Role of the gut-brain axis in the eating behavior of children with autism spectrum disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Siwek ◽  
Aleksandra Kawala-Janik ◽  
Piotr Walecki
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Digestive System ◽  
Bacterial Flora ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

AbstractIntroduction:The occurrence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has significantly increased in the last few years. One of the common problems in this group are eating disorders and ailments from the gastrointestinal systems. According to some studies, these problems have a significant impact on the occurrence and severity of symptoms in the neurological system, so it is crucial to increase the attention paid on the role of diet in the treatment of this disease. One of the theories connects ASD with disorders of the digestive system and the intestinal bacterial flora. This theory is based on the gut-brain axis, which means the interaction between the gastrointestinal and nervous systems.Objectives:To demonstrate the differences in behavior habits, interest in nutrition, and frequency of consumption of food products between children suffering from ASD and healthy children.Materials and methods:The study was conducted among 44 children suffering from ASD and 33 healthy children as a control group. Data were collected using a questionnaire that was specially designed for this study. The questionnaire contained questions about eating habits and the frequency of consumption of selected food products.Results:Parents of healthy children showed more interest in their children’s way of feeding and nutritional recommendations compared to parents of children with ASD (4% and 11.3%, respectively). In addition, 24.3% more children with ASD consulted with a nutritionist compared to the control group. Complaints of the digestive system were 21.1% more likely by children with ASD. Children suffering from ASD were characterized by a higher intake of red meat and giblets and less frequent consumption of milk and milk products compared to the control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the study group and the control group in terms of frequency of consumption of products, which are the source of gluten, artificial food additives-preservatives, and artificial colors.Conclusions:There are differences in the habits and eating behaviors and the frequency of consumption of selected food products between a group of children with ASD and a group of healthy children.

scholarly journals Fundamental Role of Neurochemicals Aberration in the Pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (B) ◽  
pp. 921-929
Author(s):  
Nagwa A. Meguid ◽  
Hanaa H. Ahmed ◽  
Manal A. Gad ◽  
Olwaya M. Abdel Baki ◽  
Samia S. Aziz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Childhood Autism ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Autism Group ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Atypical Autism

AIM: The aim of this research was to establish the perturbation of reliable biomarkers implicated in the pathophysiology of autism to help in the early diagnosis and to be as targets in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in children and to spotlight into the complex crosstalk between these biomarkers. PATIENS AND METHODS: This study included 90 autistic children aged from 2 to 7 years old, who were classified into two groups, the atypical autism of 30 children and the childhood autism. The childhood autism group was further divided into mild-moderate autism group and severe autism group each of 30 children. The control group included 30 matched healthy children. All the participants were subjected to full psychiatric examinations, psychological investigations, and biochemical measurements, including gamma-aminobutaric acid (GABA), serotonin, dopamine (DA) in plasma, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in serum. RESULTS: The autistic groups showed a highly significant increase in GABA, serotonin, DA, and BDNF levels compared to the control. Of note, the levels of GABA, DA, and BDNF were significantly increased with the increased disease severity. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation between BDNF levels and both GABA and DA levels in the childhood autism group has been recorded. CONCLUSION: The present clinical setting provides new insight into the fundamental role of BDNF in the brain of autistic children as any alterations of its level due to GABA increment cause change in serotonin and DA levels which have empirical evidence in the pathophysiology of ASD. The results received in this research, create a fertile base for the setup of particular targets in the intervention of this ailment.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Clinical Features of Celiac Disease in a Cohort of Italian Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3046
Author(s):  
Margherita Prosperi ◽  
Elisa Santocchi ◽  
Elena Brunori ◽  
Angela Cosenza ◽  
Raffaella Tancredi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Celiac Disease ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Italian Population ◽  
Immune System Dysfunction ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental conditions whose etiopathogenesis derives from a complex interaction between genetic liability and environmental factors. In this framework, mounting evidence suggests that immune system dysfunction could be a risk factor contributing to the development of ASD in at least a subpopulation of individuals. In particular, some studies suggest an association between celiac disease (CD)—a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the small intestine triggered by the ingestion of gluten—and ASD, while others hypothesized a random link. This investigation aimed to evaluate the prevalence of CD in a large sample of school-aged children with ASD and to characterize their clinical profile. Methods: Medical records of 405 children with ASD aged 5–11 years (mean age: 7.2 years; SD: 1.8 years) consecutively referred to a tertiary-care university hospital between January 2014 and December 2018 were reviewed; among them, 362 had carried out serological testing for CD. Results: Nine patients with positive CD serology were identified, eight of which satisfied the criteria for CD diagnosis. The estimated CD prevalence in ASD children was 2.18% (95% CI, 0.8–3.7), which was not statistically different (1.58%; p = 0.36) from that of an Italian population, matched for age range, considered as a control group (95% CI, 1.26–1.90). Three out of the eight ASD patients with CD did not have any symptoms suggestive of CD. Conclusions: Our findings did not show a higher prevalence of CD in ASD children than in the control population, but could suggest the utility of routine CD screening, given its frequent atypical clinical presentation in this population.

