Does the Human Gut Microbiota Contribute to the Etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders?

Excerpt

The human gut harbors a complex microbial community (microbiota) which contributes to the breakdown of dietary constituents that are non-digestible in the upper gut. It has been recognized for some time that the activities of the microbiota exert numerous effects on the host, including the supply of energy from dietary sources otherwise unavailable to the host, modulation of host cell regulatory circuits with consequent effects on cancer risk and inflammatory tone, modulation of the host’s immune system, and protection against pathogens [1, 2]. More recent studies are beginning to reveal that the actions of the microbiota have much wider effects on host physiology than originally thought, and evidence is emerging that these may include modulation of brain activity and behavior [3]. …