Nothing surprising in the findings of the study, and in fact a great corroboration of the results from the high-dose biotin human study with the aggressive form of MS published several years ago. The officially proposed mechanism of biotin in that study was improved glucose oxidation, mitochondrial respiration and oxygen consumption.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27589059
The study below used fMRI scans of the brains of MS patients and discovered reduced oxygen consumption (and metabolic rate) of about 15% (compared to health controls) in the neurons of the patients, as well as reduced glucose oxidation (which automatically translates to increased lactate and fatty acid oxidation) of up to 40%. While the study dances around the issue of cause and effect in regards to these findings, it concludes that MS is undoubtedly a mitochondrial disease of completely environmental (non-genetic) nature. As such, we can make the suggestion that MS may be alleviated by pro-metabolic substances that enhance glucose metabolism such as aspirin, niacinamide, thiamine, biotin, thyroid, progesterone, and androgens (for males).
https://doi.org/10.1177/0271678X231224502
“…Mitochondrial dysfunction has been indicated as a possible mechanism in the pathophysiology of relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS); however, more studies are needed to determine the value of cerebral oxygen consumption as a predictive biomarker, according to a recent study published in Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism. Although recent progress has made multiple disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) available to patients with MS, patients are still susceptible to disease progression and cerebral atrophy—even when treatments are deemed successful. This reality leads researchers, such as the present authors, to ponder avenues for advancing the current understandings of MS pathophysiology. The authors of the present study detail that the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (CMRO2) is reduced in patients with MS compared with otherwise healthy individuals. Due to the observed alterations in oxygen and glucose metabolism, one theory suggests that the brains of patients with MS may be fatigued and affected by energy failures.”
“…Reflecting on their findings, the researchers recognize then need for further studies to examine the relationship between reductions in cerebral oxygen consumption and brain atrophy. However, their results do indicate mitochondrial dysfunction as the underlying pathophysiology of RRMS.”
