Approximately 1 in 50 U.S. children ages 6 to 17 is diagnosed with ASD, according to a report based on a national survey of parents in 2012 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1). ASD is a clinically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder marked by impairments in social interaction; varying degrees of verbal and nonverbal communication deficits; and restricted and stereotyped patterns of behavior and interests. Without a universally accepted theory on the causation of ASD, the etiology of ASD is currently the focus of intensive research, with particular interest in the role of environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors (2). And with great heterogeneity in the individuals that receive an ASD diagnosis, experimental approaches
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The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates made this statement more than two thousand years ago. Could this be true in identifying the possible biomedical causes of ASD? In addition, could treatments that help to repair the gut be used as a treatment for ASD? Probiotics are living nonpathogenic microorganisms, which have beneficial affects on the health of the host when administered in adequate amounts as a food ingredient or supplement (4). Probiotic products consist mainly of lactic-acid-producing bacteria, such as lactobacilli, lactococci, and bifidobacteria, or yeasts such as Saccharomyces boulardii. The well-established health effects of probiotics vary with species and particular strains of bacteria chosen, based on genetic differences and the nature of bacteria-host interactions (1). Probiotics have been used safely in the fermentations of food products for decades and the United States Food and Drug Administration has designated probiotics as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) (1). Research on probiotics has shown efficacy of probiotic bacteria on a variety of health problems. GI difficulties such as antibiotic-associated and acute infectious diarrhea, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome have demonstrated responsiveness to probiotics. In addition, probiotics also have shown activity in influencing the host’s immune system (1). With growing research on probiotics and the integral role they play in health, and with …show more content…
It would be interesting to note the effects of the bacteria on the ASD mice that did not present with leaky gut. Is it possible that administering the probiotic could assist in proper immune regulation or could decrease inflammation in the gut? These are other topics to be explored. Additionally the healthy mice models that were administered the bacteria could provide additional information in the ways that the bacteria colonizes in the body as well as changes in metabolic byproducts. In addition, personalization of specific probiotic bacteria can be explored based on each individual and their needs. Future research conducting clinical trials of probiotic treatment in human models with ASD should be explored following this study. This research can be expected to assist in the clarification of the role of metabolic disorders, allergic/toxic reactions, immune dysregulation, and inflammatory changes in the etiology of GI disturbances in individuals with
The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates made this statement more than two thousand years ago. Could this be true in identifying the possible biomedical causes of ASD? In addition, could treatments that help to repair the gut be used as a treatment for ASD? Probiotics are living nonpathogenic microorganisms, which have beneficial affects on the health of the host when administered in adequate amounts as a food ingredient or supplement (4). Probiotic products consist mainly of lactic-acid-producing bacteria, such as lactobacilli, lactococci, and bifidobacteria, or yeasts such as Saccharomyces boulardii. The well-established health effects of probiotics vary with species and particular strains of bacteria chosen, based on genetic differences and the nature of bacteria-host interactions (1). Probiotics have been used safely in the fermentations of food products for decades and the United States Food and Drug Administration has designated probiotics as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) (1). Research on probiotics has shown efficacy of probiotic bacteria on a variety of health problems. GI difficulties such as antibiotic-associated and acute infectious diarrhea, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome have demonstrated responsiveness to probiotics. In addition, probiotics also have shown activity in influencing the host’s immune system (1). With growing research on probiotics and the integral role they play in health, and with …show more content…
It would be interesting to note the effects of the bacteria on the ASD mice that did not present with leaky gut. Is it possible that administering the probiotic could assist in proper immune regulation or could decrease inflammation in the gut? These are other topics to be explored. Additionally the healthy mice models that were administered the bacteria could provide additional information in the ways that the bacteria colonizes in the body as well as changes in metabolic byproducts. In addition, personalization of specific probiotic bacteria can be explored based on each individual and their needs. Future research conducting clinical trials of probiotic treatment in human models with ASD should be explored following this study. This research can be expected to assist in the clarification of the role of metabolic disorders, allergic/toxic reactions, immune dysregulation, and inflammatory changes in the etiology of GI disturbances in individuals with