Probiotics and ASD/ADHD

In this double-blind, randomized trial (published in 2020), 85 preschoolers with autism were randomly assigned to receive either probiotics or placebo for 6 months. This study tested the effects of probiotics on autistic children since these “psychobiotics” were believed to enhance behavior and modulate brain activity and function. Around 74% of the child participants completed the trial. The study found no difference in the primary outcome measure, Total Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - Calibrated Severity Score (ADOS-CSS), between the two groups. Upon examining subgroups of children with or without gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, those without GI issues in the probiotics group scored lower in ADOS-CSS than those in the placebo group. Moreover, the kids with gastrointestinal problems who were treated with probiotics showed greater improvements in some GI symptoms, adaptive functioning, and sensory profiles than those in the GI group but who were treated with the placebo. Overall, these results suggest that probiotics can potentially positively influence the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. The next set of studies should replicate this present study design while using a wider population of autistic patients. [NPID: autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, autistic, probiotics, children, child, gastrointestinal, symptoms, GI, intestinal, gut]

In search of an effective treatment for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), this 2020 study firstly compared autistic and typically developing children on several outcomes such as gut microbiota profiles, fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and plasma neurotransmitters. Then, the sample was randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group who received probiotics and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS); and another group who were given placebos. Initially, the children with ASD showed signs of gut dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut microbiota community) in addition to lower levels of Bifidobacteriales and Bifidobacterium longum. However, the abundance of these beneficial bacteria increased after probiotics and FOS administration. Along with increased inhibition of Clostridium (a suspected pathogenic bacteria), the probiotic + FOS intervention markedly reduced the severity of autism and gastrointestinal symptoms. Compared to children in the control group, those with autism were found to have notably lower levels of some SCFAs (such as acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid) and appeared to exhibit dopamine metabolism disorder. The concentration levels of these fatty acids increased after consumption of probiotics and FOS, reaching similar readings to the control group. Furthermore, the signs of dopamine metabolism disorder disappeared after the probiotic + FOS intervention. These changes were only seen in the intervention group, and not in the placebo group. In conclusion, taking probiotics and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) can modulate gut microbiota, and SCFAs and serotonin in children with autism. [NPID: autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, gut microbiota, gut microbiome, gut bacteria, GI, gastrointestinal, fatty acids, children, SCFA, probiotics, supplements, supplementation]

This 2019 study assessed the effects of the bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 (PS128) on boys in Taiwan with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). All the subjects were aged between 7 to 15 years and were diagnosed with ASD as per the inclusion criteria. The kids were randomized to either receive the probiotic supplementation or a placebo for 4 weeks. The primary outcomes of this study were measured using questionnaires such as the Autism Behavior Checklist-Taiwan version (ABC-T), the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The secondary outcomes included the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham-IV-Taiwan version (SNAP-IV) and the Clinical Global Impression-improvement (CGI-I). Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 demonstrated its ability to ameliorate opposition or defiance behaviors. In addition, autistic children in the probiotic treatment group significantly improved in SNAP-IV score when compared to individuals in the placebo group. Several enhanced features were found in the treatment group after 28 days PS128 consumption. Despite these findings, additional research is warranted to better understand the impacts that PS128 can have on autistic children with broader symptoms. [NPID: autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, autistic, children, young, youth, Taiwan, probiotics, bacteria, supplements, supplementation, alternative]

This 2020 paper discusses the potential role of the intestinal microbiota in the physiopathology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Environmental and genetic factors are believed to affect onset of autism. Since the incidences of gastrointestinal symptoms in autistic patients are 4 times higher than that of the general population, researchers are investigating the involvement of the gut microbiota in this disorder. Autistic patients have previously shown altered microbiota composition and unusual production of bacterial metabolites. There are also articles that support the involvement of the immune system and tryptophan metabolism (in the gut and the central nervous system) in the pathophysiology of ASD. Furthermore, several clinical studies and many preclinical studies have reported that antibiotic and probiotic treatments, as well as fecal microbiota transplantation, can possibly improve behavior in patients with autism. [NPID: autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, probiotics, antibiotics, autistic, supplements, supplementation, gastrointestinal, microbiota, bacteria, gut, intestinal, transplant, transplantation]