101
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Wilson VAD, Weiss A. Social Relationships in Nonhuman Primates: Potential Models of Pervasive Disorders. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2250-5_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
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102
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Port RG, Gandal MJ, Roberts TPL, Siegel SJ, Carlson GC. Convergence of circuit dysfunction in ASD: a common bridge between diverse genetic and environmental risk factors and common clinical electrophysiology. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:414. [PMID: 25538564 PMCID: PMC4259121 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Most recent estimates indicate that 1 in 68 children are affected by an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Though decades of research have uncovered much about these disorders, the pathological mechanism remains unknown. Hampering efforts is the seeming inability to integrate findings over the micro to macro scales of study, from changes in molecular, synaptic and cellular function to large-scale brain dysfunction impacting sensory, communicative, motor and cognitive activity. In this review, we describe how studies focusing on neuronal circuit function provide unique context for identifying common neurobiological disease mechanisms of ASD. We discuss how recent EEG and MEG studies in subjects with ASD have repeatedly shown alterations in ensemble population recordings (both in simple evoked related potential latencies and specific frequency subcomponents). Because these disease-associated electrophysiological abnormalities have been recapitulated in rodent models, studying circuit differences in these models may provide access to abnormal circuit function found in ASD. We then identify emerging in vivo and ex vivo techniques, focusing on how these assays can characterize circuit level dysfunction and determine if these abnormalities underlie abnormal clinical electrophysiology. Such circuit level study in animal models may help us understand how diverse genetic and environmental risks can produce a common set of EEG, MEG and anatomical abnormalities found in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell G Port
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael J Gandal
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Timothy P L Roberts
- Bioengineering Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Steven J Siegel
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gregory C Carlson
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA, USA
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103
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Abstract
Mutations in methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) cause Rett syndrome and related autism spectrum disorders (Amir et al., 1999). MeCP2 is believed to be required for proper regulation of brain gene expression, but prior microarray studies in Mecp2 knock-out mice using brain tissue homogenates have revealed only subtle changes in gene expression (Tudor et al., 2002; Nuber et al., 2005; Jordan et al., 2007; Chahrour et al., 2008). Here, by profiling discrete subtypes of neurons we uncovered more dramatic effects of MeCP2 on gene expression, overcoming the "dilution problem" associated with assaying homogenates of complex tissues. The results reveal misregulation of genes involved in neuronal connectivity and communication. Importantly, genes upregulated following loss of MeCP2 are biased toward longer genes but this is not true for downregulated genes, suggesting MeCP2 may selectively repress long genes. Because genes involved in neuronal connectivity and communication, such as cell adhesion and cell-cell signaling genes, are enriched among longer genes, their misregulation following loss of MeCP2 suggests a possible etiology for altered circuit function in Rett syndrome.
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104
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Walder DJ, Laplante DP, Sousa-Pires A, Veru F, Brunet A, King S. Prenatal maternal stress predicts autism traits in 6½ year-old children: Project Ice Storm. Psychiatry Res 2014; 219:353-60. [PMID: 24907222 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2014.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Revised: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Research implicates prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) as a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders; however few studies report PNMS effects on autism risk in offspring. We examined, prospectively, the degree to which objective and subjective elements of PNMS explained variance in autism-like traits among offspring, and tested moderating effects of sex and PNMS timing in utero. Subjects were 89 (46F/43M) children who were in utero during the 1998 Quebec Ice Storm. Soon after the storm, mothers completed questionnaires on objective exposure and subjective distress, and completed the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) for their children at age 6½. ASSQ scores were higher among boys than girls. Greater objective and subjective PNMS predicted higher ASSQ independent of potential confounds. An objective-by-subjective interaction suggested that when subjective PNMS was high, objective PNMS had little effect; whereas when subjective PNMS was low, objective PNMS strongly affected ASSQ scores. A timing-by-objective stress interaction suggested objective stress significantly affected ASSQ in first-trimester exposed children, though less so with later exposure. The final regression explained 43% of variance in ASSQ scores; the main effect of sex and the sex-by-PNMS interactions were not significant. Findings may help elucidate neurodevelopmental origins of non-clinical autism-like traits from a dimensional perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah J Walder
- Department of Psychology, Brooklyn College and The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210, USA
| | - David P Laplante
- Psychosocial Research Division, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Verdun, Quebec, Canada H4H 1R3
| | - Alexandra Sousa-Pires
- Psychosocial Research Division, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Verdun, Quebec, Canada H4H 1R3
| | - Franz Veru
- Psychosocial Research Division, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Verdun, Quebec, Canada H4H 1R3; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1A1
| | - Alain Brunet
- Psychosocial Research Division, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Verdun, Quebec, Canada H4H 1R3; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1A1
| | - Suzanne King
- Psychosocial Research Division, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Verdun, Quebec, Canada H4H 1R3; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1A1.
