New Delhi, A variety of gut bacteria may be contributing to the development of autism in children, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature Microbiology.
Therefore, stool samples can help diagnose the neurodevelopmental condition in which one displays repetitive behavior and impaired social behavior, the researchers said.
"It usually takes three to four years to make a confirmed diagnosis of suspected autism, and most children are diagnosed by age six," the study's first author, Qi Su of the University of China, told The Guardian. Chinese University of Hong Kong.
"Our microbiome biomarker panel has high performance in children under four years of age, which may help facilitate early diagnosis," Su said.
Over the past decade, studies have shown that intestinal viruses play a role in the development of autism in a child. According to previous studies, children with autism differ in gut microbes and also show a delay in the development of a variety of gut microbes.
However, the researchers said these studies had largely looked at the bacteria in the intestines of these children.
In this study, the authors looked at other microbes (fungi and viruses, among others) along with their functions in the intestines of children diagnosed with autism.
Researchers analyzed stool samples from nearly 1,630 children between the ages of one and 13 in China, along with data on their diets and medications. About 900 children had autism.
For their analysis, the team used metagenomic sequencing, which helps study genetic material recovered from clinical samples (such as feces).
The authors found differences in more than 50 types of bacteria, seven fungi and 18 viruses in the gut microbiomes of children with autism.
Additionally, 12 metabolic functions were found to be different in these children.
The researchers also developed an artificial intelligence-based model to see if the results (the presence of 31 different errors or functions) could be used to predict whether a child had autism.
They found that the model showed "higher diagnostic accuracy" than simply looking at a single insect, such as a bacteria.
"While genetic factors play a substantial role in autism, the microbiome could act as a contributing factor by modulating immune responses, neurotransmitter production and metabolic pathways," Su said, quoted by The Guardian.
"This does not necessarily imply causality, but suggests that the microbiome could influence the severity or expression of autism spectrum symptoms," she said.
Therefore, stool samples can help diagnose the neurodevelopmental condition in which one displays repetitive behavior and impaired social behavior, the researchers said.
"It usually takes three to four years to make a confirmed diagnosis of suspected autism, and most children are diagnosed by age six," the study's first author, Qi Su of the University of China, told The Guardian. Chinese University of Hong Kong.
"Our microbiome biomarker panel has high performance in children under four years of age, which may help facilitate early diagnosis," Su said.
Over the past decade, studies have shown that intestinal viruses play a role in the development of autism in a child. According to previous studies, children with autism differ in gut microbes and also show a delay in the development of a variety of gut microbes.
However, the researchers said these studies had largely looked at the bacteria in the intestines of these children.
In this study, the authors looked at other microbes (fungi and viruses, among others) along with their functions in the intestines of children diagnosed with autism.
Researchers analyzed stool samples from nearly 1,630 children between the ages of one and 13 in China, along with data on their diets and medications. About 900 children had autism.
For their analysis, the team used metagenomic sequencing, which helps study genetic material recovered from clinical samples (such as feces).
The authors found differences in more than 50 types of bacteria, seven fungi and 18 viruses in the gut microbiomes of children with autism.
Additionally, 12 metabolic functions were found to be different in these children.
The researchers also developed an artificial intelligence-based model to see if the results (the presence of 31 different errors or functions) could be used to predict whether a child had autism.
They found that the model showed "higher diagnostic accuracy" than simply looking at a single insect, such as a bacteria.
"While genetic factors play a substantial role in autism, the microbiome could act as a contributing factor by modulating immune responses, neurotransmitter production and metabolic pathways," Su said, quoted by The Guardian.
"This does not necessarily imply causality, but suggests that the microbiome could influence the severity or expression of autism spectrum symptoms," she said.
