Presenters: Richard Bedlack, MD, PhD, Duke ALS Clinic and Katharine Nicholson, MD, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at MGH
The gut microbiome is the family of organisms that live inside our GI tracts. It is very clear that the gut microbiome plays a role in gastrointestinal diseases. Recently, evidence is emerging that the gut microbiome may play a role in driving ALS progression. Here we will review the microbiome, its role in gastrointestinal diseases, and the recent work linking it to ALS. We will highlight the next steps being taken to better understand whether and how manipulation of the microbiome might be undertaken to slow, stop or reverse ALS progression.
