Characterization of Intestinal Microbiota and Probiotics Treatment in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders in China

Abstract

Background: Most previous studies have found that human intestinal microbiota affect the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), especially gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, but regarding this, there is limited data of non-western ethnicity. Probiotics can reconstitute the host intestinal microbiota and strengthen gastrointestinal function, however, clinical data proving the effect of probiotics treatment on ASD is lacking.Methods: This study explored the significant differences between ASD and neurotypical (NT), and the improvement of applied behavior analysis (ABA) training in combination with probiotics, vs. ABA training only.Results: We found significant differences between the ASD group and the NT group in the evenness of the intestinal microbiota and the relative abundance of the bacterial phyla and genus. At the phylum level, relative abundance of Bacteroidetes in the ASD group was significantly lower than in the NT group. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Ruminococcus, Roseburia, and Blautia in the ASD group was significantly lower than that in the NT group. After a 4-week ABA training program in combination with probiotics treatment, the ATEC and GI scores decreased more than the control group with ABA training only.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that intestinal microbiota is different between the NT children and the ASD children with or without GI problems. In combination with ABA training, probiotics treatment can bring more benefit to ASD children. Clinical trials with a more rigorous design and larger sample size are indispensable for further validation.

Gut Bacteria Shared by Children and Their Mothers Associate with Developmental Level and Social Deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…For example, the numbers of specific gut bacteria, which were predominantly from the family Lachnospiraceae and the genus Bacteroides , decreased in ASD children. These results were consistent with previous studies that reported the abundances of this family and genus were decreased in Chinese ASD children ( 24 , 25 ). However, a previous study, involving a Spanish cohort, showed that the abundance of Bacteroides increased in ASD children, which is inconsistent with our finding ( 26 ).…”

A Ketogenic Diet and the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Porphyromonadaceae, Prevotellaceae, Bacteroidales, and Lachnospiraceae were more abundant in the ASD animal model ( 40 ). An increasing number of studies showed that gut microbiota disturbances were associated with ASD patients, and modulation of the gut microbiota improved symptoms in ASD patients ( 7 , 64 , 65 ).…”

Alteration of Gut Microbiota in Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Overview

“…The improvement lasted up to 9 months after discontinuation of treatment. Niu et al [148] applied a combination of applied behavior analysis (ABA) training and probiotic administration for 4 weeks in children with ASD. Although it was difficult to distinguish from the effects of ABA, the results showed that the symptoms of ASD patients taking probiotics, as measured by the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist, improved.…”