The article from the journal argues that the gut-autism axis is a house of cards built on lousy studies with inconsistent data. They assert that the studies are contradictory and that too much emphasis is placed on dubious mouse models. It is notoriously challenging to nail down microbial causes of disease—it is hard enough to simply identify a normal microbiome.
Scientists moved a step closer to understanding the complex causes of autism this week. Although all of the headlines went to US President Donald Trump's poorly evidenced statements that the painkiller acetaminophen is linked to the neurodevelopmental condition, his White House autism event brought welcome - and largely overlooked - news to scientists: the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) is investing US$50 million in an unusual autism-research effort.
Multiple outlets report that the forthcoming HHS autism report led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to suggest that acetaminophen use in pregnancy is linked to autism and to highlight low folate levels, while pointing to folinic acid (leucovorin) as a potential way to reduce symptoms for some individuals with autism, according to people familiar with the draft cited by the Wall Street Journal, which was first to report the news.