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Current Psychiatry Reports
Published in: Current Psychiatry Reports 2/2013

01-02-2013 | Genetic Disorders (JF Cubells and EB Binder, Section Editors)

The Gut Microbiome: A New Frontier in Autism Research

Authors: Jennifer G. Mulle, William G. Sharp, Joseph F. Cubells

Published in: Current Psychiatry Reports | Issue 2/2013

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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.
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Metadata
Title
The Gut Microbiome: A New Frontier in Autism Research
Authors
Jennifer G. Mulle
William G. Sharp
Joseph F. Cubells
Publication date
01-02-2013
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Psychiatry Reports / Issue 2/2013
Print ISSN: 1523-3812
Electronic ISSN: 1535-1645
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-012-0337-0

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