Sensory Over-Responsivity in Autism: A Bidirectional Brain-Gut-Microbiome Model.

Sofronia M Ringold, Sharon A Cermak, Jennifer S Labus, Emeran A Mayer, Lisa Aziz-Zadeh

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it

0cells of the map it votes in

0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

5 authors.

Sofronia M RingoldUSC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. sringold@usc.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8020-7735

Sharon A CermakUSC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8300-5450

Jennifer S LabusOppenheimer Center for the Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6634-2551

Emeran A MayerOppenheimer Center for the Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3923-3349

Lisa Aziz-ZadehUSC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3557-8083

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThe brain-gut-microbiome (BGM) system encompasses a bidirectional communication network between the gut microbiome and the brain and plays a critical role in maintaining gut function and modulating behavior. Here, we specifically focus on the interactions between sensory over-responsivity (SOR), a common phenotype in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and the BGM system and discuss potential mechanisms underlying these interactions.

methodsWe examine key constructs and frameworks related to sensory processing, autism, and the BGM system, synthesize literature to identify knowledge gaps, and propose a model linking the BGM system and SOR in autism.

resultsGrounded in prior literature, we propose a conceptual model involving the brain, the gut microbiome, and SOR in autism. In this model sensory features of foods commonly associated with SOR contribute to atypical eating behaviors, resulting in differences in dietary intake, which in turn affect the gut and oral microbiomes. The gut microbiome can impact neural activity and brain structure via the connection between the gut and the brain, further contributing to SOR.

conclusionThe interdisciplinary nature of this topic is emphasized, bridging research from neuroscience, microbiology, pediatrics, nutrition, psychology, and occupational therapy/occupational science. Reflecting on the intersection of autism characteristics and microbiome health, this analysis offers critical insights for research and clinical practice.

Indexed as

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)Brain-gut-microbiome (BGM) systemGastrointestinal symptomsGut microbiomeSensory over-responsivity (SOR)Sensory processing

Identifiers

PMID41779338

DOI10.3390/ijms23179588

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata

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Registered trials

None linked

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.