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Autism spectrum disorders and intestinal microbiota.
Maria De Angelis1, Ruggiero Francavilla, Maria Piccolo
1a Department of Soil; Plant and Food Sciences; University of Bari Aldo Moro ; Bari , Italy.
Gut Microbes
|April 4, 2015
Summary
Children with autism (AD) and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) show altered gut microbiota and metabolomes compared to healthy children. These changes, including neurotransmitter molecules, may correlate with disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric health
Background:
- Intestinal microbiota significantly influence host health through gut-brain-microbiota interactions.
- Previous research suggests a link between gut health and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the fecal microbiota and metabolomes of children with autism (AD) or PDD-NOS to healthy controls (HC).
- To investigate the correlation between microbial alterations and disease severity.
- To explore differences in metabolites between AD and PDD-NOS groups.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of fecal microbiota composition in children with AD, PDD-NOS, and HC.
- Metabolomic profiling of fecal samples, focusing on free amino acids (FAA) and volatile organic compounds (VOC).
- Statistical comparison of microbial and metabolic data across the study groups.
Main Results:
- Children with PDD-NOS or AD exhibited altered fecal microbiota and metabolomes, including neurotransmitter molecules, compared to HC.
- A higher degree of microbial and metabolic alteration was observed in children with AD, followed by PDD-NOS, compared to HC.
- Distinct differences in FAA and VOC levels were found between children with AD and PDD-NOS, with PDD-NOS subjects showing profiles more similar to HC.
Conclusions:
- The study provides evidence of significant gut microbiota and metabolome alterations in children with AD and PDD-NOS.
- The findings suggest a potential correlation between the extent of microbial dysbiosis and the severity of these neurodevelopmental disorders.
- This research offers new insights into the complex interplay between intestinal microbiota and autism spectrum disorder.
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