Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder
of unknown etiology, but very likely resulting from both genetic and
environmental factors. There is good evidence for immune system
dysregulation in individuals with ASD. However, the contribution of
insults such as dietary factors that can also activate the immune system
have not been explored in the context of ASD. In this paper, we show
that the dietary glycemic index has a significant impact on the ASD
phenotype. By using BTBR mice, an inbred strain that displays behavioral
traits that reflect the diagnostic symptoms of human ASD, we found that
the diet modulates plasma metabolites, neuroinflammation and brain
markers of neurogenesis in a manner that is highly reflective of ASD in
humans. Overall, the manuscript supports the idea that ASD results from
gene-environment interactions and that in the presence of a genetic
predisposition to ASD, diet can make a large difference in the
expression of the condition.Molecular Psychiatry advance online
publication, 9 June 2015; doi:10.1038/mp.2015.64
of unknown etiology, but very likely resulting from both genetic and
environmental factors. There is good evidence for immune system
dysregulation in individuals with ASD. However, the contribution of
insults such as dietary factors that can also activate the immune system
have not been explored in the context of ASD. In this paper, we show
that the dietary glycemic index has a significant impact on the ASD
phenotype. By using BTBR mice, an inbred strain that displays behavioral
traits that reflect the diagnostic symptoms of human ASD, we found that
the diet modulates plasma metabolites, neuroinflammation and brain
markers of neurogenesis in a manner that is highly reflective of ASD in
humans. Overall, the manuscript supports the idea that ASD results from
gene-environment interactions and that in the presence of a genetic
predisposition to ASD, diet can make a large difference in the
expression of the condition.Molecular Psychiatry advance online
publication, 9 June 2015; doi:10.1038/mp.2015.64
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