Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Taiwan: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Abstract

This four-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 (PS128) on boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged 7–15 in Taiwan. All subjects fulfilled the criteria for ASD diagnosis of DSM-V and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). Questionnaires used for the primary outcome measure include the Autism Behavior Checklist-Taiwan version (ABC-T), the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham-IV-Taiwan version (SNAP-IV) and the Clinical Global Impression-improvement (CGI-I) were used for the secondary outcome measure. The results showed that PS128 ameliorated opposition/defiance behaviors, and that the total score of SNAP-IV for younger children (aged 712) improved significantly compared with the placebo group. Additionally, several elements were also notably improved in the PS128 group after 28-day consumption of PS128. Further studies are needed to better clarify the effects of PS128 for younger children with ASD on broader symptoms.

Gut–Brain Axis: Role of Gut Microbiota on Neurological Disorders and How Probiotics/Prebiotics Beneficially Modulate Microbial and Immune Pathways to Improve Brain Functions

“…In addition, probiotics were reported to exhibit modulatory effects on CNS disorders, including normalization of anxiety and depression-like behaviors [ 35 , 162 ] and reduction of ASD [ 163 ]. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study reported that the consumption of probiotic L. plantarum PS128 for four weeks significantly improved ASD associated symptoms, comparted with the placebo group [ 164 ]. The probiotic treatment was also significantly improved the brain function in mice with AD model [ 165 ].…”

Dysregulation of synaptic pruning as a possible link between intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and neuropsychiatric disorders

“…In individuals diagnosed with ASD, there is hyperactivation of a gene that codes for serotonin reuptake transporters (Israelyan & Margolis, 2018). In ASD, clinical studies with probiotic interventions showed promising results including better cognitive development and improvement in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, widely used to assess the core autism symptomatic behaviors (Adams, Johansen, Powell, Quig, & Rubin, 2011; Grossi, Melli, Dunca, & Terruzzi, 2016; Kaluzna‐Czaplinska & Blaszczyk, 2012; Liu et al, 2019; Parracho et al, 2010; Sanctuary et al, 2019; Santocchi et al, 2016; Shaaban et al, 2018; Tomova et al, 2015; West Md & Roberts, 2013; for a summary, see Table 3). In the field, 95 out of 500 physicians reported using probiotics in treating children with ASD (Golnik & Ireland, 2009).…”

Role of the Gut Microbiota in the Pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Clinical and Preclinical Evidence

“…Multiple studies have reported effects of probiotic treatments on microbiota composition and GI symptoms in ASD children. Although many of these studies did not analyze the behavior of the children, or did not see any improvement after probiotic administration [26,[119][120][121], other studies did report behavioral improvement [122][123][124][125]. In Shaaban et al (2017) [123], 30 children with ASD were given a 3-month, daily treatment with a patented probiotic mixture (composed of strains of the species L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus and B. longum) which induced an improvement in communication, sociability and cognitive awareness, characterized by a decrease in the ATEC (autism treatment evaluation checklist) score.…”