Vitamin D may have direct effect on brain development, social behavior and autism

Vitamin D may have direct effect on brain development, social behavior and autism

Vitamin D could have a 'critical influence' levels of serotonin in the brain and may directly effect social behaviors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), according to new research.

Writing in The FASEB Journal, the study suggests that adequate levels of vitamin D may be required to produce serotonin in the brain where it shapes the structure and wiring of the brain, acts as a neurotransmitter, and affects social behavior.

    

Led by Professor Bruce Ames of Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI) in the US, the study demonstrates that serotonin, oxytocin, and vasopressin three brain hormones that affect social behavior are all activated by vitamin D.

“We present evidence that vitamin D hormone (calcitriol) activates the transcription of the serotonin synthesizing gene tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) in the brain at a vitamin D response element (VDRE) and represses the transcription of TPH1 in tissues outside the bloodbrain

barrier at a distinct VDRE suggesting a causal link between the sunshine vitamin, serotonin and autism,” wrote Ames and his colleagues.

Isotonix Vitamin D with K2

They noted that autism, which is characterized by abnormal social behavior, has previously been linked to low levels of serotonin in the brain and to low vitamin D levels, but no mechanism has linked the two until now.

Indeed, Ames and his team suggested that their study sheds light on, and offers a mechanism to explain many of the known, but previously not understood facts about autism.

“This mechanism explains how low vitamin D hormone levels result in aberrant serotonin synthesis, subsequently leading to abnormal brain development,” wrote the research team. “Low vitamin D hormone levels during foetal and neonatal development could result in poor TPH2 expression and subsequently reduced serotonin concentrations in the developing brain.”

They added that such a suggestion may mean that adequate vitamin D hormone levels during pregnancy, as well as nutritional intake of tryptophan and vitamin D during early childhood, “may have a critical influence on brain serotonin levels and, thus, on the structure and neural wiring of the brain.”

Learn more here by Nathan Gray 

Autism Linked to decreased microbe diversity in the gut: Study

Autism linked to decreased microbe diversity
in the gut: Study
By Nathan Gray, 03­Jul­2013


The diversity of beneficial bacteria in our guts may be associated with the development of autism, according to the first comprehensive analysis bacterial analysis of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The race to map and understand the microbial microflora that inhabits our guts is one of the hottest topics and greatest challenges in current research. The suggested links between the microbiota and a whole range of health conditions and wellness measures – including digestion, body weight, immunity, mood, and heart health – are only now beginning to be understood.
Writing in PLoS One, the research team led by Rosa Krajmalnik­Brown of Arizona State University present findings from the first comprehensive bacterial analysis focusing on commensal – or beneficial – bacteria in children with ASD, finding that children with autism had significantly fewer types of gut bacteria and had significantly lower amounts of three critical bacteria, Prevotella, Coprococcus, and Veillonellaceae.

"One of the reasons we started addressing this topic is the fact that autistic children have a lot of GI problems that can last into adulthood," Krajmalnik­Brown said. "Studies have shown that when we manage these problems, their behaviour improves dramatically."

"We think of Prevotella as a healthy, good thing to have," she added. "We believe that a diverse gut is a healthy gut."

Significant study 
Commenting on the research, Dr Alex Richardson of University of Oxford ­ and founder of UK­based charity Food and Behaviour (FAB) Research ­ suggested that the study is important in confirming that 'distinct abnormalities' of gut microflora are present in children with autistic spectrum disorders.

might-a-mins spectrum probiotics

"Obviously these latest findings are only correlational, but they need following up," she said.

"Given what we know about the very strong links between the health of the brain, the gut and the immune system, we urgently need more research into their possible implications – particularly for developing new treatment approaches," she said.

"Children with autism often have other health problems that an unhealthy balance of gut flora – and its effects on the immune system – might plausibly help to explain."

Richardson added that many parents and health professionals already maintain that dietary changes can not only improve the general health of children with autism, but can also have an impact on the autism symptoms ­ "and there is no question that diet affects the gut microbiome," she added.

Study details
The research team analysed gut microflora from faecal samples in a cohort of 20 healthy and 20 autistic
participants aged between 3 and 16 years using high­throughput method – known as pyrosequencing – which allows many DNA samples to be combined as well as many sequences per sample to be analysed.

might-a-mins spectrum digestive enzymes

In doing so, Krajmalnik­Brown noted that the new study is the first to approach autism from a different angle, by examining the possible role of commensal gut bacteria.

Analysis of the high­ throughput data showed that a lower diversity of gut microbes was positively correlated with the presence of autistic symptoms in the study ­ detecting significantly decreased microbial diversity in the 20 autistic subjects whose faecal samples were analysed.  To learn more about the study click here

To learn more about probiotic supplements that could help improve microbial diversity that could help click here.