Influence the Baths of Bishophite on Indicators of Protein S100B in Blood in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 48-54
Author(s):  
T.F. Golubova ◽  
L.A. Tsukurova ◽  
A.V. Nuvoli ◽  
S.V. Vlasenko ◽  
E.A. Savchuk E.A.
Keyword(s):  
Children With Autism ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Abnormal Development ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Protein S100b ◽  
The Brain

The aim of the study was to study the effect of bishovite baths on the dynamics of plasma S100B protein in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Material and methods. 45 children with autism (F84) aged from 6 to 15 years were examined – general croup (GG). The control group (KG) consisted of 25 healthy children. I group – 22 children who received the health research therapy (HRT); II group – 23 children who received a course of the baths with bishophite. The examination included examination by specialists, an assessment of the severity of the disease using the CARS scale (Children’s Rating Scale of Autism), evaluation in blood serum of protein S100B. Results. The content of S100B in children with autism was significantly higher in comparison with KG. The level of S100B in children with ASD with abnormal development of brain structures (MRI) was significantly higher in comparison with KG and with a group of children without signs of violation of brain structures. With hard ASD the S100B indicators were higher, and at medium severity did not differ significantly from the KG. After the treatment only in the II group, there was a significant decrease in S100B in GG in children with abnormalities in the development of the brain and with severe severity. Conclusions. The majority of children with ASD with anomalies of brain structures, there are signs of hypoxia of the brain and violation of the blood-brain barrier. A positive effect of bischophite baths was revealed in children with ASD, having antioxidant, antitoxic, and neuroprotective effects.

scholarly journals Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Gut Microbiota

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Fattorusso ◽  
Lorenza Di Genova ◽  
Giovanni Dell’Isola ◽  
Elisabetta Mencaroni ◽  
Susanna Esposito
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Gut Dysbiosis ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

In recent years, there has been an emerging interest in the possible role of the gut microbiota as a co-factor in the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), as many studies have highlighted the bidirectional communication between the gut and brain (the so-called “gut-brain axis”). Accumulating evidence has shown a link between alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota and both gastrointestinal and neurobehavioural symptoms in children with ASD. The aim of this narrative review was to analyse the current knowledge about dysbiosis and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in ASD and assess the current evidence for the role of probiotics and other non-pharmacological approaches in the treatment of children with ASD. Analysis of the literature showed that gut dysbiosis in ASD has been widely demonstrated; however, there is no single distinctive profile of the composition of the microbiota in people with ASD. Gut dysbiosis could contribute to the low-grade systemic inflammatory state reported in patients with GI comorbidities. The administration of probiotics (mostly a mixture of Bifidobacteria, Streptococci and Lactobacilli) is the most promising treatment for neurobehavioural symptoms and bowel dysfunction, but clinical trials are still limited and heterogeneous. Well-designed, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials are required to validate the effectiveness of probiotics in the treatment of ASD and to identify the appropriate strains, dose, and timing of treatment.

