WASHINGTON – Can what goes on in a child’s womb determine whether or not they develop autism? A new study finds a link between the gut microbiome and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Colorado researchers reveal bacterial changes in the stomach predict behavioral fluctuations among patients.
“In the long run, we could see that changes in the microbiome in an individual are associated with behavioral changes,” said Catherine Lozupone, PhD, a microbiologist from the Anschutz Medical Campus of the University of Colorado, in a media statement. “If we are to understand the link between the gut microbiome and autism, we need more collaborative efforts in different regions and centers to get thorough generalizable information about this relationship.”
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Researchers compared the intestinal microbiome of patients diagnosed with autism with other “neurotypical” individuals. The team conducted their research in two locations, Colorado and Arizona. Interestingly, the intestinal bacteria of the participants differ greatly depending on the condition in which they have lived. In addition, autistic individuals from Arizona show significantly more gastrointestinal symptoms.
When researchers were searching for location, they discovered that the intestinal microbiome has a significant association with autism. However, when the team considered gastrointestinal symptoms, the findings did not hold up. Study authors also followed participants’ behavioral and microbiome changes over several months.
“We have participants every three months to study and have a number of checklists completed, one of which is the deviant behavioral checklist that looks at behaviors associated with inappropriate speech and repetitive movements,” explains Dr. Lozupone. A food frequency questionnaire asked participants what they had eaten in the past week. We also asked what type of GI symptoms participants experienced. We obtained fecal samples to look at the microbiome. We collected all this data to see how it relates to each other. ”
Your belly makeup can affect social interactions
That long-term studies have revealed that changes in the social tendencies of autistic individuals, such as lethargy and social withdrawal, are related to the timing of various bacterial fluctuations in the stomach. Furthermore, a decrease in the diversity of microbiomes revealed a link with the subsequent ‘deterioration of inappropriate speech’.
“We need more research, but our work shows that the gut microbiome plays a role in provoking symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder,” concludes Dr Lozupone. ‘It further supports the fact that the gut microbiome can be a valuable therapeutic target for children with autism spectrum disorders. I know that some labs have examined things like fecal microbiome transplantation in these children and have had promising results. ‘
One in every 54 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The CDC says that boys are four times more likely to develop autism than girls.
The study appears in the journal mSisteme.