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Disrupted gut harmony in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Dysbiosis and decreased short-chain fatty acids
Rafi Steckler1,2,3, Faiga Magzal2,3, Marta Kokot1
1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Pediatrics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland.
Insights
Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have altered gut microbiota and lower levels of beneficial Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs). These findings suggest gut health may play a role in ADHD development and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.
- Gut microbiota alterations are increasingly linked to ADHD pathophysiology.
- This study examines gut microbial and Short-Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) differences in ADHD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate variations in gut microbiota composition and SCFA profiles in children and adolescents with ADHD compared to healthy controls.
- To identify potential microbial or metabolic biomarkers for ADHD.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed fecal samples from 42 ADHD patients and 31 controls (aged 6-18).
- Utilized 16S rRNA gene sequencing for microbial composition and GC-MS for SCFA profiling.
- Assessed gut microbiota diversity (α and β) and quantified SCFA levels.
Main Results:
- ADHD subjects showed significantly reduced gut microbiota diversity (lower Shannon index, observed species, Faith PD).
- A trend towards altered β-diversity (Weighted UniFrac) was observed in the ADHD group.
- ADHD patients had significantly lower levels of key SCFAs, including acetic, propionic, and valeric acids.
Conclusions:
- Significant alterations in gut microbiota and SCFA profiles exist in children with ADHD.
- SCFAs are crucial for neural signaling and associated with other neurological conditions.
- Findings suggest gut microbiota may offer novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for ADHD.
Background:
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder with complex genetic and environmental underpinnings. Emerging evidence suggests a significant role of gut microbiota in ADHD pathophysiology. This study investigates variations in gut microbiota composition and Short-Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) profiles between children and adolescents with ADHD and healthy controls.
Methods:
The study included 42 ADHD patients and 31 healthy controls, aged 6-18 years. Fecal samples were analyzed for microbial composition using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and for SCFA profiles through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The study assessed both α and β diversity of gut microbiota and quantified various SCFAs to compare between the groups.
Results:
ADHD subjects demonstrated significantly reduced gut microbiota diversity, as indicated by lower α-diversity indices (Shannon index, Observed species, Faith PD index) and a trend towards significance in β-diversity (Weighted UniFrac). Notably, the ADHD group exhibited significantly lower levels of key SCFAs, including acetic, propionic, isobutyric, isovaleric, and valeric acids, highlighting a distinct microbial and metabolic profile in these individuals.
Conclusion:
This study uncovers significant alterations in gut microbiota and SCFA profiles in children with ADHD, compared to healthy controls. The observed changes in SCFAs, known for their associations with other behavioral and neurologic pathologies, and for their role in neural signaling. These findings offer a metabolite fingerprint that could potentially lead to novel diagnostic and treatment approaches for ADHD, emphasizing the importance of gut microbiota in the disorder's pathogenesis and management.
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