Gut inflammation and dysbiosis in human motor neuron disease

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) & Intestinal Microbiota
Growing evidence has shown that neurodegenerative disorders with gut dysbiosis affect the central nervous system via pro-inflammatory mediators, thus impacting gut-brain communications. We have demonstrated dysbiosis and increased intestinal permeability in the SOD1 G93A ALS mouse model. This study comprehensively examined the human gut microbiome in stool samples and evaluated infection and markers of intestinal inflammation in five patients with ALS and motor neuron disorders. Five patients we studied all had an alteration in their gut microbiome characterized by a low diversity of the microbiome, compared to healthy cohorts with relatively intact abundance. Firmicute…