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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.
Journal of Psychiatric Research
|September 11, 2020
Summary
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.
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