Microbiome Suggestions for Autism -- Cross Validation

Microbiome Prescription uses over a million rules to generate suggestions on improving the microbiome and hopefully reduce or moderate autism behavior. All of the sources of the rules are studies on the US National Library of Medicine. Microbiome Prescription also can provide the complete evidence trail for every suggestion! That is, where — precisely– is all of the information coming from — none of it is private personal opinion or speculation.

Cross Validation

Cross validation is the process of taking one set of information to generate forecasts or suggestions and then look at a totally independent source of information to see if the forecasts and suggestions are valid, reasonable, and appear to help individuals with the condition. I have done that for several conditions with very good results. NOTE: Everything is generated by code — code that I prefer to improve or correct. I have no personal stake in the suggestion, nothing to defend.

Source of Suggestions

Simple, Candidates which is based on bacteria shifts reported from studies for autism: Taxons. These two links are on the Medical Conditions with Microbiome Shifts from US National Library of Medicine page

The process is simple: some items may have been tests in trials for autism, some have not. If it has been tried, we see what the result in and provide a link to the study (open data!! no “trust me, I am an expert” hype)

#1 bacillus subtilis (probiotics) – it’s genetics may counter one DNA mutations in autism.
- Two novel mutant human adenylosuccinate lyases (ASLs) associated with autism and characterization of the equivalent mutant Bacillus subtilis ASL [2004]
- “Binding studies show that both the B. subtilis and human ASLs bind up to 4 mol of APBADP per mole of enzyme tetramer and that both enzymes exhibit cooperativity: negative for B. subtilis ASL and positive for human ASL.” [2008]
#2 bifidobacterium longum (probiotics)
- Bifidobacterium longum CCFM1077 Ameliorated Neurotransmitter Disorder and Neuroinflammation Closely Linked to Regulation in the Kynurenine Pathway of Autistic-like Rats [2022]
- Different Alterations in Gut Microbiota between Bifidobacterium longum and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Treatments in Propionic Acid Rat Model of Autism [2022]
#3 Wheat Bran — no pubmed studies
- Cited positively for autism on Foods that Feed the Brain and Improve Behavior
- Note: Gluten Free for autism is much debated in current literature with some advocating that it actually does harm for some. See Dietary Intake, Nutritional Status and Sensory Profile in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typical Development [2022]
#4 bacillus licheniformis – no information
#5 lactobacillus rhamnosus gg (probiotics)
- Effect of probiotic supplementation on cognitive function in children and adolescents: a systematic review of randomised trials [2019] “one study found a positive result with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) 1×10¹⁰ cfu supplementation with outcomes on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or Asperger syndrome (AS) manifestations as diagnosed using the International Classification of Diseases-10 criteria. “
#6 almonds/ almond skins – no information
#7 apple – no impact, but ” The most commonly consumed foods were tomato, carrot, banana, apple, ” [Nutritional status and food intake frequency in children with autism spectrum disorder] [2023] – which implies some positive effects seen by parents
#8 lactobacillus casei (probiotics)
- Unexpected improvement in core autism spectrum disorder symptoms after long-term treatment with probiotics [2016]
#9 fish oil
- Dietary fish oil improves autistic behaviors and gut homeostasis by altering the gut microbial composition in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome [2023]
- Effects of Omega-3-6-9 fatty acid supplementation on behavior and sleep in preterm toddlers with autism symptomatology: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. [2022]
#10 sarcodiotheca gaudichaudii (red sea weed) – no information
#11 fasting
- Intermittent fasting uncovers and rescues cognitive phenotypes in PTEN neuronal haploinsufficient mice [2018] – “Pten mutations have a strong link with autism spectrum disorder.”
- The Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Brain and Cognitive Function [2021] – Proposal for future studies
#12 broccoli
- Randomized controlled trial of sulforaphane and metabolite discovery in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder [2021] “Sulforaphane (SF), an isothiocyanate from broccoli, is a multifunctional phytochemical that has several demonstrated benefits on cellular processes relevant to ASD, including cytoprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses, mitochondrial and synaptic function, neuroinflammation and neuroprotective mechanisms, as previously reviewed”
- Identification of urinary metabolites that correlate with clinical improvements in children with autism treated with sulforaphane from broccoli. [2018]
#13 lactobacillus acidophilus
- The Effects of Probiotics and Prebiotics on Gastrointestinal and Behavioural Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder. [2022]
- Daily intake of Lactobacillus alleviates autistic-like behaviors by ameliorating the 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolic disorder in VPA-treated rats during weaning and sexual maturation. [2021]
#14 lactobacillus paracasei (probiotics)
- Unexpected improvement in core autism spectrum disorder symptoms after long-term treatment with probiotics [2016]
- Emerging Role and Place of Probiotics in the Management of Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Disorders [2022]
#15 purple sweet potatoes –
- Purple sweet potato color ameliorates cognition deficits and attenuates oxidative damage and inflammation in aging mouse brain induced by d-galactose [2009]
#16 lactose — Questionable for a subset
- Genetic predictors of celiac disease, lactose intolerance, and vitamin D function and presence of peptide morphins in urine of children with neurodevelopmental disorders [2019]
- Intestinal disaccharidase activity in patients with autism: effect of age, gender, and intestinal inflammation [2011] ” Lactase deficiency not associated with intestinal inflammation or injury is common in autistic children and may contribute to abdominal discomfort, pain and observed aberrant behavior. Most autistic children with lactose intolerance are not identified by clinical history.”
#17 resistant maltodextrin – no information
#18 chondrus crispus (red sea weed) – no information
#19 Conjugated Linoleic Acid
- Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Brain Metabolism: A Possible Anti-Neuroinflammatory Role Mediated by PPARα Activation [2021]
#20 green tea
- Amelioration of behavioral aberrations and oxidative markers by green tea extract in valproate induced autism in animals [2011]
- The green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) restores CDKL5-dependent synaptic defects in vitro and in vivo [2020] “CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a rare X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterised by early-onset seizures, intellectual disability, gross motor impairment, and autistic-like features. “

Score?

Five items with no information
Two items with weak information (not PubMed)
Twelve items with confirmed information (PubMed)
One item that is complex/questionable – depends on the child’s DNA

The goal / objective of Microbiome Prescription is to make suggestions that are more likely to help than to hurt. That goal seems to be accompanied. A secondary goal is to suggest items that have not been studied but modelling suggests that it may be of benefit to try. We have 5 such items above.

Remember these are GENERIC Suggestions for GENERIC Autism

The results of an individuals microbiome will be different — there are many variants and subsets for Autism. Each variant will tend towards their own set of variations for the microbiome. Using an individual’s microbiome sample will get suggestions unique for them.

Postscript – and Reminder

I am not a licensed medical professional and there are strict laws where I live about “appearing to practice medicine”. I am safe when it is “academic models” and I keep to the language of science, especially statistics. I am not safe when the explanations have possible overtones of advising a patient instead of presenting data to be evaluated by a medical professional before implementing.

I cannot tell people what they should take or not take. I can inform people items that have better odds of improving their microbiome as a results on numeric calculations. I am a trained experienced statistician with appropriate degrees and professional memberships. All suggestions should be reviewed by your medical professional before starting.

The answers above describe my logic and thinking and is not intended to give advice to this person or any one. Always review with your knowledgeable medical professional.

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Microbiome Suggestions for Autism -- Cross Validation