Influences of the Immune System and Microbiome on the Etiology of ASD and GI Symptomology of Autistic Individuals.

This review looks at how gut bacteria and the immune system might be connected to autism and digestive problems that many autistic people experience. The authors discuss different treatments that might help, including special diets, probiotics (good bacteria), and other therapies that could improve gut health and behavior. They suggest these treatments might work best at different times - before pregnancy, during pregnancy, or after birth.

This review article examines the complex relationships between the immune system, gut microbiome, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The authors describe how microbiome dysbiosis may contribute to both autism etiology and the increased gastrointestinal symptoms commonly experienced by autistic individuals. The review summarizes evidence linking microbiome alterations to GI and related symptoms in autism. The authors discuss various intervention approaches, including dietary modifications, probiotics, antibiotics, fecal transplants, and immune-modulating therapies such as cytokine blockade.

These interventions are considered across different developmental periods (preconception, pregnancy, and postnatal) and may potentially impact neurodevelopment, behavior, and gastrointestinal health in autistic individuals.

The review suggests potential therapeutic approaches targeting the gut-brain axis in autism through microbiome and immune interventions. However, the preliminary nature of evidence indicates these approaches require careful evaluation and should not replace established treatments. Clinical decisions should consider individual patient needs and current evidence-based practices.

This is a narrative review without specified methodology for study selection or quality assessment. No sample size or primary data analysis reported. The evidence grade for individual claims cannot be determined from the abstract alone.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental condition associated with impairments in communication and social interactions, and repetitive and restricted behavior or interests. Autistic individuals are more likely to experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms than neurotypical individuals. This may be partially due to dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. In this article, we describe the interaction of the microbiome and immune system on autism etiology.

We also summarize the links between the microbiome and gastrointestinal and related symptoms among autistic individuals. We report that microbial interventions, including diet, probiotics, antibiotics, and fecal transplants, and immune-modulating therapies such as cytokine blockade during the preconception, pregnancy, and postnatal period may impact the neurodevelopment, behavior, and gastrointestinal health of autistic individuals.