An approach to gut microbiota profile in children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Summary In recent years, there has been an increase in studies on the implications of gut microbiota (GM) on the behaviour of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) due to a dysbiosis in GM that can trigger onset, development or progression of ASD through the microbiota–gut–brain axis. The aim of this study is to carry out a systematic review of articles from the last 6 years that analyse GM in children with ASD compared to GM in control groups. Children with ASD showed a higher abundance of Roseburia and Candida genera, and lower abundance of Dialister, Bilophila, Veillonella, Streptococcus, Coprococcus and Prevotella genera. Those differences can be attributed to factors such as different nationalities, nature of control groups, place where the sample was taken, gastrointestinal (GI) problems or bacterial detection methods. It is still too early to define a specific GM profile of children with ASD, and future studies should focus on homogenizing the characteristics of samples and control groups. Furthermore, new multicentre studies should also focus on the impact of GM on GI physiology, neurophysiology and behaviour of children with ASD, and on performing psychometric analyses of the correlation between the severity of ASD behavioural symptoms and GM profiles.

A Developmental Profile of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder in China Using the Griffiths Mental Development Scales

“…The etiological factors remain largely unknown, but epigenetic factors, such as histone modification, DNA methylation and non-coding RNA, and the gut-microbiota-brain axis have been theorized to play an important role in ASD etiology (Martinez-Gonzalez and Andreo-Martinez, 2019;Andreo-Martinez et al, 2020;Yoon et al, 2020). Individuals with ASD often experience additional developmental disorders, with roughly 30% of those with ASD exhibiting other intellectual disabilities (IDs) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).…”

Efecto prebiótico de la alcachofa y su relación con las enfermedades mentales

“…Además, los AGCC también aumentan la sensibilidad a la insulina en el hígado y los músculos a través de GPR43, un receptor de AGCC en la grasa blanca, así como también aumentan la eficiencia energética [10]. Estos metabolitos pueden inducir efectos sobre el intestino, el cerebro y el comportamiento a través del eje microbiotaintestino-cerebro [13].…”

“…El ácido propiónico también es un ligando específico de muchos receptores de AGCC acoplados a proteínas G y, junto a otros AGCC como el ácido butírico, es absorbido por la glía y por las neuronas una vez que alcanzan el SNC, donde ejerce su función como fuente de energía del metabolismo celular, particularmente durante el desarrollo temprano del cerebro. El ácido propiónico y otros AGCC también afectan a diversos procesos fisiológicos tales como la señalización celular, producción de radicales libres, función mitocondrial, metabolismo lipídico, función inmune, sincronización de unión gap, mantenimiento del pH intracelular, y la modulación de la expresión génica a través de la fosforilación y acetilación de histonas y la síntesis y liberación de neurotransmisores [13].…”

Future Directions in Reducing Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children With ASD Using Fecal Microbiota Transplantation

“…The intestinal microbiota is formed in the first years of a child's life (Wopereis et al, 2014). Some evidences shows that nearly half of microbiota maturity is reached around the age of three (Yatsunenko et al, 2012), and other indicates that microbiota maturation may last through adolescence (Agans et al, 2011;Ringel-Kulka et al, 2013). During this period, environmental factors, such as the child's feeding type, breastfeeding status followed by diet dependent on culture and season, and another environmental exposures or hygiene, affect its formation (Lozupone et al, 2012;Wopereis et al, 2014).…”