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Abstract
Elevated latent prenatal steroidogenic activity has been found in the amniotic fluid of autistic boys, based on measuring prenatal androgens and other steroid hormones. To date, it is unclear if other prenatal steroids also contribute to autism likelihood. Prenatal oestrogens need to be investigated, as they play a key role in synaptogenesis and corticogenesis during prenatal development, in both males and females. Here we test whether levels of prenatal oestriol, oestradiol, oestrone and oestrone sulphate in amniotic fluid are associated with autism, in the same Danish Historic Birth Cohort, in which prenatal androgens were measured, using univariate logistic regression (n = 98 cases, n = 177 controls). We also make a like-to-like comparison between the prenatal oestrogens and androgens. Oestradiol, oestrone, oestriol and progesterone each related to autism in univariate analyses after correction with false discovery rate. A comparison of standardised odds ratios showed that oestradiol, oestrone and progesterone had the largest effects on autism likelihood. These results for the first time show that prenatal oestrogens contribute to autism likelihood, extending the finding of elevated prenatal steroidogenic activity in autism. This likely affects sexual differentiation, brain development and function.
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52
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Katsigianni M, Karageorgiou V, Lambrinoudaki I, Siristatidis C. Maternal polycystic ovarian syndrome in autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:1787-1797. [PMID: 30867561 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0398-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
There is evidence showing a positive correlation between prenatal androgens and their effect on the development of central nervous system and the autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) phenotype in offspring of mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We applied a systematic review to investigate whether women with PCOS have increased odds of having a child with ASD, while, secondarily, if these women themselves are at high risk of having the disease. Major databases from inception until 14th October 2018 were searched. The primary outcome measure was the odds of an ASD diagnosis in children of mothers with diagnosed PCOS, while the secondary outcome was the odds of ASD diagnosis in women with PCOS. Scheduled subgroup analyses were according to the time of birth and maternal age. We assessed the odds ratio (OR), using a random-effects model; heterogeneity was assessed by I2 and τ2 statistics. The quality of the evidence was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Ten studies were eligible for inclusion, including a total of 33,887 ASD children and 321,661 non-ASD children. Diagnosed PCOS was associated with a 1.66 times increase in the odds of ASD in the offspring [95% CI: 1.51, 1.83, p = 1.99 × 10-25, 7 studies, I2 = 0%, τ2 = 0]. Women with PCOS were 1.78 times more likely to be diagnosed with ASD (95% CI: 1.10, 2.87, p = 0.0179, 5 studies, I2 = 85.4%, τ2 = 0.2432). Additional analyses did not change the initial result. The overall quality of the evidence was high. The pooled effects size displayed low heterogeneity (I2 = 0%) for the primary outcome. While the heterogeneity in the secondary outcome appears to attenuate when only high quality studies are synthesized, still the result exhibits significant heterogeneity. Τhe available data allowed a subgroup analysis only for classification system for PCOS diagnosis and showed a significant increase of ASD diagnosis in the offspring of women with Read Code and ICD diagnosed PCOS. In conclusion, the available evidence suggests that women with PCOS have increased odds of having a child with ASD, an effect size estimate based on a large number of patients from studies of good quality. Regarding the evidence on the prevalence of ASD in PCOS women, results suggest that women with PCOS are more likely to be diagnosed with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Katsigianni
- Menopause Clinic, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasilios Karageorgiou
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon Hospital", 1 Rimini Street, Chaidari, 12642, Athens, Greece.
| | - Irene Lambrinoudaki
- Menopause Clinic, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Charalampos Siristatidis
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon Hospital", 1 Rimini Street, Chaidari, 12642, Athens, Greece
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53
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Pirooznia M, Niranjan T, Chen YC, Tunc I, Goes FS, Avramopoulos D, Potash JB, Huganir RL, Zandi PP, Wang T. Affected Sib-Pair Analyses Identify Signaling Networks Associated With Social Behavioral Deficits in Autism. Front Genet 2019; 10:1186. [PMID: 31827489 PMCID: PMC6892440 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by deficits in three core behavioral domains: reciprocal social interactions, communication, and restricted interests and/or repetitive behaviors. Several hundreds of risk genes for autism have been identified, however, it remains a challenge to associate these genes with specific core behavioral deficits. In multiplex autism families, affected sibs often show significant differences in severity of individual core phenotypes. We hypothesize that a higher mutation burden contributes to a larger difference in the severity of specific core phenotypes between affected sibs. We tested this hypothesis on social behavioral deficits in autism. We sequenced synaptome genes (n = 1,886) in affected male sib-pairs (n = 274) in families from the Autism Genetics Research Exchange (AGRE) and identified rare (MAF ≤ 1%) and predicted functional variants. We selected affected sib-pairs with a large (≥10; n = 92 pairs) or a small (≤4; n = 108 pairs) difference in total cumulative Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) social scores (SOCT_CS). We compared burdens of unshared variants present only in sibs with severe social deficits and found a higher burden in SOCT_CS≥10 compared to SOCT_CS ≤ 4 (SOCT_CS≥10: 705.1 ± 16.2; SOCT_CS ≤ 4, 668.3 ± 9.0; p = 0.025). Unshared SOCT_CS≥10 genes only in sibs with severe social deficits are significantly enriched in the SFARI gene set. Network analyses of these genes using InWeb_IM, molecular signatures database (MSigDB), and GeNetMeta identified enrichment for phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) (Enrichment Score [eScore] p value = 3.36E−07; n = 8 genes) and Nerve growth factor (NGF) (eScore p value = 8.94E−07; n = 9 genes) networks. These studies support a key role for these signaling networks in social behavioral deficits and present a novel approach to associate risk genes and signaling networks with core behavioral domains in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Pirooznia
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Core Facility, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Tejasvi Niranjan
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yun-Ching Chen
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Core Facility, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Ilker Tunc
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Core Facility, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Fernando S Goes
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Dimitrios Avramopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - James B Potash
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Richard L Huganir
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Peter P Zandi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Mental Health and Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Tao Wang
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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54
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Ohlsson Gotby V, Söder O, Frisén L, Serlachius E, Bölte S, Almqvist C, Larsson H, Lichtenstein P, Tammimies K. Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, delayed puberty and risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12803. [PMID: 31630461 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH) is a rare disorder that manifests absent puberty and infertility. Genetic syndromes with hypogonadism, such as Klinefelter syndrome, are associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). However, it is not clear whether patients with HH or transient delayed puberty in general, have an increased risk of NDDs. We performed a register-based study on a national cohort of 264 patients with HH and 7447 patients diagnosed with delayed puberty that was matched with 2640 and 74 470 controls, respectively. The outcome was defined as having any of the following NDD diagnoses: (i) autism spectrum disorder (ASD); (ii) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); or (iii) intellectual disability (ID). Additional sensitivity analyses were performed to control for different parental and birth variables, as well as diagnosed malformation syndromes and chromosomal anomalies (ie, Down's and Turner syndromes). Patients with HH had increased risk for being diagnosed with ASD (odds ratio [OR] = 5.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.6-12.6), ADHD (OR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.8-5.1) and ID (OR = 18.0; 95% CI = 8.9-36.3) compared to controls. Patients with delayed puberty also had a significantly increased risk of being diagnosed with an NDD. These associations remained significant after adjustments. This is the first study to demonstrate a significant association between HH, delayed puberty and NDDs in a population-based cohort. Clinicians should be aware of the overlap between these disorders. Further studies should explore the mechanisms behind these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vide Ohlsson Gotby
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olle Söder
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Louise Frisén
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutete, Stockholm, Sweden
- Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Serlachius
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutete, Stockholm, Sweden
- Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sven Bölte
- Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institutet (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Catarina Almqvist
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Henrik Larsson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Paul Lichtenstein
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristiina Tammimies
- Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institutet (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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55
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Nem de Oliveira Souza I, Frost PS, França JV, Nascimento-Viana JB, Neris RLS, Freitas L, Pinheiro DJLL, Nogueira CO, Neves G, Chimelli L, De Felice FG, Cavalheiro ÉA, Ferreira ST, Assunção-Miranda I, Figueiredo CP, Da Poian AT, Clarke JR. Acute and chronic neurological consequences of early-life Zika virus infection in mice. Sci Transl Med 2019; 10:10/444/eaar2749. [PMID: 29875203 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aar2749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Although congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure has been associated with microcephaly and other neurodevelopmental disorders, long-term consequences of perinatal infection are largely unknown. We evaluated short- and long-term neuropathological and behavioral consequences of neonatal ZIKV infection in mice. ZIKV showed brain tropism, causing postnatal-onset microcephaly and several behavioral deficits in adulthood. During the acute phase of infection, mice developed frequent seizures, which were reduced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibition. During adulthood, ZIKV replication persisted in neonatally infected mice, and the animals showed increased susceptibility to chemically induced seizures, neurodegeneration, and brain calcifications. Altogether, the results show that neonatal ZIKV infection has long-term neuropathological and behavioral complications in mice and suggest that early inhibition of TNF-α-mediated neuroinflammation might be an effective therapeutic strategy to prevent the development of chronic neurological abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula S Frost
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21944-590, Brazil.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21944-590, Brazil
| | - Julia V França
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21944-590, Brazil
| | | | - Rômulo L S Neris
- Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21944-590, Brazil
| | - Leandro Freitas
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Daniel J L L Pinheiro
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Clara O Nogueira
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21944-590, Brazil
| | - Gilda Neves
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21944-590, Brazil
| | - Leila Chimelli
- Laboratory of Neuropathology, State Institute of Brain Paulo Niemeyer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda G De Felice
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21944-590, Brazil.,Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ésper A Cavalheiro
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Sergio T Ferreira
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21944-590, Brazil.,Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21944-590, Brazil
| | - Iranaia Assunção-Miranda
- Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21944-590, Brazil.
| | - Claudia P Figueiredo
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21944-590, Brazil.
| | - Andrea T Da Poian
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21944-590, Brazil.
| | - Julia R Clarke
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21944-590, Brazil.
