Children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder share distinct microbiota compositions

Caspar Bundgaard-Nielsen; Marlene Briciet Lauritsen; Julie Kristine Knudsen; Louise Søndergaard Rold; Margit Hørup Larsen; Peter Hindersson; Annemarie Brusen Villadsen; Peter D C Leutscher; Søren Hagstrøm; Mette Nyegaard; Suzette Sørensen

doi:10.1080/19490976.2023.2211923

Children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder share distinct microbiota compositions

Gut Microbes. 2023 Jan-Dec;15(1):2211923. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2211923.

Authors

Caspar Bundgaard-Nielsen^{1

2}, Marlene Briciet Lauritsen^{2

3}, Julie Kristine Knudsen^{1

2}, Louise Søndergaard Rold^{1

2

4}, Margit Hørup Larsen⁵, Peter Hindersson⁶, Annemarie Brusen Villadsen^{1

2}, Peter D C Leutscher^{1

2}, Søren Hagstrøm^{1

4

7}, Mette Nyegaard⁸, Suzette Sørensen^{1

2

4}

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Hjoerring, Denmark.
² Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Hjoerring, Denmark.
³ Psychiatry, Aalborg University Hospital, Hjoerring, Denmark.
⁴ Steno Diabetes Center North Denmark, Hjoerring, Denmark.
⁵ Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hjoerring, Copenhagen, Denmark.
⁶ Clinical Biochemistry Department, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Hjoerring, Copenhagen.
⁷ Department of Pediatrics, Aalborg University Hospital, Hjoerring, Denmark.
⁸ Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Hjoerring, Denmark.

Abstract

An association has been suggested between altered gut microbiota, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), respectively. Thus, we analyzed the gut microbiota composition in children and adolescents with or without these disorders and evaluated the systemic effects of these bacteria. We recruited study participants diagnosed with ADHD, ASD, and comorbid ADHD/ASD, while the control groups consisted both of siblings and non-related children. The gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V4 region, while the concentration of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), cytokines, and other signaling molecules were measured in plasma. Importantly the gut microbiota compositions of cases with ADHD and ASD were highly similar for both alpha- and beta-diversity while differing from that of non-related controls. Furthermore, a subset of ADHD and ASD cases had an increased LBP concentration compared to non-affected children, which was positively correlated with interleukin (IL)-8, 12, and 13. These observations indicate disruption of the intestinal barrier and immune dysregulation among the subset of children with ADHD or ASD.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; gut-brain axis; inflammation; microbiome; microbiota; neurodevelopmental disorders.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity*
Autism Spectrum Disorder*
Child
Gastrointestinal Microbiome* / genetics
Humans
Microbiota*
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics

Substances

RNA, Ribosomal, 16S

Grants and funding

Funding was obtained from “Marie Pedersen og Jensine Heibergs Legat”, “Sofiefonden”, Niels Jensens Forskningslegat”, “EliteForsk Rejsestipendium”, and “Fru C. Hermansens Mindelegat”. The funding organizations were neither involved in protocol formulation nor in data analysis.