Scientists May Have Actually Found One Of The Causes Of Autism

Recent research highlights how crucial the gut microbiome is to overall health, affecting everything from mental health to autoimmune diseases. A new study in *The Journal of Immunology* links the mother’s gut microbiome to autism development in offspring—at least in mice.

Researchers found that a molecule called IL-17a, produced by the immune system, plays a key role. When IL-17a was blocked in pregnant mice, their pups showed typical behavior. But pups born to mothers with a certain gut microbiome and active IL-17a developed autism-like traits.

A fecal transplant confirmed the microbiome’s role: transferring gut bacteria from the prone group to a control group led to autism-like behaviors in pups.

While still preliminary and not proven in humans, this study suggests the mother’s gut health influences neurodevelopment. The next steps are to investigate similar links in humans and explore other molecules involved.