Recent neuroscience studies have discovered that the biological makeup of the gut may contribute to some of the most common ASD symptoms. Experiments on mice, in particular, suggest that the pathway between gut bacteria and the central nervous system can influence social behaviors.
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Gut Microbiata Link to ASD-like Behavior
Researchers at the University of Rome 'Tor Vergata' and the University of Calabria recently conducted a new study on mice, investigating the effects of transplanting fecal microbiota gathered from autistic donors to mice.
When compared to the offspring of pregnant females exposed to valproic acid, fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) via gavage from autistic children donors resulted in the colonization of ASD-like microbiota and autistic behaviors (VPA). Such changes appeared to be closely related to increased populations of Tenericutes as well as a significant decrease (p 0.001) in Actinobacteria and Candidatus S. when compared to controls in the gastrointestinal region of FMT mice.
The new research findings, published in Neuroscience, add to the body of evidence linking gut microbiota to ASD-like social behaviors.
The researchers examined two groups of mice. The first group, labeled as the experimental group, was given microbiota transplanted from the guts of children with ASD. On the other hand, the mice in the second group, labeled as the control group, were given VPA, a synthetic compound with anticonvulsant properties, while still in their mothers' wombs.
The observed FMT-dependent changes were linked to a decrease in methylation status. Furthermore, villous atrophy and inflammatory infiltration (Caspase 3 and Ki67) were increased in the small intestine of FMT and VPA mice compared to controls.
The researchers discovered that mice given the ASD microbiota exhibited unusual behaviors while completing various maze tests commonly used in neuroscience research. Their actions may be similar to those observed in children and adults with ASD.
The result appear to confirm previous findings in the field, indicating that gut microbiota can indeed play a role in social behaviors. In the future, they may inspire new research in this area and contribute to the testing and gradual introduction of autism treatments that take diet and gut health into account.
Overall, the current study's findings support the importance of gut microbiota in ASD. However, more research is needed before any potential manipulation of gut bacteria with appropriate diets or probiotics can be conducted in ASD patients.
Some known autism causes include premature birth and late-life pregnancies.Others, however, such as environmental triggers, are active research topics.
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ASD Related Studies in the Past
ASD, or autism spectrum disorder, is a neurological and developmental condition that affects how people behave, learn new things, and communicate. People with ASD may face a variety of difficulties, which can be addressed through support services, talk therapy, and, in some cases, medication. Previous studies, published in the National Library of Medicine and Frontiers, indicate that the primary cause is the interaction of specific genes with environmental factors.
In 2019, one of the largest studies to date about ASD involved approximately two million people from five countries. The researchers concluded that risk was caused by genes, the environment, and factors affecting the mother.
Causation studies provide conclusive answers. Unfortunately, studies on ASD are scarce. It is widely accepted that ASD is caused by a combination of genes and the environment. This results in hundreds, if not thousands, of variables to investigate.
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