Supplementation with a synbiotic supplement manufactured by dsm-firmenich was associated with improvements in gastrointestinal discomfort, irritability, and anxiety symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a new clinical study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

There are well-established alterations in microbiota composition associated with ASD and disorders of gut-brain interaction, which are more common in children with autism and are typically associated with behavioral tendencies like hyperactivity and anxiety.

Study Details

The pilot study involved 40 children diagnosed with ASD who were between five and 10 years old. It assessed the effects of a 12-week intervention in which children either took synbiotics as a standalone treatment or in combination with gut-directed hypnotherapy, which is a common treatment to manage anxiety symptoms and normalize signals between the gut and brain using relaxation techniques, guided imagery, and suggestive storytelling.

The study assessed GI scores, evaluating common symptoms like constipation or diarrhea over the 12-week intervention and with a follow-up at 24 weeks. Both groups exhibited significant reductions in GI symptom scores post-intervention and at follow-up, with no differences between the two groups.

The researchers also observed changes in behavioral and anxiety symptoms. The synbiotic-only group saw improved scores for hyperactivity and stereotypical behavior, while the combination group showed improvements in these areas as well as scores related to irritability, social withdrawal, anxiety, and inappropriate speech when compared to baseline.

The combination treatment was also linked to significant reductions in GI pain scores at follow-up, suggesting lasting benefits of GDH when combined with synbiotic supplementation.

Both groups also saw changes in gut microbiota composition, including increases in Bifidobacterium animalis and Dialister, indicating a potential link between microbiome modulation and symptom improvement.

Altogether, the data suggest that synbiotics, with or without GDH, could support standard care for children with ASD who also experience gut health issues.

“The study contributes to a growing body of evidence suggesting that modulating the gut microbiome can have far-reaching effects beyond digestion, potentially influencing GI comfort, anxiety, and behavior in autistic children,” said Robert E Steinert, PhD, principal scientist at dsm-firmenich. “It represents a promising step towards a more holistic approach for managing symptoms in autistic children, and more widely, underscores the wider importance of the gut-brain axis in overall well-being. There is a clear opportunity here for supplement brands to expand their offerings with safe and targeted solutions that support higher standards of care for autistic children with comorbid gut symptoms.”

The study used biotics supplied by dsm-firmenich from its Humiome portfolio, including L. rhamnosus GG, Humiome L. plantarum DSM34532, Humiome B. lactis DSM 32269, and B. longum DSM 32946.