Cited by 98Gut microbiota and healthGastrointestinal motility and disordersAutism Spectrum Disorder Research

Gastrointestinal involvement of autism spectrum disorder: focus on gut microbiota

Settanni, Carlo Romano, Bibbò, Stefano, Ianiro, Gianluca, Rinninella, Emanuele, Cintoni, Marco, Mele, Maria Cristina, Cammarota, Giovanni, Gasbarrini, Antonio·2021·Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Abstract

Introduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder typical of early age, characterized by impaired communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. ASD patients frequently suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Neuro-psychological functions, intestinal homeostasis, and functional GI disturbances are modulated by the gut microbiota through the so-called ‘microbiota-gut-brain axis’.Areas covered Literature regarding GI symptoms among the ASD community as well as the involvement and modulation of the gut microbiota in GI disturbances of ASD patients was searched. Constipation, diarrhea, reflux, abdominal bloating, pain, and discomfort are reported with variable prevalence. ASD is characterized by a reduction of Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes, of the abundance of Bacteroidetes and other imbalances. ASD patients with GI symptoms present microbial changes with plausible relation with deficiency of digestive enzymes, carbohydrate malabsorption, selective eating, bacterial toxins, serotonin metabolism, and inflammation. The strategies to mitigate the GI distress through the gut microbiota modulation comprise antimicrobials, probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and dietary intervention.Expert opinion The modulation of the gut microbiota in ASD individuals with GI disturbances seems a promising target for the future medicine. A standardization of the research strategies for large-scale studies together with a focus on poorly explored fields is necessary to strengthen this hypothesis.

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Crossref · 10.1080/17474124.2021.1869938

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  • A decrease in the abundance of Eubacterium and Enterococcus populations within the gastrointestinal tracts of patients diagnosed with ASD has been observed compared to healthy populations.

    “Furthermore, a decrease in the abundance of Eubacterium and Enterococcus populations within the gastrointestinal tracts of patients diagnosed with ASD has been observed when compared to healthy populations [52,107,109].”
  • Ristori et al. revealed that individuals diagnosed with ASD exhibited a reduced population of bacteria from the Ruminococcus genus, while numerous studies have demonstrated that the population of these bacteria could be augmented.

    “Ristori et al. revealed that individuals diagnosed with ASD exhibited a reduced population of bacteria from the Ruminococcus genus; however, numerous studies have demonstrated that the population of these bacteria could be augmented [101,107,109,110].”

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Authors
Settanni, C. R., Bibbò, S., Ianiro, G., Rinninella, E., Cintoni, M., Mele, M. C., Cammarota, G., & Gasbarrini, A.
Affiliations
  • Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (IT)
  • Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic (IT)
  • University of Rome Tor Vergata (IT)
Corresponding author
Gasbarrini, Antonio
Venue
Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Published
2021-01-05
Volume
15
Issue
6
Pages
599-622
ISSN
  • 1747-4124 (ISSN-L)
  • 1747-4132
OpenAlex
W3117358445
Cited by
98
References
161
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 7
FWCI
0.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, gastrointestinal symptoms, gut microbiota, microbiota-gut-brain axis, constipation, diarrhea, gastroesophageal reflux, bloating, Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, carbohydrate malabsorption, picky eating, serotonin metabolism, inflammation, probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, dietary intervention, dysbiosis
MeSH terms
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Fecal Microbiota Transplantation, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Combined Modality Therapy, Diet Therapy, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Humans, Probiotics, Prebiotics

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