Digestive Neurobiology in Autism: From Enteric and Central Nervous System Interactions to Shared Genetic Pathways.

ABSTRACT: Social communication difficulties characterize autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are more common in ASD than in the general population. The identification of GI problems in individuals with ASD is challenging due to their altered pain perception and irregular behaviors. Importantly, GI symptoms and ASD can potentially aggravate each other. However, it is unclear if GI problems cause ASD symptoms or vice versa. A crosstalk between the digestive system, gut microbiota, and the central and enteric nervous systems (CNS and ENS, respectively) has been repeatedly reported. The ENS regulates the GI tract with the CNS and the autonomic nervous system (ANS), as well as independently through specific neural circuits. Several mechanisms contribute to GI problems in ASD,

SUBMITTER: Robas R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12525051 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature