CHSU Discovery

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental neurological disorder that presents with social communication and interaction deficits, as well as repetitive and restrictive sensory-motor behaviors. It manifests across a wide spectrum of severity, some individuals being high functioning while other's needing full-time support. 70% of individuals with ASD also experience gastrointestinal issues, which have been associated with autism severity. The gut-brain-microbiota axis is a non-linear bi-directional connection between the brain, the gut, and the microbes and their metabolites that inhabit the gut.

Dysbiosis, a disruption in gut microbiota, can occur due to several stressors such as oxidative stress and alterations in the intestinal environment, and is linked to a variety of conditions including inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, obesity, and autism spectrum disorder.