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Microbiota, Immune System and Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Integrative Model Towards Novel Treatment Options

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2022

D. Marazziti*
Affiliation:
University of Siena, Department Of Chemistry- Biotechnology And Pharmacology, Siena, Italy
B. Carpita
Affiliation:
University of Pisa, Department Of Clinica Amdf Experimental Medicine, Section Of Psychiatry, Pisa, Italy
S. Palermo
Affiliation:
University of Pisa, Section of Psychiatry, Clinical And Experimental Medicine, Pisa, Italy
E. Parra
Affiliation:
University of Pisa, Department Of Clinical And Experimental Medicine, Pisa, Italy
L. Dell’Osso
Affiliation:
University of Pisa, Department Of Clinical And Experimental Medicine, Pisa, Italy University of Pisa, Dept. Of Clinical And Experimental Medicine, Pisa, Italy
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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The functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) is the result of the integration of bidirectional messages between the brain and peripheral organs. Despite the anatomical separation, gut microbiota, i.e., the microorganisms colonising the gastrointestinal tract, is related to the CNS through the so-called “gut–brain axis” that is also involved in immune processes. The recent literature indicates that the gut microbiota may affect brain functions through endocrine and metabolic pathways, antibody production and the enteric network, while supporting its possible role in the onset and maintenance of several neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The term ASDs includes autistic disorder, Asperger’s syndrome, childhood disintegrative and pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified different. All these conditions are characterised by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction, as well as limited and repetitive behaviours, interests or activities. In the last two decades, an impressive number of cross-sectional studies reported significant differences in microbiota composition between children with an ASD and controls, thus strengthening the hypothesis of a possible link between GI dysbiosis and ASD. The amount of studies documenting the possible involvement of microbiota in ASD pathogenesis led to considering whether treatments acting on gut flora could ameliorate ASD symptoms. The available findings, although preliminary, would indicate data gut microbiota might represent an interesting field of research for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of ASD (of also of other neuropsychiatric disorders), and possibly a target for the development of innovative treatments just labelled as “psychobiotics”.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Type
Clinical/Therapeutic
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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