Children with autism are likely to have stomach problems as compared to their peers. Scientists have now shown that by changing gut microbe, stomach problems and behavioral issues with the condition are alleviated. Researchers gave a 10 week treatment to 18 children with autism and gastrointestinal problems. Fecal microbial transplants were given. The procedure involves transferring of live gut bacteria from healthy donor to the children.
The patients experienced 20 to 25 percent improvement in autism behaviors including sleeping patterns and improved social skills. The participants of the study also had reduction of gastrointestinal symptoms by about 80 percent. The results of the study was published in the journal Microbiome by scientists from Arizona State University, the Ohio State University, Northern Arizona University and University of Minnesota.
Ann Gregory, a microbiology graduate student at Ohio State University and one of the lead authors said that the transplants are working for people with other gastrointestinal problems. They had thought about how this could be potentially valuable in autism cases who often have severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Gregory stated that after the treatment, it was discovered that there was a positive change in the GI symptoms and neurological symptoms in the patients.
The connection between gut microbe and the development and behavior are gaining interest in the scientific community. Previous researches have shown that there are fewer types of gut bacteria and less overall bacteria in children with autism. According to the study, the treatments given to children changed the balance of bacteria in their stomachs, making the bacterial diversity of the participants similar to their healthy peers according to an article by International Business Times.
James Adams, ASU president’s professor of materials science and engineering and study author stated that the results are very compelling. According to him, they had completed phase 1 trial, demonstrating efficacy and safety. Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials are required to recommend treatment and bringing it to market. Adams said that they are looking forward to continue the research on this treatment method with a larger placebo-controlled trial.
The fecal transplant involves transferring live gut bacteria that contains about 1,000 different species of gut bacteria to act as probiotics. A big increase in microbe diversity and big increase in bacteria especially Prevotella which was previously seen as low in children with autism according to Dae-Wook Kang, co-author of the study and researcher at Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology as reported in an article by UPI.com.