A strain of bacteria known as Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 was shown to attenuate some symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in young children, in a recent clinical study published in the journal Nutrients.
 
Researchers in recent years have held several non-psychiatric factors at a greater level of importance when it comes to the pathogenesis and treatment of certain neurodevelopmental conditions including ASD, which is a complex disorder whose aspects of treatment are still widely debated.
 
The authors of the present study recruited a sample of 131 autistic children and adolescents to evaluate their changes after the use of probiotic supplements, which included L. plantarum PS128.
 
“Several studies showed a significant alteration of the expected composition of gut microbiota (dysbiosis) in ASD children compared to typically developing subjects, although the findings were not consistent with a specific pattern of alteration,” the authors of the study said. “The composition of gut microbiota, or its degree of dysbiosis, has a number of sources: diet, medication, and hygiene, as well as numerous maternal factors which include maternal stress, infection, and a high-fat diet during pregnancy.”
 
105 of the patients recruited in the study had taken Lactobacillus plantarum PS128, while 26 others had been prescribed other probiotics by a pediatrician or by a gastroenterologist. The participants were then observed for a six month period in which they supplemented with their respective probiotics, and the severity of their ASD symptoms were measured both at baseline and throughout the study period using the Clinical Global Impression test.
 
A clinically significant improvement was seen in the majority of patients, with a CGI-improvement of 3 or lower seen in 77.1% of patients, and a CGI-improvement of 1 or 2 points to 33 patients (25.2%). Only one patient was judged to be slightly worsened. The authors noted that there was a correlation between younger age and increased positive response to the probiotic treatment.
 
“Our data are in keep with existing literature regarding the utility of probiotics in ASD patients. Moreover, the use of Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 proved to exert a more relevant effect,” the authors of the study wrote. “Improvements were significant in terms of global functioning of the patient and were described by caregivers as increased attention, increased communication skills, and increased personal autonomies.”