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A new therapy based on the modification of the microbiota seems to be successful in children with autism spectrum disorders. A promising line of research according to researcher Joël Doré, specialist in intestinal microbial ecology and member of the Fondation Fondamental.
According to a new study published in the scientific journal International Journal of Molecular Sciencestransferring healthy gut bacteria to children with autism spectrum disorders could improve their behavioral and cognitive problems.
5272 bacterial species were screened
As part of this study, researchers from Arizona State University wanted to explore in depth the changes in the gut microbiota of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) after microbiota transfer therapy.
To do this, they extracted data from more than 5272 bacterial species present in the gut of sick children before and after the transfer of healthy gut bacteria.
The researchers then compared these results with bacterial populations in the intestines of healthy children.
Result ? A marked improvement in the overall abundance of bacteria was observed in children who benefited from the microbiota transfer therapy, which confirmed previous research carried out on the subject.
In addition, two genetic indicators improved after transfer therapy: sulfur metabolism (which plays a key role in autism) and the inability to detoxify, in children with ASD, oxidative stress.
Clearly, this innovative treatment not only increased the abundance of “good bacteria“, but also helped regulate and normalize the alteration of bacterial genes, particularly those related to folate synthesis, protection against oxidative stress and sulfur metabolism.
Improved gastrointestinal symptoms and autism spectrum disorders
In a follow-up study, the same 18 participants were examined two years after treatment ended. Most of the improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms were maintained, while autism-related symptoms continued to improve even after treatment ended, demonstrating the long-term safety and efficacy of the therapy. microbiota transfer as a treatment for autism.
Treatment reduced the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms by approximately 80% and ASD symptoms by approximately 24% at the end of treatment. After two years, the same children showed an approximately 59% reduction in gastrointestinal symptoms and a 47% reduction in ASD symptoms, compared to baseline levels established before treatment.
For the scientists, these results are encouraging because they confirm the gut-brain link, and the impact of gastrointestinal dysfunction on the behavioral and cognitive problems of children with ASD.
The therapy would reduce inflammation in the brain
For researcher Joël Doré, specialist in intestinal microbial ecology and member of the Fondamental Foundation, this technique is very promising, not only for improving the intestinal and behavioral symptoms of children with ASD, but also for treating many other chronic diseases.
“Microbiota transfer therapy will reduce inflammation in the brains of children with autism and restore signaling between different areas of the brain“, underlines the specialist before adding”Indeed, when we have a deregulated microbiota and therefore intestinal inflammation, the brain is also affected. A permeability at the level of the neuro-development of the brain will appear and it is this micro-inflammation of the neurons which is at the origin of the many problems encountered by children with ASD. If this appears at a very young age, it can also be difficult to manage it with simple behavioral therapy… Hence the arrival of biology in the world of neurology“.
For the specialist in intestinal microbial ecology, this therapeutic avenue would therefore not only make it possible to “reduce bowel symptoms in children with ASD” – whose number and frequency are much higher than in other children – but also “improve the quality of life of children“, thanks to the reduction of their behavioral and cognitive disorders (problems of concentration, communication…).