4D pharma plc announced the publication of pre-clinical research relating to its LBP MRx0006 for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The research, published in Brain, Behaviour and Immunity, demonstrates the ability of single strain LBP MRx0006 to attenuate core behavioural deficits in a mouse model of autism, improving social deficits, repetitive and anxiety-like behaviours. Mechanistically, MRx0006 increased in the brains of ASD mice the expression of neuropeptide hormones known to regulate social and anxiety behaviour.

MRx0006 also modulated the fecal microbiome metabolite profile in treated mice, which may underly the observed increases in expression of neuropeptides and their receptors, and the consequent improvements in behavioural outcomes.