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105
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Grasping motor impairments in autism: not action planning but movement execution is deficient. J Autism Dev Disord 2014; 43:2793-806. [PMID: 23619948 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-013-1825-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Different views on the origin of deficits in action chaining in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been posited, ranging from functional impairments in action planning to internal models supporting motor control. Thirty-one children and adolescents with ASD and twenty-nine matched controls participated in a two-choice reach-to-grasp paradigm wherein participants received cueing information indicating either the object location or the required manner of grasping. A similar advantage for location cueing over grip cueing was found in both groups. Both accuracy and reaction times of the ASD group were indistinguishable from the control group. In contrast, movement times of the ASD group were significantly delayed in comparison with controls. These findings suggest that movement execution rather than action planning is deficient in ASD, and that deficits in action chaining derive from impairments in internal action models supporting action execution.
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106
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Muneoka K, Kuwagata M, Ogawa T, Shioda S. Mother/offspring co-administration of the traditional herbal remedy yokukansan during the nursing period influences grooming and cerebellar serotonin levels in a rat model of neurodevelopmental disorders. THE CEREBELLUM 2014; 14:86-96. [PMID: 25315739 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-014-0611-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental impairment in the serotonergic system may be involved in autism spectrum disorder. Yokukansan is a traditional herbal remedy for restlessness and agitation in children, and mother-infant co-administration (MICA) to both the child and the nursing mother is one of the recommended treatment approaches. Recent studies have revealed the neuropharmacological properties of Yokukansan (YKS), including its 5-HT1A (serotonin) receptor agonistic effects. We investigated the influence of YKS treatment on behavior in a novel environment and on brain monoamine metabolism during the nursing period in an animal model of neurodevelopmental disorders, prenatally BrdU (5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine)-treated rats (BrdU-rats). YKS treatment did not influence locomotor activity in BrdU-rats but reduced grooming in open-field tests. YKS treatment without MICA disrupted the correlation between locomotor behaviors and rearing and altered levels of serotonin and its metabolite in the cerebellum. These effects were not observed in the group receiving YKS treatment with MICA. These data indicate a direct pharmacological effect of YKS on the development of grooming behavior and profound effects on cerebellar serotonin metabolism, which is thought to be influenced by nursing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsumasa Muneoka
- Department of Anatomy I, Showa University School of Medicine, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa, Tokyo, 142-8555, Japan,
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Komulainen E, Zdrojewska J, Freemantle E, Mohammad H, Kulesskaya N, Deshpande P, Marchisella F, Mysore R, Hollos P, Michelsen KA, Mågard M, Rauvala H, James P, Coffey ET. JNK1 controls dendritic field size in L2/3 and L5 of the motor cortex, constrains soma size, and influences fine motor coordination. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:272. [PMID: 25309320 PMCID: PMC4162472 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic anomalies on the JNK pathway confer susceptibility to autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and intellectual disability. The mechanism whereby a gain or loss of function in JNK signaling predisposes to these prevalent dendrite disorders, with associated motor dysfunction, remains unclear. Here we find that JNK1 regulates the dendritic field of L2/3 and L5 pyramidal neurons of the mouse motor cortex (M1), the main excitatory pathway controlling voluntary movement. In Jnk1-/- mice, basal dendrite branching of L5 pyramidal neurons is increased in M1, as is cell soma size, whereas in L2/3, dendritic arborization is decreased. We show that JNK1 phosphorylates rat HMW-MAP2 on T1619, T1622, and T1625 (Uniprot P15146) corresponding to mouse T1617, T1620, T1623, to create a binding motif, that is critical for MAP2 interaction with and stabilization of microtubules, and dendrite growth control. Targeted expression in M1 of GFP-HMW-MAP2 that is pseudo-phosphorylated on T1619, T1622, and T1625 increases dendrite complexity in L2/3 indicating that JNK1 phosphorylation of HMW-MAP2 regulates the dendritic field. Consistent with the morphological changes observed in L2/3 and L5, Jnk1-/- mice exhibit deficits in limb placement and motor coordination, while stride length is reduced in older animals. In summary, JNK1 phosphorylates HMW-MAP2 to increase its stabilization of microtubules while at the same time controlling dendritic fields in the main excitatory pathway of M1. Moreover, JNK1 contributes to normal functioning of fine motor coordination. We report for the first time, a quantitative Sholl analysis of dendrite architecture, and of motor behavior in Jnk1-/- mice. Our results illustrate the molecular and behavioral consequences of interrupted JNK1 signaling and provide new ground for mechanistic understanding of those prevalent neuropyschiatric disorders where genetic disruption of the JNK pathway is central.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Komulainen
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Åbo Akademi University and University of Turku Turku, Finland
| | - Justyna Zdrojewska
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Åbo Akademi University and University of Turku Turku, Finland
| | - Erika Freemantle
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Åbo Akademi University and University of Turku Turku, Finland
| | - Hasan Mohammad
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Åbo Akademi University and University of Turku Turku, Finland
| | | | - Prasannakumar Deshpande
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Åbo Akademi University and University of Turku Turku, Finland
| | - Francesca Marchisella
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Åbo Akademi University and University of Turku Turku, Finland
| | - Raghavendra Mysore
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Åbo Akademi University and University of Turku Turku, Finland
| | - Patrik Hollos
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Åbo Akademi University and University of Turku Turku, Finland
| | | | - Mats Mågard
- Institute for Immune Technology, Medicon Village, University of Lund Lund, Sweden
| | - Heikki Rauvala
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki Helsinki, Finland
| | - Peter James
- Institute for Immune Technology, Medicon Village, University of Lund Lund, Sweden
