Effects of <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> PS128 on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Taiwan: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

• Main Authors: Yen-Wenn Liu, Min Tze Liong, Yu-Chu Ella Chung, Hui-Yi Huang, Wu-Shun Peng, Yun-Fang Cheng, Yu-Siou Lin, Yu-Yu Wu, Ying-Chieh Tsai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-04-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: autism spectrum disorder (ASD); psychobiotic; <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> PS128; hyperactivity; anxiety
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/4/820

This four-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated the effects of <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> PS128 (PS128) on boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged 7&#8211;15 in Taiwan. All subjects fulfilled the criteria for ASD diagnosis of DSM-V and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). Questionnaires used for the primary outcome measure include the Autism Behavior Checklist-Taiwan version (ABC-T), the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham-IV-Taiwan version (SNAP-IV) and the Clinical Global Impression-improvement (CGI-I) were used for the secondary outcome measure. The results showed that PS128 ameliorated opposition/defiance behaviors, and that the total score of SNAP-IV for younger children (aged 7&#8722;12) improved significantly compared with the placebo group. Additionally, several elements were also notably improved in the PS128 group after 28-day consumption of PS128. Further studies are needed to better clarify the effects of PS128 for younger children with ASD on broader symptoms.