Study: Stool Sample Could Indicate Autism

Facts

• A recent study has found that gut microbes could be used to diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD), adding to a growing body of research on the subject.¹
• Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong analyzed stool samples from 1,627 children aged between one and 13 years old with or without ASD.²
• They found significant differences in microbes — including archaea, fungi, and viruses, among others — and metabolic pathways between children with ASD and those without.³
• Using artificial intelligence to help identify these differences, the researchers say they were able to recognize which children had ASD with up to 82% accuracy.⁴
• The researchers say that their test could potentially help diagnose autism much earlier than existing methods, potentially by the age of four instead of the current average age of six.⁴

Sources: ¹New York Times, ²Daily Mail, ³Nature and ⁴Guardian.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by New York Times. Diagnosing autism relies heavily on subjective assessments, leading to potential biases and errors. The gut microbiome's potential role in autism diagnosis could form the basis of a diagnostic tool, enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses. This could revolutionize autism diagnosis and treatment.
• Narrative B, as provided by Science Media Centre. While the potential for stool sample analysis to aid in early diagnosis of ASD is exciting, caution is needed. The study doesn't clarify whether gut microbiome differences cause ASD or result from dietary or environmental factors. Further research and validation in diverse populations are essential.