Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental spectrum disorder, involving hundreds of genes and many environmental factors. Despite progress in understanding its neurobiological mechanisms, treatment options remain limited and often focus primarily on symptom management. One area of particular interest in recent years is the role of diet and nutrients in neuronal function and behavior.
In this context, new research from Academia Sinica in Taiwan, published in PLOS Biology (“Low-dose mixtures of dietary nutrients ameliorate behavioral deficits in multiple mouse models of autism“), explores a different approach: the combined administration of three common nutritional supplements.
The researchers, led by Tzyy-Nan Huang and Ming-Hui Lin, examined the effects of a low-dose mixture of zinc, serine, and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in mice with autism spectrum traits. The study focused on whether the combination could affect neuronal communication and improve social behaviors.
Previous research has shown that each of the three substances can contribute to neuronal function, but the study authors argued that administering them simultaneously may provide a stronger and more targeted effect.
How was the study conducted?
The team worked with three different mouse models of autism spectrum disorder, using:
- synaptic protein analysis,
- calcium imaging to examine neural activity in the amygdala,
- and social behavior assessment.
In this way, they studied both biological changes in the brain and the corresponding behavioral changes.
Key findings
The scientists found that the combination of the three supplements:
- modified the expression of proteins in the synapse to more closely resemble that of healthy mice,
- reduced the hyperactivity of neurons in the amygdala,
- and improved social behaviors, such as interaction with other animals.
- In contrast, administering each substance separately—at the same low doses—did not produce similar results. This finding was replicated in two additional models, suggesting that the efficacy is due to the interaction of the three substances.
Researcher Yi-Ping Hsueh notes that, due to the complexity of the disorder and the large number of genes involved, therapeutic approaches targeting individual genetic mechanisms are difficult to implement in practice. According to her, a low-dose nutritional regimen with multiple mechanisms of action may be a more practical and safe option, even for long-term use.
In turn, Tzyy-Nan Huang points out that high doses of individual supplements have shown positive effects in the past, but at low doses they are not effective when administered separately. The fact that their combination restored elements of synaptic function in three different models is, as she says, a valuable indication for further research.
Along the same lines, Ming-Hui Lin adds that even a short period of 7 days was enough to observe changes in the activity of neuronal circuits, which strengthens the view that the nutritional “trio” can have a substantial biological effect.
Conclusion
The results of the study indicate that the combination of zinc, serine and branched-chain amino acids – at low doses – can improve neuronal functions and social behaviors in experimental mouse models of the disorder, something that is not achieved by the individual administration of the substances. Although the findings are encouraging, they relate exclusively to animal tests. Therefore, future studies are needed to determine whether similar effects can be observed in humans.
