Scientists have identified gut microbes that are thought to help\nprotect children from the risk of autism and ADHD. The finding opens new\navenues for understanding the link between gut health and early brain\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n
Reported by SciTechDaily, the study indicates that gut microbiota and\nepigenetic changes from birth can work together to influence a child\u2019s\nbrain development. The research also identified several intestinal\nbacteria that appear to have protective effects against\nneurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and\nAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).<\/p>\n
The study is published in the Cell Press Blue journal and involved\nhundreds of babies from birth to three years of age. The researchers\nexamined the relationship between DNA patterns, the development of gut\nbacteria, and early signs of neurodevelopmental disorders in\nchildren.<\/p>\n
In the human body, trillions of microbes begin to proliferate in the\ngut from birth. At the same time, there exists a molecular switch system\nor epigenetics that regulates how genes operate.<\/p>\n
Senior researcher Francis Ka Leung Chan of The Chinese University of\nHong Kong said that several bacteria appear to provide protective\neffects against neurodevelopmental disorders. \u2018Some particular bacteria\nseem to offer protection, and this is intriguing because it opens the\npossibility of supporting a child\u2019s development through diet or\nprobiotics in the future,\u2019 Chan said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, researcher Hein Min Tun explained that the study found a\n\u2018dialogue\u2019 between the baby\u2019s epigenetics and the gut microbiome from\nearly life. \u2018We found that the infant\u2019s epigenetic settings at birth can\ninfluence the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, but the presence of\ncertain \u2019good\u2019 bacteria in the gut can help modulate that risk,\u2019 Tun\nsaid.<\/p>\n
In the study, scientists analysed DNA patterns from the cord blood of\n571 babies and combined this with gut microbiome data from 969 babies at\nages 2, 6 and 12 months. They then evaluated the children\u2019s development\nat 36 months using a behavioural questionnaire.<\/p>\n
The results showed that signs of ASD and ADHD were associated with\nspecific epigenetic patterns and certain gut bacteria compositions. Some\nmicrobial species even appeared to reduce that risk.<\/p>\n
The study found that infants with epigenetic patterns related to\nautism were less likely to show ASD signs if they harboured Lachnospira\npectinoschiza in their gut during the first year of life. Conversely,\nParabacteroides distasonis was associated with a lower likelihood of\nADHD signs.<\/p>\n
Researchers also found that the development of the gut microbiome is\ninfluenced by various factors, such as mode of delivery, antibiotic use,\nbreastfeeding, and the presence of siblings in the home.<\/p>\n
Babies born by Caesarean section are known to exhibit different DNA\nmethylation patterns in genes related to immune function and brain\ndevelopment. Additionally, babies with higher DNA methylation levels in\ncertain immune genes tend to have less diverse gut microbiota by 12\nmonths.<\/p>\n
Although the results are promising, scientists stress that the link\nbetween gut microbes and autism or ADHD still requires further study.\nThey emphasise that neurodevelopmental conditions are highly complex and\ninfluenced by many factors, including genetics and the environment.<\/p>\n
Source: Sci Tech Daily.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/scientists-discover-gut-microbes-believed-to-protect-children-from-autism-and-adhd-1779537347", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }