Highlights
- A research team from Arizona State University has found that autism symptoms could be improved by fecal microbial transplant.
- The study was found to be effective in increasing the number of good bacteria, especially Prevotella, which is normally found to be low in children with autism.
- There was an 80% improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms and up to 25% improvement in social skills and sleep.
Autism
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological as well as a developmental disorder that begins in early childhood but lasts for a lifetime. The affected person finds it difficult to interact with people and there are difficulties in communication and learning. This is called a spectrum disorder as people exhibit a range of symptoms. People with autism may repeat things or may seem like they are in their own world.Studies have shown that there is a gene and environment interaction associated with the cause of autism but there are currently no standard treatment methods. Behavioral therapies like speech language therapy are known to improve the condition over a period of time.
Fecal Transplant for People with Autism:
The current 10-week study conducted on 18 children with autism involved
- treatment with antibiotics
- bowel cleanse
- daily fecal microbial transplants for 8 weeks
- 80 % improvement on average of gastrointestinal symptoms that are associated with autism spectrum disorders.
- 20-25 % improvement in symptoms of autism which include improved social behavior and sleep.
Fecal Microbial Transplant:
Benefits of Fecal Microbial Transplant
- It replaces good bacteria that have been suppressed or killed due to the use of antibiotics.
- There are 1,000 different species of gut bacteria which are transferred from the donor to the patient, acting like a broad-spectrum probiotic treatment which restores the normal gut bacteria of the patients.
- It is currently used to lower the risk of infection by bacteria, especially Clostridium difficile (C. diff) that causes a debilitating form of diarrhea.
- It is also used for many other digestive or auto-immune diseases, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- The technique has been in use in veterinary medicine for over 100 years in the treatment of C. diff.
- In some parts of the world, it is customary for the mother’s stool to be given in small amounts to a newborn infant. This was done to provide good bacteria immediately for better immunity and digestion.
- In the U.S, fecal transplant has been used sporadically from the 1950′s; however, without much regulation. It has gained popularity over the past few years.
- FDA announced classified fecal matter as an Investigational New Drug (IND) as well as a biologic.
- FDA announced that qualified physicians could perform fecal transplant for recurrent C. diff after obtaining a signed consent from the patient and using the stool sample from a tested donor.
The transfer of ‘good’ bacteria to a recipient was found to be effective using the methods followed in the current study, however, a placebo trial would aid in evaluating the effectiveness of this treatment.
The methodology followed in the study may seem simple and may encourage use by family members. However, the scientists in the study caution that improper transplant could lead to gastro-intestinal infections. The extent of benefit obtained among patients with autism offers a good use for use of fecal transplant as a potential form of therapy in the near future.
References:
- What is FMT? - (http://thefecaltransplantfoundation.org/what-is-fecal-transplant/)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder - (https://medlineplus.gov/autismspectrumdisorder.html)
Source-Medindia