Microbes for the Mind

ASU alumna Nicole Anderson had no idea that her uneventful pregnancy would lead to a Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) diagnosis for her daughter, Alexandra. A rare disorder characterized by physical, intellectual and developmental delays, Pitt-Hopkins is also accompanied by gastrointestinal issues like constipation and severe gut pain.

The Pitt Hopkins Research Foundation sought answers to the debilitating GI challenges and has since found relief for some individuals living with PTHS through the microbiota transplant therapy that ASU researchers James Adams, director of the Autism/Asperger’s Research Program and Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown, director of the Biodesign Center for Health Through Microbiomes,
had been working on in response to Adams’ daughter’s autism-related gastrointestinal issues.

The transplant therapy first uses antibiotics to eliminate bad bacteria and then replaces them with good bacteria, alleviating the severe pain caused by both Pitt-Hopkins and autism. That comfort allows for greater ease in learning fundamental skills. ASU is the first in the world to introduce and prove that changing microbes in the intestines through a pill delivery will result in both gastrointestinal improvements and reduce core autism symptoms and the first to run a human trial for Pitt-Hopkins patients.

For Anderson, “It’s a dream, honestly, to think that one day Arizona State University could help eradicate the most debilitating issue of Pitt-Hopkins in my daughter.”

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[SoveniaCdta]

Great news.. thanks for all your efforts

[ginavokoun]

Glory to God for all things. Thank you Dr. Adams and Dr. Rosie.

[Escape_real]

I'm coming ASU as 1st year student in class of 2028 .😊

[pprtp]

Another good news for parents with special needs kids. Thanks.