Microbial dial: How the gut microbiome tunes the severity of autism spectrum disorder

Figure 1 Relationship between genetics and gut microbiota in autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder is linked to both genetics and environmental factors in terms of onset and symptom severity. Genetic factors act as one of the triggers for the onset, similar to a switch. The gut microbiota is related to the severity of symptoms and acts as a dial for tuning the symptoms.

Figure 2 Metabolic and immunological effects on brain function in patients with autism spectrum disorder. Gut microbiota, through their metabolites and other processes, alters the permeability of the intestinal tract, influencing the development and coordination of the immune system and nerve cells. ASD: Autism spectrum disorder.

Figure 3 Effects of interventions such as probiotics based on the brain-gut axis. When the gut microbiota changes through probiotics or diet, the permeability of the intestinal tract improves, and some of the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder improve through the brain-gut axis. ASD: Autism spectrum disorder; CNS: Central nervous system; SCFA: Short-chain fatty acids.