Gut microbiome’s role in Multiple Sclerosis and potential gut microbiota interventions as treatments

Abstract

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, autoimmune disease that affects the Central Nervous System (CNS), leading to progressive neurological deterioration. There is no cure for MS, but recently, the gut microbiome, specifically the change in the composition of this gut microbiota known as dysbiosis, has been found to be a potential player in MS progression and disease. The gut microbiome, with its trillions of organisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract, influences immune and inflammatory responses in our body, a key characteristic of MS. Current research on the specific impacts of the gut microbiome remains largely unknown. However, clinical research around the world has begun to link a possible relationship between the gut microbiome and autoimmune diseases such as MS. This paper's goal is not only to find ways to improve treatment of MS but also link the mechanisms of the gut microbiome to MS to potentially defeat MS . This paper will go over therapeutic interventions to the gut microbiome such as dietary changes and fecal microbiota transplantations (FMT) that could potentially improve the way we treat MS. By focusing on the gut microbiome and its unique organisms we may be able to develop new ways to treat MS with less cost and more accurate results, improving overall quality of life of patients diagnosed with MS.