Gut microbiota signature in RETT syndrome. human gut metagenome

Rett syndrome (RTT) patients are characterized by an altered gastrointestinal homeostasis that results in gastrointestinal discomfort, persistent inflammation and altered immune responses. Changes in microbiota composition, as observed in other neurological disorders such as autism, may account for several typical symptoms associated to RTT. Recent studies have suggested that changes in the bacteria (microbiota) of the gastrointestinal tract may affect the function of the nervous system. In this project, we characterized the composition of gut bacteria and main metabolic end-products, short fatty acids (SCFAs), in a group of 7 girls with RTT and 10 healthy subjects.