Study Suggests Key Link That Could
Gut Microbiota and Health
Recent studies show our gut microbiota affects many health aspects, from mental health to autoimmune diseases like lupus and type 1 diabetes.
Mother’s Microbiota and Autism
A new study in The Journal of Immunology links gut microbiota to autism, finding that “our mother’s microbiota has a greater influence on our likelihood of developing autism than does our own.” John Lukens, lead researcher, said, “The microbiome can shape the developing brain in multiple ways.”
IL-17a and Brain Development
The immune molecule IL-17a affects brain growth in the womb and has been linked to several diseases. In mice, suppressing IL-17a prevented autism-like behaviors. Mice pups from mothers with certain gut bacteria later developed autism-like traits, showing the mother’s microbiota impact.
Future Research
Lukens emphasized, “IL-17a might be a single component in a much bigger picture.” The next step is to identify which parts of the mother’s microbiome influence autism and explore this in humans.