| | - Eleanor T Coffey
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Åbo Akademi University and University of Turku Turku, Finland
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108
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Yan Y, Eipper BA, Mains RE. Kalirin-9 and Kalirin-12 Play Essential Roles in Dendritic Outgrowth and Branching. Cereb Cortex 2014; 25:3487-501. [PMID: 25146373 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhu182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins derived from the Kalrn gene, encoding 2 Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) domains, affect dendritic and axonal morphogenesis. The roles of endogenous Kalirin-9 (Kal9) and Kalirin-12 (Kal12), the Kalrn isoforms expressed before synaptogenesis, have not been studied in neurite growth and maturation during early development. The Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster orthologues of Kalrn encode proteins equivalent to Kal9 but, lacking a kinase domain, neither organism expresses a protein equivalent to Kal12. Both in vivo and in vitro analyses of cortical neurons from total Kalrn knockout mice, lacking all major Kalirin isoforms, revealed a simplified dendritic arbor and reduced neurite length. Using isoform-specific shRNAs to reduce Kal9 or Kal12 expression in hippocampal cultures resulted in stunted dendritic outgrowth and branching in vitro, without affecting axonal polarity. Exposing hippocampal cultures to inhibitors of the first GEF domain of Kalirin (ITX3, Z62954982) blunted neurite outgrowth and branching, confirming its essential role, without altering the morphology of neurons not expressing Kalrn. In addition, exogenous expression of the active kinase domain unique to Kal12 increased neurite number and length, whereas that of the inactive kinase domain decreased neurite growth. Our results demonstrate that both endogenous Kal9 and endogenous Kal12 contribute to dendritic maturation in early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yan
- Department of Neuroscience, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Betty A Eipper
- Department of Neuroscience, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Richard E Mains
- Department of Neuroscience, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
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109
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El Marroun H, White TJH, van der Knaap NJF, Homberg JR, Fernández G, Schoemaker NK, Jaddoe VWV, Hofman A, Verhulst FC, Hudziak JJ, Stricker BHC, Tiemeier H. Prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and social responsiveness symptoms of autism: population-based study of young children. Br J Psychiatry 2014; 205:95-102. [PMID: 25252317 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.113.127746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered safe and are frequently used during pregnancy. However, two case-control studies suggested an association between prenatal SSRI exposure with childhood autism. AIMS To prospectively determine whether intra-uterine SSSRI exposure is associated with childhood autistic symptoms in a population-based study. METHOD A total of 376 children prenatally exposed to maternal depressive symptoms (no SSRI exposure), 69 children prenatally exposed to SSRIs and 5531 unexposed children were included. Child pervasive developmental and affective problems were assessed by parental report with the Child Behavior Checklist at ages 1.5, 3 and 6. At age 6, we assessed autistic traits using the Social Responsiveness Scale (n = 4264). RESULTS Prenatal exposure to maternal depressive symptoms without SSRIs was related to both pervasive developmental (odds ratio (OR) = 1.44, 95% CI 1.07-1.93) and affective problems (OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.15-1.81). Compared with unexposed children, those prenatally exposed to SSRIs also were at higher risk for developing pervasive developmental problems (OR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.13-3.47), but not for affective problems. Children prenatally exposed to SSRIs also had more autistic traits (B = 0.15, 95% CI 0.08-0.22) compared with those exposed to depressive symptoms only. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest an association between prenatal SSRI exposure and autistic traits in children. Prenatal depressive symptoms without SSRI use were also associated with autistic traits, albeit this was weaker and less specific. Long-term drug safety trials are needed before evidence-based recommendations are possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan El Marroun
- Hanan El Marroun, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Tonya J. H. White, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Noortje J. F. van der Knaap, MSc, Judith R. Homberg, PhD, Guillén Fernández, MD, PhD, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Nikita K. Schoemaker, MSc, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, MD, PhD, The Generation R Study Group, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Albert Hofman, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Frank C. Verhulst, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; James J. Hudziak, MD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Burlington, Vermont, USA; Bruno H. C. Stricker, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam and Inspectorate of Healthcare, The Hague, The Netherlands; Henning Tiemeier, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tonya J H White
- Hanan El Marroun, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Tonya J. H. White, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Noortje J. F. van der Knaap, MSc, Judith R. Homberg, PhD, Guillén Fernández, MD, PhD, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Nikita K. Schoemaker, MSc, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, MD, PhD, The Generation R Study Group, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Albert Hofman, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Frank C. Verhulst, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; James J. Hudziak, MD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Burlington, Vermont, USA; Bruno H. C. Stricker, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam and Inspectorate of Healthcare, The Hague, The Netherlands; Henning Tiemeier, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Noortje J F van der Knaap
- Hanan El Marroun, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Tonya J. H. White, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Noortje J. F. van der Knaap, MSc, Judith R. Homberg, PhD, Guillén Fernández, MD, PhD, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Nikita K. Schoemaker, MSc, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, MD, PhD, The Generation R Study Group, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Albert Hofman, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Frank C. Verhulst, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; James J. Hudziak, MD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Burlington, Vermont, USA; Bruno H. C. Stricker, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam and Inspectorate of Healthcare, The Hague, The Netherlands; Henning Tiemeier, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Judith R Homberg
- Hanan El Marroun, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Tonya J. H. White, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Noortje J. F. van der Knaap, MSc, Judith R. Homberg, PhD, Guillén Fernández, MD, PhD, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Nikita K. Schoemaker, MSc, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, MD, PhD, The Generation R Study Group, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Albert Hofman, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Frank C. Verhulst, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; James J. Hudziak, MD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Burlington, Vermont, USA; Bruno H. C. Stricker, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam and Inspectorate of Healthcare, The Hague, The Netherlands; Henning Tiemeier, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Guillén Fernández
- Hanan El Marroun, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Tonya J. H. White, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Noortje J. F. van der Knaap, MSc, Judith R. Homberg, PhD, Guillén Fernández, MD, PhD, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Nikita K. Schoemaker, MSc, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, MD, PhD, The Generation R Study Group, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Albert Hofman, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Frank C. Verhulst, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; James J. Hudziak, MD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Burlington, Vermont, USA; Bruno H. C. Stricker, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam and Inspectorate of Healthcare, The Hague, The Netherlands; Henning Tiemeier, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nikita K Schoemaker
- Hanan El Marroun, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Tonya J. H. White, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Noortje J. F. van der Knaap, MSc, Judith R. Homberg, PhD, Guillén Fernández, MD, PhD, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Nikita K. Schoemaker, MSc, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, MD, PhD, The Generation R Study Group, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Albert Hofman, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Frank C. Verhulst, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; James J. Hudziak, MD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Burlington, Vermont, USA; Bruno H. C. Stricker, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam and Inspectorate of Healthcare, The Hague, The Netherlands; Henning Tiemeier, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent W V Jaddoe
- Hanan El Marroun, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Tonya J. H. White, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Noortje J. F. van der Knaap, MSc, Judith R. Homberg, PhD, Guillén Fernández, MD, PhD, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Nikita K. Schoemaker, MSc, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, MD, PhD, The Generation R Study Group, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Albert Hofman, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Frank C. Verhulst, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; James J. Hudziak, MD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Burlington, Vermont, USA; Bruno H. C. Stricker, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam and Inspectorate of Healthcare, The Hague, The Netherlands; Henning Tiemeier, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Hofman
- Hanan El Marroun, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Tonya J. H. White, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Noortje J. F. van der Knaap, MSc, Judith R. Homberg, PhD, Guillén Fernández, MD, PhD, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Nikita K. Schoemaker, MSc, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, MD, PhD, The Generation R Study Group, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Albert Hofman, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Frank C. Verhulst, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; James J. Hudziak, MD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Burlington, Vermont, USA; Bruno H. C. Stricker, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam and Inspectorate of Healthcare, The Hague, The Netherlands; Henning Tiemeier, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank C Verhulst
- Hanan El Marroun, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Tonya J. H. White, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Noortje J. F. van der Knaap, MSc, Judith R. Homberg, PhD, Guillén Fernández, MD, PhD, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Nikita K. Schoemaker, MSc, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, MD, PhD, The Generation R Study Group, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Albert Hofman, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Frank C. Verhulst, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; James J. Hudziak, MD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Burlington, Vermont, USA; Bruno H. C. Stricker, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam and Inspectorate of Healthcare, The Hague, The Netherlands; Henning Tiemeier, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - James J Hudziak
- Hanan El Marroun, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Tonya J. H. White, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Noortje J. F. van der Knaap, MSc, Judith R. Homberg, PhD, Guillén Fernández, MD, PhD, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Nikita K. Schoemaker, MSc, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, MD, PhD, The Generation R Study Group, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Albert Hofman, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Frank C. Verhulst, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; James J. Hudziak, MD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Burlington, Vermont, USA; Bruno H. C. Stricker, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam and Inspectorate of Healthcare, The Hague, The Netherlands; Henning Tiemeier, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bruno H C Stricker
- Hanan El Marroun, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Tonya J. H. White, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Noortje J. F. van der Knaap, MSc, Judith R. Homberg, PhD, Guillén Fernández, MD, PhD, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Nikita K. Schoemaker, MSc, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, MD, PhD, The Generation R Study Group, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Albert Hofman, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Frank C. Verhulst, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; James J. Hudziak, MD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Burlington, Vermont, USA; Bruno H. C. Stricker, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam and Inspectorate of Healthcare, The Hague, The Netherlands; Henning Tiemeier, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Hanan El Marroun, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Tonya J. H. White, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Noortje J. F. van der Knaap, MSc, Judith R. Homberg, PhD, Guillén Fernández, MD, PhD, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Nikita K. Schoemaker, MSc, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, MD, PhD, The Generation R Study Group, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Albert Hofman, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Frank C. Verhulst, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; James J. Hudziak, MD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Burlington, Vermont, USA; Bruno H. C. Stricker, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam and Inspectorate of Healthcare, The Hague, The Netherlands; Henning Tiemeier, MD, PhD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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110
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van Elst K, Bruining H, Birtoli B, Terreaux C, Buitelaar JK, Kas MJ. Food for thought: dietary changes in essential fatty acid ratios and the increase in autism spectrum disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 45:369-78. [PMID: 25025657 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The last decades have shown a spectacular and partially unexplained rise in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This rise in ASD seems to parallel changes in the dietary composition of fatty acids. This change is marked by the replacement of cholesterol by omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids in many of our food products, resulting in a drastically increased ratio of omega-6/omega-3 (n-6/n-3). In this context, we review the available knowledge on the putative role of fatty acids in neurodevelopment and describe how disturbances in n-6/n-3 ratios may contribute to the emergence of ASDs. Both clinical and experimental research is discussed. We argue that a change in the ratio of n-6/n-3, especially during early life, may induce developmental changes in brain connectivity, synaptogenesis, cognition and behavior that are directly related to ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim van Elst
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hilgo Bruining
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Jan K Buitelaar
- Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Martien J Kas
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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111
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Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of risperidone plus amantadine in children with autism: a 10-week randomized study. Clin Neuropharmacol 2014; 36:179-84. [PMID: 24201232 DOI: 10.1097/wnf.0b013e3182a9339d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effect of adding amantadine to risperidone for treatment of autism. METHODS Forty outpatients aged 4 to12 years, who were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision criteria, were assigned to this double-blind clinical trial. The subjects were divided randomly into 2 groups. One group received risperidone plus amantadine, and the other group received risperidone plus placebo. The dose of risperidone was titrated between 1 and 2.0 mg/d, and the dose of amantadine was 100 or 150 mg/d for patients less than 30 kg or more than 30 kg, respectively. The patients were assessed using the Aberrant Behavioral Checklist-Community (ABC-C) and adverse effects checklist as well as clinical global impression-improvement (CGI-I) at2 checkpoints of 5-week intervals after the baseline. Informed consentwas obtained from the parents of each participant. RESULTS Among ABC-C subscales, Hyperactivity and Irritability showed significantly greater reduction in the amantadine group than the placebo group. There was no significant difference in adverse effects between the 2 groups. The CGI-I scores show significant improvement in the amantadine group compared to the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggests that amantadine may be a potential adjunctive treatment strategy for autism and it was generally well tolerated.
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112
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Wei H, Alberts I, Li X. The apoptotic perspective of autism. Int J Dev Neurosci 2014; 36:13-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2014.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2014] [Revised: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hongen Wei
- Central LaboratoryShanxi Provincial People's HospitalAffiliate of Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Ian Alberts
- Department of Natural SciencesLaGuardia CC, CUNYNew YorkNY11101USA
| | - Xiaohong Li
- Department of NeurochemistryNY State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental DisabilitiesNew YorkNY10314USA
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113
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Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders affect a substantial minority of the general population. Their origins are still largely unknown, but a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors causing disturbances of the central nervous system's maturation and a variety of higher cognitive skills is presumed. Only limited research of rather small sample size and narrow scope has been conducted in neurodevelopmental disorders using a twin-differences design. The Roots of Autism and ADHD Twin Study in Sweden (RATSS) is an ongoing project targeting monozygotic twins discordant for categorical or dimensional autistic and inattentive/hyperactive-impulsive phenotypes as well as other neurodevelopmental disorders, and typically developing twin controls. Included pairs are 9 years of age or older, and comprehensively assessed for psychopathology, medical history, neuropsychology, and dysmorphology, as well as structural, functional, and molecular brain imaging. Specimens are collected for induced pluripotent (iPS) and neuroepithelial stem cells, genetic, gut bacteria, protein-/monoamine, and electron microscopy analyses. RATSS's objective is to generate a launch pad for novel surveys to understand the complexity of genotype-environment-phenotype interactions in autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). By October 2013, RATSS had collected data from 55 twin pairs, among them 10 monozygotic pairs discordant for autism spectrum disorder, seven for ADHD, and four for other neurodevelopmental disorders. This article describes the design, recruitment, data collection, measures, collected pairs' characteristics, as well as ongoing and planned analyses in RATSS. Potential gains of the study comprise the identification of environmentally mediated biomarkers, the emergence of candidates for drug development, translational modeling, and new leads for prevention of incapacitating outcomes.
