Gut Microbiota Affects Mouse Social Behavior via Hippuric Acid Metabolism.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder typically characterized by impaired social communication. Previous reports have postulated gut microbiota to be an important non-genetic factor affecting ASD-like phenotypes in mice, as germ-free (GF) mice show impaired social communication.

Results

In this study, we identified hippuric acid (HA) as a metabolite generated via a gut microbiome-dependent mechanism that plays a role in the acquisition of social behavior during mouse development. We discovered that oral or intraperitoneal HA administration to GF mice normalizes their social behavior. Furthermore, HA administration restored oxytocin expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and secretin expression in the subfornical

SUBMITTER: Tsukui M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12655642 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature