Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40158118›Full record

SynthesisBMC nutrition2025

Effect of nutritional supplements on gut microbiome in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Elaheh Dehghani, Keyvan Karimi, Soheil Arekhi, Maryam Ardeshir, Reshad Rezapour, Monir Shayestehfar, Amir Hossein Memari

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC nutrition, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Elaheh DehghaniDepartment of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
Keyvan KarimiSports Medicine Research Center (SMRC), Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
Soheil ArekhiSports Medicine Research Center (SMRC), Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
Maryam ArdeshirIranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
Reshad RezapourSports Medicine Research Center (SMRC), Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
Monir ShayestehfarSports Medicine Research Center (SMRC), Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
Amir Hossein MemariSports Medicine Research Center (SMRC), Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran. memari_ah@tums.ac.ir.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNeurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) encompass a range of disruptive conditions with varying prevalence rates and multiple contributing factors. Recent studies have suggested a potential connection between NDDs and the gut-brain axis. Furthermore, there is evidence indicating that nutritional supplements might have an impact on gastrointestinal (GI) and behavioral symptoms. This study aimed to explore the effects of nutritional supplements on the gut microbiota and behavioral symptoms in individuals with NDDs.

methodsA systematic search of databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and APA PsycINFO was conducted, utilizing relevant keywords until February 2025. In addition, the search for gray literature was carried out on Google Scholar and ProQuest. The risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool for non-randomized studies and the RoB-1 tool for randomized controlled trials. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, a Synthesis without Meta-analysis (SWiM) approach was employed.

resultsThe overall findings from the studies indicated positive effects of supplementation in reducing the Gastrointestinal Severity Index (GIS) score and alleviating GI symptoms. Supplementation with probiotics and vitamins increased good microbiomes (GM) and decrease in bad microbiomes (BM) among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Moreover, the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio (F/R ratio) exhibited significant changes after supplementation. Additionally, improvements were observed in various assessment scores, including ATEC, ABC, CARS, and PGI-2.

conclusionsNutritional supplementation in individuals with NDDs can have a positive influence by modulating the microbiome, reducing dysbiosis, and enhancing gut barrier integrity. Shifting in the F/R ratio can be considered as the reason for improving gastrointestinal and behavioral symptoms by influencing neurotransmitter activity and neuroinflammation. Targeting the gut-brain axis with interventions that focus on gut microbiota offers a promising adjunct therapy for the management of NDD. Registration of the review protocol. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023460449.

Indexed as

Behavioral symptomsGut microbiomeNarrative synthesisNeurodevelopmental disordersSupplementation

Identifiers

PMID40158118
PMCPMC11954342

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.