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Mixed Evidence for Impact of Early Infant Gut Microbiome and Later Development of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the
Jennie Sotelo-Orozco1, Diana H Taft2,3, Jassim Al-Oboudi2
1Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
Insights
Early infant gut microbiome composition shows subtle differences related to later neurodevelopmental outcomes, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Further research with larger cohorts is needed to confirm these early microbial markers.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Neurodevelopmental science
- Pediatric health
Background:
- The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in infant development.
- Early life microbial exposures may influence neurodevelopmental trajectories.
- Identifying early biomarkers for neurodevelopmental conditions is a key research goal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between early infant gut microbiome composition and later neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- To determine if microbial differences in infancy predict the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- To explore potential microbial biomarkers for neurodevelopmental diagnoses.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of fecal samples from infants (0-7 months) in the MARBLES cohort using 16S rRNA sequencing.
- Clinical classification of neurodevelopmental status (ASD, non-TD, TD) around 36 months using gold-standard assessments.
- Comparison of gut microbial diversity (alpha and beta) and bacterial taxa abundance between diagnostic groups.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in overall gut microbial diversity or major taxa were found between infants who developed ASD/non-TD and those who were typically developing (TD).
- A potential subtle difference was observed: infants later diagnosed with ASD showed slightly lower levels of Veillonella and Flavonifractor genera before multiple comparison adjustment.
- These subtle microbial differences may be less impactful than factors like delivery mode and infant diet.
Conclusions:
- Early infant gut microbiome composition does not show significant differences associated with later ASD diagnosis based on current analysis.
- Subtle alterations in specific bacterial genera like Veillonella and Flavonifractor may warrant further investigation as potential early indicators.
- Larger cohort studies and analysis at later infant time points are recommended to elucidate the longitudinal relationship between the gut microbiome and neurodevelopment.
Abstract:
This study investigated the relationship between early infant gut microbiome composition and subsequent neurodevelopmental outcomes. Fecal samples from children in the markers of autism risks in babies-learning early signs (MARBLES) study, a cohort with elevated likelihood of autism, were collected between 0 and 7 months of age and analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing to evaluate whether the gut microbial composition during early infancy is associated with later neurodevelopmental diagnoses. Clinical classification as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), non-typically developing without ASD (non-TD), or typically developing (TD) was completed around 36 months of age using gold-standard assessment tools. Overall, no significant differences in alpha diversity or beta diversity, nor any differentially abundant bacterial taxa, were found between groups of infants who developed ASD or non-TD compared to those who went on to have TD. Nonetheless, our findings highlight some early differences in gut microbial composition during infancy that may relate to later neurodevelopmental outcomes. Before adjusting for multiple comparisons, infants who later developed ASD had slightly lower levels of Veillonella and Flavonifractor genera compared to children who were later found to be TD. These results suggest specific bacterial taxa may already differentiate in early infancy, but may be more subtle than other factors, such as mode of delivery and diet during early infancy. To understand longitudinal trajectories of the gut microbiome in association with later neurodevelopment, future studies should include a larger cohort to detect smaller effect sizes or investigate later time points in infancy.
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