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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2018 Mar 1.
Published in final edited form as: Biol Psychiatry. 2016 Aug 26;81(5):411–423. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.08.024

Figure 1. Model for Roles of the Microbiome in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Figure 1

The microbiota is shaped by host genetics and environmental exposures. Select genetic and environmental risk factors for ASD could directly cause changes in the indigenous microbiota. Alternatively, the microbiota could be indirectly influenced by other medical co-morbidities associated with ASD, including gastrointestinal issues and immune dysfunction. The microbiota exhibits reciprocal interactions with the gastrointestinal tract, immune system, brain and behavior and abnormalities in any one component of this integrated system could the others. In particular, dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota, in addition to immune and gastrointestinal symptoms seen in ASD, can influence neurodevelopment, neural activity and the manifestation of abnormal behaviors characteristic to ASD.