Gut Microbiota and Gender in Autism Spectrum Disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafail I. Kushak ◽  
Harland S. Winter
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Intestinal Microbiota ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Intestinal Microbiome ◽  
Gender Dimorphism ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
The Impact

: Gender dimorphism in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is well known; however, the reasons for gender differences in autism are poorly understood. There are several hypotheses that might explain male prevalence in ASD including increased levels of androgens, “extreme male brain,” and a combination of elevated levels of prenatal testosterone in conjunction with prenatal stress. In this review, differences in the gut microbiome and metabolome in humans and animals are described to explain gender differences in individuals with ASD, effects on behavior and social interactions and the impact of antibiotics, probiotics and fecal transplants. The bidirectional relationship between sex hormones and intestinal microbiota could also be relevant. Such interactions have been described in autoimmune diseases, but thus far are not implicated in ASD. We hypothesize that similar cross-talk exists in ASD between gut microbiota and sex hormones. Since intestinal microbiota may affect behavior, it is possible that prevalence of ASD in boys may be associated with more significant changes in the intestinal microbiome than in affected girls.

scholarly journals Environmental pollution as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders in children and adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Szponar ◽  
E Matczuk ◽  
E Pietraś
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Intestinal Microbiome ◽  
Chemical Pollution ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Female Sex Hormones ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Abstract Autism spectrum disorders caused, inter alia, by environmental pollutions have been in focus of public health leaders, doctors (paediatricians, perinatologists, nutrition experts). Based on the data from 2016 Demographic Yearbook, it has been established that among children and adolescents in the age below 17, the population of boys is 3155000 and girls 3994000. In USA in recent decades the CDC studies have shown that the incidence of ASD has increased from 1 case per 150 children in 2000 to 1 case per 59 children in 2014 i.e. it more than doubled. Three groups of factors modifying the risk of ASD development in children and adolescent populations, being more common in boys population, were identified: the declining environmental chemical pollution by POP, probably reduces the inflammation status of microglia cells in the central nervous system. Significant gender distinction of the microglia cells of the mouse brain, caused probably by steroid hormones at the transcriptome level, results in a different behaviour of the microglia in female individuals. The microglia cells of this gender reduce the level of microglia damage caused by acute focal ischemia. It seems likely that the lower prevalence of ASD in girls may be due to the effective protective activity of female sex hormones, at this level. Meanwhile the elimination of chemical pollutants from the discussed substances on the gastrointestinal tract - white part of the brain axis strengthens the proper functioning of the intestinal microbiome - brain axis. Demographic data, it has been estimated that the number of boys at risk of ASD in Poland may be approximately 30000 and girls fourfold less, i.e. approximately 7500. A definite absence of epidemiological data collected through representative studies on the prevalence of ASD in children aged 3-17 years in Poland indicates a need for a proper diagnosis in order to develop a more effective health care system for population in question compared to the existing one. Key messages The female sex hormones protect the majority of girls against ASD, probably at a brain microglia level. Brain microglia, may be key to mitigation of the risk of asd health disorder in the population of girls and women.

scholarly journals Sleep in youth with autism spectrum disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis of subjective and objective studies

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 146-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amparo Díaz-Román ◽  
Junhua Zhang ◽  
Richard Delorme ◽  
Anita Beggiato ◽  
Samuele Cortese
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Newcastle Ottawa Scale ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Sleep Alterations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ottawa Scale

BackgroundSleep problems are common and impairing in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Evidence synthesis including both subjective (ie, measured with questionnaires) and objective (ie, quantified with neurophysiological tools) sleep alterations in youth with ASD is currently lacking.ObjectiveWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of subjective and objective studies sleep studies in youth with ASD.MethodsWe searched the following electronic databases with no language, date or type of document restriction up to 23 May 2018: PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase+Embase Classic, Ovid Medline and Web of Knowledge. Random-effects models were used. Heterogeneity was assessed with Cochran’s Q and I2 statistics. Publication (small studies) bias was assessed with final plots and the Egger’s test. Study quality was evaluated with the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Analyses were conducted using Review Manager and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis.FindingsFrom a pool of 3359 non-duplicate potentially relevant references, 47 datasets were included in the meta-analyses. Subjective and objective sleep outcome measures were extracted from 37 and 15 studies, respectively. Only five studies were based on comorbidity free, medication-naïve participants. Compared with typically developing controls, youth with ASD significantly differed in 10/14 subjective parameters and in 7/14 objective sleep parameters. The average quality score in the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was 5.9/9.Discussion and clinical implicationsA number of subjective and, to a less extent, objective sleep alterations might characterise youth with ASD, but future studies should assess the impact of pharmacological treatment and psychiatric comorbidities.

scholarly journals Society and people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: an analysis of message descriptors of social media

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 744-755
Author(s):  
Olga A. Vazhenina ◽  
Lidiya K. Lobodenko
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Media Space ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Social Media Tool

The authors investigate the process of humanization of society in relation to people with autism spectrum disorders and its relationship with the reception of problems of this category of population by society. The authors based on the descriptors of messages in social media published in the digital media space. The article reveals the relationship between the content of messages in social media, as well as the tools of this type of media and the overall degree of humanization of society at both social and political levels. The typological features of such a social media tool as a hashtag, when covering the problems of people with autism spectrum disorders, as well as the impact of these features on the reception of messages on this topic by both domestic and English-speaking users are noted.

scholarly journals Current state of evidence of cannabis utilization for treatment of autism spectrum disorders

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rumi Agarwal ◽  
Shanna L. Burke ◽  
Marlaina Maddux
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Risks And Benefits ◽  
Current State ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The core symptoms and co-morbidities associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect daily living and quality of life. Existing pharmacological interventions are only able to attenuate some related symptoms but are unable to address the underlying etiologies associated with ASD. Anecdotal evidence, which claims benefit from the use of cannabis to treat symptoms among this population, has been gaining popularity as families seek solutions. This paper analyzed recent peer-reviewed literature to identify the current state of evidence regarding cannabis use for the ASD population. Systematic reviews, reports, and experimental studies were assessed to understand the current extent and nature of the evidence on the risks and benefits of cannabis use for ASD. At this time, three large-scale clinical trials are currently at varying stages of progress and publication of results. Only five small studies were identified that have specifically examined cannabis use in ASD. Given the sparse state of evidence directly assessed in this population, studies which examined effects of cannabis on shared pathological symptoms of ASD such as hyperactivity, sleep disorders, self-injury, anxiety, behavioral problems, and communication were also reviewed. Studies revealed mixed and inconclusive findings of cannabis effects for all conditions, except epilepsy. Adverse outcomes were also reported, which included severe psychosis, increased agitation, somnolence, decreased appetite, and irritability. In addition, a wide range of cannabis compositions and dosage were identified within the studies, which impact generalizability. There is currently insufficient evidence for cannabis use in ASD, which creates an urgent need for additional large-scale controlled studies to increase understanding of risks and benefits and also to examine the impact of “entourage effects.” This will support discussions of treatment options between health care providers and ASD patients and their families. Evidence may lead to a desired new line of treatment or prevent adverse outcomes from unsubstantiated use amongst families aiming for symptom reduction.

scholarly journals The impact of robotic intervention on joint attention in children with autism spectrum disorders

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirokazu Kumazaki ◽  
Yuichiro Yoshikawa ◽  
Yuko Yoshimura ◽  
Takashi Ikeda ◽  
Chiaki Hasegawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Joint Attention ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
The Impact
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