Publication date: May 13, 2026
Tracking autism risk from birthCan autism risk be identified before symptoms appear? New research links microbiome, genetics and early behaviour to future autism risk and prevention. By tracking biological and behavioural changes over time, we aimed to identify risk onset and how it might be modified, explains project coordinator Alessio Fasano. Machine learning tools were then applied to detect patterns associated with later autism development(opens in new window). Researchers identified shifts associated with elevated zonulin(opens in new window), a biomarker linked to gut permeability and inflammatory processes. Predictive algorithms could then help clinicians identify children most likely to benefit from early personalised interventions, such as targeted nutritional or probiotic strategies, before symptoms fully emerge. Participants provided biological samples and clinical information every six months, and underwent regular behavioural assessments.
| Concepts | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Autism | Autism |
| Genetics | Behavioural |
| Month | Biological |
| Probiotic | Clinical |
| Signsgemma | Early |
| Gemma | |
| Gut | |
| Identified | |
| Microbiome | |
| Months | |
| Project | |
| Risk | |
| Symptoms | |
| Tracking | |
| Window |
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| pathway | REACTOME | Metabolism |
| disease | MESH | autism |
| disease | MESH | genetic susceptibility |