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56
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Lugo-Marín J, Díez-Villoria E, Magán-Maganto M, Pérez-Méndez L, Alviani M, de la Fuente-Portero JA, Canal-Bedia R. Spanish Validation of the Autism Quotient Short Form Questionnaire for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 49:4375-4389. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04127-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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57
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Findings of male genital anomalies in a Turkish population with Autism Spectrum Disorders. ANADOLU KLINIĞI TIP BILIMLERI DERGISI 2019. [DOI: 10.21673/anadoluklin.460738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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58
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59
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Gasser BA, Kurz J, Dick B, Mohaupt MG. Steroid Metabolites Support Evidence of Autism as a Spectrum. Behav Sci (Basel) 2019; 9:E52. [PMID: 31075898 PMCID: PMC6562465 DOI: 10.3390/bs9050052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: It is common nowadays to refer to autism as a spectrum. Increased evidence of the involvement of steroid metabolites has been shown by the presence of stronger alterations in Kanner's syndrome compared with Asperger syndrome. Methods: 24 h urine samples were collected from 20 boys with Asperger syndrome, 21 boys with Kanner's syndrome, and identically sized control groups, each matched for age, weight, and height for comprehensive steroid hormone metabolite analysis via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Higher levels of most steroid metabolites were detected in boys with Kanner's syndrome and Asperger syndrome compared to their matched controls. These differences were more pronounced in affected individuals with Kanner's syndrome versus Asperger syndrome. Furthermore, a specific and unique pattern of alteration of androsterone, etiocholanolone, progesterone, tetrahydrocortisone, and tetrahydrocortisol was identified in boys with Kanner's syndrome and Asperger syndrome. Interestingly, in both matched samples, only androsterone, etiocholanolone, progesterone, tetrahydrocortisone, tetrahydrocortisol, and 5a-tetrahydrocortisol groups were positively correlated. In the Asperger syndrome group, all metabolites showed a positive correlation. In the Kanner's syndrome group, 5-a tetrahydrocortisol with androsterone showed a positive correlation. Conclusions: Due to differences in the level of alteration, the premise that Asperger syndrome is on the mild side of the autism spectrum and that Kanner's syndrome is on the severe side is supported, but alteration patterns yield different phenotypic expressions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Johann Kurz
- Intersci Research Association, Karl Morre Gasse 10, 8430 Leibnitz, Austria.
| | - Bernhard Dick
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Berne, Switzerland.
- Division of Nephrology/Hypertension, University of Bern, 3010 Berne, Switzerland.
| | - Markus Georg Mohaupt
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Berne, Switzerland.
- Teaching Hospital Internal Medicine, Lindenhofgruppe, 3006 Berne, Switzerland.
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60
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Kalyoncu T, Özbaran B, Köse S, Onay H. Variation in the Oxytocin Receptor Gene Is Associated With Social Cognition and ADHD. J Atten Disord 2019; 23:702-711. [PMID: 28478728 DOI: 10.1177/1087054717706757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Children with ADHD show substantial deficits in social cognitive abilities. Oxytocin, mediated through its specific receptor (OXTR), is involved in the regulation of social behavior and social cognition. METHOD The entire coding sequence of the human OXT and OXTR genes were sequenced to identify mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 151 children with ADHD (ADHD-combined, n = 51; inattentive subtype, n = 50; ADHD-C plus conduct disorder [CD], n = 50; 11-18 years) and 100 healthy controls. RESULTS We examined the association of three detected SNPs of OXTR with social cognition deficits. A significant association was shown between the children with ADHD and children with CT/TT genotypes of rs4686302 (χ2 = 3.695; p = .037). ADHD children with CT/TT genotype for the OXTR rs4686302 performed significantly lower on the facial emotion recognition task than those with CC genotype. CONCLUSION OXTR rs4686302 polymorphism was shown to be a genetic marker in social cognition deficits in ADHD children.
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61
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Bölte S, Girdler S, Marschik PB. The contribution of environmental exposure to the etiology of autism spectrum disorder. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:1275-1297. [PMID: 30570672 PMCID: PMC6420889 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2988-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 261] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition of heterogeneous etiology. While it is widely recognized that genetic and environmental factors and their interactions contribute to autism phenotypes, their precise causal mechanisms remain poorly understood. This article reviews our current understanding of environmental risk factors of ASD and their presumed adverse physiological mechanisms. It comprehensively maps the significance of parental age, teratogenic compounds, perinatal risks, medication, smoking and alcohol use, nutrition, vaccination, toxic exposures, as well as the role of extreme psychosocial factors. Further, we consider the role of potential protective factors such as folate and fatty acid intake. Evidence indicates an increased offspring vulnerability to ASD through advanced maternal and paternal age, valproate intake, toxic chemical exposure, maternal diabetes, enhanced steroidogenic activity, immune activation, and possibly altered zinc-copper cycles and treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Epidemiological studies demonstrate no evidence for vaccination posing an autism risk. It is concluded that future research needs to consider categorical autism, broader autism phenotypes, as well as autistic traits, and examine more homogenous autism variants by subgroup stratification. Our understanding of autism etiology could be advanced by research aimed at disentangling the causal and non-causal environmental effects, both founding and moderating, and gene-environment interplay using twin studies, longitudinal and experimental designs. The specificity of many environmental risks for ASD remains unknown and control of multiple confounders has been limited. Further understanding of the critical windows of neurodevelopmental vulnerability and investigating the fit of multiple hit and cumulative risk models are likely promising approaches in enhancing the understanding of role of environmental factors in the etiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Bölte
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet & Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stockholm Health Care Services, Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Curtin Autism Research Group, School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - Sonya Girdler
- Curtin Autism Research Group, School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Peter B Marschik
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet & Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stockholm Health Care Services, Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- iDN-interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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62
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Zhao Q, Neumann DL, Cao Y, Baron-Cohen S, Yan C, Chan RCK, Shum DHK. Culture-Sex Interaction and the Self-Report Empathy in Australians and Mainland Chinese. Front Psychol 2019; 10:396. [PMID: 30914986 PMCID: PMC6422933 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Empathy is the ability to understand and share other people's emotions. Researchers have debated whether Westerners and Asians differ in their self-report empathy. This study aimed to replicate a previously reported culture-sex interaction in self-report empathy using Australian and Mainland Chinese participants, to investigate the cultural differences in self-report empathy in each sex group, and to verify the moderated mediating effects of three empathy-related traits (i.e., independent self-construal, interdependent self-construal, and personal distress) on the cultural differences in self-report empathy in both sex groups. In this study, scores on two self-report questionnaires of empathy, namely, the Empathy Quotient (EQ) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), were compared between 196 Australian Caucasian (101 males) and 211 Mainland Chinese (59 males) university students. Results first confirmed the significant culture-sex interaction and illustrated that the cultural differences in empathy scores were significant only for female (i.e., Australian females had higher scores than Mainland Chinese females) but not for male participants. Furthermore, results of moderated mediation analyses indicated that higher self-report empathy in both females and males was related to higher interdependent self-construal (exhibited by Mainland Chinese) and less personal distress (exhibited by Australians), and particularly in females, also related to higher independent self-construal (exhibited by Australian females). The current study is one of few studies that suggest cultural differences in empathy are dependent on the sex of the participant. Moreover, the current findings have added new insights into the explanation of cultural differences in empathy using personal distress and self-construal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhao
- School of Applied Psychology, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David L. Neumann
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Yuan Cao
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Chao Yan
- Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Raymond C. K. Chan
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - David H. K. Shum
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
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63
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Zou M, Li D, Li L, Wu L, Sun C. Role of the endocannabinoid system in neurological disorders. Int J Dev Neurosci 2019; 76:95-102. [PMID: 30858029 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in infancy. Although the etiology and pathogenesis are poorly understood, many studies have shown that ASD is closely related to structural and functional defects in the nervous system, especially synaptic transmission. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system is an important regulatory system of the central nervous system that regulates neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity and plays an important role in emotional and social responses and cognitive function. The relationship between eCB system and ASD has attracted increasing attention from scholars. In this review, we discuss the complex lipid signaling network of the eCB system, intracellular transport pathways, abnormal expression and association with various neurological diseases, and direct and indirect evidence for the link between eCB and ASD. Collectively, the findings to date indicate that the eCB system plays a key role in the pathophysiology of ASD and can provide new insights into potential interventions and rehabilitation strategies for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyang Zou
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Dexin Li
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Lijie Wu
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Caihong Sun
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
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Kozhemiako N, Vakorin V, Nunes AS, Iarocci G, Ribary U, Doesburg SM. Extreme male developmental trajectories of homotopic brain connectivity in autism. Hum Brain Mapp 2019; 40:987-1000. [PMID: 30311349 PMCID: PMC6865573 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been proposed that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be characterized by an extreme male brain (EMB) pattern of brain development. Here, we performed the first investigation of how age-related changes in functional brain connectivity may be expressed differently in females and males with ASD. We analyzed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data of 107 typically developing (TD) females, 114 TD males, 104 females, and 115 males with ASD (6-26 years) from the autism brain imaging data exchange repository. We explored how interhemispheric homotopic connectivity and its maturational curvatures change across groups. Differences between ASD and TD and between females and males with ASD were observed for the rate of changes in connectivity in the absence of overall differences in connectivity. The largest portion of variance in age-related changes in connectivity was described through similarities between TD males, ASD males, and ASD females, in contrast to TD females. We found that shape of developmental curvature is associated with symptomatology in both males and females with ASD. We demonstrated that females and males with ASD tended to follow the male pattern of developmental changes in interhemispheric connectivity, supporting the EMB theory of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliia Kozhemiako
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and KinesiologySimon Fraser UniversityVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Vasily Vakorin
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and KinesiologySimon Fraser UniversityVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience InstituteSimon Fraser UniversityVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Adonay S. Nunes
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and KinesiologySimon Fraser UniversityVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Grace Iarocci
- Department of PsychologySimon Fraser UniversityVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Urs Ribary
- Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience InstituteSimon Fraser UniversityVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Department of PsychologySimon Fraser UniversityVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Department of Pediatrics and PsychiatryUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Sam M. Doesburg
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and KinesiologySimon Fraser UniversityVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience InstituteSimon Fraser UniversityVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
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Chong A, Chew SH, Lai PS, Ebstein RP, Gouin JP. The role of the Oxytocin-Neurophysin I gene in contributing to human personality traits promoting sociality. Int J Psychophysiol 2019; 136:81-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2018.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Abstract
During the previous years, voluntary moral bioenhancement (VMBE) has been contrasted to compulsory moral bioenhancement (CMBE). In this paper a third possible type of moral bioenhancement is discussed: genome editing for moral enhancement of the unborn that is neither voluntary nor compulsory, but involuntary. Involuntary moral bioenhancement (IMBE) might engineer people who will be more moral than they otherwise would have been. The possibilities of genome editing aimed at moral enhancement of our offspring is assessed. It is argued that genome editing might have the potential to engineer our offspring in three domains: to be more empathetic, to be less violently aggressive, and to have a higher potential for complex moral reflection. Genome editing is discussed in these three domains, and a proposal made that a combination of VMBE and IMBE might be the best option humans have to become better.
