This is another one of a series of posts dealing with various conditions that appear to be microbiome related. My first posts dealt with Alzheimer’s Disease, ALS and Parkinson’s Disease. Additional posts are listed here. My personal suspicion is that a significant catalyst (if not actual cause) is the lost of microbiome as we age. For all of these conditions, it appears microbiome correction moderates the condition.
The Light Bulb Event
Almost a decade ago, I had a relapse of a condition that I had before and was sent for a SPECT scan. The radiologist suggested that it may be early onset Alzheimer’s. I was having problems with memory then, especially retaining recent memories. In 2017, for the same condition, a patient died and when their brain was examined, this study found
“Among the most remarkable pathological features of the case are focal areas of white matter loss, neurite beading, and neuritic pathology of axons in the white matter with axonal spheroids. Atypical neurons displaying aberrant sprouting processes in response to injury are observed throughout cortical gray and white matter. Abundant amyloid deposits identical to Alzheimer’s disease plaques with accompanying intracellular granular structures are observed as well. Neurofibrillary tangles are also present in the white matter of the frontal cortex, thalamus and basal ganglia. “
For myself, I went into remission. Memory and other issues faded — I am not 100% as strong in some cognitive aspects that I was prior, but to most people they cannot detect the remaining issues.
The condition that I had was successfully treated using a protocol that altered the microbiome. What if this was true for other similar conditions — especially the untreatable ones? Recent literature appears to support this (this is only a fraction of 2017 and 2018 studies)
CSF Proteins Dimension
A 2011 Study found that Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteomes were different for my condition, a normal population and PTSD. These CFP’s are also heavily studied with MS “Statistical analysis evidenced different levels on 23 proteins: 8 proteins showed lower levels in multiple sclerosis patients with respect to controls”[2018].
Working Hypothesis
My working hypothesis is that these CSF proteins are due to microbiome disruption. This disruption may not be a magic bacteria that causes it, but due to undersupply or oversupply of metabolites causing epigenetic changes in the bacteria resulting in these new proteins. With MS there are a large number reported (see image below)
Hypothesis Tests
The hypothesis implies that there would distinctive shifts in bacteria seen with MS. What does the literature say? I actually listed many studies a year ago in this post, Multiple Sclerosis and microbiome. Remember a change of diet means a change of the microbiome.
I have added a few more recent studies below.
- Is there an effect of dietary intake on MS-related fatigue? – A systematic literature review.[2018]
- “Dietary intake holds the potential to lower MS-related fatigue, but solid conclusions are not possible based on the existing evidence. Sparse evidence points towards an effect of adequate magnesium and folate intake and a trend for decreased fatigue.”
- “Several individual dietary components and patterns demonstrate potential for significant impact in MS. Definitive answers regarding the ability of diet to act as a disease modifier in MS will ultimately require large-scale clinical trials.” [2018]
- “There was a decrease in numbers of Escherichia coli with normal enzymatic activity, which was replaced by atypical forms of E. coli, Enterobacter spp. and fungi of the genus Candida, and, during treatment with glatiramer acetate, by atypical forms of E. coli, Proteus spp., Parvimonas micra. These differences indicate the effect of the therapy on the intestinal microbiota composition.” [2018]
- “Patients with multiple sclerosis and controls showed differences in the proportion of Euryarchaeota, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Lentisphaerae phyla and in 17 bacterial species” [2018]
- A probiotic modulates the microbiome and immunity in multiple sclerosis. [2018]
- Variations in diet cause alterations in microbiota and metabolites that follow changes in disease severity in a multiple sclerosis model. [2018]
Bottom Line
If you are a carer for someone with MS, you may wish to get a 16S analysis done ( for example uBiome.com – < $100) and upload the results to http://microbiomeprescription.com/. The suggestions there are based on hundreds of studies of what shifts different members of the microbiome. It’s a free site and the information is not available easily any wherelse.
An example of getting suggestions is shown in this post.
I have updated the MS Microbiome template on that site, and added it as a symptom (Official Diagnosis). The number of bacteria changes reported is very large.
Look at the suggestions generated and discuss them with your treating physician.
This is an education post to facilitate discussing this approach with your medical professionals. It is not medical advice for the treatment of any medical condition. Always consult with your medical professional before doing any changes of diet, supplements or activity. Some items cites may interfere with prescription medicines.
CFS Remission 