Perinatal Anxiety, Microbiome Alterations, and Implications for Research in the Development of Autism and Schizophrenia

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Schizophrenia have appeared similar in recent years with respect to
genetic consistencies, phenotypic overlap, and overall neurodevelopmental course. Both disorders present with
heterogeneous groups of positive and negative symptoms in the context of varying cognitive and adaptive clusters. Not surprisingly, both disorders have similar maternal correlates such as anxiety and stress, which have been linked to microbiome alterations in both mother and child. This commentary provides a brief overview of this overlap with respect to maternal microbiome alterations seen in these disorders and its implications for future research. Issues surrounding equity and social differences are also addressed. Implication for future research and clinical implications from these formulated hypotheses are discussed.