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Guo Z, Xie HQ, Zhang P, Luo Y, Xu T, Liu Y, Fu H, Xu L, Valsami-Jones E, Boksa P, Zhao B. Dioxins as potential risk factors for autism spectrum disorder. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 121:906-915. [PMID: 30347373 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has emerged as a major public health concern due to its fast-growing prevalence in recent decades. Environmental factors are thought to contribute substantially to the variance in ASD. Interest in environmental toxins as causes of ASD has arisen due to the high sensitivity of the developing human brain to toxic chemicals, particularly to dioxin and certain dioxin-like compounds (dioxins). As a group of typical persistent organic pollutants, dioxins have been found to exert adverse effects on human brain development. In this paper, we review the evidence for association of exposure to dioxins with neurodevelopmental abnormalities related to ASD based on both human epidemiological and animal studies. It has been documented that exposure to dioxins during critical developmental periods increased risk for ASD. This notion has been demonstrated in different populations exposed to high or background level of dioxins. Furthermore, the effects and mechanisms of action of dioxins relevant to the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of ASD are summarized, describing potential underlying mechanisms linking dioxin exposure with ASD onset. Further studies focusing on effects of prenatal/perinatal exposure to individual dioxin congeners or to mixtures of dioxins on ASD-associated behavioral and neurobiological consequences in animal models, and on the mechanisms of actions of dioxins, are needed in order to better understand how dioxin exposure might contribute to increased risk for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiling Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Heidi Qunhui Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- University of Birmingham, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Yali Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tuan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yiyun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hualing Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Li Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Eugenia Valsami-Jones
- University of Birmingham, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Patricia Boksa
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Montreal, QC, Canada; Neuroscience Division, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Bin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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68
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A new computational intelligence approach to detect autistic features for autism screening. Int J Med Inform 2018; 117:112-124. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Genes and Pathways Regulated by Androgens in Human Neural Cells, Potential Candidates for the Male Excess in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 84:239-252. [PMID: 29428674 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to androgens during brain development in male individuals may participate to increase their susceptibility to develop neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability. However, little is known about the action of androgens in human neural cells. METHODS We used human neural stem cells differentiated from embryonic stem cells to investigate targets of androgens. RESULTS RNA sequencing revealed that treatment with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) leads to subtle but significant changes in the expression of about 200 genes, encoding proteins of extracellular matrix or involved in signal transduction of growth factors (e.g., insulin/insulin growth factor 1). We showed that the most differentially expressed genes (DEGs), RGCC, RNF144B, NRCAM, TRIM22, FAM107A, IGFBP5, and LAMA2, are reproducibly regulated by different androgens in different genetic backgrounds. We showed, by overexpressing the androgen receptor in neuroblastoma cells SH-SY5Y or knocking it down in human neural stem cells, that this regulation involves the androgen receptor. A chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with direct sequencing analysis identified androgen receptor-bound sequences in nearly half of the DHT-DEGs and in numerous other genes. DHT-DEGs appear enriched in genes involved in ASD (ASXL3, NLGN4X, etc.), associated with ASD (NRCAM), or differentially expressed in patients with ASD (FAM107A, IGFBP5). Androgens increase human neural stem cell proliferation and survival in nutrient-deprived culture conditions, with no detectable effect on regulation of neurite outgrowth. CONCLUSIONS We characterized androgen action in neural progenitor cells, identifying DHT-DEGs that appear to be enriched in genes related to ASD. We also showed that androgens increase proliferation of neuronal precursors and protect them from death during their differentiation in nutrient-deprived conditions.
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Ko HY, Lee WH, Won EK, Ban JJ, Jung DE, Kim Y. The Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient. Psychiatry Investig 2018; 15:783-789. [PMID: 29945427 PMCID: PMC6111222 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2018.02.18.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to investigate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). METHODS 20 participants with high-functioning autism (HFA) and 99 normal participants were recruited. All participants were completed the AQ and Empathy Quotient (EQ), and parents of the HFA group completed the parent-report AQ. For testing the reliability, we examined Cronbach's alpha, performed item analysis, and compared self versus parent report score of HFA participants. For testing the validity, we compared the difference of the score of AQ among HFA and control group using independent t-tests, and performed correlation analysis between AQ and EQ. The receiver operation characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine a cut-off. RESULTS The Korean version of the AQ exhibited adequate internal consistency, and in most items, the HFA group scored higher in comparison to the control group. It was demonstrated that AQ has good discriminant validity through the confirmation of the significant difference in the AQ score between two groups. The concurrent validity was established through the significant correlation between AQ and EQ in the HFA group. The best estimate cut-off score of AQ for screening was 23. CONCLUSION The Korean version of the AQ was determined as a reliable and valid instrument to assess HFA in Korean population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha-Young Ko
- Department of Clinical Psychology, National Center for Mental Health, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Hye Lee
- Department of Clinical Psychology, National Center for Mental Health, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Kyung Won
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Center for Mental Health, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Jeong Ban
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Center for Mental Health, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Da Eun Jung
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Center for Mental Health, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Suwondongbu Branch Office, Gyeonggi-Incheon Regional Headquarter, National Health Insurance Service, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeni Kim
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Center for Mental Health, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Cherskov A, Pohl A, Allison C, Zhang H, Payne RA, Baron-Cohen S. Polycystic ovary syndrome and autism: A test of the prenatal sex steroid theory. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:136. [PMID: 30065244 PMCID: PMC6068102 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0186-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated levels of prenatal testosterone may increase the risk for autism spectrum conditions (autism). Given that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is also associated with elevated prenatal testosterone and its precursor sex steroids, a hypothesis from the prenatal sex steroid theory is that women with PCOS should have elevated autistic traits and a higher rate of autism among their children. Using electronic health records obtained from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) in the UK between 1990 and 2014, we conducted three matched case-control studies. Studies 1 and 2 examined the risk of PCOS in women with autism (n = 971) and the risk of autism in women with PCOS (n = 26,263), respectively, compared with matched controls. Study 3 examined the odds ratio (OR) of autism in first-born children of women with PCOS (n = 8588), matched to 41,127 controls. In Studies 1 and 2 we found increased prevalence of PCOS in women with autism (2.3% vs. 1.1%; unadjusted OR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.22-3.30) and elevated rates of autism in women with PCOS (0.17% vs. 0.09%, unadjusted OR: 1.94 CI: 1.37-2.76). In Study 3 we found the odds of having a child with autism were significantly increased, even after adjustment for maternal psychiatric diagnoses, obstetric complications, and maternal metabolic conditions (unadjusted OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.28-2.00; adjusted OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.06-1.73). These studies provide further evidence that women with PCOS and their children have a greater risk of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Cherskov
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 8AH, UK.
