Heliyon (Jan 2021)

Gut microbiota metabolites in autistic children: An epigenetic perspective

  • Hussein Sabit,
  • Huseyin Tombuloglu,
  • Suriya Rehman,
  • Noor B. Almandil,
  • Emre Cevik,
  • Shaimaa Abdel-Ghany,
  • Sanaa Rashwan,
  • Mustafa Fatih Abasiyanik,
  • Mary Miu Yee Waye

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
p. e06105

Abstract

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Gut microbiota has become an issue of great importance recently due to its major role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Over the past three decades, there has been a sustained research activity focused to explain the actual mechanism by which gut microbiota triggers/develops autism. Several genetic and epigenetic factors are involved in this disorder, with epigenetics being the most active area of research. Although the constant investigation and advancements, epigenetic implications in ASD still need a deeper functional/causal analysis. In this review, we describe the major gut microbiota metabolites and how they induce epigenetic changes in ASD along with interactions through the gut-brain axis.

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