Gastrointestinal issues linked with anxiety, social withdrawal for kids
with autism
Findings could help shape future treatments aimed at easing pain for kids
with autism experiencing constipation, stomach pain
Date:
April 26, 2022
Source:
University of Missouri-Columbia
Summary:
A new study found a 'bi-directional' relationship between
gastrointestinal issues and internalized symptoms in children
and adolescents with autism -- meaning the symptoms seem to be
impacting each other simultaneously. The findings could influence
future precision medicine research aimed at developing personalized
treatments to ease pain for individuals with autism experiencing
gastrointestinal issues.
FULL STORY ========================================================================== Children with autism spectrum disorder tend to experience gastrointestinal issues, such as constipation and stomach pain, at a higher rate than
their neurotypical peers. Some also experience other internalizing
symptoms at the same time, including stress, anxiety, depression and
social withdrawal. Until now, no studies have examined the causal
relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms and internalizing symptoms.
==========================================================================
A new study at the University of Missouri found a "bi-directional"
relationship between gastrointestinal issues and internalized symptoms in children and adolescents with autism -- meaning the symptoms seem to be impacting each other simultaneously. The findings could influence future precision medicine research aimed at developing personalized treatments
to ease pain for individuals with autism experiencing gastrointestinal
issues.
"Research has shown gastrointestinal issues are associated with an
increased stress response as well as aggression and irritability in
some children with autism," said Brad Ferguson, an assistant research
professor in the MU School of Health Professions, Thompson Center for
Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Department of Radiology
in the MU School of Medicine. "This likely happens because some kids
with autism are unable to verbally communicate their gastrointestinal discomfort as well as how they feel in general, which can be extremely frustrating. The goal of our research is to find out what factors are associated with gastrointestinal problems in individuals with autism
so we can design treatments to help these individuals feel better."
In the study, Ferguson and his team analyzed health data from more
than 620 patients with autism at the MU Thompson Center for Autism
and Neurodevelopmental Disorders under the age of 18 who experience gastrointestinal issues. Then, the team examined the relationship between
the gastrointestinal issues and internalized symptoms, such as stress,
anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. Ferguson explained the
findings provide more evidence on the importance of the "gut-brain
axis," or connection between the brain and the digestive tract, in gastrointestinal disorders in individuals with autism.
"Stress signals from the brain can alter the release of
neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine in the gut which
control gastrointestinal motility, or the movement of stool through
the intestines. Stress also impacts the balance of bacteria living
in the gut, called the microbiota, which can alter gastrointestinal functioning," Ferguson said. "The gut then sends signals back to the
brain, and that can, in turn, lead to feelings of anxiety, depression and social withdrawal. The cycle then repeats, so novel treatments addressing signals from both the brain and the gut may provide the most benefit for
some kids with gastrointestinal disorders and autism." Ferguson said
an interdisciplinary team of specialists is needed to help solve this
complex problem and develop treatments going forward.
========================================================================== Ferguson collaborates with David Beversdorf, a neurologist at the MU
Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, who also
studies gastrointestinal problems in individuals with autism. In a recent study, Beversdorf, who also has appointments in the MU College of Arts
and Science and MU School of Medicine, helped identify specific RNA
biomarkers linked with gastrointestinal issues in children with autism.
"Interestingly, the study from Beversdorf and colleagues found
relationships between microRNA that are related to anxiety behavior
following prolonged stress as well as depression and gastrointestinal disturbance, providing some converging evidence with our behavioral
findings," Ferguson said.
Now, Ferguson and Beversdorf are working together to determine the
effects of a stress-reducing medication on gastrointestinal issues in
a clinical trial.
"I have a great relationship with Beversdorf and the MU Thompson Center
Autism Research Core (ARC) that allows our team to quickly go from
findings in the laboratory to clinical trials," Ferguson said.
Ferguson explained that some treatments may work for some individuals
with autism but not necessarily for others.
"Our team uses a biomarker-based approach to find what markers in the
body are common in those who respond favorably to certain treatments,"
Ferguson said.
"Our goal is to eventually develop a quick test that tells us which
treatment is likely to work for which subgroups of patients based on their unique biomarker signature, including markers of stress, composition
of gut bacteria, genetics, co-occurring psychological disorders, or a combination thereof. This way, we can provide the right treatments to
the right patients at the right time." "Bidirectional relationship
between internalizing symptoms and gastrointestinal problems in youth
with autism spectrum disorder" was recently published in the Journal
of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Ferguson also collaborated with
Kristen Dovgan, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology
at Marist College, and Kyra Gynegrowski, an undergraduate student in
the Department of Psychology at Marist College. Funding for the study
was provided by the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, which is
now known as the Autism Care Network.
========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Missouri-Columbia. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Kristen Dovgan, Kyra Gynegrowski, Bradley J. Ferguson. Bidirectional
relationship between internalizing symptoms and gastrointestinal
problems in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism
and Developmental Disorders, 2022; DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05539-6 ==========================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220426153724.htm
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