microbially mediated alterations in dopaminergic signaling have been implicated in mood disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions, metabolic dysfunction, and immune-mediated diseases. This review synthesizes current mechanistic and translational evidence on the dopamine–microbiota interface, outlines microbial pathways shaping dopaminergic activity, and highlights therapeutic opportunities including microbiota modulation, dietary strategies, fecal microbiota transplantation, and targeted inhibitors of microbial dopamine metabolism. Understanding this interface offers a foundation for developing personalized approaches in neurogastroenterology and neuromodulatory therapies.