From Gut to Brain: The Role of Microbiome in Autism and Its Clinical Applications

Gastrointestinal symptoms are common comorbidity in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The underlying mechanisms are known to be idiopathic, but recent studies have acclaimed the relationship between the components of the microbiome and the brain. Dysbiosis is associated with handful of diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ASD and mood disorders. Microbiome-mediated therapies might be a safe and effective treatment for ASD. Autism is a neurological disorder that affects the brain development. The fermentation of different types of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by microorganisms acts as an aid in the autistic subjects. This review sums up the bidirectional connection between our gut and brain, with particular emphasis on the portrayal of the microorganisms that contribute to ASD and outline the promising approaches to restore the healthy gut microbiome balance which can treat autism associated symptoms. Key words: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Gut Microbiome, Microbial Therapeutic Treatments, Gut dysbiosis, Gut-brain axis.