title: The gut microbiome: a new frontier in autism research.
abstract: The human gut harbors a complex community of microbes that profoundly influence many aspects of growth and development, including development of the nervous system. Advances in high-throughput DNA sequencing methods have led to rapidly expanding knowledge about this gut microbiome. Here, we review fundamental emerging data on the human gut microbiome, with a focus on potential interactions between the microbiome and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and consider research on atypical patterns of feeding and nutrition in ASD and how they might interact with the microbiome. Finally we selectively survey results from studies in rodents on the impact of the microbiome on neurobehavioral development. The evidence reviewed here suggests that a deeper understanding of the gut microbiome could open up new avenues of research on ASD, including potential novel treatment strategies.
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Mailstop 1518-002-3BB, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. jmulle@emory.edu
authors: Jennifer G
authors: JG
authors: Mulle
authors: William G
authors: WG
authors: Sharp
authors: Joseph F
authors: JF
authors: Cubells
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000382:microbiology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans