Scientists have discovered distinct gut bacteria in children with autism, offering clues to potential treatments. However, they emphasize the need for more personalized and cautious probiotic approaches. Study: Unraveling the relative abundance of psychobiotic bacteria in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder .
Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports , researchers investigated links between changes in gut microbiota and gastrointestinal symptoms in Egyptian children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Their findings uncovered differences in gut microbes between typically developing (TD) children and those with ASD and some associations between certain species and physical, behavioral, and health outcomes. However, the study also emphasized that further research is needed to understand these associations and their potential clinical applications fully.
Background Researchers estimate that in Egypt, 5.4 children in 1,000 have ASD. ASD, which can begin in early childhood and is a lifelong condition, involves repetitive behaviors and challenges in social communication.
ASD is the result of complex environmental and genetic factors. One environmental factor that has been linked to ASD is gut dysbiosis or imbalances in gut bacteria, suggesting that there is a strong gut-brain connection. Beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are probiotics whose live strains are consumed and can produce substa.