Autism may have link to chemicals made by gut microbes

Leaky intestines and an abnormal mix of gut microbes may contribute to autism symptoms, a study of mice suggests.

A skewed mixture of intestinal microbes results in high levels of certain chemicals, including one similar to a compound found in the urine of some children with autism, researchers report in the Dec. 19 Cell.  Mice with autism-like behaviors also have leaky intestines, which allow the chemicals to build up in the animals’ blood, the team found.

Giving the mice beneficial bacteria reduced gut leakiness and improved some abnormal behaviors, suggesting that some children with autism might benefit from probiotic treatments.