Children with autism, ADHD, and anorexia may share disrupted gut microbiomes, a small study suggests. Led by researchers from Comenius University in Slovakia, the study analyzed stool samples from 117 children, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anorexia nervosa, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as a control group of healthy children.
The study found that children with these disorders had higher levels of Bacteroidetes and lower levels of Firmicutes compared to the control group. This imbalance is associated with inflammatory diseases and can affect glucose metabolism, inflammation, and satiety regulation.
In addition, children with ADHD and autism had lower microbial species richness in their gut microbiomes. Higher levels of Escherichia were also observed in these groups, which can cause infections when their numbers are elevated.
Girls with anorexia nervosa and children with ADHD had more Desulfovibrio bacteria, known for living in low-nutrient environments and potentially causing disease when out of balance. Conversely, they had lower levels of Faecalibacterium, a bacterium associated with inflammatory conditions like irritable bowel disease and depression.
The study suggests that the gut microbiome composition may influence the behavioral manifestations of these mental disorders. Diet plays a significant role in shaping the gut microbiome, and limited diets in children with these disorders may contribute to the similarities observed in their gut profiles.
However, the researchers caution that the study had limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a small sample size. They recommend future studies with larger sample sizes to provide more reliable profiles of gut microbiomes in children with these disorders for potential diagnosis and treatment advancements.
The research was published in Neuroscience.
