Ivan Rychlik, Jela Hrnciarova, Klara Kubelkova, Vanda Bostik, Daniela Karasova, Vladimir Babak, Magdalena Datkova, Katerina Simackova, Ales Macela
Journal: Nutrients 2024;16(13):
PMID: 38999736
This prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial aims to evaluate whether a supplement called Juvenil could improve gut health and autism-related symptoms in children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Juvenil influences immune responses and may affect gut microbiota. Since previous research has linked ASD to imbalances in gut bacteria, the study explored whether changing the gut microbiome might help alleviate some behavioural symptoms of ASD. A total of 20 children with ASD and 12 neurotypical children participated. Children with ASD were randomly assigned to receive either Juvenil or a placebo daily for 3 months, while their existing treatments continued. Researchers collected stool samples before and after the supplementation period to understand changes in the children’s gut bacteria. They also assessed behavioural changes using a clinical autism rating scale. The study found that children with ASD had a gut microbiota composition distinctly different from that of neurotypical children. After taking Juvenil, their gut microbiome shifted closer to a more typical profile. Although overall behavioural changes did not reach statistical significance, improvements were observed in specific areas such as motor behaviour, visual responses, fear, nonverbal communication, and activity levels. This research supports the potential of microbiome-targeted therapies for healthcare professionals as a safe and feasible complementary strategy in managing ASD. While preliminary, the findings suggest that biologically active supplements like Juvenil may help modulate both gut health and specific autism symptoms. Larger, longer-term studies are needed to confirm these results and explore underlying mechanisms.
The etiology and mechanisms of autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are not yet fully understood. There is currently no treatment for ASD for providing significant improvement in core symptoms. Recent studies suggest, however, that ASD is associated with gut dysbiosis, indicating that modulation of gut microbiota in children with ASD may thus reduce the manifestation of ASD symptoms. The aim of this pilot study (prospective randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled) was to evaluate efficacy of the biological response modifier Juvenil in modulating the microbiome of children with ASD and, in particular, whether Juvenil is able to alleviate the symptoms of ASD. In total, 20 children with ASD and 12 neurotypical children were included in our study. Supplementation of ASD children lasted for three months. To confirm Juvenil's impact on the gut microbiome, stool samples were collected from all children and the microbiome's composition was analyzed. This pilot study demonstrated that the gut microbiome of ASD children differed significantly from that of healthy controls and was converted by Juvenil supplementation toward a more neurotypical microbiome that positively modulated children's autism symptoms.
© Copyright 2026, Nutrition Evidence
NED wishes to thank the following organisations for their support:
We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze site traffic with Google Analytics. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more.