France has recently announced the 4th Autism Plan which will extend until 2022. Among the most important measures of this plan, the government intends to catch up on the lagging situation for the care and integration of autistic people, research has also been placed at the heart of this new ambitious plan.

This is a good occasion to summarize the status of the current research on the incidence of microbiota in this disorder. Numerous studies have already shown that the intestinal and hemato-encephalic barriers of people suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have a different permeability compared to healthy subjects. These studies have also shown that most subjects with ASD experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, the intensity of which being correlated with the severity of the autistic syndrome.

Taking for granted that the microbiota plays a role in this developmental disorder, what happens if we restore the balance of the intestinal flora of these subjects?

The probiotic formulation that I have invented proved its efficacy in inflammatory bowel diseases thanks to its anti-inflammatory action and has a proven safety profile confirmed in more than 60 clinical studies. Therefore, researchers thought that its action could be beneficial for ASD people.

The De Simone Formulation is currently the object of three clinical trials aimed at validating its use in people with autism. Conducted by the IRCSS Foundation of Stella Maria di Pisa (Italy), the University College of London (UK), The Ohio State University, Columbus (US) on young autistic patients, these studies are aiming to assess the beneficial effects of this probiotic on the gastro-intestinal and behavioural symptoms, as well as on the cognitive functions of the tested people. A summary brochure is available in the HCP section of probiotixx.info.