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Updated: Apr 25, 2026
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Published on: February 3, 2016
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Altered brain-gut axis in autism: comorbidity or causative mechanisms?
Emeran A Mayer1, David Padua, Kirsten Tillisch
1Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress, Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Summary
Altered gut-brain communication may influence brain disorders. Probiotic treatment showed promise in improving abnormal behaviors in a rodent model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with gut microbiome alterations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Altered gut-brain axis communication is increasingly recognized in neurological disorders.
- Gastrointestinal issues are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with unknown mechanisms.
- Gut microbiome alterations are hypothesized to contribute to ASD pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of gut microbiome alterations in a rodent model of ASD.
- To evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of probiotics on ASD-related behaviors and gut physiology.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a rodent model of autism induced by prenatal maternal infection.
- Analyzed behavioral changes, gut physiology, and gut microbial composition and metabolites.
- Administered probiotic treatment to assess its impact on observed abnormalities.
Main Results:
- The maternal infection model exhibited altered behavior, gut physiology, and microbiome composition.
- Probiotic treatment demonstrated a positive effect on several abnormal behaviors in the model.
- Changes in microbial and metabolite profiles were observed in conjunction with behavioral improvements.
Conclusions:
- The gut microbiome plays a significant role in ASD pathophysiology.
- Probiotic interventions may offer a potential therapeutic strategy for ASD.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms of the gut-brain axis in ASD.
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