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Gut Microbiome and Multiple Sclerosis

  • Demyelinating Disorders (DN Bourdette and V Yadav, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

The commensal flora that lives in the human gut is a unique ecosystem that has evolved over millennia with human beings. The importance of the microbiota in various bodily functions is gradually becoming more apparent. Besides the gut microbiome playing a role in bowel-related disorders, a role in metabolic and autoimmune disorders is becoming clearer. The gut bacteria play a role in educating the immune system and hence may be a player in the development of multiple sclerosis. We examine the different sources of information linking the gut microbiota to multiple sclerosis and examine the future avenues for utilizing the knowledge of the gut microbiome to potentially treat and prevent multiple sclerosis.

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Conflict of Interest

Pavan Bhargava declares he has no conflict of interest.

Ellen M. Mowry has received grants from Teva Neuroscience.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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  1. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N Wolfe Street, Pathology 627, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Pavan Bhargava & Ellen M. Mowry

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  1. Pavan Bhargava
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Correspondence to Ellen M. Mowry.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Demyelinating Disorders

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Bhargava, P., Mowry, E.M. Gut Microbiome and Multiple Sclerosis. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 14, 492 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-014-0492-2

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