Microbiota-gut-brain axis in autism spectrum disorder.

Abstract

Extensive studies, largely during the past decade, identify the dynamic and bidirectional interaction between the bacteria resident in the intestines and their host brain along the microbiota-gut-brain axis. This interaction modulates the development and function of the central nervous system\xa0and is implicated in neurological disorders. As a neurodevelopmental disorder, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is considered a historically defect\xa0in the brain. With accumulating evidence showing how the microorganisms modulate neural activities, more and more research is focusing on the role of the gut microbiota in mitigating ASD symptoms and the underlying mechanisms. In this review, we describe the intricate and crucial pathways via which the gut microbiota communicates with the brain, the microbiota-gut-brain axis, and summarize the specific pathways that mediate the crosstalk of the gut microbiota to the brain in ASD.