The gut-brain axis refers to the connection between our digestive system and the brain. Gut bacteria can impact brain function and behaviour through chemical production, immune system modification, and nerve interactions.

Research, including the latest study from USC, indicates that people with autism have different gut bacteria compared to neurotypical individuals. Children with ASD possess more harmful bacteria like Clostridia and Desulfovibrio, and less beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.

Gut bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from dietary fibres. SCFAs can enter the brain and influence behaviour. For instance, propionate has been shown to cause hyperactivity and repetitive behaviours in animal studies, resembling autism symptoms.

Furthermore, gut bacteria can affect the brain by altering the immune system. Imbalances can result in inflammation, which may spread to the brain and lead to issues.

Studies involving mice devoid of gut bacteria revealed social deficits and anxiety-like behaviours. When these mice received microbiota from humans with autism, they exhibited autism-like behaviours. The USC study highlights that changes in gut bacteria could impact brain areas related to social behaviour and sensory processing.

New treatments are being explored:

• Probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (nourishment for good bacteria) might help improve gut and behavioural issues in children with ASD.
• Dietary interventions, such as gluten-free or casein-free diets, are tried by some families, though their effectiveness is not well established. Other diets aim to modify the gut microbiome, like the ketogenic or specific carbohydrate diet.
• Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) involves transferring healthy stool to individuals with gut imbalances. Early studies suggest it might assist with gut and behavioural problems in children with autism.

The relationship between gut imbalances and autism is an intriguing research area. While there is much to learn, focusing on gut health could provide a novel approach to treating autism. It is crucial to employ scientific methods and offer personalised care to individuals with ASD.

For further information regarding gut imbalances in autism:

• Nature: Transfer of gut microbiota from human individuals with autism to germ-free mice induces autism-like behaviours
• Cell: Gut microbiota composition and diversity in children with autism spectrum disorder
• Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience: The role of short-chain fatty acids in brain function and behaviour

<p>The post Gut Imbalances in Autism: Their Impact on Brain and Behaviour first appeared on ND Institute.</p>

First published: 17 November 2024

Abstract

We need to combine sensory data from various sources to make sense of the world around us. This sensory data helps us understand our surroundings, influencing our experiences and interactions within our everyday environments. Recent interest in sensory-focused approaches to supporting autistic people has fixed on auditory processing—the sense of hearing and the act of listening—and its crucial role in language, communications, and social domains, as well as non-social autism-specific attributes, to understand better how sensory processing might differ in autistic people. In this narrative review, we synthesize published research into auditory processing in autistic people and the relationship between auditory processing and autistic attributes in a contextually novel way. The purpose is to understand the relationship between these domains more fully, drawing on evidence gleaned from experiential perspectives through to neurological investigations. We also examine the relationship between auditory processing and diagnosable auditory conditions, such as hyperacusis, misophonia, phonophobia, and intolerance to loud sounds, as well as its relation to sleep, anxiety, and sensory overload. Through reviewing experiential, behavioral and neurological literature, we demonstrate that auditory processes interact with and shape the broader autistic profile—something not previously considered. Through a better understanding of the potential impact of auditory experiences, our review aims to inform future research on investigating the relationship between auditory processing and autistic traits through quantitative measures or using qualitative experiential inquiry to examine this relationship more holistically.

Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aur.3259

<p>The post How auditory processing influences the autistic profile: A review first appeared on ND Institute.</p>