A quarterly publication of the Autism Research Institute
Fall, 2024 | Number 4, Volume 38
Researchers in Iran and India report that probiotic treatment for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may significantly help to reduce behavioral problems.
The researchers say, “Our meta-analysis, which looked at eight studies with a total of 318 samples from ASD patients aged 1.5 to 20 years, showed that the probiotic intervention group had significantly better behavioral symptoms compared to the control group.” They found that interventions lasting more than three months exhibited significant benefit, that probiotic treatment benefited those both below and above 10 years of age, and that both multi-strain and single-strain probiotics appeared to be beneficial.
The researchers say their findings are consistent with mounting evidence that gut microbiota play a major role in neurological and behavioral disorders such as ASD. However, they emphasize the need for personalized treatment approaches for individuals with ASD and encourage further research to confirm the efficacy and safety of probiotics.
“Probiotics for autism spectrum disorder: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of effects on symptoms,” Saman Soleimanpour, Mohammad Abavisani, Alireza Khoshrou, and Amirhossein Sahebkar, Journal of Psychiatric Research, November 2024. Address: Amirhossein Sahebkar, Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India, [email protected].
