{"id":{"repo_id":"queens","oai_identifier":"oai:queensu.scholaris.ca:1974/32737"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/queens/oai:queensu.scholaris.ca:1974/32737","repository":{"repo_id":"queens","name":"Queens University","base_url":"https://qspace.library.queensu.ca/server/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Brain-Body Crosstalk: Characterizing the Gut Microbiome in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder","abstract":"Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in children. Previous studies have suggested diet-induced alterations to gut microbial composition may be associated with subsequent behavioural/mood outcomes, however current approaches do not consider the high intra-individual variation in gut microbial composition over time. This study aims to describe a longitudinal role of the gut-brain axis in children with ASD/ADHD where diet-induced alterations of gut microbial composition may be involved in behaviour/mood presentation in individuals over time. The primary objectives of this study are to: (1) characterize the gut microbiome of ASD/ADHD children, (2) assess whether changes to gut microbial composition are associated with dietary and behavioural alterations, and (3) assess temporal variation within individuals. Methods: Participants consisted of children ages 6-17 with a physician-confirmed diagnosis of ASD and/or ADHD. A daily stool sample and a daily diet/behaviour questionnaire were completed over a 14-day study period. Microbial composition of the stool samples was determined using 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing (NGS). Results: Comparisons of gut microbial characteristics by participant demographics (age, sex, SES, ethnicity) revealed significant differences in beta diversity (p < 0.05). Between-individual comparisons found significant differences in alpha (p = 0.0336) and beta diversity (p = 0.001) between ASD, ADHD and comorbid ASD/ADHD diagnoses however no significant differences across behavioural symptom severity and GI issues (p > 0.05). Within-individual comparisons suggest differential intra-individual susceptibility to gut microbial alterations relating to behaviour and diet. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of assessing within-individual variation in gut microbial alterations and host responsiveness and demonstrates the significant temporal variability of the gut microbiome. These results may also suggest that changes to the microbiome (diet-induced or otherwise) may have the capacity to reduce undesired symptoms or behaviours in some individuals.","abstract_html":"Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in children. Previous studies have suggested diet-induced alterations to gut microbial composition may be associated with subsequent behavioural/mood outcomes, however current approaches do not consider the high intra-individual variation in gut microbial composition over time. This study aims to describe a longitudinal role of the gut-brain axis in children with ASD/ADHD where diet-induced alterations of gut microbial composition may be involved in behaviour/mood presentation in individuals over time. The primary objectives of this study are to: (1) characterize the gut microbiome of ASD/ADHD children, (2) assess whether changes to gut microbial composition are associated with dietary and behavioural alterations, and (3) assess temporal variation within individuals. Methods: Participants consisted of children ages 6-17 with a physician-confirmed diagnosis of ASD and/or ADHD. A daily stool sample and a daily diet/behaviour questionnaire were completed over a 14-day study period. Microbial composition of the stool samples was determined using 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing (NGS). Results: Comparisons of gut microbial characteristics by participant demographics (age, sex, SES, ethnicity) revealed significant differences in beta diversity (p &lt; 0.05). Between-individual comparisons found significant differences in alpha (p = 0.0336) and beta diversity (p = 0.001) between ASD, ADHD and comorbid ASD/ADHD diagnoses however no significant differences across behavioural symptom severity and GI issues (p &gt; 0.05). Within-individual comparisons suggest differential intra-individual susceptibility to gut microbial alterations relating to behaviour and diet. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of assessing within-individual variation in gut microbial alterations and host responsiveness and demonstrates the significant temporal variability of the gut microbiome. These results may also suggest that changes to the microbiome (diet-induced or otherwise) may have the capacity to reduce undesired symptoms or behaviours in some individuals.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Jurj, Miruna Iulia"],"institution":null,"degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":"Neuroscience Studies","school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":["Sjaarda, Calvin"],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2024,"date_issued":"2024-01-23","date_published":"2024-01-23","updated_at":"2026-07-27T20:35:37Z","subjects":["Autism spectrum disorder","ADHD","Gut microbiome","Gut-brain axis","16S","Behaviour","Diet"],"languages":["eng"],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://hdl.handle.net/1974/32737","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.department","label":"Department","values":["Neuroscience Studies"]},{"key":"dc:contributor.supervisor","label":"Supervisor","values":["Sjaarda, Calvin"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Jurj, Miruna