As compared to children without the condition, those affected by autism spectrum disorder may have a higher concentration of bacteria produced chemicals known as metabolites in their feces. This research, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, provides further evidence that bacteria in the gut may be linked to autism.
"Most gut bacteria are beneficial, aiding food digestion, producing vitamins, and protecting against harmful bacteria. If left unchecked, however, harmful bacteria can excrete dangerous metabolites or disturb a balance in metabolites that can affect the gut and the rest of the body, including the brain," says Dae-Wook Kang of the Biodesign Institute of Arizona State University, an author on the study.
New Approach for Sampling Gut Bacteria Developed
Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard School of Public Health scientists have discovered a new protocol for collecting saliva and stool samples for genomic and transcriptomic analyses.
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Increasing evidence suggests that children with ASD have altered gut bacteria. In order to identify possible microbial metabolites associated with ASD Kang and his colleagues looked for and compared the compounds in fecal samples from children with and without ASD. They found that children with ASD had significantly different concentrations of seven of the 50 compounds they identified.
"Most of the seven metabolites could play a role in the brain, working as neurotransmitters or controlling neurotransmitter biosynthesis," says Kang. "We suspect that gut microbes may alter levels of neurotransmitter-related metabolites affecting gut-to-brain communication and/or altering brain function."
![Gut Microbiota Linked to Alcoholic Liver Disease]( "Gut Microbiota Linked to Alcoholic Liver Disease")
A potential role in the development of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) may be played by gut microbiota as per reviews in the exciting new data
Children with ASD had significantly lower levels of the metabolites homovanillate and N,N-dimethylglycine. Homovanillate is the breakdown product of dopamine (a major neurotransmitter), indicating an imbalance in dopamine catabolism (the breaking down in living organisms of more complex substances into simpler ones with the release of energy). N,N-dimethylglycine is a building block for proteins and neurotransmitters, and has been used to reduce symptoms of ASD and epileptic seizures.
The glutamine/glutamate ratio was significantly higher in children with ASD. Glutamine and glutamate are further metabolized to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter. An imbalance between glutamate and GABA transmission has been associated with ASD-like behaviors such as hyper-excitation.
Using next-generation sequencing technology, the researchers also were able to detect hundreds of unique bacterial species and confirmed that children with ASD harbored distinct and less diverse gut bacterial composition.
"Correlations between gut bacteria and neurotransmitter-related metabolites are stepping stones for a better understanding of the crosstalk between gut bacteria and autism, which may provide potential targets for diagnosis or treatment of neurological symptoms in children with ASD," says Kang.
Source: Eurekalert
Gut Microbiota Linked to Alcoholic Liver Disease
A potential role in the development of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) may be played by gut microbiota as per reviews in the exciting new data
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Children with ASD had significantly lower levels of the metabolites homovanillate and N,N-dimethylglycine. Homovanillate is the breakdown product of dopamine (a major neurotransmitter), indicating an imbalance in dopamine catabolism (the breaking down in living organisms of more complex substances into simpler ones with the release of energy). N,N-dimethylglycine is a building block for proteins and neurotransmitters, and has been used to reduce symptoms of ASD and epileptic seizures.
The glutamine/glutamate ratio was significantly higher in children with ASD. Glutamine and glutamate are further metabolized to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter. An imbalance between glutamate and GABA transmission has been associated with ASD-like behaviors such as hyper-excitation.
Using next-generation sequencing technology, the researchers also were able to detect hundreds of unique bacterial species and confirmed that children with ASD harbored distinct and less diverse gut bacterial composition.
"Correlations between gut bacteria and neurotransmitter-related metabolites are stepping stones for a better understanding of the crosstalk between gut bacteria and autism, which may provide potential targets for diagnosis or treatment of neurological symptoms in children with ASD," says Kang.
Source: Eurekalert
Research Links Gut Bacteria to Alcoholic Liver Disease
Gut bacteria play an important role in determining the severity of alcoholic liver disease in heavy drinkers.
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