Microbiome in the Progression of ALS (MPALS)

The goal of the Microbiome in the Progression of ALS project is to quantify associations of structure and dynamics of microbiome profiles with change in function over six months during the first year post-diagnosis in recently diagnosed ALS patients as measured by ALSFRS-R and to compare these microbiome profiles to those of partner/caregiver controls. We propose to identify particular species and strains of microbes deficient in ALS patients such that replenishment of these microbes might slow disease progression or those that may be deleterious, providing a therapeutic target. We will recruit a cohort of 30 ALS patients and their partner/caregiver controls within 6 months of diagnosis, examining them at enrollment and at +3 and +6 months to accomplish the following specific aims:

1. Characterize functional status of ALS patients at baseline, +3, and +6 months;
2. Characterize changes in gut and oral microbiome for ALS patients and their partner/caregivers at baseline, +3, and +6 months from baseline; and
3. Exploratory Aim: Whole genome sequence DNA stored from pilot study samples to better understand bacterial species/strains, viruses, and fungi, that may play a role in ALS progression.