Microbiota and Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental difference that is increasingly prevalent but whose etiology is still unknown. Especially in the last five years, the relationship between the gut and the brain has begun to gain considerable attention while investigating neurological and psychiatric disorders. It has been known for a long time that individuals with ASD experience more gastrointestinal problems compared to the general public and it has been proposed by different researchers in 1979 and 1991 that the problems of stomach and digestion experienced by individuals with ASD could affect their brain and lead to ASD symptoms through a relationship between the gut and the brain. However, the technological breakthroughs in the last decade are what provided the opportunity to study the intestinal microflora, thus enabling a biological outlook at the gastrointestinal disorders experienced in autism and related theories previously proposed. This article discusses microbiota differences in individuals with ASD and suggested treatments to correct such differences. It concludes by suggesting scientific and clinical next steps that must be taken in order to ensure that these recent advances can result in the generation of safe and effective treatments for individuals with ASD