Probiotics relieve autism symptoms

The autism like behaviors of lab mice were relieved after receiving probiotics, according to new research published December 19.  Now researchers hope to reproduce this effect in humans, but caution that a lot of work still needs to be done.

"Traditional research has studied autism as a genetic disorder and a disorder of the brain, but our work shows that gut bacteria may contribute to ASD-like symptoms in ways that were previously unappreciated," says researcher Sarkis K. Mazmanian. "Gut physiology appears to have effects on what are currently presumed to be brain functions."

The mice in the study had a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder called intestinal permeability.  This disorder means that parts of their GI tract leak materials into their blood streams.  Some people with autism also have this GI disorder.  A specific probiotic, Bacteroides fragilis, was administered to the mice.  Following this treatment, the leaky guts in the mice were repaired.  In addition, they no longer showed symptoms related to autism.

"The B. fragilis treatment alleviates GI problems in the mouse model and also improves some of the main behavioral symptoms," said first author Elaine Hsiao. "This suggests that GI problems could contribute to particular symptoms in neurodevelopmental disorders."

The researchers are now planning a human trial, but warn that even if this treatment works for some people with autism, it probably won't work for everyone.

"Autism is such a heterogeneous disorder that the ratio between genetic and environmental contributions could be different in each individual," Mazmanian says. "Even if B. fragilis ameliorates some of the symptoms associated with autism, I would be surprised if it's a universal therapy—it probably won't work for every single case."

- See more at: http://www.caltech.edu/content/probiotic-therapy-alleviates-autism-behaviors-mice#sthash.5mHBfsPM.dpuf

©Mary M Conneely T/A Advocacy in Action