Dr Nikhil Sharma, a consultant neurosurgeon here in Queen Square has been awarded a £1.2million grant to continue his investigation into how changes in gut bacteria may slow the progression of neurodegenerative disorders such as Motor Neurone Disease.

Dr Sharma is part of a team who will use imaging techniques to assess whether changes in gut bacteria can influence crucial ‘microglia’ cells in the brain that control inflammation. These cells appear to be pivotal to the development of motor neurone disease and Alzheimer’ Disease and it is hoped that they may be able to protect these neurones easily on in disease in order to slow progression.  Results from the study are due in 2021 and it is hoped that they may be translater across many other neurodegenerative disorders.