Combined repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and gut microbiota modulation through the gut-brain axis for prevention and treatment of autism spectrum disorder

Pengya Feng; Yangyang Zhang; Yonghong Zhao; Pengju Zhao; Enyao Li

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2024.1341404

Combined repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and gut microbiota modulation through the gut-brain axis for prevention and treatment of autism spectrum disorder

Front Immunol. 2024 Feb 22:15:1341404. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1341404. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Pengya Feng^{1

2}, Yangyang Zhang¹, Yonghong Zhao¹, Pengju Zhao¹, Enyao Li¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Children Rehabilitation, Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Henan, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
² The American Psychiatric Association, Key Laboratory of Helicobacter pylori, Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer of Henan Province, Marshall Medical Research Center, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a range of neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by enduring impairments in social communication and interaction together with restricted repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities. No targeted pharmacological or physical interventions are currently available for ASD. However, emerging evidence has indicated a potential association between the development of ASD and dysregulation of the gut-brain axis. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a noninvasive diagnostic and therapeutic approach, has demonstrated positive outcomes in diverse psychiatric disorders; however, its efficacy in treating ASD and its accompanying gastrointestinal effects, particularly the effects on the gut-brain axis, remain unclear. Hence, this review aimed to thoroughly examine the existing research on the application of rTMS in the treatment of ASD. Additionally, the review explored the interplay between rTMS and the gut microbiota in children with ASD, focusing on the gut-brain axis. Furthermore, the review delved into the integration of rTMS and gut microbiota modulation as a targeted approach for ASD treatment based on recent literature. This review emphasizes the potential synergistic effects of rTMS and gut microbiota interventions, describes the underlying mechanisms, and proposes a potential therapeutic strategy for specific subsets of individuals with ASD.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder; gut microbiota; gut-brain axis; immunology; rTMS.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Autism Spectrum Disorder* / therapy
Brain-Gut Axis
Child
Communication
Gastrointestinal Microbiome* / physiology
Humans
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work was supported by Zhengzhou Major Collaborative Innovation Project (No.18XTZX12003); Key projects of discipline construction in Zhengzhou University (No.XKZDJC202001); National Key Research and development program in China (No.2020YFC2006100); Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province (No.212300410399); Key Research and Development and Promotion Special Projects of Henan Province (No. 232102311068).