| | - Alexa Pohl
- 0000000121885934grid.5335.0Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 8AH UK
| | - Carrie Allison
- 0000000121885934grid.5335.0Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 8AH UK
| | - Heping Zhang
- 0000000419368710grid.47100.32Department of Biostatistics, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| | - Rupert A. Payne
- 0000000121885934grid.5335.0Primary Care Unit, Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 OSR UK ,0000 0004 1936 7603grid.5337.2Centre for Academic Primary Care, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2PS UK
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 8AH, UK. .,CLASS Clinic, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
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El-Ansary A, Cannell JJ, Bjørklund G, Bhat RS, Al Dbass AM, Alfawaz HA, Chirumbolo S, Al-Ayadhi L. In the search for reliable biomarkers for the early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder: the role of vitamin D. Metab Brain Dis 2018; 33:917-931. [PMID: 29497932 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-018-0199-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects about 1% of the world's population. Vitamin D is thought to be essential for normal brain development and modulation of the immune system. Worldwide about 1 billion people are affected by vitamin D deficiency. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) are biomarkers related to inflammation and oxidative stress. In the present study, these biomarkers were together with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D3) analyzed in 28 (mean age seven years) Saudi male patients with ASD. The study was conducted to determine if there is any relationship between vitamin D levels, the tested biomarkers and the presence and severity of ASD. The hope was to identify if these biomarkers may be useful for early ASD diagnosis. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) were used to measure autism severity. The results of the ASD children were compared with 27 age and gender-matched neurotypical controls. The data indicated that Saudi patients with ASD have significantly lower plasma levels of 25(OH)D3 than neurotypical controls (38 ng/ml compared to 56 ng/ml, respectively; [P = 0.001]). Surprisingly, the levels of CYP2E1 were lower in the children with ASD than the neurotypical controls (0.48 ± 0.08 vs. 69 ± 0.07 ng/ml, respectively; P = 0.001). The ASD children also had significantly higher levels of hs-CRP (0.79 ± 0.09 vs. 0.59 ± 0.09 ng/ml, respectively; P = 0.001) and 8-OH-dG (8.17 ± 1.04 vs. 4.13 ± 1.01 ng/ml, respectively; P = 0.001, compared to neurotypical age and gender-matched controls. The values for hs-CRP and 8-OH-dG did not correlate [P < 0.001] with autism severity. There was found a relationship between autism severity on the CARS scale and the levels of 25(OH)D3 and CYP1B1. But this was not found for SRS. All four biomarkers seemed to have good sensitivity and specificity, but the sample size of the present study was too small to determine clinical usefulness. The findings also indicate that inadequate levels of vitamin D play a role in the etiology and severity of autism. Furthermore, the results of the present study suggest the possibility of using 25(OH)D3, CYP1B1, hs-CRP and 8-OH-dG, preferably in combination, as biomarkers for the early diagnosis of ASD. However, further research is needed to evaluate this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afaf El-Ansary
- Central Laboratory, Female Centre for Scientific and Medical Studies, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
- Autism Research and Treatment Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Shaik AL-Amodi Autism Research Chair, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Toften 24, 8610, Mo i Rana, Norway.
| | - Ramesa Shafi Bhat
- Biochemistry Department, Science College, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer M Al Dbass
- Biochemistry Department, Science College, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanan A Alfawaz
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Laila Al-Ayadhi
- Autism Research and Treatment Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Shaik AL-Amodi Autism Research Chair, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Sahin N, Altun H, Kurutaş EB, Fındıklı E. Evaluation of estrogen and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER) levels in drug-naïve patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2018; 18:126-131. [PMID: 29659348 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2018.2942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen has a crucial role in the regulation of reproductive and neuroendocrine function and exerts its effects through two classes of receptors, nuclear and membrane estrogen receptors (mERs). G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER) is a member of mERs, and despite limited research on the levels of GPER in patients with psychiatric diseases, a role of GPER in such conditions has been suggested. Here we evaluated serum estrogen and GPER levels in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in relation to their age- and gender-matched healthy controls. A total of 82 children were included in the study, 47 drug- naïve patients with ADHD (age: 6-12 years; male/female: 34/13) and 35 healthy controls (age: 6-12 years; male/female: 19/16). The subgroups according to ADHD types were inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and combined. Serum estrogen was measured using an immunoassay system, while serum GPER was determined using a commercial sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Estrogen levels in children with ADHD were similar as in control group, while GPER levels were significantly lower in ADHD group compared to controls (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between GPER levels and ADHD (p < 0.05), and no association between estrogen levels and ADHD (p > 0.05). No significant differences were found in GPER and estrogen levels between ADHD subgroups (p > 0.05). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate estrogen and GPER levels in ADHD. Our preliminary findings suggest a relationship between serum GPER levels and ADHD, and this should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilfer Sahin
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Mugla, Turkey.
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Rotem RS, Chodick G, Davidovitch M, Hauser R, Coull BA, Weisskopf MG. Congenital Abnormalities of the Male Reproductive System and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Am J Epidemiol 2018; 187:656-663. [PMID: 29452340 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwx367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgens have an extensive influence on brain development in regions of the brain that are relevant for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet their etiological involvement remains unclear. Hypospadias (abnormal positioning of the urethral opening) and cryptorchidism (undescended testes) are 2 relatively common male birth defects that are strongly associated with prenatal androgen deficiencies. Having either disorder is a proxy indicator of atypical gestational androgen exposure, yet the association between these disorders and autism has not been extensively studied. We analyzed male singleton live births (n = 224,598) occurring from January 1, 1999, through December 31, 2013, in a large Israeli health-care organization. Boys with autism, cryptorchidism, and hypospadias were identified via International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes, with further verification of autism case status by review of medical records. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, the odds ratio for ASD among boys with either condition was 1.62 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.44, 1.82). The odds ratio for boys with cryptorchidism only was 1.55 (95% CI: 1.34, 1.78), and that for boys with hypospadias only was 1.65 (95% CI: 1.38, 1.98). ASD risk was not elevated among unaffected brothers of hypospadias or cryptorchidism cases, despite familial aggregation of all 3 conditions, providing some indication for the possibility of pregnancy-specific risk factors driving the observed associations. Results suggest that in-utero hypoandrogenicity could play a role in ASD etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran S Rotem
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gabriel Chodick
- Maccabi Institute for Research and Innovation, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marc G Weisskopf
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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Kidron R, Kaganovskiy L, Baron-Cohen S. Empathizing-systemizing cognitive styles: Effects of sex and academic degree. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194515. [PMID: 29579056 PMCID: PMC5868797 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This study tests if the drives to empathize (E) and systemize (S), measured by the Systemizing Quotient-Revised (SQ-R) and Empathy Quotient (EQ), show effects of sex and academic degree. The responses of 419 students from the Humanities and the Physical Sciences were analyzed in terms of the E-S theory predictions. Results confirm that there is an interaction between sex, degree and the drive to empathize relative to systemize. Female students in the Humanities on average had a stronger drive to empathize than to systemize in comparison to males in the Humanities. Male students in the Sciences on average had a stronger drive to systemize than to empathize in comparison to females in the Sciences. Finally, students in the sciences on average had a stronger drive to systemize more than to empathize, irrespective of their sex. The reverse is true for students in the Humanities. These results strongly replicate earlier findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Kidron
- College of Arts and Letters, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey, United States of America
- Department of Psychology, Touro College and University system, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Leon Kaganovskiy
- Mathematics Department, Touro College and University system, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridge Lifespan Asperger Syndrome Service (CLASS) Clinic, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Empathy is the ability to recognize and respond to the emotional states of other individuals. It is an important psychological process that facilitates navigating social interactions and maintaining relationships, which are important for well-being. Several psychological studies have identified difficulties in both self-report and performance-based measures of empathy in a range of psychiatric conditions. To date, no study has systematically investigated the genetic architecture of empathy using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Here we report the results of the largest GWAS of empathy to date using a well-validated self-report measure of empathy, the Empathy Quotient (EQ), in 46,861 research participants from 23andMe, Inc. We identify 11 suggestive loci (P < 1 × 10-6), though none were significant at P < 2.5 × 10-8 after correcting for multiple testing. The most significant SNP was identified in the non-stratified analysis (rs4882760; P = 4.29 × 10-8), and is an intronic SNP in TMEM132C. The EQ had a modest but significant narrow-sense heritability (0.11 ± 0.014; P = 1.7 × 10-14). As predicted, based on earlier work, we confirmed a significant female advantage on the EQ (P < 2 × 10-16, Cohen's d = 0.65). We identified similar SNP heritability and high genetic correlation between the sexes. Also, as predicted, we identified a significant negative genetic correlation between autism and the EQ (rg = -0.27 ± 0.07, P = 1.63 × 10-4). We also identified a significant positive genetic correlation between the EQ and risk for schizophrenia (rg = 0.19 ± 0.04; P = 1.36 × 10-5), risk for anorexia nervosa (rg = 0.32 ± 0.09; P = 6 × 10-4), and extraversion (rg = 0.45 ± 0.08; 5.7 × 10-8). This is the first GWAS of self-reported empathy. The results suggest that the genetic variations associated with empathy also play a role in psychiatric conditions and psychological traits.
