Gut microbiome differences between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and spouse controls

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Vicki S Hertzberg, Emory University; Harinder Singh, J. Craig Venter Institute; Christina Nicole Fournier, Emory University; Ahmed Moustafa, American University in Cairo; Meraida Polak, Emory University; Claire A. Kuelbs, J. Craig Venter Institute; Manolito G. Torralba, J. Craig Venter Institute; MariadeLourdes Tansey, Emory University; Karen E. Nelson, J. Craig Venter Institute; Jonathan D Glass, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-04-05
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): https://doi.org/10.1080/21678421.2021.1904994
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 1-2
• Start Page: 91
• End Page: 99
• Grant/Funding Information: This research was conducted without sponsored funding.
• Keywords: neurophysiology; epidemiology; biomarker; butyrate; Prevotella; neurodegeneration; Inflammation; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Research Categories: Biology, Microbiology; Biology, Neuroscience

Abstract

Objective: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is incurable and ultimately fatal. Few therapeutic options are available to patients. In this study, we explored differences in microbiome composition associated with ALS. Methods: We compared the gut microbiome and inflammatory marker profiles of ALS patients (n=10) to those of their spouses (n=10). Gut microbiome profiles were determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: The gut microbial communities of the ALS patients were more diverse and were deficient in Prevotella spp. compared with those of their spouses. In contrast, healthy couples (n=10 couples of the opposite sex) recruited from the same geographic region as the patient population did not exhibit these differences. Stool and plasma inflammatory markers were similar between ALS patients and their spouses. Predictive analysis of microbial enzymes revealed that ALS patients had decreased activity in several metabolic pathways, including carbon metabolism, butyrate metabolism, and systems involving histidine kinase and response regulators. Conclusions: ALS patients exhibit differences in their gut microbial communities compared with spouse controls. Our findings suggest that modifying the gut microbiome, such as via amelioration of Prevotella spp. deficiency, and/or altering butyrate metabolism may have translational value for ALS treatment.