Disease: Autism spectrum disorder

Microbiota-based interventions for autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review of efficacy and clinical potential

This comprehensive review examines how modifications to gut bacteria through probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal transplants can help children with autism. The research found that while all these treatments showed some promise, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) produced the most consistent improvements in both autism-related behaviors and digestive symptoms. These microbiota-based approaches work through the gut-brain connection and were generally safe, making them potentially valuable additions to autism management strategies.

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Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Ketamine and Psilocybin in Comparison to Current Treatment Regimens for Treatment-Resistant Depression, Mood Disorders, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in the Pediatric Population: A Narrative Review

This review examines two emerging psychiatric treatments—ketamine and psilocybin—for treating hard-to-treat mental health conditions in children and teenagers. Both work by affecting brain chemicals differently than traditional medications and can provide rapid symptom relief, sometimes within hours or days rather than weeks. The study found promising results for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, though researchers emphasize that more studies are needed to ensure these treatments are safe for developing brains and that careful ethical guidelines must be established.

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Mushrooms, Microdosing, and Mental Illness: The Effect of Psilocybin on Neurotransmitters, Neuroinflammation, and Neuroplasticity

This review examines how psilocybin, the active compound in certain mushrooms, may help treat depression and anxiety by reducing brain inflammation and promoting healthy neurotransmitter function. Both full doses under medical supervision and smaller ‘microdoses’ show promise for mental health conditions. The research suggests psilocybin works by calming the immune system’s inflammatory response while simultaneously supporting the brain’s natural healing and adaptation processes, offering a potential alternative treatment when standard medications don’t work.

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A comprehensive overview of the effects of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics on the gut-brain axis

This comprehensive review examines how probiotics (beneficial live bacteria), prebiotics (food for beneficial bacteria), and synbiotics (combinations of both) can influence communication between the gut and brain. These interventions can produce beneficial compounds like GABA and serotonin, strengthen the gut barrier, and reduce inflammation, potentially helping with mood, anxiety, cognition, and various digestive disorders. However, effects vary greatly depending on the specific strain used, dosage, and individual differences in gut bacteria, and more large-scale studies are needed to confirm long-term clinical benefits.

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The Gut Mycobiome for Precision Medicine

This comprehensive review explores how fungi in our gut play important roles in our health and disease. While fungi make up only a tiny fraction of our gut microbiota, they have outsized effects on conditions like diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and even certain cancers. The review discusses how scientists study these fungi and how understanding individual fungal profiles could lead to personalized medical treatments tailored to each person’s unique microbial makeup.

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Reelin cells and sex-dependent synaptopathology in autism following postnatal immune activation

Researchers found that infections in newborn mice, particularly males, can disrupt brain development and lead to autism-like behaviors by damaging special brain cells called Reelin+ cells that help synapses mature properly. These damaged synapses failed to develop normally, resulting in social withdrawal and repetitive behaviors similar to autism in humans. Importantly, the study found that male mice were much more susceptible to this immune-triggered damage than female mice. The findings suggest that Reelin could be a promising therapeutic target for treating autism in children who experienced infections early in life.

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