Microbiota in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by several core symptoms: restricted interests, communication difficulties, and impaired social interactions. Many ASD children experience gastrointestinal functional disorders, impacting their well-being. Emergin...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/23/16660 |
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| author | Zuzanna Lewandowska-Pietruszka Magdalena Figlerowicz Katarzyna Mazur-Melewska |
| author_facet | Zuzanna Lewandowska-Pietruszka Magdalena Figlerowicz Katarzyna Mazur-Melewska |
| author_sort | Zuzanna Lewandowska-Pietruszka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by several core symptoms: restricted interests, communication difficulties, and impaired social interactions. Many ASD children experience gastrointestinal functional disorders, impacting their well-being. Emerging evidence suggests that a gut microbiota imbalance may exacerbate core and gastrointestinal symptoms. Our review assesses the gut microbiota in children with ASD and interventions targeting microbiota modulation. The analysis of forty-four studies (meta-analyses, reviews, original research) reveals insights into the gut microbiota–ASD relationship. While specific microbiota alterations are mixed, some trends emerge. ASD children exhibit increased Firmicutes (36–81%) and Pseudomonadota (78%) and decreased Bacteroidetes (56%). The Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratio tends to be lower (56%) compared to children without ASD, which correlates with behavioral and gastrointestinal abnormalities. Probiotics, particularly <i>Lactobacillus</i>, <i>Bifidobacterium</i>, and <i>Streptococcus</i> strains, show promise in alleviating behavioral and gastrointestinal symptoms (66%). Microbiota transfer therapy (MTT) seems to have lasting benefits for the microbiota and symptoms in one longitudinal study. Prebiotics can potentially help with gastrointestinal and behavioral issues, needing further research for conclusive efficacy due to different interventions being used. This review highlights the gut microbiota–ASD interplay, offering potential therapeutic avenues for the gut–brain axis. However, study heterogeneity, small sample sizes, and methodological variations emphasize the need for comprehensive, standardized research. Future investigations may unveil complex mechanisms linking the gut microbiota to ASD, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for affected individuals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:51:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cf77c85f56c54587b778358a2eff760b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:51:14Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-cf77c85f56c54587b778358a2eff760b2023-12-08T15:16:43ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672023-11-0124231666010.3390/ijms242316660Microbiota in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic ReviewZuzanna Lewandowska-Pietruszka0Magdalena Figlerowicz1Katarzyna Mazur-Melewska2Department of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznan, PolandDepartment of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznan, PolandDepartment of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznan, PolandAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by several core symptoms: restricted interests, communication difficulties, and impaired social interactions. Many ASD children experience gastrointestinal functional disorders, impacting their well-being. Emerging evidence suggests that a gut microbiota imbalance may exacerbate core and gastrointestinal symptoms. Our review assesses the gut microbiota in children with ASD and interventions targeting microbiota modulation. The analysis of forty-four studies (meta-analyses, reviews, original research) reveals insights into the gut microbiota–ASD relationship. While specific microbiota alterations are mixed, some trends emerge. ASD children exhibit increased Firmicutes (36–81%) and Pseudomonadota (78%) and decreased Bacteroidetes (56%). The Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratio tends to be lower (56%) compared to children without ASD, which correlates with behavioral and gastrointestinal abnormalities. Probiotics, particularly <i>Lactobacillus</i>, <i>Bifidobacterium</i>, and <i>Streptococcus</i> strains, show promise in alleviating behavioral and gastrointestinal symptoms (66%). Microbiota transfer therapy (MTT) seems to have lasting benefits for the microbiota and symptoms in one longitudinal study. Prebiotics can potentially help with gastrointestinal and behavioral issues, needing further research for conclusive efficacy due to different interventions being used. This review highlights the gut microbiota–ASD interplay, offering potential therapeutic avenues for the gut–brain axis. However, study heterogeneity, small sample sizes, and methodological variations emphasize the need for comprehensive, standardized research. Future investigations may unveil complex mechanisms linking the gut microbiota to ASD, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for affected individuals.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/23/16660autism spectrum disordermicrobiotafunctional gastrointestinal disorderbehaviorsystematic review |
| spellingShingle | Zuzanna Lewandowska-Pietruszka Magdalena Figlerowicz Katarzyna Mazur-Melewska Microbiota in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review International Journal of Molecular Sciences autism spectrum disorder microbiota functional gastrointestinal disorder behavior systematic review |
| title | Microbiota in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review |
| title_full | Microbiota in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review |
| title_fullStr | Microbiota in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microbiota in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review |
| title_short | Microbiota in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review |
| title_sort | microbiota in autism spectrum disorder a systematic review |
| topic | autism spectrum disorder microbiota functional gastrointestinal disorder behavior systematic review |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/23/16660 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT zuzannalewandowskapietruszka microbiotainautismspectrumdisorderasystematicreview AT magdalenafiglerowicz microbiotainautismspectrumdisorderasystematicreview AT katarzynamazurmelewska microbiotainautismspectrumdisorderasystematicreview |