A new study by researchers in Japan has identified a potential connection between gum disease and multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic condition that affects the brain and spinal cord.
Multiple sclerosis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath, the protective covering of nerve cells, disrupting communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
This can result in symptoms such as muscle weakness, balance difficulties, and vision problems.
According to the study, a common oral bacterium known as Fusobacterium nucleatum, which is strongly associated with gum disease, may worsen MS symptoms.
While the exact cause of MS remains unclear, scientists believe factors such as infections, vitamin deficiencies, smoking, and genetics may play a role in triggering the disease.
Previous research has largely focused on the role of gut bacteria in influencing MS. However, this latest study shifted attention to oral bacteria, particularly those involved in periodontitis, a chronic gum infection that affects nearly half of the world’s population and is also linked to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.
Researchers analyzed tongue-coating samples from patients with MS, as well as from individuals with related neurological disorders, including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD).
The findings revealed that MS patients with higher levels of Fusobacterium nucleatum showed greater disability, as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
Notably, this association was not observed in patients with NMOSD or MOGAD, suggesting that gum disease bacteria may have a unique and disease-specific impact on multiple sclerosis.
