MS Patients Show Improved Olfactory Function with DMTs Compared to Untreated Patients

In a study of 60 subjects, including 30 MS patients treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and 30 healthy controls, olfactory function was significantly better in DMT-treated MS patients compared to untreated patients, while also being lower overall in MS patients than in controls. Additionally, lower NK cell counts were noted in DMT-treated patients and correlated with olfactory test scores. Differences in nasal microbiota were also observed between groups.

Tags: #MSResearch
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Source: Read original source (PMID 42807502)

This plain-English summary was written by AI from a published abstract and may contain errors. It is not medical advice. Read the original study and talk to your MS team before making decisions about treatment.

Why it matters

This research highlights a potential link between disease-modifying therapies, olfactory function, and immune cell characteristics in multiple sclerosis, suggesting that DMTs may confer benefits beyond traditional endpoints.

What this does not prove

The study had a small sample size, did not establish causality, and the findings are preliminary, requiring further investigation to validate results and explore mechanisms.

Next milestone

No next milestone was established from the available source.

Study facts

Study design: Observational
Participants / samples: 60 · basis not reported
Randomised: No
Controlled: Yes
Primary endpoint met: Yes
Relevant MS type: Not reported
Publication date: 2026-09-14
Evidence reviewed: Abstract only
Regulatory approval: Not reported
Research areas: Not classified

Original sources

Primary evidenceDisease-modifying therapies are associated with improved olfactory function via NK cell- microbiota interactions in multiple sclerosis. ↗DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1889149

Supporting passages (13)

study designMETHODS: Thirty patients with MS and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled.

subjectsMETHODS: Thirty patients with MS and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled.

sample sizeMETHODS: Thirty patients with MS and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled.

randomizedPatients were classified as DMT-treated (MS[DMT+]) or untreated (MS[DMT-]).

controlledPatients were classified as DMT-treated (MS[DMT+]) or untreated (MS[DMT-]).

peer reviewedJournal: Frontiers in immunology

primary endpoint metRESULTS: Olfactory function was lower in MS than in HCs, and better in MS(DMTs+) than in MS(DMTs-) (p =0.016, 95% CI 0.5614 to 4.941).

publication datePublication date: 2026-09-14

interventionOBJECTIVE: To examine the associations of nasal microbiota with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), lymphocyte subsets and olfactory function in multiple sclerosis (MS).

comparatorCompared with HCs, MS(DMTs-) showed higher Shannon diversity (p =0.038), increased Proteobacteria (p =0.004), reduced Moraxellaceae (p =0.037) and Enterobacteriaceae (p =0.033), and enriched branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis (p =0.026).

primary endpointOlfactory function was assessed using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT).

findingsRESULTS: Olfactory function was lower in MS than in HCs, and better in MS(DMTs+) than in MS(DMTs-) (p =0.016, 95% CI 0.5614 to 4.941).

limitationsTitle: Disease-modifying therapies are associated with improved olfactory function via NK cell- microbiota interactions in multiple sclerosis.

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