A December 2023 Nature article revealed a major discovery: spinal cord injury dramatically alters gut bacteria, which then plays a direct role in how well the nervous system recovers.
After SCI, the body enters a state of gut dysbiosis—an imbalance in the microbiome. This shift reduces levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), beneficial gut metabolites that help regulate inflammation and support nerve healing.
Researchers found:
- SCI causes rapid and harmful changes to gut bacteria
- These changes worsen inflammation throughout the body
- Lower SCFA levels are linked to poorer neurological recovery
- Restoring gut balance may improve outcomes after SCI
This work suggests that microbiome therapies (probiotics, diet, SCFA supplements) could someday become a standard part of SCI treatment.