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114
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Chaudhury A. Molecular handoffs in nitrergic neurotransmission. Front Med (Lausanne) 2014; 1:8. [PMID: 25705621 PMCID: PMC4335390 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2014.00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Postsynaptic density (PSD) proteins in excitatory synapses are relatively immobile components, while there is a structured organization of mobile scaffolding proteins lying beneath the PSDs. For example, shank proteins are located further away from the membrane in the cytosolic faces of the PSDs, facing the actin cytoskeleton. The rationale of this organization may be related to important roles of these proteins as “exchange hubs” for the signaling proteins for their migration from the subcortical cytosol to the membrane. Notably, PSD95 have also been demonstrated in prejunctional nerve terminals of nitrergic neuronal varicosities traversing the gastrointestinal smooth muscles. It has been recently reported that motor proteins like myosin Va play important role in transcytosis of nNOS. In this review, the hypothesis is forwarded that nNOS delivered to subcortical cytoskeleton requires interactions with scaffolding proteins prior to docking at the membrane. This may involve significant role of “shank,” named for SRC-homology (SH3) and multiple ankyrin repeat domains, in nitric oxide synthesis. Dynein light chain LC8–nNOS from acto-myosin Va is possibly exchanged with shank, which thereafter facilitates transposition of nNOS for binding with palmitoyl-PSD95 at the nerve terminal membrane. Shank knockout mice, which present with features of autism spectrum disorders, may help delineate the role of shank in enteric nitrergic neuromuscular transmission. Deletion of shank3 in humans is a monogenic cause of autism called Phelan–McDermid syndrome. One fourth of these patients present with cyclical vomiting, which may be explained by junctionopathy resulting from shank deficit in enteric nitrergic nerve terminals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Chaudhury
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and VA Boston Healthcare System , Boston, MA , USA
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115
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Verma D, Chakraborti B, Karmakar A, Bandyopadhyay T, Singh AS, Sinha S, Chatterjee A, Ghosh S, Mohanakumar KP, Mukhopadhyay K, Rajamma U. Sexual dimorphic effect in the genetic association of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) markers with autism spectrum disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2014; 50:11-20. [PMID: 24291416 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2013] [Revised: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 11/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders are heritable and behaviorally-defined neurodevelopmental disorders having skewed sex ratio. Serotonin as modulator of behavior and implication of serotonergic dysfunction in ASD etiology corroborates that serotonergic system genes are potential candidates for autism susceptibility. In the current study X-chromosomal gene, MAOA responsible for degradation of serotonin is investigated for possible association with ASD using population-based approach. Study covers analysis of 8 markers in 421 subjects including cases and ethnically-matched controls from West Bengal. MAOA marker, rs6323 and various haplotypes formed between the markers show significant association with the disorder. Stratification on the basis of sex reveals significant genetic effect of rs6323 with low activity T allele posing higher risk in males, but not in females. Haplotypic association results also show differential effect both in males and females. Contrasting linkage disequilibrium pattern between pair of markers involving rs6323 in male cases and controls further supports the sex-bias in genetic association. Bioinformatic analysis shows presence of Y-encoded SRY transcription factor binding sites in the neighborhood of rs1137070. C allele of rs1137070 causes deletion of GATA-2 binding site and GATA-2 is known to interact with SRY. This is the first study highlighting male-specific effect of rs6323 marker and its haplotypes in ASD etiology and it suggests sexual dimorphic effect of MAOA in this disorder. Overall results of this study identify MAOA as a possible ASD susceptibility locus and the differential genetic effect in males and females might contribute to the sex ratio differences and molecular pathology of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Verma
- Manovikas Biomedical Research & Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, EM Bypass, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Barnali Chakraborti
- Manovikas Biomedical Research & Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, EM Bypass, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Arijit Karmakar
- Manovikas Biomedical Research & Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, EM Bypass, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Tirthankar Bandyopadhyay
- Manovikas Biomedical Research & Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, EM Bypass, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Asem Surindro Singh
- Manovikas Biomedical Research & Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, EM Bypass, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Swagata Sinha
- Out-Patients Department, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, EM Bypass, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Anindita Chatterjee
- Out-Patients Department, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, EM Bypass, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Saurabh Ghosh
- Human Genetics Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, 203 BT Road, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Kochupurackal P Mohanakumar
- Lab of Clinical & Experimental Neurosciences, Cell Biology & Physiology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S C Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Kanchan Mukhopadhyay
- Manovikas Biomedical Research & Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, EM Bypass, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Usha Rajamma
