Gut microbiome differences in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder and effects of probiotic supplementation: A randomized controlled trial

Apr 4, 2025Research in developmental disabilities

Gut bacteria differences in children with ADHD and autism and the impact of probiotic treatment

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Abstract

A total of 80 children aged 5-14 years were involved in a 12-week randomized trial evaluating gut microbiota differences in ADHD and ASD.

22 distinct gut microbiota taxa differentiated children with ADHD from those with ASD, with particular taxa associated with each disorder.
ADHD was characterized by higher levels of Clostridia, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae, while ASD showed increased presence of Bacteroides, Bacilli, and Actinobacteria.
Probiotic supplementation resulted in significant increases in gut microbiota diversity indices in children with ASD, but no significant changes were observed in ADHD.
In ADHD, bacteria potentially linked to negative health effects were less abundant compared to those in ASD.
Children with ASD exhibited decreased abundance of Eggerthellaceae and other bacteria associated with gastrointestinal issues and anxiety.

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BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests a significant role of gut microbiota on neurodevelopmental disorders, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

AIMS: Our study aimed to compare gut microbiota composition between these disorders and evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation.

METHODS: We conducted a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 80 children aged 5-14 years (39 with ADHD, 41 with ASD). Baseline and post-intervention fecal samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify changes in gut microbiota composition.

RESULTS: We identified 22 taxa differentiating ADHD and ASD (AUC = 0.939), characterised by increased presence of Clostridia, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae in ADHD, and Bacteroides, Bacilli and Actinobacteria in ASD. These differences remained after accounting for potential confounders. ASD children receiving probiotics had significant increases in Chao 1, Fisher's alpha, and Shannon indices whereas no significant differences in α and β-diversity were found in ADHD. In ADHD, bacteria with potential adverse effects were under-represented. In ASD, the abundance of Eggerthellaceae, and other taxa associated with gastrointestinal problems and anxiety was decreased.

CONCLUSION: Variations in gut microbiota may influence responses in ADHD and ASD. Probiotic supplementation favorably altered gut microbiota composition, offering insights for future therapeutic strategies targeting the microbiome in neurodevelopmental disorders.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Recent research underscores the role of gut microbiota in ADHD and ASD, indicating that diet can significantly influence microbiota composition and potentially manage these neurodevelopmental disorders. This study reveals distinct differences in gut microbiota composition between children with ADHD and ASD and demonstrates that probiotic supplementation can modulate specific microbial genera in each disorder. These findings pave the way for the development of innovative microbiome-targeted therapies, offering a new avenue for the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. Understanding this relationship is crucial for designing future interventions.

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Gut microbiome differences in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder and effects of probiotic supplementation: A randomized controlled trial

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