Scientists Discover Gut Microbes Believed to Protect Children from Autism and ADHD
Scientists have identified gut microbes that are thought to help protect children from the risk of autism and ADHD. The finding opens new avenues for understanding the link between gut health and early brain development.
Reported by SciTechDaily, the study indicates that gut microbiota and epigenetic changes from birth can work together to influence a child’s brain development. The research also identified several intestinal bacteria that appear to have protective effects against neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The study is published in the Cell Press Blue journal and involved hundreds of babies from birth to three years of age. The researchers examined the relationship between DNA patterns, the development of gut bacteria, and early signs of neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
In the human body, trillions of microbes begin to proliferate in the gut from birth. At the same time, there exists a molecular switch system or epigenetics that regulates how genes operate.
Senior researcher Francis Ka Leung Chan of The Chinese University of Hong Kong said that several bacteria appear to provide protective effects against neurodevelopmental disorders. ‘Some particular bacteria seem to offer protection, and this is intriguing because it opens the possibility of supporting a child’s development through diet or probiotics in the future,’ Chan said.
Meanwhile, researcher Hein Min Tun explained that the study found a ‘dialogue’ between the baby’s epigenetics and the gut microbiome from early life. ‘We found that the infant’s epigenetic settings at birth can influence the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, but the presence of certain ’good’ bacteria in the gut can help modulate that risk,’ Tun said.
In the study, scientists analysed DNA patterns from the cord blood of 571 babies and combined this with gut microbiome data from 969 babies at ages 2, 6 and 12 months. They then evaluated the children’s development at 36 months using a behavioural questionnaire.
The results showed that signs of ASD and ADHD were associated with specific epigenetic patterns and certain gut bacteria compositions. Some microbial species even appeared to reduce that risk.
The study found that infants with epigenetic patterns related to autism were less likely to show ASD signs if they harboured Lachnospira pectinoschiza in their gut during the first year of life. Conversely, Parabacteroides distasonis was associated with a lower likelihood of ADHD signs.
Researchers also found that the development of the gut microbiome is influenced by various factors, such as mode of delivery, antibiotic use, breastfeeding, and the presence of siblings in the home.
Babies born by Caesarean section are known to exhibit different DNA methylation patterns in genes related to immune function and brain development. Additionally, babies with higher DNA methylation levels in certain immune genes tend to have less diverse gut microbiota by 12 months.
Although the results are promising, scientists stress that the link between gut microbes and autism or ADHD still requires further study. They emphasise that neurodevelopmental conditions are highly complex and influenced by many factors, including genetics and the environment.
Source: Sci Tech Daily.