{"taskDescription":"Tiny Microbes, Big Impact: What Patients Should Know About the Potential Connection Between Multiple Sclerosis and Gut Health","pagesList":[{"params":{"helpTextLabel":"More information","elementList":[{"params":{"decorative":false,"contentName":"Image","expandImage":"Expand Image","minimizeImage":"Minimize Image","alt":"The beginning page of a website article with an image of the gut and brain talking to each other and a text box with key points of the article.","title":"https:\/\/gutperformance.com.au\/gut-brain-axis-and-your-mood\/","file":{"path":"images\/file-674a7ba0a8d01.png","mime":"image\/png","copyright":{"license":"U"},"width":624,"height":381}},"library":"H5P.Image 1.1","metadata":{"contentType":"Image","license":"U","title":"Untitled Image"},"subContentId":"224261de-a326-4230-be65-f076e31e5ca6"},{"params":{"text":"

Key Points:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
\n\t
Connection between the gut microbiome and multiple sclerosis (MS) discovered<\/li>\n\t
Differences seen in gut microbiota composition between MS patients and healthy individuals<\/li>\n\t
Connection may provide new avenues for treatment\n\t
\n\t
\u201cGut health\u201d<\/a> has garnered attention over the past few years with social media platforms trending hashtags related to gut wellness and small businesses influencing audiences to buy gut cleansing products. The recent surge in popularity calls to question: what is gut health and why is it so important?<\/p>\n\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},"library":"H5P.Text 1.1","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"},"subContentId":"9b753922-3c03-41f0-86cc-24767e168089"},{"params":{"panels":[{"content":{"params":{"text":"
Did you know your gastrointestinal tract, also called the gut, is home to 100 trillion microorganisms<\/a> such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Don\u2019t fret! \u2013 it\u2019s not always the bad kind. These species make up what is known as the gut microbiome. They support essential functions in your body that keep us healthy. <\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"4e5ae8ee-dbaf-4155-af4b-86d489216639","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"What is the Gut Microbiome?"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
MS<\/a> is a chronic disease in which the body\u2019s immune system damages parts of the nerves in the brain. This causes inflammation in the brain\u2019s central nervous system (CNS). <\/p>\n\n
But if MS affects the brain, how is the gut related? The connection between gut microbiota and MS stems from the term \u201cgut-brain axis.\u201d The gut-brain axis is a two-way communication pathway that links them together.<\/p>\n\n
In MS, the immune system\u2019s cells<\/a> attack the nervous system, causing inflammation in the brain. Inflammatory pathways throughout the body are partly regulated by the gut microbiome. Hence, issues within the gut microbiome can affect inflammation caused by MS.<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"2f3dc5f1-aaa1-4ee3-95c0-74f1829c57e9","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"How is the Gut Microbiome Related to MS?"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
The International Multiple Sclerosis Microbiome Study<\/a> conducted a study noting the significant differences in the gut microbiome composition between MS patients and healthy individuals. Their results revealed the decrease of microorganisms in the gut that produce anti-inflammatory properties and the increase of species that cause inflammation. <\/p>\n\n
Decreased Species:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\n\tFaecalibacterium <\/a><\/li>\n\t
Bacteroides <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
A decrease in these two microorganisms results in the increased risk of inflammatory-inducing properties circulating the body. They have also been linked in the development of MS<\/a> in previous studies.<\/p>\n\n
Increased Species:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\n\tAkkermania muciniphila<\/a><\/li>\n\t
Acinetobacter calcoaceticus<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
An increase in these species has been tied to the increase in inflammation<\/a> within the body.<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"9a3e9d5e-140e-4927-a877-e91b690d788f","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"What is the Research Saying?"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
The discovery of the gut microbiome\u2019s possible impact on the progression of multiple sclerosis stems from the several gastrointestinal symptoms associated with MS. Constipation and leaky gut syndrome<\/a> are most commonly seen in MS patients. <\/p>\n\n
Other symptoms, such as vision issues<\/a>, are directly linked to certain microogranisms within the gut microbiome. Vision problems are a common symptom of MS due to inflammation of the optic nerve.<\/p>\n\n
A Danish case-controlled study<\/a> reported the abundance of a species called Clostridium<\/a> in the gut microbiome of MS patients. Clostridium was not detected in the gut microbiome of healthy individuals. The presence of Clostridium impacts the retina, contributing to proinflammatory changes that cause vision issues. <\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"b84a0338-ab4d-44ae-869a-2e392200687e","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"What Other Evidence Exists?"}],"hTag":"h2"},"library":"H5P.Accordion 1.0","metadata":{"contentType":"Accordion","license":"U","title":"Tiny Microbes, Big Impact: What Patients Should Know About the Potential Connection Between Multiple Sclerosis and Gut Health"},"subContentId":"0c43e857-acaa-4df3-bf80-81f84f1a02b7"},{"params":{"text":"
But don\u2019t go purchasing gut healing juices just yet!<\/p>\n\n
Some researchers are unsure whether the connection<\/a> is due to a direct result of the disease itself or an indirect result of the many treatment plans and therapies patients undergo. The complex interactions between medication, disease progression, and the gut microbiome make it difficult to confirm a direct link. <\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.Text 1.1","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"},"subContentId":"ac7ae90a-5823-424c-9cfd-dd50b5c6c2a4"}],"helpText":""},"library":"H5P.StandardPage 1.5","metadata":{"contentType":"Standard page","license":"U","title":"MS and the Gut Microbiome"},"subContentId":"2ad95dad-febe-44e1-9e7a-7c0b326c0039"}],"i10n":{"previousLabel":"Previous documentation step","nextLabel":"Next documentation step","closeLabel":"Close"}}

MS & Gut Microbiome - HSC300: Assignment 4

Maryam Raheel