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A brand new USC examine means that intestine imbalances in kids with autism could create an imbalance of metabolites within the digestive system—in the end disrupting neurotransmitter manufacturing and influencing behavioral signs.
The analysis, revealed in Nature Communications, provides to a rising physique of science implicating the “gut-brain” axis in autism. The invention raises the opportunity of new therapy avenues. It is an instance of how analysis at USC, and different universities, drives innovation and results in discoveries that enhance lives.
“We demonstrated that gut metabolites impact the brain, and the brain, in turn, affects behavior. Essentially, the brain acts as the intermediary between gut health and autism-related behaviors,” mentioned first creator Lisa Aziz-Zadeh, a professor on the Mind and Creativity Institute on the USC Dornsife School of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
“Previous studies highlighted differences in gut microbiomes and brain structures in autism, but our research connects the dots.”
The gut-brain connection is just not as far-fetched because it may appear. From an evolutionary perspective, the intestine was probably the primary “brain,” defined Aziz-Zadeh, who can be a professor at USC Dornsife’s Division of Psychology and the USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Remedy.
In actual fact, a lot of the neurons from the intestine ship alerts to the mind; there are literally extra neurons within the intestine than within the spinal twine. About 90% of the neural alerts between the intestine and mind journey from the intestine to the mind, whereas solely 10% go in the other way.
This fixed communication explains why we speak about “gut instinct” or “feeling it in your gut.” Many feelings are processed by means of gut-related mechanisms, an idea often known as interoception—the notion of inside bodily sensations.
For the examine, researchers collected behavioral information, mind imaging information and stool samples from 43 kids with autism and 41 neurotypical kids aged 8-17. From the stool samples, they analyzed metabolites produced by intestine micro organism that break down meals within the digestive system.
The researchers then correlated these metabolites with mind variations noticed in kids with autism and their behavioral traits. They homed in on the “tryptophan pathway” by which tryptophan, an amino acid discovered in lots of meals, is damaged down into a number of metabolites, together with serotonin.
Serotonin is essential for emotional processing, social interplay, studying and different mind capabilities. Since a lot of the physique’s serotonin originates within the intestine microbiome, adjustments in intestine well being can affect serotonin manufacturing.
“We know that children with autism have brain differences—certain parts of their brain are either less active or more active compared to typically developing children,” Aziz-Zadeh mentioned.
“We also know they often experience gastrointestinal issues, such as constipation, stomach pain and other digestive problems. Additionally, autism is associated with various symptoms, including repetitive behaviors and social difficulties.”
Sofronia Ringold, a doctoral scholar on the Mind and Creativity Institute who labored on the examine, mentioned she was excited by the opportunity of interventions that may goal the intestine and affect neural exercise and conduct “while also hopefully alleviating some of the symptoms that are the most uncomfortable for them.”
Extra info:
Lisa Aziz-Zadeh et al, Relationships between mind exercise, tryptophan-related intestine metabolites, and autism symptomatology, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58459-1
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Intestine-brain hyperlink could have an effect on conduct in kids with autism (2025, April 14)
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