Abstract:
There is accumulating evidence from recent research on the role of nutrition and the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the development of neuropsychiatric diseases, in both children and adults. In children, particularly autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit and/or hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been shown to be associated with nutritional factors and gut microbiota. Even though the etiology and pathophysiology of those neuro-developmental disorders are largely unknown, there are data in animals and humans that associate diet and nutrition with their development and both aggravation (worsening) and improvement of the course. Particularly gastrointestinal disorders and food allergies and intolerances (on gluten, wheat, corn, cow’s milk protein, soy, egg yolk and white, fish, cheese, nuts, citrus fruits, and chocolate) as well some nutrients and food contaminates (food preservatives and additives - artificial colors, flavorings, sweeteners, pesticides, sugars, certain amino acids and their metabolites, high glycemic index food, certain vitamins and minerals) have been associated with worsening of the symptoms, while some foods, nutrients and diets (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-3, use of probiotics and prebiotics, non-digestible oligosaccharides, vitamins, minerals, other dietary supplements, ketogenic diet, Atkin's or modified Atkin's diet, low glycemic index diet, elimination diet, the medium-chain triglyceride diet, etc.) were associated with the improvement. Additionally, the role of certain bacteria (Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium, Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, Fusobacteria, Escherichia coli, Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides vulgatus, Ruminococcus, Desulfovibrio, Caloramator, Sarcina, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Proteobacteria, Akkermansia muciniphila, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Prevotella, Coprococcus, Sutterella, etc.) and yeasts (Candida, Saccharomyces, Aspergillus) in the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, colon), and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and alterations of the intestinal barriers (“leaky gut”) and immunopathology were shown in those neuro-developmental disorders. Finally, the potential importance of breastfeeding in preventing those diseases is still unclear. Nevertheless, the evidence is still scarce and often contradictory, and further studies are needed to clearly define the possible preventive and therapeutic nutritional strategies. The present talk will present the current state of knowledge on this topic and possible prophylactic and therapeutic implications.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- This presentation will provide the audience with information on the possible role of diet and gut microbiota in pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit and/or hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children
- The presentation will also present the possible pathophysiological mechanisms
- Additionally, the specific dietary and microbiota factors in ASD and ADHD will be separately analyzed
- Evidence on the effect of currently used dietary recommendations, dietary interventions, and supplementation interventions will be presented and discussed
- Also, the gaps in present knowledge and controversies in evidence will be discussed
