# A novel synbiotic (SCM06) for anxiety and sensory hyperresponsiveness in children with autism spectrum disorder: an open-label pilot study

## TL;DR

A new synbiotic called SCM06 may help reduce anxiety and sensory issues in children with autism, while also improving gut health.

## Contribution

This study introduces SCM06, a novel synbiotic, and explores its potential to alleviate anxiety and sensory hyperresponsiveness in children with ASD.

## Key findings

- SCM06 was safe and well-tolerated, with significant improvements in anxiety and sensory hyperresponsiveness.
- Increased Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum and higher levels of valeric and butyric acids were associated with symptom improvements.
- Coprococcus comes and Veillonella dispar are candidate microbial mediators of the observed benefits.

## Abstract

Anxiety and sensory hyperresponsiveness are common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but effective treatments are lacking. Targeting the microbiota-gut-brain axis is a promising strategy. This open-label pilot study evaluated SCM06, a novel synbiotic designed to target anxiety and sensory hyperresponsiveness, in 30 children with ASD (mean age 8.2 years, 22 males). We assessed symptom improvement, compliance, and safety, and collected stool samples for metagenomics and metabolomic analysis over 12 weeks. SCM06 was safe and well-tolerated, and significant improvements were observed in anxiety, sensory hyperresponsiveness, and abdominal pain. Following SCM06 treatment, increase in Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum was associated with improved functional abdominal pain (p = 0.0011, p_adj = 0.054), while the abundances of valeric acid and butyric acid increased (p_adj = 0.004 and p_adj = 0.072). Key microbial species, Coprococcus comes and Veillonella dispar, were candidate mediators of symptom improvements. Further randomised controlled trials are warranted to confirm its clinical efficacy.