- Manovikas Biomedical Research & Diagnostic Centre, Manovikas Kendra, 482 Madudah, Plot I-24, Sector-J, EM Bypass, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
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Takano T, Urushibara T, Yoshioka N, Saito T, Fukuda M, Tomomura M, Hisanaga SI. LMTK1 regulates dendritic formation by regulating movement of Rab11A-positive endosomes. Mol Biol Cell 2014; 25:1755-68. [PMID: 24672056 PMCID: PMC4038502 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e14-01-0675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons extend two types of neurites-axons and dendrites-that differ in structure and function. Although it is well understood that the cytoskeleton plays a pivotal role in neurite differentiation and extension, the mechanisms by which membrane components are supplied to growing axons or dendrites is largely unknown. We previously reported that the membrane supply to axons is regulated by lemur kinase 1 (LMTK1) through Rab11A-positive endosomes. Here we investigate the role of LMTK1 in dendrite formation. Down-regulation of LMTK1 increases dendrite growth and branching of cerebral cortical neurons in vitro and in vivo. LMTK1 knockout significantly enhances the prevalence, velocity, and run length of anterograde movement of Rab11A-positive endosomes to levels similar to those expressing constitutively active Rab11A-Q70L. Rab11A-positive endosome dynamics also increases in the cell body and growth cone of LMTK1-deficient neurons. Moreover, a nonphosphorylatable LMTK1 mutant (Ser34Ala, a Cdk5 phosphorylation site) dramatically promotes dendrite growth. Thus LMTK1 negatively controls dendritic formation by regulating Rab11A-positive endosomal trafficking in a Cdk5-dependent manner, indicating the Cdk5-LMTK1-Rab11A pathway as a regulatory mechanism of dendrite development as well as axon outgrowth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Takano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
| | - Tomoki Urushibara
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
| | - Nozomu Yoshioka
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
| | - Taro Saito
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
| | - Mitsunori Fukuda
- Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Mineko Tomomura
- Meikai Pharmaco-Medical Laboratory, Meikai University School of Dentistry, Sakado 350-0283, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Hisanaga
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
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117
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Goyal DK, Miyan JA. Neuro-immune abnormalities in autism and their relationship with the environment: a variable insult model for autism. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2014; 5:29. [PMID: 24639668 PMCID: PMC3945747 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2014.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 02/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous condition affecting an individual's ability to communicate and socialize and often presents with repetitive movements or behaviors. It tends to be severe with less than 10% achieving independent living with a marked variation in the progression of the condition. To date, the literature supports a multifactorial model with the largest, most detailed twin study demonstrating strong environmental contribution to the development of the condition. Here, we present a brief review of the neurological, immunological, and autonomic abnormalities in ASD focusing on the causative roles of environmental agents and abnormal gut microbiota. We present a working hypothesis attempting to bring together the influence of environment on the abnormal neurological, immunological, and neuroimmunological functions and we explain in brief how such pathophysiology can lead to, and/or exacerbate ASD symptomatology. At present, there is a lack of consistent findings relating to the neurobiology of autism. Whilst we postulate such variable findings may reflect the marked heterogeneity in clinical presentation and as such the variable findings may be of pathophysiological relevance, more research into the neurobiology of autism is necessary before establishing a working hypothesis. Both the literature review and hypothesis presented here explore possible neurobiological explanations with an emphasis of environmental etiologies and are presented with this bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel K. Goyal
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jaleel A. Miyan
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Neurobiological abnormalities in the first few years of life in individuals later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: a review of recent data. Behav Neurol 2014; 2014:210780. [PMID: 24825948 PMCID: PMC4006615 DOI: 10.1155/2014/210780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2013] [Accepted: 06/23/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. Despite the widely-held understanding that the biological changes that lead to autism usually occur during prenatal life, there has been relatively little research into the functional development of the brain during early infancy in individuals later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Objective. This review explores the studies over the last three years which have investigated differences in various brain regions in individuals with ASD or who later go on to receive a diagnosis of ASD. Methods. We used PRISMA guidelines and selected published articles reporting any neurological abnormalities in very early childhood in individuals with or later diagnosed with ASD. Results. Various brain regions are discussed including the amygdala, cerebellum, frontal cortex, and lateralised abnormalities of the temporal cortex during language processing. This review discusses studies investigating head circumference, electrophysiological markers, and interhemispheric synchronisation. All of the recent findings from the beginning of 2009 across these different aspects of defining neurological abnormalities are discussed in light of earlier findings. Conclusions. The studies across these different areas reveal the existence of atypicalities in the first year of life, well before ASD is reliably diagnosed. Cross-disciplinary approaches are essential to elucidate the pathophysiological sequence of events that lead to ASD.
