A Ketogenic Diet and the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Frontiers in Pediatrics

Ying Han¹  Jingjing Liang²  Jiong Qin²  Qinrui Li²  Na Fu² 

[1] Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China;Department of Pediatrics, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China;

关键词: autism spectrum disorder;    ketogenic diet;    neuroprotection;    gut microbiota;    blood-brain barrier;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fped.2021.650624

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by stereotyped behavior and deficits in communication and social interaction. There are no curative treatments for children with ASD. The ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, appropriate-protein, and low-carbohydrate diet that mimics the fasting state of the body and is proven beneficial in drug-resistant epilepsy and some other brain diseases. An increasing number of studies demonstrated that a KD improved autistic behavior, but the underlying mechanisms are not known. We reviewed the neuroprotective role of a KD in ASD, which is likely mediated via improvements in energy metabolism, reductions in antioxidative stress levels, control of neurotransmitters, inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, and modulation of the gut microbiota. A KD is likely a safe and effective treatment for ASD.

【 授权许可】

CC BY