"The gut microbiota is increasingly recognized as a modulator of brain development and behavior, but its role in the etiology of common neurodevelopmental conditions such as ASD is poorly understood. Here, we report for the first time early life alterations in the gut microbiota composition and metabolic profile of infants at elevated-likelihood of ASD, during a critical period when the gut microbiota and brain are both undergoing rapid development [44]. Specifically, we found that infants at elevated-likelihood of ASD harbored less Bifidobacterium and more Clostridium related species at 5 months of age compared to infants at low-likelihood of ASD. This was accompanied by a significantly lower abundance of GABA in fecal samples from infants at elevated-likelihood of ASD. These early differences in the gut microbiota profile were also associated with changes in receptive language and expressive language from 5 to 36 months of age. These findings suggest that the intestinal microbiota of infants at elevated-likelihood of ASD develop differently to those at low-likelihood, with consequences for the bioavailability of GABA in the gut, and its neuro-immune modulatory effects on the host in early life.
Source: Translational Psychiatry
AND, RELATED:
Low-dose glyphosate exposure alters gut microbiota composition and modulates gut homeostasis
“Our microbiome analysis showed that glyphosate exposure similar to the U.S. ADI was sufficient to shift gut microbiota composition. We observed a reduced abundance of known beneficial bacteria especially Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in glyphosate-exposed mice compared to the control group.”
Elevated Urinary Glyphosate and Clostridia Metabolites With Altered Dopamine Metabolism in Triplets With Autistic Spectrum Disorder or Suspected Seizure Disorder: A Case Study
"The pattern of metabolites in the urine samples of the males with autism are consistent with a recent theory of autism that connects widespread glyphosate use with alteration of animal and human gastrointestinal flora. That theory is that the normally beneficial bacteria species that are sensitive to glyphosate are diminished and harmful bacteria species, such as Clostridia, that are insensitive to glyphosate, are increased following exposure to glyphosate."
