Gut-Brain Link Sparks Hope for ALS, Dementia Treatment

Case Western Reserve University researchers identify connection between gut bacteria and brain deterioration in ALS and FTD.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 8:07pm

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Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered a link between gut bacteria and the deterioration of the brain in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). They found that certain bacterial sugars cause immune responses that kill brain cells, and identified ways to prevent this process. The study provides new targets for treating these devastating neurodegenerative diseases and opens the door for developing drugs that address the gut-brain connection.

Why it matters

This discovery could significantly change how doctors treat ALS and FTD, two of the most devastating neurodegenerative diseases. By identifying the gut-brain link and a molecular connection that explains why some people with genetic mutations develop these diseases while others don't, the research paves the way for new targeted treatments and biomarkers to identify patients who may benefit.

The details

The researchers discovered that harmful gut bacteria produce inflammatory forms of glycogen (a type of sugar), and that these bacterial sugars trigger immune responses that damage the brain. They found that 70% of the 23 ALS/FTD patients examined had dangerous glycogen levels, compared to only a third of those without the brain diseases. The team was then able to reduce the harmful sugars, which "improved brain health and extended lifespan" in their experiments.

  • The study was recently published in Cell Reports.

The players

Aaron Burberry

Assistant professor in the Department of Pathology at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine and the senior investigator of the study.

Alex Rodriguez-Palacios

Assistant professor in the Digestive Health Research Institute at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine.

Fabio Cominelli

Distinguished University Professor and director of the Digestive Health Research Institute at Case Western Reserve University, who oversees the program that made this discovery possible.

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What they’re saying

“We found that harmful gut bacteria produce inflammatory forms of glycogen (a type of sugar), and that these bacterial sugars trigger immune responses that damage the brain.”

— Aaron Burberry, Assistant professor in the Department of Pathology

“To understand when and why harmful microbial glycogen is produced, the team will next conduct larger studies surveying gut microbiome communities in ALS/FTD patients before and after disease onset.”

— Aaron Burberry, Assistant professor in the Department of Pathology

“Clinical trials to determine whether glycogen degradation in ALS/FTD patients could slow disease progression are also supported by our findings and could begin in a year.”

— Aaron Burberry, Assistant professor in the Department of Pathology

What’s next

Clinical trials to determine whether glycogen degradation in ALS/FTD patients could slow disease progression are planned to begin within a year.

The takeaway

This groundbreaking discovery provides new hope for patients suffering from ALS and FTD by identifying a key gut-brain connection that can be targeted with new treatments. The research opens the door for developing drugs that address this link, potentially offering a new path forward in combating these devastating neurodegenerative diseases.