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Khorashad BS, Khazai B, Roshan GM, Hiradfar M, Afkhamizadeh M, van de Grift TC. Prenatal testosterone and theory of mind development: Findings from disorders of sex development. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 89:250-255. [PMID: 29398092 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Women on average perform better than men on the "Reading the Mind in the Eyes" test (RMET) which is a measure of Theory of Mind (ToM). The aim of this study was to assess whether these sex differences are influenced by differences in prenatal testosterone levels through a study on individuals with Disorders of Sex Development and matched controls. ToM performance was examined using the RMET in female-assigned-at-birth individuals with increased prenatal testosterone exposure (Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) and 5-alpha Reductase type-2 Deficiency (5α-RD-2)), female-assigned-at-birth individuals with testosterone insensitivity (Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS)), and their age-matched unaffected male and female relatives. A total number of 158 individuals participated in the study; 19 with 5α-RD-2, 17 with CAH, 18 women with CAIS, 52 matched unaffected men and 52 matched unaffected women. All subgroups were around 20 years of age. Women with CAH scored significantly lower on RMET than control women and CAIS individuals. CAIS individuals scored significantly higher than control men and participants with 5α-RD. Statistically, CAIS individuals' performance on RMET was similar to control women's, women with CAH did not differ significantly from control men and 5α-RD-2 individuals scored significantly lower than control men. These results, which are in line with previous theories, illustrate that performance on the RMET, as an index of ToM, may be influenced by variations in prenatal androgens levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behzad S Khorashad
- Transgender Studies Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Behnaz Khazai
- Transgender Studies Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Ghasem M Roshan
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mehran Hiradfar
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mozhgan Afkhamizadeh
- Endocrine Research Center, Department of Endocrinology, Iman Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Tim C van de Grift
- Department of Medical Psychology (Gender and Sexology), VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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78
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Dickerson AS, Rotem RS, Christian MA, Nguyen VT, Specht AJ. Potential Sex Differences Relative to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Metals. Curr Environ Health Rep 2018; 4:405-414. [PMID: 28988324 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-017-0164-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This study aims to summarize the current body of literature on the relationship between various toxic metals exposures (i.e., aluminum, antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, and nickel) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with a focus on potential sex differences in these associations. RECENT FINDINGS Sex differences in ASD diagnosis and mutagenic effects of toxic exposures indicate that sex differences may play a major part in the causal relationship of any potential associations seen; however, we were only able to find three studies that reported on sex differences in observed associations with toxic metals exposure and ASD. We also found several studies investigating associations between ASD and metals exposures, including 11 on aluminum, 6 on antimony, 15 on arsenic, 5 on beryllium, 17 on cadmium, 11 on chromium, 25 on lead, 14 on manganese, and 13 on nickel with markers of exposure in hair, urine, blood, teeth, fingernails, and air pollution. Results for each metal were conflicting, but studies on cadmium and lead yielded the highest proportion of studies with positive results (72% and 36%, respectively). Based on our examination of existing literature, the current evidence warrants a considerable need for evaluations of sex differences in future studies assessing the association between metals exposures and ASD. Additionally, failure to account for potential sex differences could result in bias and misinterpretation of exposure-disease relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha S Dickerson
- Departments of Epidemiology and Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. .,Environmental and Occupation Medicine and Epidemiology Division of the Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Street, Landmark Center L3-125, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ran S Rotem
- Department Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - MacKinsey A Christian
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, and Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Vy T Nguyen
- Department Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Aaron J Specht
- Department Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
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79
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Thabtah F. Machine learning in autistic spectrum disorder behavioral research: A review and ways forward. Inform Health Soc Care 2018; 44:278-297. [DOI: 10.1080/17538157.2017.1399132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fadi Thabtah
- Health and Human Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
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80
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Cataldo I, Azhari A, Esposito G. A Review of Oxytocin and Arginine-Vasopressin Receptors and Their Modulation of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:27. [PMID: 29487501 PMCID: PMC5816822 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) play a key regulatory part in social and affiliative behaviors; two aspects highly compromised in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Furthermore, variants in the adjacent oxytocin-vasopressin gene regions have been found to be associated with ASD diagnosis and endophenotypes. This review focuses mainly on common OXTr single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), AVPR1a microsatellites and AVPR1b polymorphisms in relation to the development of autism. Although these genes did not surface in genome-wide association studies, evidence supports the hypothesis that these receptors and their polymorphisms are widely involved in the regulation of social behavior, and in modulating neural and physiological pathways contributing to the etiology of ASD. With a specific focus on variants considered to be among the most prevalent in the development of ASD, these issues will be discussed in-depth and suggestions to approach inconsistencies in the present literature will be provided. Translational implications and future directions are deliberated from a short-term and a forward-looking perspective. While the scientific community has made significant progress in enhancing our understanding of ASD, more research is required for the ontology of this disorder to be fully elucidated. By supplementing information related to genetics, highlighting the differences across male and female sexes, this review provides a wider view of the current state of knowledge of OXTr and AVPr mechanisms of functioning, eventually addressing future research in the identification of further risk factors, to build new strategies for early interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Cataldo
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy.,Mobile and Social Computing Lab, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy
| | - Atiqah Azhari
- Division of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy.,Division of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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81
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Hovey D, Henningsson S, Cortes DS, Bänziger T, Zettergren A, Melke J, Fischer H, Laukka P, Westberg L. Emotion recognition associated with polymorphism in oxytocinergic pathway gene ARNT2. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2018; 13:173-181. [PMID: 29194499 PMCID: PMC5827350 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsx141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to correctly understand the emotional expression of another person is essential for social relationships and appears to be a partly inherited trait. The neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin have been shown to influence this ability as well as face processing in humans. Here, recognition of the emotional content of faces and voices, separately and combined, was investigated in 492 subjects, genotyped for 25 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in eight genes encoding proteins important for oxytocin and vasopressin neurotransmission. The SNP rs4778599 in the gene encoding aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator 2 (ARNT2), a transcription factor that participates in the development of hypothalamic oxytocin and vasopressin neurons, showed an association that survived correction for multiple testing with emotion recognition of audio-visual stimuli in women (n = 309). This study demonstrates evidence for an association that further expands previous findings of oxytocin and vasopressin involvement in emotion recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Hovey
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Susanne Henningsson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Diana S Cortes
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tanja Bänziger
- Department of Psychology, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Anna Zettergren
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jonas Melke
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Håkan Fischer
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Petri Laukka
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Westberg
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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82
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Ali A, Cui X, Eyles D. Developmental vitamin D deficiency and autism: Putative pathogenic mechanisms. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 175:108-118. [PMID: 28027915 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disease that presents in early life. Despite a considerable amount of studies, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying autism remain obscure. Both genetic and environmental factors are involved in the development of autism. Vitamin D deficiency is emerging as a consistently reported risk factor in children. One reason for the prominence now being given to this risk factor is that it would appear to interact with several other epidemiological risk factors for autism. Vitamin D is an active neurosteroid and plays crucial neuroprotective roles in the developing brain. It has important roles in cell proliferation and differentiation, immunomodulation, regulation of neurotransmission and steroidogenesis. Animal studies have suggested that transient prenatal vitamin D deficiency is associated with altered brain development. Here we review the potential neurobiological mechanisms linking prenatal vitamin D deficiency and autism and also discuss what future research targets must now be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asad Ali
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Xiaoying Cui
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Darryl Eyles
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Qld 4072, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, Qld 4076, Australia.
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83
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Ocakoğlu FT, Köse S, Özbaran B, Onay H. The oxytocin receptor gene polymorphism -rs237902- is associated with the severity of autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study. Asian J Psychiatr 2018; 31:142-149. [PMID: 29428512 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous studies showed the association of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene. We aimed to explore the OXTR gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the ASD severity categories based on DSM-5. METHOD The whole encoding regions of the human OXTR gene were sequenced to identify the SNPs in 100 Turkish children with ASD. Genotypes of detected SNPs were also compared with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores. RESULTS Disease severity of the patients carrying GA and AA genotypes (GA/AA) of rs237902 were found more severe compared to those carrying GG genotype (χ2 = 6.456, df = 2, p = .040). This finding was more powerful in boys (χ2 = 9.288, df = 2, p = .010). Similarly, GA/AA genotypes of rs237902 were found associated with higher CARS scores in boys (U = 650.5, r = 0.24, p = .021). CONCLUSION Significant relationship between the ASD severity categories of DSM-5 and rs237902 was shown for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fevzi Tuna Ocakoğlu
- Batman District State Hospital, Child Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic, MA: 72070, Batman, Turkey.
| | - Sezen Köse
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ege University School of Medicine, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Burcu Özbaran
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ege University School of Medicine, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Hüseyin Onay
- Department of Medical Genetic, Ege University School of Medicine, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey.
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84
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Kalkman HO, Feuerbach D. Microglia M2A Polarization as Potential Link between Food Allergy and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2017; 10:ph10040095. [PMID: 29232822 PMCID: PMC5748650 DOI: 10.3390/ph10040095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Atopic diseases are frequently co-morbid with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Allergic responses are associated with an activation of mast cells, innate lymphoid cells, and Th2 cells. These cells produce type-2 cytokines (IL4 and IL13), which stimulate microglia and macrophages to adopt a phenotype referred to as ‘alternative activation’ or ‘M2A’. M2A-polarized macrophages and microglia play a physiological role in tissue repair by secreting growth factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor-1. In ASD there is evidence for increased type-2 cytokines, microglia activation, M2A polarization, and increased levels of growth factors. In neurons, these growth factors drive a signal transduction pathway that leads to activation of the enzyme mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR), and thereby to the inhibition of autophagy. Activation of mTOR is an effect that is also common to several of the genetic forms of autism. In the central nervous system, redundant synapses are removed via an autophagic process. Activation of mTOR would diminish the pruning of redundant synapses, which in the context of ASD is likely to be undesired. Based on this line of reasoning, atopic diseases like food allergy, eczema or asthma would represent risk factors for autism spectrum disorders.
