Advances in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder by fecal microbiota transplantation

WANG Lihong, YU Lianhu, CAO Aihua

Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (1) : 83-87.

PDF(625 KB)
PDF(625 KB)
Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (1) : 83-87. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2023-1151
Review

Advances in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder by fecal microbiota transplantation

  • WANG Lihong, YU Lianhu, CAO Aihua
Author information +
History +

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interactions and communications together with repetitive and restrictive behaviors.The pathogenesis of ASD is complex and heterogeneous.Genetic and environmental factors are associated with the development of ASD.Current researches proposed gut microbiota dysbiosis may be an important trigger in the development of ASD,so the exploration of significant differences in the gut microbiota and metabolomics between individuals with ASD and typically developed individuals may have great significance for understanding the pathogenesis of ASD and clinical diagnosis and treatment.Behavioral interventions are the mainstay of ASD treatment,but their efficacy is limited.Recently,treatments based on the theory of correcting gut microbiota disturbance and restoring intestinal homeostasis have emerged,among which fecal bacteria transplantation is the most representative.In this review,the progress of gut microbiota dysbiosis and metabolomic changes in the occurrence and development of ASD is summarized,and the current research status of fecal microbiota transplantation intervention in ASD population is elucidated,so as to provide new insights for future fecal microbiota transplantation research.

Key words

autism spectrum disorder / fecal microbiota transplantation / brain-gut-axis / metabolic disturbance

Cite this article

Download Citations
WANG Lihong, YU Lianhu, CAO Aihua. Advances in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder by fecal microbiota transplantation[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2025, 33(1): 83-87 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2023-1151

References

[1] Battle DE.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM)[J].CoDAS,2013,25(2):190-191.
[2] 国家卫生健康委办公厅关于印发0~6岁儿童孤独症筛查干预服务规范(试行)的通知[J].中华人民共和国国家卫生健康委员会公报,2022,226(8):4-26.
Notice of the general office of the national health commission on printing and distributing the guidelines for autism screening and intervention services for children aged 0-6 (Trial)[J].Bull Natl Health Comm PRC,2022,226(8):4-26.(in Chinese)
[3] Maenner MJ,Warren Z,Williams AR,et al.Prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 Years — autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network,11 Sites,United States,2020[J].MMWR Surveill Summ,2023,72(2):1-14.
[4] Hirota T,King BH.Autism spectrum disorder[J].JAMA,2023,329(2):157.
[5] Masini E, Loi E, Vega-Benedetti AF, et al. An overview of the main genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors involved in autism spectrum disorder focusing on synaptic activity[J]. Int J Mol Sci, 2020, 21(21): 8290.
[6] Parellada M, Andreu-Bernabeu Á, Burdeus M, et al. In search of biomarkers to guide interventions in autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review[J]. Am J Psychiatry, 2023, 180(1): 23-40.
[7] Hu C, He T, Zou B, et al. Fecal microbiota transplantation in a child with severe ASD comorbidities of gastrointestinal dysfunctions—a case report[J]. Front Psychiatry, 2023, 14: 1219104.
[8] Trost B,Thiruvahindrapuram B,Chan AJS,et al.Genomic architecture of autism from comprehensive whole-genome sequence annotation[J].Cell,2022,185(23):4409-4427 e18.
[9] Adak A,Khan MR.An insight into gut microbiota and its functionalities[J].Cell Mol Life Sci,2019,76(3):473-493.
[10] Lou M,Cao A,Jin C,et al.Deviated and early unsustainable stunted development of gut microbiota in children with autism spectrum disorder[J].Gut,2022,71(8):1588-1599.
[11] Iglesias-Vázquez L,Van Ginkel Riba G,Arija V,et al.Composition of gut microbiota in children with autism spectrum disorder:A systematic review and meta-analysis[J].Nutrients,2020,12(3):792.
[12] Lasheras I,Real-López M,Santabárbara J.Prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in autism spectrum disorder:A meta-analysis[J].An Pediatr (Engl Ed),2023,99(2):102-110.
[13] Srikantha P,Mohajeri MH.The possible role of the microbiota-gut-brain-axis in autism spectrum disorder[J].Int J Mol Sci,2019,20(9):2115.
[14] Nagpal J,Cryan JF.Microbiota-brain interactions:Moving toward mechanisms in model organisms[J].Neuron,2021,109(24):3930-3953.
[15] Xiao L,Yan J,Yang T,et al.Fecal microbiome transplantation from children with autism spectrum disorder modulates tryptophan and serotonergic synapse metabolism and induces altered behaviors in germ-free mice[J].mSystems,2021,6(2):e01343-20.
[16] Hsiao EY,McBride SW,Hsien S,et al.Microbiota modulate behavioral and physiological abnormalities associated with neurodevelopmental disorders[J].Cell,2013,155(7):1451-1463.
[17] Needham BD,Funabashi M,Adame MD,et al.A gut-derived metabolite alters brain activity and anxiety behaviour in mice[J].Nature,2022,602(7898):647-653.
[18] Needham BD,Adame MD,Serena G,et al.Plasma and fecal metabolite profiles in autism spectrum disorder[J].Biol Psychiatry,2021,89(5):451-462.
[19] Smith AM,Natowicz MR,Braas D,et al.A metabolomics approach to screening for autism risk in the children's autism metabolome project[J].Autism Res,2020,13(8):1270-1285.
[20] Martin CR,Osadchiy V,Kalani A,et al.The brain-gut-microbiome axis[J].Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol,2018,6(2):133-148.
[21] Marotta R,Risoleo MC,Messina G,et al.The neurochemistry of autism[J].Brain Sci,2020,10(3):163.
[22] Gevi F,Zolla L,Gabriele S,et al.Urinary metabolomics of young Italian autistic children supports abnormal tryptophan and purine metabolism[J].Mol Autism,2016,7(1):47.
[23] Liu D,Bu D,Li H,et al.Intestinal metabolites and the risk of autistic spectrum disorder:A two-sample mendelian randomization study[J].Front Psychiatry,2023,13:1034214.
[24] Fuentes J,Hervás A,Howlin P,et al.ESCAP practice guidance for autism:A summary of evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment[J].Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry,2021,30(6):961-984.
[25] Johnson D,Letchumanan V,Thurairajasingam S,et al.A revolutionizing approach to autism spectrum disorder using the microbiome[J].Nutrients,2020,12(7):1983.
[26] 王芳芳,孙雪梅,张晓华.肠道微生物在儿童孤独症谱系障碍发病中作用的研究进展[J].国际免疫学杂志,2023,46(5):586-590.
Wang FF,Sun XM,Zhang XH.Research progress on the role of gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders in children[J].Int J Immunol,2023,46(5):586-590.(in Chinese)
[27] Cammarota G,Ianiro G,Tilg H,et al.European consensus conference on faecal microbiota transplantation in clinical practice[J].Gut,2017,66(4):569-580.
[28] Kang DW,Adams JB,Gregory AC,et al.Microbiota transfer therapy alters gut ecosystem and improves gastrointestinal and autism symptoms:An open-label study[J].Microbiome,2017,5(1):10.
[29] Kang DW,Adams JB,Coleman DM,et al.Long-term benefit of microbiota transfer therapy on autism symptoms and gut microbiota[J].Sci Rep,2019,9(1):5821.
[30] Li N,Chen H,Cheng Y,et al.Fecal microbiota transplantation relieves gastrointestinal and autism symptoms by improving the gut microbiota in an open-label study[J].Front Cell Infect Microbiol,2021,11:759435.
PDF(625 KB)

Accesses

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/