Study investigates synbiotic supplementation effects on symptoms in children with autism

Image | adobe.stock/Jacob Lund

In an April 2, 2025, press release, dsm-firmenich explained results from a pilot study investigating the effects of synbotic supplements on gastrointestinal symptoms and behavioral symptoms in autistic children. The study’s abstract notes that microbiome-gut-brain (MGB) axis changes along with disorders of the gut-brain interaction (DGBI) have been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study, “Gastrointestinal, Behaviour and Anxiety Outcomes in Autistic Children Following an Open Label, Randomised Pilot Study of Synbiotics vs Synbiotics and Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy,” was published in October 2024 in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

This study involved 31 participants ages 5–10 with ASD. The participants were randomly assigned to take either a daily sachet of synbiotics (prebiotic and probiotic) alone or with a home-based gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH) program over a 12-week study period with a 12-week follow up period. GDH “broadly aims to reduce anxiety and normalize gut-based interoception using relaxation techniques, guided imagery and suggestive storytelling and metaphors,” the study’s abstract explains. Stool samples were also collected.

The synbiotic contained 5 g of partially hydrolyzed guar gum and a probiotic mixture of Humiome probiotics from dsm-firmenich.

The primary objective was to evaluate changes in gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms with a secondary outcome of behavior symptoms.

Results at the end of 12 weeks included:

• Both groups demonstrated significant reductions in GI symptom severity
• The combination of GHD and synbiotics (the COM group) did not demonstrate superior effects on GI symptoms than the synbiotics (SYN group) alone
• The COM group showed improvements in pain and flatulence during the follow up period
• The COM group also showed reductions in anxiety scores and behavior outcomes that were not seen in the SYN group

Additionally, increases in of Bifidobacterium and Dialister were seen in both groups, while an increase in Faecalibacterium was seen in the COM group.

No serious safety events were associated with the study. Overall, the researchers suggested the study be replicated in randomized, controlled trials.

“The study contributes to a growing body of evidence suggesting that modulating the gut microbiome can have far-reaching effects beyond digestion, potentially influencing GI comfort, anxiety and behavior in autistic children,” stated PD Dr. Robert E Steinert, principal scientist at dsm-firmenich, in the press release. “It represents a promising step towards a more holistic approach for managing symptoms in autistic children, and more widely, underscores the wider importance of the gut-brain axis in overall well-being. There is a clear opportunity here for supplement brands to expand their offerings with safe and targeted solutions that support higher standards of care for autistic children with comorbid gut symptoms.”

Reference

1. Mitchell, LK.; Heussler, HS.; Burgess, CJ.; Rehman, A.; Steinert, RE.; Davies, PSW. Gastrointestinal, Behaviour and Anxiety Outcomes in Autistic Children Following an Open Label, Randomised Pilot Study of Synbiotics vs Synbiotics and Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy. J Autism Dev Disord. 2024. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06588-9