Gut microbiota profiles in mental disorders and their association with behavior in children and adolescents.

Abstract

The aim of our work is to summarize the current state of knowledge on gut microbiota changes in children and adolescents with mental illnesses. To our knowledge, this is the first review comparing gut microbiota changes in various mental disorders in children and adolescents. To find the relevant articles, the PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases were searched. Articles in English presenting original data and comparing the composition of gut microbiota in child psychiatric patients with gut microbiota in healthy children and adolescents were selected. Finally, we identified 42 articles eligible for our purpose. The majority of patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) were investigated. A smaller number of studies evaluating the gut microbiota in children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Rett syndrome, anorexia nervosa, major depressive disorder and tic disorders were found. The main findings of this research are discussed in our review, focusing on the association between the gut microbiota and behavioural manifestations. To conclude, the gut microbiota in children and adolescents with mental disorders is evidently different from that in controls. Most pronounced changes are seen in children with autism spectrum disorders. These changes might be associated with often present gastrointestinal manifestations but, in general, also play a pathogenetic role in behavioural disorders. Based on research findings, we assume that there is a perspective of gut microbiota correction to improve clinical symptoms in psychiatry.