scholarly journals Visual preference for social vs. non-social images in young children with autism spectrum disorders. An eye tracking study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0252795
Author(s):  
Julia Vacas ◽  
Adoración Antolí ◽  
Araceli Sánchez-Raya ◽  
Carolina Pérez-Dueñas ◽  
Fátima Cuadrado
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Circumscribed Interests ◽  
Object A ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Social Images ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are associated to social attention (SA) impairments. A gaze bias to non-social objects over faces has been proposed as an early marker of ASD. This bias may be related to the concomitant circumscribed interests (CI), which question the role of competing objects in this atypical visual behavior. The aim of this study was to compare visual attention patterns to social and non-social images in young children with ASD and matched typical controls (N = 36; age range 41–73 months) assessing the role of emotion in facial stimuli and the type of competing object. A paired preference task was designed pairing happy, angry, and neutral faces with two types of objects (related or not related to autism CI). Eye tracking data were collected, and three indexes were considered as dependent variables: prioritization (attentional orientation), preference, and duration (sustained attention). Results showed that both groups had similar visual pattern to faces (prioritization, more attention and longer visits to faces paired with objects non-related to their CI); however, the ASD group attended to faces significantly less than controls. Children with ASD showed an emotional bias (late orientation to angry faces and typical preference for happy faces). Finally, objects related to their CI captured attention in both groups, significantly reducing SA in children with ASD. Atypical SA is present in young children with ASD regardless the competing non-social object. Identifying strengths and difficulties in SA in this population may have substantial repercussion for early diagnosis, intervention, and ultimately prognosis.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the theory of mind in autism spectrum disorders with the Strange Stories test

2013 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 871-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata de Lima Velloso ◽  
Cintia Perez Duarte ◽  
Jose Salomao Schwartzman
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Excellent Internal Consistency ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
And Control ◽  
Strange Stories Test

Objective To evaluate the theory of mind in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and control individuals by applying the Strange Stories test that was translated and adapted to the Portuguese language. Method Twenty-eight children with ASD and 56 controls who were all male and aged between 6 and 12 years participated in the study. Results There were significant differences between the median scores of the groups for each of the 12 stories of the test and for the sum total of all the median scores. The median scores for all stories were significantly greater in the control group than those in the experimental group (children with ASD). In addition, the protocol had excellent internal consistency. Conclusion The theory of mind skills assessed with the Strange Stories test indicated alterations in children with ASD compared with children in the control group.

scholarly journals The association of auditory integration training in children with autism spectrum disorders among Chinese: a meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Li ◽  
Ling Li ◽  
Guimei Li ◽  
Zhongtao Gai
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Auditory Integration Training ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Auditory Integration

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported an inconsistent relationship about the auditory integration training (AIT) in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) among Chinese. The current study was to investigate the efficacy of AIT for children with ASD compared with those in control group by using meta-analysis. Relevant trials published were identified by an electronic search of PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE, WanFang, CNKI, and SinoMed databases up to December 31, 2017. Outcome of interest included childhood autism rating scale (CARS), autism behavior checklist (ABC), intelligence quotient (IQ), and autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC). Standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated using a random-effect model. Thirteen RCTs with 976 children with ASD were included for analysis. The pooled SMD showed that children with ASD had significantly lower ABC scores [summary SMD = −0.58, 95%CI = −0.79 to −0.38] and ATEC scores [summary SMD = −0.75, 95%CI = −1.05 to −0.45] in AIT group compared with that in control group. The analysis of pooled statistics put forward AIT could increase the IQ score when compared with that in control group [summary SMD = 0.59, 95%CI = 0.41–0.77]. A negative association was found about CARS scores between AIT group and control group. No publication bias was found and no single study had essential effect on the pooled results. In conclusions, AIT can reduce the score of ABC and ATEC and can increase the IQ score among children with ASD in Chinese. Therefore, it is recommended for Chinese children with ASD to receive AIT.

scholarly journals AChanDietary Intervention Enhances Executive Functions and Anterior Cingulate Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes S. Chan ◽  
Sophia L. Sze ◽  
Yvonne M. Y. Han ◽  
Mei-chun Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Dietary Modification ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Eeg Activity ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Executive dysfunctions have been found to be related to repetitive/disinhibited behaviors and social deficits in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). This study aims to investigate the potential effect of aShaolin-medicine-based dietary modification on improving executive functions and behavioral symptoms of ASD and exploring the possible underlying neurophysiological mechanisms. Twenty-four children with ASD were randomly assigned into the experimental (receiving dietary modification for one month) and the control (no modification) groups. Each child was assessed on his/her executive functions, behavioral problems based on parental ratings, and event-related electroencephalography (EEG) activity during a response-monitoring task before and after the one month. The experimental group demonstrated significantly improved mental flexibility and inhibitory control after the diet modification, which continued to have a large effect size within the low-functioning subgroup. Such improvements coincided with positive evaluations by their parents on social communication abilities and flexible inhibitory control of daily behaviors and significantly enhanced event-related EEG activity at the rostral and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex. In contrast, the control group did not show any significant improvements. These positive outcomes of a one-month dietary modification on children with ASD have implicated its potential clinical applicability for patients with executive function deficits.