Iulia"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2024-01-23T19:53:07Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2024-01-23T19:53:07Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2024-01-23"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["thesis"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Autism spectrum disorder","ADHD","Gut microbiome","Gut-brain axis","16S","Behaviour","Diet"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language.iso","label":"Language (ISO)","values":["eng"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["https://hdl.handle.net/1974/32737"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in children. Previous studies have suggested diet-induced alterations to gut microbial composition may be associated with subsequent behavioural/mood outcomes, however current approaches do not consider the high intra-individual variation in gut microbial composition over time. This study aims to describe a longitudinal role of the gut-brain axis in children with ASD/ADHD where diet-induced alterations of gut microbial composition may be involved in behaviour/mood presentation in individuals over time. The primary objectives of this study are to: (1) characterize the gut microbiome of ASD/ADHD children, (2) assess whether changes to gut microbial composition are associated with dietary and behavioural alterations, and (3) assess temporal variation within individuals. Methods: Participants consisted of children ages 6-17 with a physician-confirmed diagnosis of ASD and/or ADHD. A daily stool sample and a daily diet/behaviour questionnaire were completed over a 14-day study period. Microbial composition of the stool samples was determined using 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing (NGS). Results: Comparisons of gut microbial characteristics by participant demographics (age, sex, SES, ethnicity) revealed significant differences in beta diversity (p < 0.05). Between-individual comparisons found significant differences in alpha (p = 0.0336) and beta diversity (p = 0.001) between ASD, ADHD and comorbid ASD/ADHD diagnoses however no significant differences across behavioural symptom severity and GI issues (p > 0.05). Within-individual comparisons suggest differential intra-individual susceptibility to gut microbial alterations relating to behaviour and diet. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of assessing within-individual variation in gut microbial alterations and host responsiveness and demonstrates the significant temporal variability of the gut microbiome. These results may also suggest that changes to the microbiome (diet-induced or otherwise) may have the capacity to reduce undesired symptoms or behaviours in some individuals."]},{"key":"dc:description.degree","label":"Dc Description Degree","values":["M.Sc."]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Brain-Body Crosstalk: Characterizing the Gut Microbiome in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.department":["Neuroscience Studies"],"dc:contributor.supervisor":["Sjaarda, Calvin"],"dc:creator":["Jurj, Miruna Iulia"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2024-01-23T19:53:07Z"],"dc:date.available":["2024-01-23T19:53:07Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2024-01-23"],"dc:description.abstract":["Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in children. Previous studies have suggested diet-induced alterations to gut microbial composition may be associated with subsequent behavioural/mood outcomes, however current approaches do not consider the high intra-individual variation in gut microbial composition over time. This study aims to describe a longitudinal role of the gut-brain axis in children with ASD/ADHD where diet-induced alterations of gut microbial composition may be involved in behaviour/mood presentation in individuals over time. The primary objectives of this study are to: (1) characterize the gut microbiome of ASD/ADHD children, (2) assess whether changes to gut microbial composition are associated with dietary and behavioural alterations, and (3) assess temporal variation within individuals. Methods: Participants consisted of children ages 6-17 with a physician-confirmed diagnosis of ASD and/or ADHD. A daily stool sample and a daily diet/behaviour questionnaire were completed over a 14-day study period. Microbial composition of the stool samples was determined using 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing (NGS). Results: Comparisons of gut microbial characteristics by participant demographics (age, sex, SES, ethnicity) revealed significant differences in beta diversity (p < 0.05). Between-individual comparisons found significant differences in alpha (p = 0.0336) and beta diversity (p = 0.001) between ASD, ADHD and comorbid ASD/ADHD diagnoses however no significant differences across behavioural symptom severity and GI issues (p > 0.05). Within-individual comparisons suggest differential intra-individual susceptibility to gut microbial alterations relating to behaviour and diet. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of assessing within-individual variation in gut microbial alterations and host responsiveness and demonstrates the significant temporal variability of the gut microbiome. These results may also suggest that changes to the microbiome (diet-induced or otherwise) may have the capacity to reduce undesired symptoms or behaviours in some individuals."],"dc:description.degree":["M.Sc."],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://hdl.handle.net/1974/32737"],"dc:language.iso":["eng"],"dc:subject":["Autism spectrum disorder","ADHD","Gut microbiome","Gut-brain axis","16S","Behaviour","Diet"],"dc:title":["Brain-Body Crosstalk: Characterizing the Gut Microbiome in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder"],"dc:type":["thesis"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-27T20:35:37Z"}