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85
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Kasem E, Kurihara T, Tabuchi K. Neurexins and neuropsychiatric disorders. Neurosci Res 2017; 127:53-60. [PMID: 29221905 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2017.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Neurexins are a family of presynaptic single-pass transmembrane proteins that act as synaptic organizers in mammals. The neurexins consist of three genes (NRXN1, NRXN2, and NRXN3), each of which produces a longer α- and shorter β-form. Genomic alterations in NRXN genes have been identified in a wide variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), schizophrenia, intellectual disability (ID), and addiction. Remarkably, a bi-allelic deficiency of NRXN1 was recently linked to Pitt-Hopkins syndrome. The fact that some mono-allelic functional variants of NRXNs are also found in healthy controls indicates that other genetic or environmental factors affect the penetrance of NRXN deficiency. In this review, we summarize the common research methods and representative results of human genetic studies that have implicated NRXN variants in various neuropsychiatric disorders. We also summarize studies of rodent models with NRXN deficiencies that complement our knowledge of human genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enas Kasem
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621 Japan
| | - Taiga Kurihara
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621 Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Tabuchi
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621 Japan; Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research, Shinshu University, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan.
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86
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Decreased levels of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor in children with autism spectrum disorders. Psychiatry Res 2017; 257:67-71. [PMID: 28734238 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Sex hormones, specially estrogen, and ıt is receptors plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between ASD and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), a recently discovered estrogen receptors, and also to study the relation of serum GPER levels with the severity of autistic symptoms. The present study included 45 children with drug naive ASD diagnosed by DSM-V criteria, aged between 3 and 12 years and 40 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. The severity of ASD was evaluated with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) total score. The GPER levels in the serum were measured using the quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique. The serum GPER level was significantly lower in the ASD patients than in the controls. There was a negative significant correlation between the GPER level and the CARS score. There were no significant correlations between GPER level with estradiol and age. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the decreased serum GPER levels were associated with ASD and GPER may play an important role in the etiology of ASD.
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87
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Filippou P, Homburg R. Is foetal hyperexposure to androgens a cause of PCOS? Hum Reprod Update 2017; 23:421-432. [PMID: 28531286 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmx013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy affecting reproductive-aged women. The pathophysiology of this syndrome is still not completely understood but recent evidence suggests that the intra-uterine environment may be a key factor in the pathogenesis of PCOS, in particular, hyperexposure of the foetus to androgens. High concentrations of maternal serum testosterone during pregnancy have been shown to influence behaviour during childhood, the prevalence of autism disorders and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentrations in adolescence. They are also thought to re-programme the female reproductive axis to induce the features of PCOS in later life: oligo/anovulation, polycystic ovaries, hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance (IR). Support for this developmental theory for the aetiology of PCOS is gathering momentum, following results from first animal studies and now human data, which lend credence to many aspects of this hypothesis. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE In this review the recent available evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that hyperandrogenic changes in the intra-uterine environment could play a major part in the aetiological basis of PCOS. SEARCH METHODS An extensive PubMED and MEDline database search was conducted. Relevant studies were identified using a combination of search terms: 'polycystic ovary syndrome', 'PCOS', 'aetiology', 'anti-Mullerian hormone', 'AMH', 'pathogenesis', 'kisspeptin', 'hyperandrogenism', 'insulin resistance', 'metabolic factors', 'placenta', 'developmental hypothesis', 'genetic and epigenetic origins'. OUTCOMES A total of 82 studies were finally included in this review. There is robust evidence that a hyperandrogenic intra-uterine environment 'programmes' the genes concerned with ovarian steroidogenesis, insulin metabolism, gonadotrophin secretion and ovarian follicle development resulting in the development of PCOS in adult life. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Once the evidence supporting this hypothesis has been expanded by additional studies, the door would be open to find innovative treatments and preventative measures for this very prevalent condition. Such measures could considerably ease the human and economic burden that PCOS creates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Filippou
- Homerton Fertility Centre, Homerton University Hospital, London E9 6SR, UK
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88
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Maney DL. Polymorphisms in sex steroid receptors: From gene sequence to behavior. Front Neuroendocrinol 2017; 47:47-65. [PMID: 28705582 PMCID: PMC6312198 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Sex steroid receptors have received much interest as potential mediators of human behaviors and mental disorders. Candidate gene association studies have identified about 50 genetic variants of androgen and estrogen receptors that correlate with human behavioral phenotypes. Because most of these polymorphisms lie outside coding regions, discerning their effect on receptor function is not straightforward. Thus, although discoveries of associations improve our ability to predict risk, they have not greatly advanced our understanding of underlying mechanisms. This article is intended to serve as a starting point for psychologists and other behavioral biologists to consider potential mechanisms. Here, I review associations between polymorphisms in sex steroid receptors and human behavioral phenotypes. I then consider ways in which genetic variation can affect processes such as mRNA transcription, splicing, and stability. Finally, I suggest ways that hypotheses about mechanism can be tested, for example using in vitro assays and/or animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna L Maney
- Department of Psychology, 36 Eagle Row, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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89
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Sayad A, Noroozi R, Omrani MD, Taheri M, Ghafouri-Fard S. Retinoic acid-related orphan receptor alpha (RORA) variants are associated with autism spectrum disorder. Metab Brain Dis 2017; 32:1595-1601. [PMID: 28608249 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-017-0049-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with various epidemiologic, genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors being associated with it. The observed sex bias in ASD towards male has prompted investigators to propose sex-dependent mechanisms for ASD. Retinoic acid-related orphan receptor-alpha (RORA) is a new autism candidate gene that has been shown to be differentially regulated by male and female hormones. Previous studies have shown deregulation of its expression in the prefrontal cortex and the cerebellum of ASD patients. In the present study we aimed at identification of the possible associations between two functional polymorphisms in the RORA gene (rs11639084 and rs4774388) and the risk of ASD in 518 Iranian ASD patients and 472 age, gender, and ethnic-matched healthy controls by means of tetra primer-amplification refractory mutation system-PCR. The allele and genotype frequencies of rs11639084 were not significantly different between patients and controls. However, the allele frequencies of rs4774388 showed significant overrepresentation of T allele in patients compared with controls (P = 0.04, OR (95% CI) =1.21 (1.01-1.46)). The rs4774388-TT genotype was significantly higher in patients compared with controls and was associated with ASD risk in dominant inheritance model (P = 0.04, OR (95% CI) =0.77 (0.59-0.99)). Haplotype analysis showed significant association of two estimated blocks of rs11639084/ rs4774388 with ASD risk. Consequently, the present data provide further evidence for RORA participation in the pathogenesis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arezou Sayad
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rezvan Noroozi
- Phytochemistry Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mir Davood Omrani
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Urogenital Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, No 23, Shahid Labbafi Nejad Educational Hospital, Amir Ebrahimi St, Pasdaran Ave, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Urogenital Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, No 23, Shahid Labbafi Nejad Educational Hospital, Amir Ebrahimi St, Pasdaran Ave, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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90
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Zou Y, Lu Q, Zheng D, Chu Z, Liu Z, Chen H, Ruan Q, Ge X, Zhang Z, Wang X, Lou W, Huang Y, Wang Y, Huang X, Liu Z, Xie W, Zhou Y, Yao P. Prenatal levonorgestrel exposure induces autism-like behavior in offspring through ERβ suppression in the amygdala. Mol Autism 2017; 8:46. [PMID: 28824796 PMCID: PMC5561609 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0159-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social communication and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is now diagnosed in more than one out of 100 children and is biased towards males by a ratio of at least 4:1. Many possible explanations and potential causative factors have been reported, such as genetics, sex, and environmental factors, although the detailed mechanisms of ASD remain unclear. METHODS The dams were exposed through oral contraceptives to either vehicle control (VEH) alone, levonorgestrel (LNG) alone, ethinyl estradiol (EE) alone, or a combination of LNG/EE for 21 days during their pregnancy. The subsequent 10-week-old offspring were used for autism-like behavior testing, and the limbic tissues were isolated for analysis. In another experimental group, 8-week-old male offspring were treated by infusion of ERβ overexpression/knockdown lentivirus in the amygdala, and the offspring were analyzed after 2 weeks. RESULTS We show that prenatal exposure of either LNG alone or a LNG/EE combination, but not EE alone, results in suppression of ERβ (estrogen receptor β) and its target genes in the amygdala with autism-like behavior in male offspring, while there is a much smaller effect on female offspring. However, we find that there is no effect on the hippocampus and hypothalamus. Further investigation shows that ERβ suppression is due to LNG-mediated altered methylation on the ERβ promoter and results in tissue damage with oxidative stress and the dysfunction of mitochondria and fatty acid metabolism, which subsequently triggers autism-like behavior. Overexpression of ERβ in the amygdala completely restores LNG-induced ERβ suppression and autism-like behaviors in offspring, while ERβ knockdown mimics this effect, indicating that ERβ expression in the amygdala plays an important role in autism-like behavior development. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that prenatal levonorgestrel exposure induces autism-like behavior in offspring through ERβ suppression in the amygdala. To our knowledge, this is the first time the potential effect of oral contraceptives on the contribution of autism-like behavior in offspring has been discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanlin Zou
