Gut bacteria-related changes in tryptophan metabolism in people with both inflammatory bowel disease and autism: causes and research updates

Tryptophan metabolism abnormalities linked to gut microbes may play a role in the comorbidity of inflammatory bowel disease and autism spectrum disorder.

• The microbiota-gut-brain axis connects gut health, brain function, and behavior.
• Tryptophan metabolism abnormalities are noted in the context of inflammatory bowel disease and autism spectrum disorder comorbidity.
• Gut microbes may mediate the connection between peripheral and central tryptophan metabolic changes.
• Potential therapeutic targets and intervention strategies for IBD-ASD comorbidity are discussed.
• Current evidence from patients with confirmed IBD-ASD comorbidity is still limited.
• Further clinical studies are needed to explore these relationships and test the proposed hypotheses.

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