The Gut-Immune-Brain Axis in Autism Spectrum Disorders; A Focus on Amino Acids

Conclusion In Table 1, an overview is presented of the complex roles of AAs described in this review regarding the microbiome-gut-immune-brain axis in ASD. Besides behavioral deficits, people with ASD are characterized by systemic inflammation, gastrointestinal immune-related disturbances and changes in the gut microbiota composition. Moreover, differences in levels of specific AAs in various body compartments, including the intestinal tract, blood, urine and brain have been reported in patients with ASD, as well as in rodent models for ASD. This review described that specific AAs can modulate the intestinal epithelial immune barrier and are able to tune the mucosal immune system, possibly through influencing the mTOR pathway in immune cells. Moreover, specific AAs can influence neuroinflammatory processes and can target the aberrant mTOR signaling in the brain, thereby influencing neuronal activity and disturbed behavior associated with ASD. Finally, though limited reports are available, dietary AAs can influence the changed intestinal microbiota composition and activity of people with ASD. Figure 4 shows a graphical overview of the different targets for dietary AAs in ASD. Taken together, this review creates more insight in the complex pathogenic relevance of the microbiome-gut-immune-brain axis in ASD and warrants additional research into the opportunities for AA-based nutritional interventions as treatment for ASD in the system medicine approach. TABLE 1 Table ...
Source: Frontiers in Endocrinology - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research