Autism symptoms reduced 50% in children who received fecal transplants, study ...

Fecal transplants drastically reduced autism symptoms in children, according to new research.

Symptoms almost halved in 18 children given the treatment - known medically as microbiota transfer therapy.

The study builds on the theory that the neurological condition may be rooted in the gut, rather than the brain.

Two years after the transplant, children saw a roughly 45-percent drop in issues with language, social interaction and behavior.

Children with autism had far fewer behavioral and linguistic symptoms after a fecal transplant, a new study says (file image)

Children with autism had far fewer behavioral and linguistic symptoms after a fecal transplant, a new study says (file image)

Dr Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown, a microbiologist at Arizona State University who jointly led the study, said: 'We are finding a very strong connection between the microbes that live in our intestines and signals that travel to the brain.

'Two years later, the children are doing even better, which is amazing.'

At the start, 83 percent of participants were rated as having 'severe' autism.

By the end, this had dropped to 17 percent - with 39 percent classed 'mild to moderate' and 44 percent falling below the cut-off for even mild ASD.

Recent research suggests our gut bacteria, or 'microbiome', affect communication between brain cells and overall neurological health.

Worldwide, interest is growing in the idea abnormal quantities of certain bugs may be responsible for triggering a variety of conditions. 

'Many kids with autism have gastrointestinal problems, and some studies, including ours, have found those children also have worse autism-related symptoms,' Dr Krajmalnik-Brown said.

'In many cases, when you are able to treat those gastrointestinal problems, their behavior improves.'

Over 700,000 people in UK are autistic, which means 2.8m people have a relative on the spectrum. In the US about one in every 59 children is diagnosed with autism, up from one in every 150 in 2000.

The apparent rise and lack of treatments has spurred researchers to enter the field and explore the disability in innovative ways.

These include behavioral, speech and social therapy, psychiatric medications and dietary and nutritional approaches.

But no medications have been approved to treat core symptoms such as social communication difficulties and repetitive behaviors.

One promising avenue involves the collection of microbes that lives in our intestines helping us digest food, train our immune system and prevent overgrowth of harmful bacteria.

The study published in Scientific Reports

read more from dailymail.....

PREV Why the NHS should have paid for my saggy skin surgery rather than forcing me ... trends now
NEXT Warning for men living in cities: Air pollution might be ruining your sex life ... trends now