New Gut-Brain Link Points to ALS/FTD Treatments

Case Western Reserve University researchers report a gut-brain connection in ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD): harmful gut bacteria may produce inflammatory glycogen-like sugars that trigger immune responses damaging brain cells. In a study of 23 ALS/FTD patients, about 70% had high levels of these sugars versus roughly 33% of controls, suggesting gut microbes could act as an environmental trigger, especially in C9orf72 mutation carriers. The work identifies potential biomarkers and gut-targeted therapies, including degrading the sugars and modulating gut-brain signaling, with germ-free mouse models and a novel sterile housing system enabling larger-scale studies; preliminary results hint that reducing these sugars could improve brain health and may lead to clinical trials within a year.