Mice whose mothers developed certain types of infections and inflammation during pregnancy were more likely to exhibit behavior similar to autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
A research team linked the neurodevelopmental issues with probiotics living in the mother mice's stomachs, a Cell Press news release reported.
"Several studies have shown that the microbiota can influence a variety of behaviors, from anxiety and pain to social and emotional behavior," Elaine Hsiao of the California Institute of Technology, said. "Our work is the first to demonstrate that modulating the microbiota can influence autism-related behaviors in the context of a disease model."
When the researchers treated the bacteria problem some of the offspring's symptoms such as anxiety-induced-behavior went away.
Further research is needed to confirm these findings, but the researchers suggested probiotics could be an effective weapon against ASD.
Many individuals struggling with ASD also experience gastrointestinal symptoms. To try and find a connection the team analyzed a "maternal immune activation (MIA) mouse model," which has been used to model autism in the past.
The researchers found animals with autism-like symptoms also tended to display "gastrointestinal abnormalities and changes in the gut microbial community."
When the mice were treated with the human probiotic Bacteroides fragilis, and found the treatment relieved their symptoms
Another finding showed the MIA mice had "altered blood levels of some metabolites, many of which are modulated by B. fragilis." When healthy mice were treated with the metabolite they started to show abnormalities, which further confirms a link between gut bacteria and symptoms associated with ASD.
"Taken together," the researchers stated in the news release. "These findings support a gut-microbiome-brain connection in a mouse model of neurodevelopmental disorders and identify a potential probiotic therapy for gastrointestinal and behavioral symptoms in human disorders, including autism."
The study, called "The microbiota modulates gut physiology and behavioral abnormalities associated with autism" was published in the journal Cell Press.
