Scientists have linked the gut microbiome to the risk of autism and ADHD in children
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- Scientists have linked the gut microbiome to the risk of autism and ADHD in children
Scientists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong have discovered a link between the biological programming of an infant at birth, the composition of its gut microbiome and subsequent brain development. This was reported on June 2 by Science Daily magazine.
Experts have found that epigenetic changes present in a child at birth affect the formation of a community of intestinal bacteria in infancy. By the age of three, scientists had documented a correlation between specific epigenetic patterns, certain microbes, and signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Francis Ka Leung Chan, gastroenterologist and lead author of the study
Some bacteria appear to provide protection, which is very encouraging, as it suggests that in the future there may be ways to support a child's development through diet or probiotics.
The research team analyzed DNA methylation patterns (a form of epigenetic modification) in the umbilical cord blood of 571 infants. These data were combined with samples of the intestinal microbiome of 969 children taken at the ages of two, six and 12 months. When the children turned 36 months old, the researchers assessed their neuropsychological development using behavioral tests.
The co-author of the paper, Hein Min Tong, drew attention. What experts have discovered is a kind of dialogue: the epigenetic settings of a child at birth can affect the risk of developing developmental disorders, but the presence of certain "good" bacteria in the intestine can intervene and change this risk.
The study showed that children with an epigenetic predisposition to autism were less likely to show signs of the disease if the bacterium Lachnospira pectinoschiza appeared in their intestines at an early age. Similarly, the risk of developing ADHD decreased with the presence of the bacterium Parabacteroides distasonis by the end of the first year of life.
The growth of the baby's microbiome depended on the method of delivery, duration of pregnancy, breastfeeding, taking antibiotics, and the presence of older siblings. Children born by caesarean section had different DNA methylation patterns in genes responsible for immune function and brain development.
Hein Min Tong, co-author of the study
The foundations for brain health are laid very early, even before birth. However, we don't want people to think that this means that a child's development path is predetermined from birth. These are complex conditions with many causes, and we have discovered only a small part of a very large puzzle.
In the future, doctors plan to develop early intervention methods, including specific probiotics or live biotherapeutic drugs. According to gastroenterologist Xu Chen Ng, such measures will help to form a healthy microbiome and potentially reduce the risk of neuropsychiatric problems in children.
On June 3, Science Daily reported the identification of two hidden forms of autism. According to the study, these different biological subtypes of autism are characterized by different patterns of interaction between brain regions. According to the analysis, the first subtype is characterized by abnormally high connectivity between brain regions (hyperconnection), while the second is characterized by reduced connectivity (hypoconnection).
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