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   Nutr Res Rev. 2014 Dec;27(2):199-214. doi: 10.1017/S0954422414000110. Epub   
   2014 Jul 8.   
      
   Autism and nutrition: the role of the gut-brain axis.   
      
      
   van De Sande MM1, van Buul VJ1, Brouns FJ1.   
   Author information   
   Abstract   
   Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by deficits in the ability to   
   socialise, communicate and use imagination, and displays of stereotypical   
   behaviour. It is widely accepted that ASD involves a disorder in brain   
   development. However, the real    
   causes of the neurodevelopmental disorders associated with ASD are not clear.   
   In this respect, it has been found that a majority of children with ASD   
   display gastrointestinal symptoms, and an increased intestinal permeability.   
   Moreover, large differences    
   in microbiotic composition between ASD patients and controls have been   
   reported. Therefore, nutrition-related factors have been hypothesised to play   
   a causal role in the aetiology of ASD and its symptoms. Through a review of   
   the literature, it was found    
   that abnormalities in carbohydrate digestion and absorption could explain some   
   of the gastrointestinal problems observed in a subset of ASD patients,   
   although their role in the neurological and behavioural problems remains   
   uncertain. In addition, the    
   relationship between an improved gut health and a reduction of symptoms in   
   some patients was evaluated. Recent trials involving gluten-free diets,   
   casein-free diets, and pre- and probiotic, and multivitamin supplementation   
   show contradictive but    
   promising results. It can be concluded that nutrition and other environmental   
   influences might trigger an unstable base of genetic predisposition, which may   
   lead to the development of autism, at least in a subset of ASD patients. Clear   
   directions for    
   further research to improve diagnosis and treatment for the different subsets   
   of the disorder are provided.   
   KEYWORDS:   
   Autism spectrum disorder; Diagnosis; Gluten-free diets; Gut-brain axis;   
   Treatment   
   PMID: 25004237 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]   
      
      
   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25004237   
      
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