DR. UMA NAIDOO EXPLORES THE GUT-BRAIN CONNECTION IN AUTISM
New Research Reveals How Microbiome Manipulation Could Impact ASD Symptoms
DR. UMA NAIDOO
2024
Quantum University Alumnus
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that impacts a person’s behavior, communication, social interactions and learning ability.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V TR) states that those with ASD often have difficulty with communication and interactions with other people, restricted interests and repetitive behaviors, and symptoms that affect their ability to function in school, work, and other areas of life. Although it is most commonly identified in children, it can be diagnosed at any age. As a “spectrum disorder”, there is a variance in the presentation of symptoms for those with ASD.
In the year 2000, the CDC reported 0.6% of children were diagnosed with ASD. In 2020, that number rose to 2.8% of children. This increasing prevalence deems ASD a disorder that warrants better understanding and treatment options.
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Current ASD treatment focuses heavily on symptom management. Strategies include behavioral therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, social-skills training and tailored learning environments, among others.
However, what if there were means of addressing some of the underlying biochemical features of ASD in order to reduce symptoms?
Dr. Uma Naidoo
Nutrition is important for all ages
Emerging research on the gut-brain connection, an extremely important mechanism in Nutritional Psychiatry, reveals a continuous bidirectional conversation happening between these organs and suggests that intentional microbiome manipulation may positively impact the presentation of neurodevelopmental disorders. Interestingly, it is common for individuals with ASD to also be impacted by gastrointestinal disorders, suggesting that the gut may offer novel opportunities for treatment. Various new studies have revealed unique gut microbial differences associated with ASD compared to neurotypical children. A 2023 meta analysis that looked at 44 studies reveals intriguing insights into the microbiome–ASD relationship.
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ASD children were found to have increased Firmicutes (36–81%) and Pseudomonadota (78%) and decreased Bacteroidetes (56%). The Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratio was (56%) compared to neurotypical children, correlating with both behavioral and gastrointestinal abnormalities. A recent 2024 study that performed metagenomic sequencing on fecal samples from over 1,600 children with or without ASD, revealed that 14 archaea, 51 bacteria, 7 fungi, 18 viruses, 27 microbial genes and 12 metabolic pathways were altered in children with ASD compared to those without.
Another 2024 study that analyzed DNA in stool samples of both neurotypical children and those diagnosed with ASD found notable disparities were observed in the abundance of Blautia, Prevotella, Clostridium XI, and Clostridium XVIII at the genus level. These have all been previously associated with ASD.
Dr. Uma Naidoo
Converting the microbiome with food
As we continue to learn about these unique microbiome differences associated with an ASD diagnosis, we are offered additional opportunities for both treatment and symptom reduction. The 2023 study above, found that Probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus strains, alleviated both behaviors and stomach symptoms by 66%. Meanwhile, a randomized control trial published in 2024 found that administering a supplement in a pill form, called Juvenil, helped to convert the microbiome of children with ASD toward a more healthier microbiome that positively helped the children’s symptoms of autism. These are just two examples of studies that are finding ways of treating the physiology associated with ASD, rather than managing symptoms.
In my work in Nutritional, Lifestyle and Metabolic Psychiatry, addressing gut health and function is a key component of improving mental fitness and emotional wellbeing, as well as supporting neurodevelopment and cognitive longevity. This is done by making intentional dietary choices that include an abundance of antioxidant rich plant foods, healthy fats like omega-3’s, clean proteins and fermented foods, as well as following a low stress and mindful lifestyle. As this field continues to expand and we learn more about the gut-brain connection alongside further research on mediating ASD by way of the gut, it is exciting to consider how these treatment options may develop.