- Internal Medicine of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 People's Republic of China.,Tongji Wenchang Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wenchang, 571321 People's Republic of China
| | - Qiaomei Lu
- Internal Medicine of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 People's Republic of China.,Tongji Wenchang Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wenchang, 571321 People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Zheng
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 People's Republic of China
| | - Zhigang Chu
- Institute of Burns, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060 People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoyu Liu
- Internal Medicine of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 People's Republic of China.,Tongji Wenchang Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wenchang, 571321 People's Republic of China
| | - Haijia Chen
- SALIAI Stem Cell Institute of Guangdong, Guangzhou SALIAI Stem Cell Science and Technology Co. LTD, Guangzhou, 510055 People's Republic of China
| | - Qiongfang Ruan
- Institute of Burns, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060 People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohu Ge
- SALIAI Stem Cell Institute of Guangdong, Guangzhou SALIAI Stem Cell Science and Technology Co. LTD, Guangzhou, 510055 People's Republic of China
| | - Ziyun Zhang
- Internal Medicine of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 People's Republic of China.,Tongji Wenchang Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wenchang, 571321 People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- SALIAI Stem Cell Institute of Guangdong, Guangzhou SALIAI Stem Cell Science and Technology Co. LTD, Guangzhou, 510055 People's Republic of China
| | - Wenting Lou
- Institute of Burns, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060 People's Republic of China
| | - Yongjian Huang
- Tongji Wenchang Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wenchang, 571321 People's Republic of China
| | - Yifei Wang
- SALIAI Stem Cell Institute of Guangdong, Guangzhou SALIAI Stem Cell Science and Technology Co. LTD, Guangzhou, 510055 People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodong Huang
- Institute of Burns, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060 People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengxiang Liu
- Internal Medicine of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 People's Republic of China.,Tongji Wenchang Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wenchang, 571321 People's Republic of China
| | - Weiguo Xie
- Institute of Burns, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060 People's Republic of China
| | - Yikai Zhou
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 People's Republic of China
| | - Paul Yao
- Internal Medicine of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 People's Republic of China.,Tongji Wenchang Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wenchang, 571321 People's Republic of China.,Institute of Burns, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060 People's Republic of China
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91
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Wang X, Liang S, Sun Y, Li H, Endo F, Nakao M, Saitoh N, Wu L. Analysis of estrogen receptor β gene methylation in autistic males in a Chinese Han population. Metab Brain Dis 2017; 32:1033-1042. [PMID: 28299627 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-017-9990-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopment disorder with abnormalities of social interaction, communication and repetitive behaviors. The higher prevalence of ASD in men implies a potential relationship between sex hormones and ASD etiology. The ESR2 gene encodes estrogen receptor beta (ESR2) and plays an important role during brain development. A relationship between ESR2 and ASD has been suggested by studies on single nucleotide polymorphisms and mRNA and protein expression levels in ASD patients. Here, we explored the possible epigenetic regulation of the ESR2 gene in autism. We collected genomic DNA from the peripheral blood of Chinese Han males with autism and age-matched normal males and measured DNA methylation of CpG islands in the ESR2 gene, which consisted of 41 CpG sites among the proximal promoter region and an untranslated exon, by bisulfite sequencing. We also investigated a relationship between DNA methylation and phenotypic features of autism, as assessed by the Children Autism Rating Scale. We found little overall difference in the DNA methylation of the ESR2 5'-flanking region in individuals with autism compared with normal individuals. However, detailed analyses revealed that eight specific CpG sites were hypermethylated in autistic individuals and that four specific CpG sites were positively associated with the severity of autistic symptoms. Our study indicates that the epigenetic dysregulation of ESR2 may govern the development of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelai Wang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, No.157 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150081, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Shuang Liang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, No.157 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, No.157 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Haixin Li
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, No.157 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Fumio Endo
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Mitsuyoshi Nakao
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Noriko Saitoh
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan.
- Department of Cancer Biology, The Cancer Institute of JFCR, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan.
| | - Lijie Wu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, No.157 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150081, China.
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92
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Gillberg C, Fernell E, Kočovská E, Minnis H, Bourgeron T, Thompson L, Allely CS. The role of cholesterol metabolism and various steroid abnormalities in autism spectrum disorders: A hypothesis paper. Autism Res 2017; 10:1022-1044. [PMID: 28401679 PMCID: PMC5485071 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Based on evidence from the relevant research literature, we present a hypothesis that there may be a link between cholesterol, vitamin D, and steroid hormones which subsequently impacts on the development of at least some of the "autisms" [Coleman & Gillberg]. Our hypothesis, driven by the peer reviewed literature, posits that there may be links between cholesterol metabolism, which we will refer to as "steroid metabolism" and findings of steroid abnormalities of various kinds (cortisol, testosterone, estrogens, progesterone, vitamin D) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Further research investigating these potential links is warranted to further our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying ASD. Autism Res 2017. © 2017 The Authors Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Autism Research. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1022-1044. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Gillberg
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Elisabeth Fernell
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Eva Kočovská
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Barts and London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, Blizard Institute58 Turner StreetE1 2ABLondon
| | - Helen Minnis
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, RHSC YorkhillGlasgowScotlandG3 8SJUnited Kingdom
| | - Thomas Bourgeron
- Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions UnitParisFrance
- CNRS UMR 3571: Genes, Synapses and Cognition, Institut PasteurParisFrance
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris CitéHuman Genetics and Cognitive FunctionsParisFrance
- FondaMental FoundationCréteilFrance
| | - Lucy Thompson
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, RHSC YorkhillGlasgowScotlandG3 8SJUnited Kingdom
| | - Clare S. Allely
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- School of Health SciencesUniversity of SalfordManchesterEngland
- Honorary Research Fellow in the College of MedicalVeterinary and Life Sciences affiliated to the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow
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93
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Delineating the Common Biological Pathways Perturbed by ASD's Genetic Etiology: Lessons from Network-Based Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18040828. [PMID: 28420080 PMCID: PMC5412412 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18040828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades it has become clear that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) possesses a diverse and heterogeneous genetic etiology. Aberrations in hundreds of genes have been associated with ASD so far, which include both rare and common variations. While one may expect that these genes converge on specific common molecular pathways, which drive the development of the core ASD characteristics, the task of elucidating these common molecular pathways has been proven to be challenging. Several studies have combined genetic analysis with bioinformatical techniques to uncover molecular mechanisms that are specifically targeted by autism-associated genetic aberrations. Recently, several analysis have suggested that particular signaling mechanisms, including the Wnt and Ca2+/Calmodulin-signaling pathways are often targeted by autism-associated mutations. In this review, we discuss several studies that determine specific molecular pathways affected by autism-associated mutations, and then discuss more in-depth into the biological roles of a few of these pathways, and how they may be involved in the development of ASD. Considering that these pathways may be targeted by specific pharmacological intervention, they may prove to be important therapeutic targets for the treatment of ASD.
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94
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Independent Maternal and Fetal Genetic Effects on Midgestational Circulating Levels of Environmental Pollutants. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2017; 7:1287-1299. [PMID: 28235828 PMCID: PMC5386877 DOI: 10.1534/g3.117.039784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Maternal exposure to environmental pollutants could affect fetal brain development and increase autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk in conjunction with differential genetic susceptibility. Organohalogen congeners measured in maternal midpregnancy blood samples have recently shown significant, but negative associations with offspring ASD outcome. We report the first large-scale maternal and fetal genetic study of the midpregnancy serum levels of a set of 21 organohalogens in a subset of 790 genotyped women and 764 children collected in California by the Early Markers for Autism (EMA) Project. Levels of PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) and PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ether) congeners showed high maternal and fetal estimated SNP-based heritability (h2g) accounting for 39–99% of the total variance. Genome-wide association analyses identified significant maternal loci for p,p′-DDE (P = 7.8 × 10−11) in the CYP2B6 gene and for BDE-28 (P = 3.2 × 10−8) near the SH3GL2 gene, both involved in xenobiotic and lipid metabolism. Fetal genetic loci contributed to the levels of BDE-100 (P = 4.6 × 10−8) and PCB187 (P = 2.8 × 10−8), near the potential metabolic genes LOXHD1 and PTPRD, previously implicated in neurodevelopment. Negative associations were observed for BDE-100, BDE153, and the sum of PBDEs with ASD, partly explained by genome-wide additive genetic effects that predicted PBDE levels. Our results support genetic control of midgestational biomarkers for environmental exposures by nonoverlapping maternal and fetal genetic determinants, suggesting that future studies of environmental risk factors should take genetic variation into consideration. The independent influence of fetal genetics supports previous hypotheses that fetal genotypes expressed in placenta can influence maternal physiology and the transplacental transfer of organohalogens.
