Intestinal Immunity in Neurologic Disease

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 18 and up

ONE of the following

• Recommended to under a screening colonoscopy (+/- upper endoscopy) as part of standard of care. This includes healthy individuals as well as those with neurologic and/or autoimmune diseases. OR
• Willing to undergo research colonoscopy (+/- upper endoscopy) for research

Exclusion Criteria

• Currently pregnant. Women of childbearing potential would perform a point of care urine pregnancy test prior to colonoscopy/endoscopy.
• Known or suspected, chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disease (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease)
• Known, acute or chronic infections
• Systemic antibiotic (PO or IV) use within 3 months of colonoscopy
• Systemic corticosteroid use (equivalent of prednisone 10 mg per day or higher for >5 days) within 2 weeks of colonoscopy
• Malignancy, diagnosed or treated within the last 5 years
• Probiotic use within 2 weeks of procedure
• History of major GI surgery (e.g. colon resection, gastric bypass)
• Bleeding disorder, or on anticoagulant medication
• Other medical condition that, in the judgement of the investigator, would lead to higher-than-expected risks of biopsy
• Allergy to MAC anesthesia or other drugs used pursuant to standard of care for biospecimen collection