Recent research suggests a strong connection between a mother’s gut bacteria and the risk of autism in her child.
A study published in The Journal of Immunology identified a key molecule, interleukin-17a (IL-17a), which may influence brain development.
Using mice, scientists found that those with certain inflammation-causing gut bacteria had high IL-17a levels and displayed autism-like behaviors. When these gut bacteria were transferred to healthy mice, the same symptoms appeared.
According to the researchers, “blocking IL-17a early on prevented these behaviors,” although this protective effect weakened as the mice got older.
