Gut-Brain Axis Dynamics: Elucidating Bidirectional Interactions Between Gut Microbiota Composition and Autism Spectrum Disorder Pathogenesis

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive stereotyped behaviors. Accumulating clinical evidence has demonstrated associations between gut microbiota dysbiosis and various neurological disorders, particularly neurodevelopmental conditions. This study investigates the gut microbiota-ASD correlation through the lens of the gut-brain axis. By synthesizing findings from prior metagenomic sequencing analyses of fecal samples from human cohorts and murine models, we identified distinct divergence in gut microbial composition between ASD individuals and neurotypical controls. Controlled intervention trials involving supplementation with ASD-associated microbial strains (e.g., Lactobacillus reuteri) in both ASD patients and rodent models revealed significant improvement in social behavioral deficits following microbial modulation. Through a comprehensive review of recent literature, we established that gut microbiota alterations constitute a pathological mechanism in ASD etiology, with targeted microbial supplementation demonstrating therapeutic potential for ameliorating core social dysfunction. These findings support a bidirectional relationship between gut microbial ecosystems and neurodevelopment: while microbial dysbiosis serves as a hallmark of ASD pathophysiology, intentional microbiota remodeling conversely exerts beneficial neuromodulatory effects on clinical manifestations.