Gut Microbiota and Health
Recent studies show that gut microbiota can impact everything from mood to autoimmune diseases. Now, researchers are exploring its role in autism.
Link Between Autism and Maternal Microbiota
A study in The Journal of Immunology suggests a mother’s gut microbiota may influence a child’s risk of autism more than the child’s own microbiome. “The microbiome can shape the developing brain in multiple ways,” said lead researcher John Lukens.
The Role of IL-17a
The team focused on IL-17a, an immune molecule tied to inflammation and brain development in the womb. “The microbiome is really important to the calibration of how the offspring’s immune system is going to respond,” Lukens explained.
Animal Testing and Next Steps
Mice exposed to microbiota promoting IL-17a showed autism-like behaviors. Fecal transplants confirmed the gut-brain link. While early, the findings open new doors. “IL-17a might be a single component in a much bigger picture,” Lukens noted.
