Examining gut bacteria reveals new clues about autism.
In their study, which features in the journal Cell, researchers from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena built on the work of previous studies that identified differences in the microbiomes of people with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The microbiome is the name for the collective genomes belonging to the communities of microorganisms that inhabit the human gut.
"In recent years, numerous studies have revealed differences in the bacterial composition of the gut microbiome between individuals with ASD and neurotypical [people]," says author Sarkis Mazmanian.
"However, while this previous research identifies potentially important associations, it is unable to resolve whether observed microbiome changes are a consequence of having ASD or if they contribute to symptoms." read more...