Role of Gut Microbiome in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Its Therapeutic Regulation

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder that affects normal brain development. The recent finding of the microbiota–gut–brain axis indicates the bidirectional connection between our gut and brain, demonstrating that gut microbiota can influence many neurological disorders such as autism. Most autistic patients suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Many studies have shown that early colonization, mode of delivery, and antibiotic usage significantly affect the gut microbiome and the onset of autism. Microbial fermentation of plant-based fiber can produce different types of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) that may have a beneficial or detrimental effect on the gut and neurological development of autistic patients. Several comprehensive studies of the gut microbiome and microbiota–gut–brain axis help to understand the mechanism that leads to the onset of neurological disorders and find possible treatments for autism. This review integrates the findings of recent years on the gut microbiota and ASD association, mainly focusing on the characterization of specific microbiota that leads to ASD and addressing potential therapeutic interventions to restore a healthy balance of gut microbiome composition that can treat autism-associated symptoms.

Recent Developments in Autism Genetic Research: A Scientometric Review from 2018 to 2022

“…Conversely, it has also been found that genetic variation may lead to differential composition of gut microbiota [ 83 ]. In this area of research, a recently published article (published a mere two days before the present review) has also reviewed the characteristics of gut microbiota that have been found to lead to ASD, as well as potential therapeutic applications to alleviate ASD symptoms by regulating the microbiome [ 84 ]. The top 10 citing papers of Cluster #1 are seen in Table 4 .…”

Association of NGF and Mitochondrial Respiration with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…It has also been demonstrated that ASD-related metabolic signatures may also be associated with the plethora of data showing alterations in the gut microbiome and gut permeability in ASD [ 88 ]. Interestingly, recent data show that indole-3-acetate, via aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation, increases NGF in neuronal cell lines [ 89 ].…”

Communication of gut microbiota and brain via immune and neuroendocrine signaling

“…4. The role of the gut-brain axis in the treatment of CNS diseases Currently, many researchers emphasize the possibility of using the gut-brain axis in the treatment of many neurological diseases such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD) (Metta et al, 2022;Taniya et al, 2022;Varesi et al, 2022).…”

“…In turn, treating children with ASD with anti-clostridium antibiotics resulted in a decrease in typical behaviors for them ( Kang et al, 2017 ). Moreover, high hopes are attached to Microbiota Transfer Therapy (MTT) in the treatment of patients with ASD ( Taniya et al, 2022 ).…”