Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

Fecal Transplant Improves Autism Symptoms

posted by on Wednesday January 25 2017, @07:02PM   Printer-friendly
from the available-in-3-delicious-flavors dept.

Phoenix666 writes:

While many people are aware of the behavioural symptoms associated with autism, probably not so many realize that autistics often also have gastrointestinal problems. With that in mind, scientists at the University of Arizona recently conducted a study in which a group of 18 autistic children received fecal transplants from donors with healthy gastrointestinal systems. Not only did the procedure help to "rebalance" their gut flora, but it also improved their behaviour.

First of all, a fecal transplant is just what it sounds like. Feces from one person are screened for disease-causing organisms, and then introduced into the recipient's digestive tract. In this case, the recipients first took antibiotics for two weeks, to wipe out their existing gut flora. They then received the fecal transplant initially in a high-dose liquid form, after which it was delivered in a lower-dose powder mixed into smoothies.

Of all the possible ways I could imagine to treat autism, that was not one of them...

Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Fecal Transplant Improves Autism Symptoms | Log In/Create an Account | Top | 35 comments | Search Discussion
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.

  • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Wednesday January 25 2017, @07:13PM

    by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday January 25 2017, @07:13PM (#458600) Journal

    The Ministry of Truth may well have alternative facts that autism is in [alternative] fact caused by vaccinations.

    --
    What doesn't kill me makes me weaker for next time.
    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  
    Total Score:   2  

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday January 25 2017, @07:51PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday January 25 2017, @07:51PM (#458623)

    Maybe alternative vaccines?

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday January 25 2017, @11:17PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday January 25 2017, @11:17PM (#458716)

    I sense an imminent ban on any further testing of the gut bacteria idea. Disgusting. Sad. #GetALifeStupidScientists.