Scientists Zero In On Link Between Autism, ‘Gut Bugs’
Researchers think the microbes that flourish in patients' guts could hold answers about autism.
KQED:
Researchers Hunt For A Link Between Microbiome And Autism
In 2007, Becker was the first researcher to suggest that the microbiome might be connected to symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. In the decade since, researchers have accumulated more evidence that the gastrointestinal tracts of children with ASD are often different. Depending on the survey, 60 to 90 percent have irritable bowel syndrome or have complained of diarrhea, stomachaches or gluten intolerance, which inflames the gut. (Venton, 10/4)
In other public health news —
California Healthline:
Can We Conquer All Diseases By The End Of The Century?
The goal is lofty and expansive: to cure, prevent or manage all known diseases by the end of the century. Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, pediatrician Priscilla Chan, announced last month that they planned to invest $3 billion over 10 years to begin tackling everything from Alzheimer’s disease to the Zika virus. ... To learn more about Chan Zuckerberg Science, we talked to Cori Bargmann, a neurobiologist and professor at The Rockefeller University, who was named president of the organization. (Gorman, 10/5)