The study’s first author, Lisa Aziz-Zadeh, is a professor at the Brain and Creativity Institute at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. (USC Photo/Stephen Gee)
USC scientists find a gut-brain link that may affect behavior in children with autism
An imbalance in the microbiome disrupts neurotransmitter production and may manifest as social difficulties and repetitive behaviors.
A new USC study suggests that gut imbalances in children with autism may create an imbalance of metabolites in the digestive system — ultimately disrupting neurotransmitter production and influencing behavioral symptoms.
The research, published Monday in Nature Communications, adds to a growing body of science implicating the “gut-brain” axis in autism. The discovery raises the possibility of new treatment avenues. It’s an example of how research at USC, and other universities, drives innovation and leads to discoveries that improve lives.