Emerging research suggests that what’s happening in a mother’s gut during pregnancy might influence her child’s neurological development. A new study has identified a possible connection between maternal gut bacteria and autism risk, mediated through the immune system.
The research team from University of Virginia found that a specific immune molecule called IL-17a appears to be the missing link. In mouse studies, this molecule – produced in response to certain gut bacteria – seemed to affect fetal brain development in ways that led to autism-like behaviors. When researchers blocked IL-17a, the neurological effects disappeared.
The most convincing evidence came when scientists transferred gut bacteria from susceptible mice to resistant ones through fecal transplants. The previously resistant mice then produced offspring with autism-like symptoms, proving the microbiome’s role in this process.
While exciting, the researchers caution that these findings in mice don’t necessarily translate directly to humans. Autism is a complex condition with many contributing factors. However, the study does open new possibilities for understanding how maternal health during pregnancy might influence child development, potentially leading to new approaches for supporting healthy pregnancies in the future.
