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The Brain-Gut-Microbiome Axis: What Role Does it Play in Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Current Developmental Disorders Reports volume 3, pages 75–81 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

The brain-gut-microbiome axis refers to the interactions between the central nervous system, gastrointestinal (GI) system, and microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract. Exploring these interactions provides a rationale for why gastrointestinal disorders commonly occur in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Signs of altered brain-gut interactions that are closely associated with functional GI disorders (FGIDs) commonly occur in children with ASD. Studies of microbiome in ASD suggest that changes in the gut microbiome may be associated with ASD and with GI disorders in children with ASD. Further studies into the brain-gut-microbiome axis could lead to new techniques for identifying GI disorders in children with ASD and novel therapies for treating ASD behaviors.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by Autism Speaks and Grants RO1AI100914 and DK56338 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Ruth Ann Luna & Tor C. Savidge

  2. Texas Children’s Microbiome Center, Department of Pathology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA

    Ruth Ann Luna & Tor C. Savidge

  3. Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH, USA

    Kent C. Williams

Authors
  1. Ruth Ann Luna
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  2. Tor C. Savidge
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  3. Kent C. Williams
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Correspondence to Kent C. Williams.

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Ruth Ann Luna, Tor C. Savidge, and Kent C. Williams declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Autism Spectrum

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Luna, R.A., Savidge, T.C. & Williams, K.C. The Brain-Gut-Microbiome Axis: What Role Does it Play in Autism Spectrum Disorder?. Curr Dev Disord Rep 3, 75–81 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-016-0077-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-016-0077-7

Keywords

  • Brain-gut axis
  • Central nervous system
  • Developmental disorders
  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • ASD
  • GI disorders
  • Functional GI disorders
  • Gut microbiome
  • ASD behaviors
  • Review