The Connection Between Gut Bacteria and Multiple Sclerosis
Gut bacteria have been linked to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in several studies! This is a really exciting area of research because it shows just how much the gut-immune-brain axis matters. Not only that, but the gut bacteria can be changed!
Here’s a quick breakdown:
• Scientists have found that people with MS tend to have different gut bacteria profiles compared to healthy individuals.
• Some specific bacteria seem to be overrepresented in MS patients, while others — especially ones that help regulate the immune system — are missing or underrepresented.
One bacterium that often comes up is Akkermansia muciniphila — sometimes found in high amounts in MS patients.
Others, like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (a very important anti-inflammatory bacteria), are often lower in MS patients.
Researchers believe that when the "good" bacteria are depleted and "bad" bacteria overgrow:
• It can cause intestinal permeability ("leaky gut")
• It can lead to immune system confusion, where immune cells mistakenly attack the body's own tissues, like the myelin that covers nerve fibers (the hallmark of MS).
In simple terms:
When the gut microbiome is imbalanced, it can send the immune system into overdrive and cause it to attack the nervous system.
Fascinating Details
• There have been experiments where gut bacteria from MS patients were transplanted into mice —and the mice started showing MS-like symptoms.
• Some scientists are now working on gut microbiome therapies (like specific probiotics or even fecal transplants) to slow down or possibly even prevent MS progression.
Key Studies Linking Gut Bacteria to MS
1. Yale University Study on Gut Microbiome Changes in MS
o A recent study from Yale University found significant differences in the gut microbiomes of individuals recently diagnosed with MS compared to healthy individuals. These differences suggest that alterations in gut bacteria may be associated with the development of MS. Study
2. Elevated Akkermansia in Progressive MS
o Research published in Frontiers in Immunology observed elevated levels of Akkermansia muciniphila in patients with progressive MS. The study suggests that this increase maybe a compensatory response, although the exact role of Akkermansia in MS remains to be fully understood. Study
3. Gut Microbiota and MS Disease Activity
o A study published in Genome Medicine explored the characteristics of gut microbiota in MS and found associations between specific bacterial profiles and disease variables, indicating that gut microbiota composition may influence MS activity. BioMed Central Study
4. Human Gut Microbiota and CNS Autoimmunity
o Research published in Nature Communications demonstrated that gut microbiota from MS patients could induce central nervous system-specific autoimmunity when transferred into mice, suggesting a direct role of gut bacteria in MS pathogenesis. Study
5. Specific Gut Bacteria Linked to MS
o A recent twin study highlighted by ScienceAlert identified higher numbers of particular gut microbes in individuals with MS, suggesting that these bacteria might increase the risk of developing the disease. Study
