Interactions between the gut microbiome and the brain affect mood and behaviour in health and disease. Using preclinical animal models, recent discoveries begin to explain how bacteria in the gut affect our mood as well as highlighting new findings relevant to autism. Autism-associated gene mutations known to affect synapse function in the CNS also affect the inflammatory response and alter the enteric nervous system resulting in abnormal gastrointestinal motility and structure. Strikingly, these mutations additionally affect the gut microbiome in mice. This review describes the changes in gut physiology and microbiota in mouse models of autism with modified synapse function. The rationale for different regions of the gastrointestinal tract having variable susceptibility to dysfunction is also discussed. To dissect underlying biological mechanisms involving gut-brain axis dysfunction in preclinical models, a range of multidisciplinary approaches are required. This research will provide insights into the role of the gut-brain axis in health and neurodevelopmental disorders including autism.

中文翻译：

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自闭症相关突触突变影响小鼠的肠脑轴

肠道微生物组和大脑之间的相互作用会影响健康和疾病中的情绪和行为。使用临床前动物模型，最近的发现开始解释肠道中的细菌如何影响我们的情绪，并强调与自闭症相关的新发现。已知影响中枢神经系统突触功能的自闭症相关基因突变也会影响炎症反应并改变肠道神经系统，导致胃肠动力和结构异常。引人注目的是，这些突变还会影响小鼠的肠道微生物组。本综述描述了具有改良突触功能的自闭症小鼠模型中肠道生理学和微生物群的变化。还讨论了胃肠道不同区域对功能障碍的易感性不同的基本原理。为了在临床前模型中剖析涉及肠脑轴功能障碍的潜在生物学机制，需要一系列多学科方法。这项研究将深入了解肠脑轴在健康和神经发育障碍（包括自闭症）中的作用。