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Gut microbiota changes in patients with autism spectrum disorders
Xue Ding1, Yiran Xu1, Xiaoli Zhang1
1Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury, Third Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
Insights
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit distinct gut microbiota profiles, including altered microbial composition and increased biodiversity. These gut microbiome differences may contribute to ASD symptoms, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies targeting the gut.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently presents with gastrointestinal issues, suggesting a link between gut health and neurodevelopmental conditions.
- The gut microbiota's role in host physiology and its potential influence on brain function are areas of growing research interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively characterize the gut microbiota composition and diversity in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- To investigate the relationship between specific microbial profiles and the severity of ASD symptoms.
- To identify potential microbial biomarkers for differentiating ASD patients from healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of gut microbiota composition using 16S rRNA sequencing in 77 children with ASD and 50 healthy controls (HC).
- Assessment of microbial biomass, richness, and biodiversity.
- Application of a random forest model to identify diagnostic microbial markers.
- Analysis of functional differences in microbial metabolic pathways.
Main Results:
- Children with ASD displayed significantly higher gut microbial biomass, richness, and biodiversity compared to HC.
- Altered microbial community structure in ASD, with increased abundance of unidentified Lachnospiraceae, Clostridiales, Erysipelotrichaceae, Dorea, Collinsella, and Lachnoclostridium.
- Decreased abundance of Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Parasutterella, and Paraprevotella in ASD group.
- Three microbial markers (Faecalitalea, Caproiciproducens, Collinsella) demonstrated high accuracy (AUC 0.94-0.98) in differentiating ASD from HC.
- Significant differences in metabolic pathways, including galactose metabolism and glutathione metabolism, were observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbiota profiles are significantly altered in children with ASD, characterized by increased diversity and specific shifts in bacterial genera.
- Specific gut microbes correlate with ASD severity, and microbial markers can effectively distinguish ASD patients.
- These findings highlight the gut microbiome's potential role in ASD pathogenesis and symptomology, positioning gut microbiota modulation as a promising therapeutic avenue.
Abstract:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a high incidence of intestinal comorbidity, indicating a strong association with gut microbiota. The purpose of this study was to characterize gut microbiota profiles in children with ASD. Seventy-seven children with ASD [33 with mild ASD and 44 with severe ASD according to the Childhood Autism Rating Scale score] and 50 age-matched healthy children were enrolled. Compared with children in the healthy control (HC) group, those in the ASD group showed higher biomass, richness, and biodiversity of gut microbiota, and an altered microbial community structure. At the genus level, there was a significant increase in the relative abundance of unidentified Lachnospiraceae, Clostridiales, Erysipelotrichaceae, Dorea, Collinsella, and Lachnoclostridium, whereas Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Parasutterella, and Paraprevotella were significantly lower in the ASD group than in the control group. The presence of unidentified Erysipelotrichaceae, Faecalibacterium, and Lachnospiraceae was positively correlated with ASD severity. Notably, three microbial markers (Faecalitalea, Caproiciproducens and Collinsella) were identified in a random forest model with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.94 for differentiation between HCs and ASD patients. Furthermore, the validation model was consistent with the discovery set (AUC = 0.98, 95% CI: 97.9%-100%). The training and testing sets were more effective when the number of bacteria was increased. In addition, the functional properties (such as galactose metabolism, glycosyltransferase activity, and glutathione metabolism) displayed significant differences between the ASD and HC groups. The current study provides evidence for the relationship between gut microbiota and ASD, with the findings suggesting that gut microbiota could contribute to symptomology. Thus, modulation of gut microbiota may be a new therapeutic strategy for ASD.
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