19564
Austism Spectrum Disorder and the Brain-Gut-Microbiome Axis
Objectives: the aim of this work is to analyse and identify differences on fecal microbiota (as a proxy for gut microbiota), some neurotransmitters levels and SCFA (short chain fatty acids) between autistic children and healthy donors. If the unique microbial flora or metabolic profile is found to be a causative or consequent factor in GI disorders in ASD, it may have implications with regard to a specific diagnostic test, its epidemiology, and therapeutic targeting of the gut microbiota as a viable treatment strategy for ASD
Methods: we analyzed Serotonin and Dopamine, both neurotransmitter monoamines involved in modulating adult cortical plasticity, also GABA and SCFA (short chain fatty acids) profile in fecal samples in a cohort of 30 patients that met DSM V criteria for autism based on ADOS and their typical developed (TD) siblings. The control sample consisted of 35 healthy donors, sex-matched with the case sample.
Results: Autistic patients have a unique microbiome consisting of more clostridial species. Half of all autistic children with gastrointestinal dysfunction were found to have Sutterella, a bacteria which is absent in no autistic children with gastrointestinal dysfunction. Our results show that microbiota and metabolic profiles from ADS children significantly differ from their healthy siblings and controls and suggest a potential correlation with gastrointestinal dysfunction.
Conclusions: Differences in microbiota and some metabolites levels found in ADS children stools versus controls correlates with GI distress. Also CNS neurotransmission can be profoundly disturbed by the gut microbiome in ASD.