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95
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Lyall K, Croen LA, Sjödin A, Yoshida CK, Zerbo O, Kharrazi M, Windham GC. Polychlorinated Biphenyl and Organochlorine Pesticide Concentrations in Maternal Mid-Pregnancy Serum Samples: Association with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2017; 125:474-480. [PMID: 27548254 PMCID: PMC5332182 DOI: 10.1289/ehp277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are neurodevelopmental toxicants, but few studies have examined associations with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine whether prenatal exposure to PCBs and OCPs influences offspring risk of ASD and intellectual disability without autism (ID). METHODS We conducted a population-based case-control study among Southern California births, including children with ASD (n = 545) meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV-TR) criteria and ID (n = 181), as well as general population (GP) controls (n = 418). Concentrations of 11 PCB congeners and 2 OCPs measured in banked second-trimester serum samples were compared between the diagnostic groups. Logistic regression was used to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for associations with ASD, and separately for ID, compared with GP controls, by quartiles of analyte concentrations in primary analyses. RESULTS Geometric mean levels of several PCB congeners were higher in the ASD group than in the ID and GP groups. ASD risk was elevated for a number of PCB congeners, particularly for the highest vs. lowest quartile of PCB138/158 (AOR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.71) and PCB153 (AOR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.10, 3.02), and for highest deciles of other congeners in secondary analyses. PCB138/158 was also associated with increased ID (AOR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.18, 4.91), though no trend was suggested. OCPs were not associated with increased risk of ASD in primary analyses, whereas nonmonotonic increases in risk of ID were found with p,p´-DDE. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest higher levels of some organochlorine compounds during pregnancy are associated with ASD and ID. Citation: Lyall K, Croen LA, Sjödin A, Yoshida CK, Zerbo O, Kharrazi M, Windham GC. 2017. Polychlorinated biphenyl and organochlorine pesticide concentrations in maternal mid-pregnancy serum samples: association with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Environ Health Perspect 125:474-480; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP277.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Lyall
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, USA
- Address correspondence to K. Lyall, AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Suite 560, 3200 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA. Telephone: (215) 571-3215. E-mail:
| | - Lisa. A. Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Andreas Sjödin
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Ousseny Zerbo
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Martin Kharrazi
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, USA
| | - Gayle C. Windham
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, USA
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96
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Park BY, Lee BK, Burstyn I, Tabb LP, Keelan JA, Whitehouse AJO, Croen LA, Fallin MD, Hertz-Picciotto I, Montgomery O, Newschaffer CJ. Umbilical cord blood androgen levels and ASD-related phenotypes at 12 and 36 months in an enriched risk cohort study. Mol Autism 2017; 8:3. [PMID: 28163867 PMCID: PMC5282802 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0118-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects more than 1% of children in the USA. The male-to-female prevalence ratio of roughly 4:1 in ASD is a well-recognized but poorly understood phenomenon. An explicit focus on potential etiologic pathways consistent with this sex difference, such as those involving prenatal androgen exposure, may help elucidate causes of ASD. Furthermore, the multi-threshold liability model suggests that the genetic mechanisms in females with ASD may be distinct and may modulate ASD risk in families with female ASD in the pedigree. Methods We examined umbilical cord blood from 137 children in the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI) cohort. EARLI is an ASD-enriched risk cohort with all children having an older sibling already diagnosed with ASD. Fetal testosterone (T), androstenedione (A4), and dehyroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels were measured in cord blood using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Robust linear regression models were used to determine associations between cord blood androgen levels and 12-month Autism Observation Scales for Infants (AOSI) scores and 36-month Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) scores adjusting for potential confounders. Results Increasing androgens were not associated with increasing 12-month AOSI score or 36-month total SRS score in either boys or girls. However, the association between T and autistic traits among subjects with a female older affected sibling was greater at 12 months (test of interaction, P = 0.008) and deficits in reciprocal social behavior at 36 months were also greater (test of interaction, P = 0.006) than in subjects whose older affected sibling was male. Conclusions While increased prenatal testosterone levels were not associated with autistic traits at 12 or 36 months, our findings of a positive association in infants whose older ASD-affected siblings were female suggests an androgen-related mechanism that may be dependent on, or related to, genetic liability factors present more often in families containing female ASD cases. However, this initial finding, based on a small subgroup of our sample, should be interpreted with considerable caution. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13229-017-0118-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Y Park
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway HH884, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Brian K Lee
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University School of Public Health, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, 3020 Market St. Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Igor Burstyn
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, 3020 Market St. Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Loni P Tabb
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University School of Public Health, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Jeff A Keelan
- School of Women's and Infants' Health, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009 Australia
| | - Andrew J O Whitehouse
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, 100 Roberts Rd, Subiaco, WA 6009 Australia
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612 USA
| | - Margaret D Fallin
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway HH884, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- The MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, University of California Davis, One Shields Ave. Med-Sci 1C, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Owen Montgomery
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Drexel University College of Medicine, 219 N. Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 USA
| | - Craig J Newschaffer
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University School of Public Health, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, 3020 Market St. Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
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97
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Peñagarikano O. Oxytocin in animal models of autism spectrum disorder. Dev Neurobiol 2017; 77:202-213. [DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 07/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olga Peñagarikano
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine; University of the Basque Country; Sarriena s/n Leioa 48940 Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research Network in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), ISCIII; Spain
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98
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Åsberg Johnels J, Hovey D, Zürcher N, Hippolyte L, Lemonnier E, Gillberg C, Hadjikhani N. Autism and emotional face-viewing. Autism Res 2016; 10:901-910. [DOI: 10.1002/aur.1730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Åsberg Johnels
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg; Sweden
- Section of speech and language pathology; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg; Sweden
| | - Daniel Hovey
- Department of Pharmacology; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg; Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Nicole Zürcher
- Harvard Medical School/MGH/MIT, Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging; Boston USA
| | - Loyse Hippolyte
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois; Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Eric Lemonnier
- Centre Resources Autisme; Limoges France
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences, UBO; Brest France
| | - Christopher Gillberg
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg; Sweden
| | - Nouchine Hadjikhani
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg; Sweden
- Harvard Medical School/MGH/MIT, Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging; Boston USA
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Francis SM, Kim SJ, Kistner-Griffin E, Guter S, Cook EH, Jacob S. ASD and Genetic Associations with Receptors for Oxytocin and Vasopressin- AVPR1A, AVPR1B, and OXTR. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:516. [PMID: 27920663 PMCID: PMC5118619 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: There are limited treatments available for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Studies have reported significant associations between the receptor genes of oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) and ASD diagnosis, as well as ASD-related phenotypes. Researchers have also found the manipulation of these systems affects social and repetitive behaviors, core characteristics of ASD. Consequently, research involving the oxytocin/vasopressin pathways as intervention targets has increased. Therefore, further examination into the relationship between these neuropeptides and ASD was undertaken. In this study, we examined associations between variants in the receptor genes of vasopressin (AVPR1A, AVPR1B), oxytocin (OXTR), and ASD diagnosis along with related subphenotypes. Methods: Probands were assessed using Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, and clinical DSM-IV-TR criteria. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in AVPR1B and OXTR, and microsatellites in AVPR1A were genotyped in ~200 families with a proband with ASD. Family-based association testing (FBAT) was utilized to determine associations between variants and ASD. Haplotypes composed of OXTR SNPs (i.e., rs53576-rs2254298-rs2268493) were also analyzed due to previously published associations. Results: Using the additive inheritance model in FBAT we found associations between AVPR1B SNPs (rs28632197, p = 0.005, rs35369693, p = 0.025) and diagnosis. As in other studies, OXTR rs2268493 (p = 0.050) was associated with diagnosis. rs2268493 was also associated with ASD subphenotypes of social withdrawal (p = 0.013) and Insistence on Sameness (p = 0.039). Further analyses demonstrated that the haplotype, rs2254298–rs2268493 was found to be significantly associated with diagnosis (A-T; p = 0.026). FBAT was also used to analyze AVPR1A microsatellites (RS1 and RS3). Both length variants were found to be associated with restrictive, repetitive behaviors, but not overall diagnosis. Correction for multiple comparisons was performed for SNPs tested in each gene region, only AVPR1B SNPs remained significantly associated with ASD diagnosis. Conclusions: Autism is a heterogeneous disorder with many genes and pathways that contribute to its development. SNPs and microsatellites in the receptor genes of OT and AVP are associated with ASD diagnosis and measures of social behavior as well as restricted repetitive behaviors. We reported a novel association with ASD and AVPR1B SNPs. Understanding of genotype-phenotype relationships may be helpful in the development of pharmacological interventions for the OT/AVP system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunday M Francis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Soo-Jeong Kim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington WA, USA
| | - Emily Kistner-Griffin
- Biostatistics Shared Resource, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Stephen Guter
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Juvenile Research, University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Edwin H Cook
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Juvenile Research, University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Suma Jacob
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Lin YC, Frei JA, Kilander MBC, Shen W, Blatt GJ. A Subset of Autism-Associated Genes Regulate the Structural Stability of Neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:263. [PMID: 27909399 PMCID: PMC5112273 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a range of neurological conditions that affect individuals’ ability to communicate and interact with others. People with ASD often exhibit marked qualitative difficulties in social interaction, communication, and behavior. Alterations in neurite arborization and dendritic spine morphology, including size, shape, and number, are hallmarks of almost all neurological conditions, including ASD. As experimental evidence emerges in recent years, it becomes clear that although there is broad heterogeneity of identified autism risk genes, many of them converge into similar cellular pathways, including those regulating neurite outgrowth, synapse formation and spine stability, and synaptic plasticity. These mechanisms together regulate the structural stability of neurons and are vulnerable targets in ASD. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of those autism risk genes that affect the structural connectivity of neurons. We sub-categorize them into (1) cytoskeletal regulators, e.g., motors and small RhoGTPase regulators; (2) adhesion molecules, e.g., cadherins, NCAM, and neurexin superfamily; (3) cell surface receptors, e.g., glutamatergic receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases; (4) signaling molecules, e.g., protein kinases and phosphatases; and (5) synaptic proteins, e.g., vesicle and scaffolding proteins. Although the roles of some of these genes in maintaining neuronal structural stability are well studied, how mutations contribute to the autism phenotype is still largely unknown. Investigating whether and how the neuronal structure and function are affected when these genes are mutated will provide insights toward developing effective interventions aimed at improving the lives of people with autism and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chih Lin
- Laboratory of Neuronal Connectivity, Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore MD, USA
| | - Jeannine A Frei
- Laboratory of Neuronal Connectivity, Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore MD, USA
| | - Michaela B C Kilander
- Laboratory of Neuronal Connectivity, Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore MD, USA
| | - Wenjuan Shen
- Laboratory of Neuronal Connectivity, Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore MD, USA
| | - Gene J Blatt
- Laboratory of Autism Neurocircuitry, Program in Neuroscience, Hussman Institute for Autism, Baltimore MD, USA
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