Microbes in the gut could play a role in the development of ALS, early studies suggest.
Research in mice indicates there is a change in some bacteria before symptoms of motor neuron dysfunction appear. Enhanced levels of certain bacterial species were found to exacerbate disease progression.
Whereas the abundance of others, such as Akkermansia muciniphila, were reduced during disease progression.
Scientists found that replenishing the levels of this bacteria improved symptoms and prolonged survival in the mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Oxford Biodynamics PLC (LON:OBD) was spun out from Oxford University in June 2007 with the aim of translating fundamental scientific advances into a commercialised platform technology and a new generation of biomarkers for cancer and other diseases. OBD has been granted a substantial funding award from Innovate UK to develop and validate diagnostic, prognostic and predictive EpiSwitch™ biomarkers for ALS.