CureusAug 27, 2025

How Changes in Gut Bacteria Are Linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder

Gut-Brain Axis Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jan 20, 2026

Abstract

Gastrointestinal symptoms are prevalent among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with a significant correlation to behavioral issues.

Gut dysbiosis is associated with increased gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, and bloating in children with ASD.
These gastrointestinal disorders are linked to heightened behavioral symptoms, including social disengagement, anxiety, and irritability.
Increased gut permeability due to dysbiosis disrupts the gut-brain axis, affecting neurological, immunological, and hormonal pathways.
Dysbiosis leads to elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines and altered neurotransmitter production, impacting overall health.
Promising treatment options include probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and dietary changes, but their long-term safety and effectiveness remain under investigation.

Simplified

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an umbrella term used for a complex neurobehavioral disorder. ASD is a multifactorial condition, with significant roles played by environmental, immunological, and genetic factors. The microbiota-gut-brain axis has been implicated in the pathophysiology of ASD in recent years. This review article aims to explore the correlation between gut dysbiosis and autism, and its potential impact on management strategies. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, including diarrhea, constipation, and bloating, are prevalent among children with ASD. These disorders are commonly linked to increased behavioral symptoms, such as social disengagement, anxiety, and irritability. Increased gut permeability, attributable to gut dysbiosis, plays a significant role in disrupting the gut-brain axis, which is coordinated by neurological, immunological, and endocrinological routes. Elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, changes in the generation of neurotransmitters, and disturbances in gut-derived metabolites are all considered direct consequences of dysbiosis. Treatment options, including probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and dietary changes, have shown promising results. However, the effectiveness and long-term safety of these therapies are still being studied. It is imperative to explore this perplexing interaction through further research to encourage clinicians to adopt therapeutic approaches targeting the gut microbiota in patients with ASD.

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Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

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How Changes in Gut Bacteria Are Linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

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You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

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Recent issues from the gut-brain axis brief