The Promising Role of Probiotics in Managing the Altered Gut in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) have been reported repeatedly in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and studies have reported interesting correlations between severity of behavioral and gastrointestinal symptoms. Growing evidence indicates that the gut microbiota in ASD is altered with various shifts described at different taxonomic levels, pointing to the importance of considering the gut–brain axis in treatment of these disorders. Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that are ingested as food or customized pills. These beneficial bacteria, when added in sufficient amounts, can correct the dysbiosis. Because probiotics have shown success in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it is plausible to investigate whether they can induce alleviation of behavioral symptoms as well. Probiotics show, in some clinical studies, their potential benefits (1) in improving gastrointestinal dysfunction, (2) in correcting dysbiosis, (3) in consequently reducing the severity of ASD symptoms. This review compiles data from selected studies that investigate these benefits and the mechanisms that mediate these effects, which include the production of metabolites, hormones, and neurotransmitters and the regulation of pro-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines. Future research based on more randomized, controlled studies with a larger population size and standardized use of strains, concentration of probiotics, duration of treatments, and methods of DNA extraction is still needed in this area, which may lead to more robust results.

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Green tea from the far east to the drug store: focus on the cardiovascular beneficial effects

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612826666201102104902 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 ◽

Author(s):

Linda Landini ◽

Eleni Rebelos ◽

Miikka-Juhani Honka

Keyword(s):

Green Tea ◽

Far East ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Major Cardiovascular Events ◽

Randomized Controlled Studies ◽

Potential Benefits

: Cardiovascular diseases(CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Evidence from observational and randomized controlled studies showing the potential benefits of green tea on lowering CVD risk has been emerging rapidly during the past few decades.These benefits include reduced risk for major cardiovascular events, lowering of blood pressure, decreased LDL cholesterollevels and weight loss.At the same time, the understanding of physiological mechamismsbehind these alterations is advancing.Consumption of green tea originates from China thousands of years ago, but has since expanded all over the world.Recent advances in understanding the role of tea polyphenols, mainly catechins,as mediators of tea’s health benefits has caused an emergence of various types of green teaextracts(GTE) on the market. While drinking green tea is generally considered safe, there are concerns about thesafety of using tea extracts. The present article reviews the current evidence of green tea consumption leading to reducedCVD risk, the phenomenon’s potential biological mechanisms and the safety of using GTE.

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Exploring the Association of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Constipation through Analysis of the Gut Microbiome

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18020667 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 667

Author(s):

Shih-Chen Fu ◽

Chung-Han Lee ◽

Hsiuying Wang

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Published Data ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Key Aspects

Over the past two decades, research into the role of the gut microbiome in regulating the central nervous system has rapidly increased. Several neurodevelopmental diseases have been linked to the unbalance of gut microbiota, including autism. Children on the autism spectrum often suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms, including constipation, which is four times more prevalent than it is in children without autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Although studies in animals have shown the crucial role of the microbiota in key aspects of neurodevelopment, there is currently no consensus on how the alteration of microbial composition affects the pathogenesis of ASD, let alone how it exerts an impact on the following comorbidities. In our study, we were able to control the effects of constipation on gut dysbiosis and distinguish neuropathological-related and gastrointestinal-related bacteria in ASD patients separately. By analyzing published data, eight additional bacteria significantly altered in autistic individuals were identified in our study. All of them had a decreased relative abundance in ASD patients, except Lactobacillaceae and Peptostreptococcaceae. Eighteen and eleven bacteria were significantly correlated with ASD symptoms and constipation, respectively. Among those, six bacteria were overlapped between the groups. We have found another six bacteria highly associated with constipation status in ASD patients only. By conducting Welch’s t-test, we were able to demonstrate the critical roles of microbes in ASD core and gastrointestinal symptoms and raised the hypotheses of their confounding and mediating effects on the relationship between the two symptoms.

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The Effectiveness of Neurofeedback Therapy as an Alternative Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children

Journal of Psychophysiology ◽

10.1027/0269-8803/a000265 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Lothar E. van Hoogdalem ◽

Hanneke M. E. Feijs ◽

Wichor M. Bramer ◽

Sohal Y. Ismail ◽

Josanne D. M. van Dongen

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Alternative Treatment ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Treatment Protocols ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Randomized Controlled Studies ◽

Spectrum Disorders

Abstract. Findings for the effectiveness of neurofeedback in autism spectrum disorder are found to be inconsistent. Therefore, this review comprehensively and systematically reviewed literature on the effectiveness of neurofeedback for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders in children. A systematic search of Embase, Medline, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane, and Google Scholar was carried out in October 2017 to find relevant papers. We selected full journal articles that reported neurofeedback as a treatment for autism in children (0–17 years). The search yielded 587 articles and we included 20 references with a total of 443 participants. Ninety-four percent of nonrandomized controlled and experimental trials concerning neurofeedback for autism spectrum disorders found positive results. The evidence for effectiveness of neurofeedback therapy was even more robust when only randomized controlled studies were considered. Although there are only a few randomized controlled studies, results support effectiveness of neurofeedback for autism spectrum disorder, including long-term positive effects. In the future, optimal treatment protocols have to be developed to guide clinicians in their neurofeedback treatment. In conclusion, neurofeedback seems to be an alternative treatment for autism spectrum disorders, with space for improvement.

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Gut to brain interaction in Autism Spectrum Disorders: a randomized controlled trial on the role of probiotics on clinical, biochemical and neurophysiological parameters

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-016-0887-5 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

Elisa Santocchi ◽

Letizia Guiducci ◽

Francesca Fulceri ◽

Lucia Billeci ◽

Emma Buzzigoli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Spectrum Disorders

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Critical role of dysfunctional mitochondria and defective mitophagy in autism spectrum disorders

Brain Research Bulletin ◽

10.1016/j.brainresbull.2020.12.022 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 168 ◽

pp. 138-145

Author(s):

Yuan-Mei Wang ◽

Ming-Yue Qiu ◽

Qing Liu ◽

Huang Tang ◽

Hong-Feng Gu

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Critical Role ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorders

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Engagement and Outcomes Associated with Contextual Annotation Features of a Digital Health Solution

Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology ◽

10.1177/1932296820976409 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 193229682097640

Author(s):

Michelle Dugas ◽

Weiguang Wang ◽

Kenyon Crowley ◽

Anand K. Iyer ◽

Malinda Peeples ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Digital Health ◽

Data Entry ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Well Being ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Future Research ◽

Note Taking ◽

Potential Benefits

Background: Digital health solutions targeting diabetes self-care are popular and promising, but important questions remain about how these tools can most effectively help patients. Consistent with evidence of the salutary effects of note-taking in education, features that enable annotation of structured data entry might enhance the meaningfulness of the interaction, thereby promoting persistent use and benefits of a digital health solution. Method: To examine the potential benefits of note-taking, we explored how patients with type 2 diabetes used annotation features of a digital health solution and assessed the relationship between annotation and persistence in engagement as well as improvements in glycated hemoglobin (A1C). Secondary data from 3142 users of the BlueStar digital health solution collected between December 2013 and June 2017 were analyzed, with a subgroup of 372 reporting A1C lab values. Results: About a third of patients recorded annotations while using the platform. Annotation themes largely reflected self-management behaviors (diet, physical activity, medication adherence) and well-being (mood, health status). Early use of contextual annotations was associated with greater engagement over time and with greater improvements in A1C. Conclusions: Our research provides preliminary evidence of the benefits of annotation features in a digital health solution. Future research is needed to assess the causal impact of note-taking and the moderating role of thematic content reflected in notes.

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