Microbiota transplant therapy and autism: lessons for the clinic

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The purpose of this review is to discuss Microbiota Transplant Therapy (MTT), a type of intensive intestinal microbiota transplantation (IMT), for people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and chronic gastrointestinal disorders (constipation and/or diarrhea).

Areas covered: This paper briefly reviews IMT, gastrointestinal symptoms and gastrointestinal bacteria in children with ASD, and results and lessons learned from intensive MTT for autism.

Expert opinion: An open-label study and a two-year follow-up suggest that MTT is relatively safe and effective in significantly reducing gastrointestinal disorders and autism symptoms, changing the gut microbiome structure, and increasing gut microbial diversity. Further research with larger, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies is warranted.

KEYWORDS:

• Autism
• constipation
• diarrhea
• fecal microbiota transplant
• gastrointestinal symptoms
• intestinal microbiota transplant
• microbiota transplant therapy
• vancomycin

Declaration of interest

Several authors (JBA, D-WK, RKB, TB, AK, and MJS) have pending/approved patents related to the use of IMT and/or probiotics for various conditions including autism. MJS, AK, JBA, RKB, and D-WK have previously received research funding from Crestovo and Finch Therapeutics for IMT research, and JBA and RKB have current research projects with Finch Therapeutics. JBA and RKB were part-time consultants for Crestovo, and are currently part-time consultants for Finch Therapeutics. MJS was previously a part-time consultant for Finch Therapeutics.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.