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Gut permeability in autism spectrum disorders

Neil Dalton1, Susie Chandler, Charles Turner

  • 1WellChild Laboratory, Evelina Children's Hospital & King's College London, London.

Autism Research : Official Journal of the International Society for Autism Research
|December 17, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This study found no significant difference in gut permeability between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and those with special educational needs (SEN). Gut permeability assessments in ASD did not reveal increased intestinal permeability in this cohort.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Pediatric Health

Background:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
  • Altered gut permeability has been hypothesized as a contributing factor in ASD.
  • Investigating gut health in ASD is crucial for understanding potential therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit increased gut permeability.
  • To compare gut permeability in a population-derived cohort of children with ASD against age- and IQ-matched controls with special educational needs (SEN).

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 133 children (103 with ASD, 30 with SEN), aged 10-14 years, underwent an oral mannitol and lactulose test.
  • Urine samples were collected over 6 hours to measure the lactulose/mannitol (L/M) recovery ratio using mass spectrometry.
  • The ASD group was analyzed with and without accounting for regression.

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant difference in the L/M recovery ratio was found between children with ASD (0.015) and those with SEN (0.014).
  • Analysis of lactulose, mannitol, and creatinine recovery also showed no significant group differences.
  • Subgroup analysis of ASD children with and without regression yielded consistent results, aligning with established normal ranges.

Conclusions:

  • This study indicates no statistically significant difference in small intestine permeability in children with ASD compared to a control group with SEN.
  • While most participants fell within normal ranges, two children (one ASD, one SEN) showed elevated L/M ratios, potentially linked to celiac disease and past abdominal surgery, respectively.
Abstract

Keywords:
autismautism spectrum disordersgut permeabilitylactulose/mannitol ratio

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