Prebiotic Treatment During Pregnancy Prevents Social Deficits Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder-like Behavior...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Maternal exposure to infectious agents is linked to offspring mental disorders like autism spectrum disorder.
• Maternal immune responses during pregnancy can impact fetal neurodevelopment and future central nervous system function.
• Inulin, a prebiotic fiber, promotes beneficial short-chain fatty acids and may reduce inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if inulin treatment during pregnancy can mitigate the effects of maternal immune activation (MIA) on offspring neurodevelopment.
• To assess the protective effects of inulin against maternal exposure to soluble *Toxoplasma gondii* antigen (STAg) in a mouse model.
• To analyze behavioral outcomes and gut microbiota changes in offspring following maternal inulin treatment and immune challenge.

Main Methods:

• A dose-response study using Swiss mice exposed to STAg and varying doses of inulin during pregnancy.
• Behavioral assessments of adult offspring, including the three-chamber social interaction test and anhedonia tests.
• Characterization of offspring fecal microbiota composition at family and genus levels.

Main Results:

• Offspring exposed to STAg exhibited reduced sociability (males and females) and anhedonia (females only).
• Inulin co-treatment significantly mitigated STAg-induced social deficits and anhedonia in offspring.
• Significant alterations in fecal microbiota composition were observed between STAg-exposed and inulin-treated groups.

Conclusions:

• Inulin demonstrates a potential protective effect against neurodevelopmental impacts of maternal immune challenges during pregnancy.
• The protective mechanisms of inulin may involve modulation of the offspring's gut microbiome.
• Inulin supplementation represents a promising strategy to counteract adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes linked to maternal immune activation.