A neuro-metabolic MRI evaluation of the impact that dietary improvement has on MS: A pilot study

Motivation: People living with Multiple Sclerosis (plwMS) often experience poor dietary habits, which negatively impacts disease progression. A non-pharmacological approach that improves diet quality may help slow MS progression. The neuro-metabolic implications of diet quality in plwMS remain unexplored. Goal(s): Investigate the impact of 3-month dietary intervention on neuro-metabolites in plwMS using fast MR spectroscopy(MRS). Approach: A pilot study was conducted on eight plwMS, involving a three-month dietary intervention with regular coaching, and MRS scans pre-and post-intervention to analyse neuro-metabolic changes. Results: The short-term dietary intervention led to significant improvements in dietary quality and neuro-metabolites, indicative of benefits of diet improvement on MS progression. Impact: This pilot study demonstrates the potential of dietary interventions for influencing the neuro-metabolic composition of plwMS, warranting a larger-scale trial. This research could lead to novel, non-pharmacological approaches for managing MS, potentially improving patient outcomes and quality of life.