A fascinating study is shedding new light on potential environmental factors in autism development, with surprising evidence pointing to the mother’s gut microbiome. Researchers found that certain gut bacteria in pregnant mice were associated with autism-like behaviors in their offspring, mediated through immune system interactions.
The study focused on IL-17a, an immune molecule that appears to act as a messenger between gut bacteria and brain development. When researchers suppressed this molecule, mice pups developed normally regardless of their mothers’ microbiome. But when IL-17a was active in mice with specific gut bacteria, their offspring showed social and behavioral differences reminiscent of autism.
Perhaps most compelling was the fecal transplant experiment, where transferring gut bacteria from susceptible mice to resistant ones effectively transferred the autism risk. This provides strong evidence that the mother’s microbiome – not just the child’s – can influence neurodevelopment.
While the findings are preliminary and based on animal research, they add to growing evidence that gut health may play a role in brain development. The researchers stress that many factors contribute to autism, but understanding these microbiome connections could eventually lead to new approaches for supporting healthy pregnancies.
