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Sara Melli

Bio: Sara Melli is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Autism spectrum disorder & Distress. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 2 publications receiving 41 citations.

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The case of a boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis, severe cognitive disability and celiac disease in which an unexpected improvement of autistic core symptoms was observed after four months of probiotic treatment.
Abstract: Objectives:Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that typically displays socio-communicative impairment as well as restricted stereotyped interests and activities, in which gastrointestinal disturbances are commonly reported. We report the case of a boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis, severe cognitive disability and celiac disease in which an unexpected improvement of autistic core symptoms was observed after four months of probiotic treatment.Method:The case study refers to a 12 years old boy with ASD and severe cognitive disability attending the Villa Santa Maria Institute in resident care since 2009. Diagnosis of ASDs according to DSM-V criteria was confirmed by ADOS-2 assessment (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule).The medication used was VSL#3, a multi-strain mixture of ten probiotics. The treatment lasted 4 weeks followed by a four month follow-up.The rehabilitation program and the diet was maintained stable in the treatment period and in the follow up. ADOS-2...

64 citations

01 Jan 2016
TL;DR: Evidence suggests that parents of children with ASD may benefit of comprehensive and flexible psychological interventions to reduce parental distress and promote the wellbeing and improve the quality of life of the family.
Abstract: The experience of childbirth and becoming a parent can become particularly distressing when newborn has a severe chronic disability, like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Families with autistic children face an overload of their adaptive capacities and crisis situations that can in turn lead to various negative psychological consequences on each parent, the couple, children, and the whole family. Indeed, parents of autistic children show high incidence of psychological distress and mental disorders (e.g., anxiety disorders, depressive symptoms). Evidence suggests that parents of children with ASD may benefit of comprehensive and flexible psychological interventions to reduce parental distress and promote the wellbeing and improve the quality of life of the family.

3 citations


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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The bidirectional interactions between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract (brain-gut axis) and the role of the gut microbiota in the central nerve system (CNS) and ASD are reviewed and microbiome-mediated therapies might be a safe and effective treatment for ASD.
Abstract: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are a common comorbidity in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Many studies have shown alterations in the composition of the fecal flora and metabolic products of the gut microbiome in patients with ASD. The gut microbiota influences brain development and behaviors through the neuroendocrine, neuroimmune and autonomic nervous systems. In addition, an abnormal gut microbiota is associated with several diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ASD and mood disorders. Here, we review the bidirectional interactions between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract (brain-gut axis) and the role of the gut microbiota in the central nervous system and ASD. Microbiome-mediated therapies might be a safe and effective treatment for ASD.

299 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Analysis of the literature showed that gut dysbiosis in ASD has been widely demonstrated, but there is no single distinctive profile of the composition of the microbiota in people with ASD, and probiotics are still the most promising treatment for neurobehavioural symptoms and bowel dysfunction.
Abstract: In recent years, there has been an emerging interest in the possible role of the gut microbiota as a co-factor in the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), as many studies have highlighted the bidirectional communication between the gut and brain (the so-called “gut-brain axis”). Accumulating evidence has shown a link between alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota and both gastrointestinal and neurobehavioural symptoms in children with ASD. The aim of this narrative review was to analyse the current knowledge about dysbiosis and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in ASD and assess the current evidence for the role of probiotics and other non-pharmacological approaches in the treatment of children with ASD. Analysis of the literature showed that gut dysbiosis in ASD has been widely demonstrated; however, there is no single distinctive profile of the composition of the microbiota in people with ASD. Gut dysbiosis could contribute to the low-grade systemic inflammatory state reported in patients with GI comorbidities. The administration of probiotics (mostly a mixture of Bifidobacteria, Streptococci and Lactobacilli) is the most promising treatment for neurobehavioural symptoms and bowel dysfunction, but clinical trials are still limited and heterogeneous. Well-designed, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials are required to validate the effectiveness of probiotics in the treatment of ASD and to identify the appropriate strains, dose, and timing of treatment.

221 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The role of gut microbiota in bidirectional interactions between the gut and the brain, including neural, immune-mediated, and metabolic mechanisms are reviewed, and recent advances in the understanding of probiotic modulation of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders via the gut-brain axis are highlighted.
Abstract: It is increasingly evident that bidirectional interactions exist among the gastrointestinal tract, the enteric nervous system, and the central nervous system. Recent preclinical and clinical trials have shown that gut microbiota plays an important role in these gut-brain interactions. Furthermore, alterations in gut microbiota composition may be associated with pathogenesis of various neurological disorders, including stress, autism, depression, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, the concepts of the microbiota-gut-brain axis is emerging. Here, we review the role of gut microbiota in bidirectional interactions between the gut and the brain, including neural, immune-mediated, and metabolic mechanisms. We highlight recent advances in the understanding of probiotic modulation of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders via the gut-brain axis.

133 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review summarizes recent data on the role of microbiota-gut-brain axis in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, Parkinson's disease, migraine, and epilepsy.

101 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence is reviewed that the microbiota-gut-brain axis is key to the physiopathology of several neuropsychiatric disorders involving those where dopaminergic neurotransmission is compromised, and appears as a key player when it comes to proposing novel strategies to the treatment of these psychiatric conditions.
Abstract: Increasing evidence shows changes in gut microbiota composition in association with psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. Moreover, it has been reported that perturbations in gut microbe diversity and richness influence serotonergic, GABAergic, noradrenergic, and dopaminergic neurotransmission. Among these, dopamine is regarded as a main regulator of cognitive functions such as decision making, attention, memory, motivation, and reward. In this work, we will highlight findings that link alterations in intestinal microbiota and dopaminergic neurotransmission, with a particular emphasis on the mesocorticolimbic circuit, which is involved in reward to natural reinforcers, as well as abuse substances. For this, we reviewed evidence from studies carried out on germ-free animals, or in rodents subjected to intestinal dysbiosis using antibiotics, and also through the use of probiotics. All this evidence strongly supports that the microbiota-gut-brain axis is key to the physiopathology of several neuropsychiatric disorders involving those where dopaminergic neurotransmission is compromised. In addition, the gut microbiota appears as a key player when it comes to proposing novel strategies to the treatment of these psychiatric conditions.

78 citations