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June 2, 2014
There is new evidence that links an abnormal gut microbiome and autism.
In the Journal Cell from December 2013, Dr. Elaine Hsaio, et. al. from Cal Tech looked at MIA mice with a neurobehavioral disorder that mimics autism spectrum disorder, their gut flora makeup and chemicals that are released by their bacteria.
All of the mice had a characteristically leaky gut lining allowing for abnormal bacterial metabolites to be absorbed into the bloodstream. One of these chemicals is known to be found in higher levels in autistic human children. They were also able to induce autistic features in control mice by giving them the metabolites intravenously. Furthermore, they were able to reverse the effects with probiotics.
WOW! Let me break this research down a bit. What this study proves is that there is a defined and real connection between the intestinal bacteria and the brain's function. If we grow the wrong bugs in our intestines and they release certain chemicals into our blood, then we can worsen or maybe induce a neurologic disease. They further demonstrated that these effects can be reversed (in mice at least) with probiotics.
This data coupled with the discussion from newsletter 18 is providing a clear indication that the gut is paramount to helping people with neurobehavioral disorders.
Diet, mode of birth, mode of infant feeding, drug exposure and many other environmental triggers are changing the gut bacteria and setting us up for trouble. I wonder if the next breakthrough will look at whether maternal gut flora is a link to why children are developing autism predisposition in utero. Just a hypothesis.
The gut keeps turning up as the major player in all disease.
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