Fig. 1: Lactobacillus colonization might play a crucial role in enhancing gastrointestinal function and neurodevelopment.

(A) The analysis process of the gut microbiota composition between ASD and NT children. In this cohort, a total of 448 neurotypical children (NT) and 773 children with ASD were included in the study. According to whether Lactobacillus colonized or not, children with ASD were further divided into the Lactobacillus colonization group (n = 546) and the Lactobacillus non-colonization group (n = 227). (B) Absolute abundance of the gut microbiota between ASD-L and ASD-WL in the ASD cohort. (C-D) Altered microbial community network: ASD-WL vs. NT (C) and ASD-L vs. NT (D). Red nodes represent the upregulated microbiota in the ASD group, and green nodes represent the downregulated microbiota in the ASD group. (E) Magnitude of microbial network alteration for ASD-L, ASD-WL, and NT. (F) The relationship between Lactobacillus colonization and GBM abundance of glutamate synthesis I, quinolinic acid synthesis, isovaleric acid synthesis II, acetate degradation, butyrate synthesis I, histamine degradation, and GABA synthesis I, and their relationship with the severity of behavior manifestations. (G) The relationship between Lactobacillus colonization and GMMs, and their relationship with intestinal discomfort. NT, neurotypical group; ASD-WL, ASD without Lactobacillus colonization group; ASD-L, ASD with Lactobacillus colonization group. Data were presented as mean ± SEM, Statistical significance was determined by Unpaired Student’s t test (B, E-G), significant differences were classified as follows: **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001.