Oral Butyrate Supplementation in Patients with ALS: Impact on Gut Microbiota and Disease Progression

Author

• Annabelle Keller, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
• Kaydee Kinnett, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
• Camaryn Barbanel, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
• Trinity Blakeney, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Submission Date

4-13-2026

Document Type

Undergraduate Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition (BSHN)

First Mentor

Andrea Charvet, PhD, RDN

Keywords

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Butyrate-Producing Bacteria, Neurodegenerative Disease, Gut–Brain Axis, Neuroinflammation, Short-Chain Fatty Acids, ALSFRS-R

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive motor neuron loss. Emerging evidence suggests that alterations in gut microbiota—particularly reductions in butyrate-producing bacteria—may contribute to neuroinflammatory pathways involved in disease progression. Observational studies in patients with ALS and preclinical findings from transgenic mouse models demonstrate gut microbial dysbiosis, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and improved survival following butyrate supplementation, suggesting the potential role of butyrate availability in ALS pathophysiology. The present study investigates whether oral butyrate supplementation can modulate inflammatory responses, improve gut microbiota composition, and slow functional decline among patients with ALS. Participants will be recruited from the Cathy J. Husman ALS Center at Nova Southeastern University and randomized to receive either oral butyrate supplementation or placebo. Outcomes will include disease progression based on changes in ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) scores, inflammatory biomarkers, and relative abundance of butyrate-producing gut bacteria, assessed longitudinally over a 6-month period. We hypothesize that oral butyrate supplementation will improve inflammatory profiles and gut microbiota composition, as well as reduce the rate of ALSFRS-R decline compared to placebo.

NSUWorks Citation

Annabelle Keller, Kaydee Kinnett, Camaryn Barbanel, and Trinity Blakeney. 2026. Oral Butyrate Supplementation in Patients with ALS: Impact on Gut Microbiota and Disease Progression. Capstone. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, . (51)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_com_nutrition/51.