Twin study finds gut bacteria may increase risk of Multiple Sclerosis

For years, scientists have studied the gut for bacteria that could potentially affect multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. After conducting a rare twin study, scientists have now determined that two species of small intestine bacteria may be linked to multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Barry Hendin, Neurologist at Banner University Medical Center, Phoenix, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss more about the study and what this means for the future.

Out of the 51 microbes being tracked during this study, E. Tayi and Lachnoclostridium stood out the most to the scientists. While most gut bacteria help digest fiber, these can feed on mucus when fiber is low. This may weaken the gut barrier, exposing the immune system and possibly playing a role in Multiple Sclerosis.

“We define multiple sclerosis as an immune mediated disorder,” Hendin said. “…in which the immune system is misprogrammed so that, as opposed to going after the pathogens…it misinterprets and goes after the Milan of the central nervous system, that means the optic nerve, the brain and spinal chord.”

Hendin explained how the true cause of this is still a mystery and they are still conducting research. However, it could be a combination of genetic susceptibilities involving multiple genes, and also triggers that act on those susceptible people.

A study was conducted in which they observed eight sets of twins. They found that if they took the microbiome, the microbes from the intestine of the twins with MS, and injected those into mice, six out of eight developed a picture that would be consistent with a MS-like picture. However, if they took the same microbes from the intestines of the pairs that did not have MS, the mice did not develop MS.

“This really indicated something we’ve known for a while,” Hendin explained, “…the microbiome, particularly in the gut, can either produce a more inflammatory or a more quieting effect on the immune system.”

Hendin emphasized that this study can be applied to multiple other conditions including many of the auto-immune or immune mediated disorders.