Researchers mull bacterium’s link to autism

The bacterium Sutterella was found to be present at remarkably high levels in the gastrointestinal tracts of children with autism and scientists at Columbia University are pondering what the connection might be.

The intriguing study, published in the journal mBio, notes that children with autism frequently have gastrointestinal problems, but the underlying reason that autism is associated with these gastrointestinal disturbances is unknown.

To investigate further, the researchers examined intestinal biopsies from 32 patients – 23 with autism and 9 normally developing children. While previous studies investigating a link between the microbiota and autism have utilized stool samples, this study was unique in investigating bacteria adherent to the intestinal wall, which may be different to those that are eliminated in the stool.

Study leader Brent Williams said that over half of the children diagnosed with autism and gastrointestinal disturbances had Sutterella in their biopsy tissue, while Sutterella was absent in biopsies from typically developing children with gastrointestinal disturbances. He added that not only was Sutterella present in the intestines of children with autism, but relative to most other bacteria, Sutterella was present at “remarkably high levels.”

Williams was cautious about drawing conclusions from such a small group of subjects and said further research into the relationship between bacteria and autism was needed. “These findings shine a light on a bacterium about which we know very little, in a disorder for which we have few answers. There is much work to be done toward understanding the role Sutterella plays in autism,” he concluded.

Related:
Discuss this article in our forum
Autism’s facial characteristics revealed
Compelling evidence for autism-antidepressant link
IT-rich region revealed to be autism hotspot
Hygiene Hypothesis linked to depression

Source: Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health

, ,

Comments are closed.

(6 PACK) MIRA Safety Particlemax P3 Virus & Bacteria 40mm Filter - New picture

(6 PACK) MIRA Safety Particlemax P3 Virus & Bacteria 40mm Filter - New

$150.00



MIRA Safety Particlemax P3 Virus & Bacteria 40mm Filter - New picture

MIRA Safety Particlemax P3 Virus & Bacteria 40mm Filter - New

$32.00



12 PCS Wholesale LOT Hand Polished STROMATOLITE Bacteria Fossil Palm Stone Flat picture

12 PCS Wholesale LOT Hand Polished STROMATOLITE Bacteria Fossil Palm Stone Flat

$59.95



Precambrian Vendian algal mat stromatolite bacteria fossil slice 1 per bid picture

Precambrian Vendian algal mat stromatolite bacteria fossil slice 1 per bid

$3.81



Handmade STROMATOLITE Genuine Polished Bacteria Fossil Palm Stone MADAGASCAR picture

Handmade STROMATOLITE Genuine Polished Bacteria Fossil Palm Stone MADAGASCAR

$10.95



Gokuno Green Juice 50 Billion Lactic Acid Bacteria Live Enzymes picture

Gokuno Green Juice 50 Billion Lactic Acid Bacteria Live Enzymes

$53.03



Bacteria Boy 2014 Wax Eye Stupid Hero Card #24a (NM) picture

Bacteria Boy 2014 Wax Eye Stupid Hero Card #24a (NM)

$4.95



MIRA Safety Particlemax P3 Virus & Bacteria 40mm Filter - New 20 Year Shelf Life picture

MIRA Safety Particlemax P3 Virus & Bacteria 40mm Filter - New 20 Year Shelf Life

$35.00



Beautiful Old Rare Ancient Bacteria Roman King On Hunt Story Intaglio Cylinder S picture

Beautiful Old Rare Ancient Bacteria Roman King On Hunt Story Intaglio Cylinder S

$199.99



Pure Copper Pen, Inactivates 99.9% of disease causing bacteria - Made in England picture

Pure Copper Pen, Inactivates 99.9% of disease causing bacteria - Made in England

$82.53



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes