Gut microbiota and autism spectrum disorder: advances in dietary intervention strategies based on the microbiota-gut-brain axis mechanism
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is primarily characterized by deficits in social interaction, impaired communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. The prevalence of ASD has been steadily increasing, establishing it as one of the leading...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1587818/full |
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| author | Ziji Fang Yinxiong Zhou Ke Chen Juelan Wang Xiaoli Liu Ping Jia |
| author_facet | Ziji Fang Yinxiong Zhou Ke Chen Juelan Wang Xiaoli Liu Ping Jia |
| author_sort | Ziji Fang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is primarily characterized by deficits in social interaction, impaired communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. The prevalence of ASD has been steadily increasing, establishing it as one of the leading causes of disability among children worldwide. Although the precise pathogenesis of ASD remains unclear, factors such as genetic predisposition, environmental exposures, immune dysregulation, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities are collectively believed to contribute to its onset. In recent years, the gut microbiota has emerged as a promising area of research in neurobiology, particularly in relation to advances in understanding the microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGBA) mechanism. Studies have shown that children with ASD exhibit significant dysbiosis in their gut microbiota, which may affect brain function via the MGBA, ultimately leading to abnormal behaviors and impaired emotional regulation. This review summarizes the role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of ASD, examining how alterations in gut permeability, dysregulated microbial metabolites, and immune dysfunction may influence ASD symptomatology. In particular, the role of the MGBA in modulating immune-inflammatory responses, neurodevelopment, and behavioral regulation has become a focal point of ASD research. Building on this foundation, the review further summarizes dietary intervention strategies grounded in the MGBA theory, emphasizing their potential to restore gut microbial composition, modulate immune responses, and enhance metabolic function, thereby offering novel therapeutic perspectives for ASD. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-438d7cbeb52c44d19d4db1a47ea08e11 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1662-453X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj-art-438d7cbeb52c44d19d4db1a47ea08e112025-08-20T03:19:53ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2025-06-011910.3389/fnins.2025.15878181587818Gut microbiota and autism spectrum disorder: advances in dietary intervention strategies based on the microbiota-gut-brain axis mechanismZiji Fang0Yinxiong Zhou1Ke Chen2Juelan Wang3Xiaoli Liu4Ping Jia5School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, ChinaSchool of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Nutrition, Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, ChinaSichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, ChinaPeople’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, ChinaDepartment of Neurosurgery, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, ChinaAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is primarily characterized by deficits in social interaction, impaired communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. The prevalence of ASD has been steadily increasing, establishing it as one of the leading causes of disability among children worldwide. Although the precise pathogenesis of ASD remains unclear, factors such as genetic predisposition, environmental exposures, immune dysregulation, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities are collectively believed to contribute to its onset. In recent years, the gut microbiota has emerged as a promising area of research in neurobiology, particularly in relation to advances in understanding the microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGBA) mechanism. Studies have shown that children with ASD exhibit significant dysbiosis in their gut microbiota, which may affect brain function via the MGBA, ultimately leading to abnormal behaviors and impaired emotional regulation. This review summarizes the role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of ASD, examining how alterations in gut permeability, dysregulated microbial metabolites, and immune dysfunction may influence ASD symptomatology. In particular, the role of the MGBA in modulating immune-inflammatory responses, neurodevelopment, and behavioral regulation has become a focal point of ASD research. Building on this foundation, the review further summarizes dietary intervention strategies grounded in the MGBA theory, emphasizing their potential to restore gut microbial composition, modulate immune responses, and enhance metabolic function, thereby offering novel therapeutic perspectives for ASD.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1587818/fullautism spectrum disordergut-brain axisgut microbiotadietary intervention strategiesmicrobiota-metabolism axis |
| spellingShingle | Ziji Fang Yinxiong Zhou Ke Chen Juelan Wang Xiaoli Liu Ping Jia Gut microbiota and autism spectrum disorder: advances in dietary intervention strategies based on the microbiota-gut-brain axis mechanism Frontiers in Neuroscience autism spectrum disorder gut-brain axis gut microbiota dietary intervention strategies microbiota-metabolism axis |
| title | Gut microbiota and autism spectrum disorder: advances in dietary intervention strategies based on the microbiota-gut-brain axis mechanism |
| title_full | Gut microbiota and autism spectrum disorder: advances in dietary intervention strategies based on the microbiota-gut-brain axis mechanism |
| title_fullStr | Gut microbiota and autism spectrum disorder: advances in dietary intervention strategies based on the microbiota-gut-brain axis mechanism |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gut microbiota and autism spectrum disorder: advances in dietary intervention strategies based on the microbiota-gut-brain axis mechanism |
| title_short | Gut microbiota and autism spectrum disorder: advances in dietary intervention strategies based on the microbiota-gut-brain axis mechanism |
| title_sort | gut microbiota and autism spectrum disorder advances in dietary intervention strategies based on the microbiota gut brain axis mechanism |
| topic | autism spectrum disorder gut-brain axis gut microbiota dietary intervention strategies microbiota-metabolism axis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1587818/full |
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