### 北京7月9日电（记者 孙自法）
近日，施普林格·自然旗下专业学术期刊《自然-微生物学》刊发了香港中文大学研究团队完成的一项最新研究，揭示了肠道微生物组的特定细菌和非细菌成分及其功能，可能对男童和女童的孤独症谱系障碍（ASD）产生影响。这一发现为理解孤独症的发病机制提供了新的视角，同时也可能为未来的治疗策略开辟新途径。
孤独症谱系障碍是一种神经发育障碍，主要特征包括社交互动障碍、沟通能力受限以及重复性行为模式。近年来，研究者们一直在探索孤独症背后的生物学因素，而肠道微生物组——即肠道内的微生物生态系统——被认为在人类健康和疾病中扮演着关键角色。
香港中文大学的研究团队通过分析大量儿童的肠道微生物组数据，发现孤独症儿童的肠道微生物组存在显著差异。具体而言，男童和女童的肠道微生物组中特定细菌的种类和数量，以及非细菌成分（如微生物产生的代谢物）和它们的功能特性，与非孤独症儿童存在差异。这些差异可能与孤独症谱系障碍的发病机制有关。
该研究的负责人表示，肠道微生物组与大脑之间存在双向沟通的轴突——即“肠-脑轴”——可能通过影响神经发育、免疫系统和代谢过程，对孤独症谱系障碍产生影响。未来的研究将更深入地探索肠道微生物如何与大脑相互作用，以及这一过程如何影响孤独症的发展。
这一发现不仅增加了对孤独症谱系障碍发病机制的理解，也为开发针对性的治疗策略提供了新的方向。通过调节肠道微生物组，可能为孤独症患者提供新的干预手段，改善其症状和生活质量。
### 结语
孤独症谱系障碍的研究正逐渐揭示其背后的复杂生物学机制。肠道微生物组的变化作为这一领域的新发现，为理解孤独症提供了新的视角。未来，随着研究的深入，科学家们有望开发出更有效的治疗方法，帮助孤独症患者更好地融入社会，提高生活质量。
英语如下：
### Title: Changes in Gut Microbiota May Influence Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children
### July 9, Beijing (Reporter: Sun Zifa)
Springer Nature’s prestigious academic journal, *Nature Microbiology*, recently published a groundbreaking study conducted by a research team from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. This study uncovers how specific bacterial and non-bacterial components, along with their functions, in the gut microbiome might impact boys and girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This discovery offers a new perspective on the mechanisms underlying ASD and potentially paves the way for future therapeutic strategies.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interactions, communication challenges, and repetitive behavioral patterns. In recent years, researchers have been investigating the biological factors behind ASD, with the gut microbiome, the microbial ecosystem within the human body, being recognized as a critical player in both health and disease.
The research team from the Chinese University of Hong Kong analyzed extensive data on the gut microbiome of children, revealing significant differences in the gut microbiome of those with ASD. Specifically, the types and quantities of certain bacteria in the gut microbiome of both boys and girls with ASD, as well as non-bacterial components (such as metabolites produced by microbes) and their functional characteristics, differ from those of non-ASD children. These differences may be related to the development of ASD.
The leader of the study stated that the gut microbiome and the brain are connected through a bidirectional communication axis—the so-called “gut-brain axis”—which might affect neural development, the immune system, and metabolic processes, thereby influencing ASD. Future research will delve deeper into how the gut microbiome interacts with the brain and how this process affects the development of ASD.
This discovery not only enhances our understanding of the mechanisms underlying ASD but also opens new avenues for developing targeted treatment strategies. By modulating the gut microbiome, new intervention methods may be developed to improve symptoms and quality of life in individuals with ASD.
### Conclusion
The research into ASD is gradually revealing the intricate biological mechanisms underlying the disorder. The discovery of changes in the gut microbiome as a new finding in this field provides a new perspective on understanding ASD. As research continues, scientists are expected to develop more effective treatment methods that can help individuals with ASD integrate better into society and improve their quality of life.
【来源】http://www.chinanews.com/life/2024/07-09/10248545.shtml
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