Review article

The brain-gut-microbiome axis manipulation as a possible therapy for patients with autism spectrum disorder

Luka Horvat ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by a delay in the development of social and language skills, as well as different patterns of repeated behavior. While it is exclusively a neurogenic disorder, it is accompanied by a wide spectrum of medical comorbidities of which GI associated problems are among the most common. The GI tract is home to more than 100 million neurons that form the Enteric nervous system (ENS). It communicates with the central nervous system (CNS) mainly through the vagus nerve and this connection forms the basis for the bidirectional regulation and integration between the CNS and ENS defined as the gut-brain axis. Even though research in this area is still new, major advances have been made in connecting the brain-gut-microbiota axis and ASD. Experiments done on mice and humans have shown promising results in the treatment and management for this exceptionally hard to treat set of disorders.

Keywords

ASD; autism; brain-gut-microbiome axis; clostridium; serotonin

Hrčak ID:

353444

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/353444

Publication date:

20.12.2024.

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