Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 14: Imbalances in the digestive system may influence brain signals and contribute to behavioural symptoms in children with autism, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Southern California (USC). Published in Nature Communications, the study reveals how gut-derived chemicals called metabolites can impact brain activity, which in turn may shape autism-related behaviours.

Dr. Lisa Aziz-Zadeh, the lead author and professor at USC’s Brain and Creativity Institute, said the research establishes a crucial connection. While earlier studies had explored the gut microbiome and brain structure separately in autism, this research directly links the two, showing how changes in gut health can affect brain function and behaviour.

The team studied 84 children between the ages of 8 and 17 — 43 with autism and 41 neurotypical — collecting stool samples, brain scans, and behavioural data. The analysis focused on the tryptophan metabolic pathway, which breaks down the amino acid tryptophan into compounds such as serotonin. Serotonin is essential for emotional regulation, social interaction, and learning, and although commonly associated with the brain, it is mostly produced in the gut.

The researchers found that variations in gut metabolites among children with autism were associated with differences in brain activity patterns and corresponding behavioural traits, including repetitive behaviours and difficulties in social engagement. Many children with autism also experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation and stomach discomfort, which further underscores the role of gut health in the condition.

Aziz-Zadeh explained that these digestive issues, often seen as secondary, may be more central to autism than previously understood. The findings offer hope for new treatment strategies that target the gut microbiome to influence brain function and behaviour in individuals with autism.

The study adds to a growing body of evidence supporting the gut-brain connection in neurodevelopmental disorders, potentially paving the way for future interventions that improve quality of life through gut-focused therapies.