Autism Caused By Gut Bacteria Deficiency? How Pregnant Mothers Unconsciously Contribute To The Disorder

The symptoms of autism often show between two and four years of age, and only then that a child receives treatment for the disorder. It's uncertain what causes autism, but a recent study found that the disorder may be caused by a certain gut bacteria that links a pregnant woman and the developing baby in her womb.

The study, which was conducted by researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine and published in Cell, found that autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, and people's brain chemistry are being influenced by microbiome (beneficial bacteria that live in the gut) more than we know. Past studies found that microbiome impacts various bodily functions like digestion, metabolism and the immune system, Big Think reported.

Mothers Unconsciously Giving Their Baby Autism?

But where does developing babies' microbiome come from? Epidemiological studies found that babies inherit their mothers' microbiome during childbirth. This seems harmless, but that tune changes if a mother consumes unhealthy amounts of high-fat diet during pregnancy.

Researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine used pregnant mice as test subjects, which they fed with a high-fat diet numerous times a day. For humans, this high-fat diet equates to eating fast food every day for lunch and dinner.

The offspring of the pregnant mice that ate a high-fat diet showed social behavior deficits as they mature, the study found. This suggests that autism could be prevented as early as during a woman's pregnancy -- by eating less high-fat meals.

Lactobacillus Reuteri And Oxytocin

The research team also found that a certain gut bacteria called Lactobacillus reuteri was rarer in mice with mothers that ate a high-fat diet. According to the study, the Lactobacillus reuteri encourages the growth of oxytocin, which bonds humans.

Oxytocin promotes social behavior, connection and attraction among people, Big Think noted. Those with autism have difficulties in social interaction, showing empathy, repeating behaviors and both verbal and non-verbal communication, according to Autism Speaks.

Armed with these findings, researchers believe that the symptoms of autism can be reversed by restoring Lactobacillus reuteri in the gut. Mauro Costa-Mattioli, the study's lead author, said a probiotic therapy may treat neurodevelopmental disorders including autism, Big Think noted.

People with autism also suffer from sleeping problems and gastrointestinal disturbances, further suggesting the role of gut bacteria in the disorder's occurrence. However, individuals with autism often exhibit talents in music, art, math and visual materials.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said one in 68 American children have autism. The disorder is more common in boys than in girls, and in Caucasians than Asian-Americans and Hispanics.