GLIADOMORPHIN AND CASOMORPHIN LEVELS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

2021 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 65-71
Author(s):  
A.A. Zvyagin ◽  
◽  
I.A. Bavykina ◽  
D.V. Vasilenko ◽  
O.A. Gerasimova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Blood Serum ◽  
Diet Therapy ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Elisa Kit ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

High frequency of detection of various disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) formed the basis of the first attempts to prescribe diet therapy. Despite the fact that diets are not officially included in the complex of therapeutic measures for ASD, the use of gluten-free (GFD) and casein-free diets (CFD) is widespread practice. The aim of the study was to assess the level of gliadomorphins (GM) and casomorphins (CM) in the blood of children with ASD, depending on the eating style and in comparison with healthy peers. Materials and methods of research: a prospective continuous open controlled study with the participation of 230 children aged 3–15 years. The first group included 36 patients with ASD who had been observing GFD for more than 6 months; in addition, 18 children were also on CFD. Boys in the group ware 23 (64%), girls – 13 (36%). The second group included 49 children with ASD who had no dietary restrictions. Boys – 35 (71%), girls – 14 (29%). The third (control) group consisted of 145 apparently healthy children: boys – 83 (57.3%), girls – 62 (42.7%). Determination of CM and GM levels was performed on a Multiskan Go analyzer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Finland) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using Human Gliadomorphin ELISA Kit and Human Casomorphin ELISA Kit (Hycult Biotech, Netherlands). Results: more boys than girls were included in all study groups; no statistically significant differences in gender distribution were found (p=0.2). The median age values in the 1st group was 6.5 [4.0; 8.0] (3; 15) years, in the 2nd – 6.0 [4.0; 7.0] (3; 15) years, in the 3rd – 8.0 [6.0; 11.0] (3; 15) years, the differences are statistically significant (p=0.0001). The content of GM in the blood serum of children with ASD, adhering to GFD, is statistically significantly lower by 2.6 times compared with children not adhering to diet therapy – 0.61 [0.41; 0.80] (0.12; 6.42) and 1.6 [0.70; 2.38] (0.18; 4.03) ng/ml (p<0.001) and does not differ statistically significantly from the level in the control group – 0.41 ng/ml [0.31; 0.72] (0.14; 4.18) ng/ml (p>0.005). The content of CM in the blood serum of children with ASD, adhering to CFD and GFD, is also 1.25 times lower than in children not adhering to diet therapy 1.85 [1.04; 2.07] (0.16; 3.83) and 2.34 [2.11; 2.72] (0.93; 3.29) pg/ml (p<0.001) and 1.3 times lower than the level of the control group – 2.45 [2.13; 2.89] (1.22; 26.88) pg/ml (p<0.001). Conclusion: the results obtained confirm the theory/possibility of exorphin intoxication of ASD development, which may be pathogenetically significant for some patients with ASD, which must be taken into account when implementing an individual approach to prescribing GFD, CFD.

Disfluency Characteristics Observed in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Report

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura W. Plexico ◽  
Julie E. Cleary ◽  
Ashlynn McAlpine ◽  
Allison M. Plumb
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Young Children With Autism ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Developmental Stuttering

This descriptive study evaluates the speech disfluencies of 8 verbal children between 3 and 5 years of age with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Speech samples were collected for each child during standardized interactions. Percentage and types of disfluencies observed during speech samples are discussed. Although they did not have a clinical diagnosis of stuttering, all of the young children with ASD in this study produced disfluencies. In addition to stuttering-like disfluencies and other typical disfluencies, the children with ASD also produced atypical disfluencies, which usually are not observed in children with typically developing speech or developmental stuttering. (Yairi & Ambrose, 2005).

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