Cutting-edge research is revealing surprising links between intestinal bacteria and brain development, with a new study suggesting a mother’s gut microbiome could influence her child’s risk of developing autism. The findings highlight how our understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders continues to evolve beyond just genetics.
University of Virginia scientists discovered that an immune molecule called IL-17a appears to play a key role in this gut-brain connection. In experiments with mice, they found that blocking this molecule prevented autism-like symptoms in offspring. More remarkably, when they transferred gut bacteria from susceptible mice to resistant ones, the autism risk followed – proving the microbiome’s crucial influence.
The study suggests that during pregnancy, a mother’s gut bacteria can affect fetal brain development through immune system signaling. This doesn’t mean gut bacteria cause autism, but rather that they may be one of many factors influencing neurological development. The research team cautions that these are early findings in mice, but they provide compelling evidence for further human studies.
As scientists continue exploring this connection, the findings could eventually lead to new approaches for supporting healthy brain development through microbiome management during pregnancy. However, researchers emphasize that autism is complex and likely involves many interacting factors beyond just gut bacteria.
