Probiotics Benefit Autism

READING, EnglandAccording to a current study published in International Journal of Probiotics & Prebiotics, the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 showed benefits in autistic Individuals (2010;5(2):69-74).There is growing interest in the role of gastrointestinal (GI) pathology and clinical expression of autism. Recent studies have demonstrated differences in the fecal clostridial populations harbored by autistic and non-autistic children. The potential of L.plantarum WCSF1 to modulate the gut microbiota of autistic subjects was investigated during a double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover-designed feeding study. The fecal microbiota, gut function and behavior scores of subjects were examined throughout the 12-week study. L. plantarum WCFS1 feeding significantly increased Lab158 counts (lactobacilli and enterococci group) and significantly reduced Erec482 counts (Clostridium cluster XIVa) compared to placebo. Probiotic feeding also resulted in significant differences in the stool consistency compared to placebo and behavior scores compared to baseline. The major finding was the importance of study protocol in relation to the specific considerations of this subject population, with an extremely high dropout rate seen. Furthermore, the relatively high inter-individual variability observed suggested subsequent studies should use defined subgroups of autistic spectrum disorders, such as regressive or late-onset autism.