This can change everything 👇👀

Recent studies have highlighted the significant role of gut microbiota in our health, impacting everything from mental health to autoimmune disorders. A new study published in The Journal of Immunology has discovered a link between gut microbiota and autism, with researchers suggesting that a mother’s microbiota may play a larger role in the development of autism than the child’s own.

Lead researcher John Lukens from the University of Virginia explained that the microbiome affects the developing brain and immune system, particularly in response to infections or stress. The study focused on interleukin-17a (IL-17a), a molecule involved in autoimmune diseases and brain development. The team suppressed IL-17a in mice and observed that offspring from mothers with certain microbiota developed autism-like behaviors.

These findings suggest that the mother’s gut health could influence the development of neurodevelopmental disorders, offering a new avenue for autism research. Future studies aim to pinpoint which aspects of the mother’s microbiome are most relevant to autism.