Long-term benefit of Microbiota Transfer Therapy on autism symptoms and gut microbiota

Abstract

Many studies have reported abnormal gut microbiota in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), suggesting a link between gut microbiome and autism-like behaviors. Modifying the gut microbiome is a potential route to improve gastrointestinal (GI) and behavioral symptoms in children with ASD, and fecal microbiota transplant could transform the dysbiotic gut microbiome toward a healthy one by delivering a large number of commensal microbes from a healthy donor. We previously performed an open-label trial of Microbiota Transfer Therapy (MTT) that combined antibiotics, a bowel cleanse, a stomach-acid suppressant, and fecal microbiota transplant, and observed significant improvements in GI symptoms, autism-related symptoms, and gut microbiota. Here, we report on a follow-up with the same 18 participants two years after treatment was completed. Notably, most improvements in GI symptoms were maintained, and autism-related symptoms improved even more after the end of treatment. Important changes in gut microbiota at the end of treatment remained at follow-up, including significant increases in bacterial diversity and relative abundances of Bifidobacteria and Prevotella . Our observations demonstrate the long-term safety and efficacy of MTT as a potential therapy to treat children with ASD who have GI problems, and warrant a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in the future.

Gut microbiota profiles of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A systematic literature review.

“…[69][70][71] Conversely, several commensal bacteria with lower relative abundance are known to induce anti-inflammatory effects 72,73 or are involved in the maintenance of normal metabolism. 64,[73][74][75] The findings have been supported by Rose et al 47 and Carissimi et al, 51 who reported that ASD cases had an increased concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, we still lack more in-depth analyzes in the functions affected by the gut microbiota in ASD.…”

A Descriptive Review on the Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Disturbances and Their Multiple Associations in Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Moreover, clinical assessments showed a slow but steady improvement in core ASD symptoms, and the improvements were sustained after an eight-week follow-up observation period [46]. Remarkably, in a recent follow-up with the same 18 participants, two years after treatment, GI benefits were mostly maintained and autism-related symptoms improved even more [47].…”

Interaction of the microbiota with the human body in health and diseases

“…In another study, microbiota transfer therapy (MTT) was used to treat autism-like behaviors. Kang et al found improvement in behavioral symptoms in autistic children when the children received transplanted commensal microbes from healthy donors [90].…”