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Abstract
The proper formation and morphogenesis of dendrites is fundamental to the establishment of neural circuits in the brain. Following cell cycle exit and migration, neurons undergo organized stages of dendrite morphogenesis, which include dendritic arbor growth and elaboration followed by retraction and pruning. Although these developmental stages were characterized over a century ago, molecular regulators of dendrite morphogenesis have only recently been defined. In particular, studies in Drosophila and mammalian neurons have identified numerous cell-intrinsic drivers of dendrite morphogenesis that include transcriptional regulators, cytoskeletal and motor proteins, secretory and endocytic pathways, cell cycle-regulated ubiquitin ligases, and components of other signaling cascades. Here, we review cell-intrinsic drivers of dendrite patterning and discuss how the characterization of such crucial regulators advances our understanding of normal brain development and pathogenesis of diverse cognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidharth V Puram
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Abstract
New approaches are needed to examine the diverse symptoms and comorbidities of the growing family of neurodevelopmental disorders known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD originally was thought to be a static, inheritable neurodevelopmental disorder, and our understanding of it is undergoing a major shift. It is emerging as a dynamic system of metabolic and immune anomalies involving many organ systems, including the brain, and environmental exposure. The initial detailed observation and inquiry of patients with ASD and related conditions and the histories of their caregivers and families have been invaluable. How gastrointestinal (GI) factors are related to ASD is not yet clear. Nevertheless, many patients with ASD have a history of previous antibiotic exposure or hospitalization, GI symptoms, abnormal food cravings, and unique intestinal bacterial populations, which have been proposed to relate to variable symptom severity. In addition to traditional scientific inquiry, detailed clinical observation and recording of exacerbations, remissions, and comorbidities are needed. This article reviews the role that enteric short-chain fatty acids, particularly propionic (also called propanoic) acid, produced from ASD-associated GI bacteria, may play in the etiology of some forms of ASD. Human populations that are partial metabolizers of propionic acid are more common than previously thought. The results from pre-clinical laboratory studies show that propionic acid-treated rats display ASD-like repetitive, perseverative, and antisocial behaviors and seizure. Neurochemical changes, consistent and predictive with findings in ASD patients, including neuroinflammation, increased oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, glutathione depletion, and altered phospholipid/acylcarnitine profiles, have been observed. Propionic acid has bioactive effects on (1) neurotransmitter systems, (2) intracellular acidification and calcium release, (3) fatty acid metabolism, (4) gap junction gating, (5) immune function, and (6) alteration of gene expression that warrant further exploration. Traditional scientific experimentation is needed to verify the hypothesis that enteric short-chain fatty acids may be a potential environmental trigger in some forms of ASD. Novel collaborative developments in systems biology, particularly examining the role of the microbiome and its effects on host metabolism, immune and mitochondrial function, and gene expression, hold great promise in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derrick Macfabe
- The Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group, Departments of Psychology (Neuroscience) and Psychiatry, Division of Developmental Disabilities, Lawson Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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Sgadò P, Provenzano G, Dassi E, Adami V, Zunino G, Genovesi S, Casarosa S, Bozzi Y. Transcriptome profiling in engrailed-2 mutant mice reveals common molecular pathways associated with autism spectrum disorders. Mol Autism 2013; 4:51. [PMID: 24355397 PMCID: PMC3896729 DOI: 10.1186/2040-2392-4-51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcriptome analysis has been used in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to unravel common pathogenic pathways based on the assumption that distinct rare genetic variants or epigenetic modifications affect common biological pathways. To unravel recurrent ASD-related neuropathological mechanisms, we took advantage of the En2-/- mouse model and performed transcriptome profiling on cerebellar and hippocampal adult tissues. METHODS Cerebellar and hippocampal tissue samples from three En2-/- and wild type (WT) littermate mice were assessed for differential gene expression using microarray hybridization followed by RankProd analysis. To identify functional categories overrepresented in the differentially expressed genes, we used integrated gene-network analysis, gene ontology enrichment and mouse phenotype ontology analysis. Furthermore, we performed direct enrichment analysis of ASD-associated genes from the SFARI repository in our differentially expressed genes. RESULTS Given the limited number of animals used in the study, we used permissive criteria and identified 842 differentially expressed genes in En2-/- cerebellum and 862 in the En2-/- hippocampus. Our functional analysis revealed that the molecular signature of En2-/- cerebellum and hippocampus shares convergent pathological pathways with ASD, including abnormal synaptic transmission, altered developmental processes and increased immune response. Furthermore, when directly compared to the repository of the SFARI database, our differentially expressed genes in the hippocampus showed enrichment of ASD-associated genes significantly higher than previously reported. qPCR was performed for representative genes to confirm relative transcript levels compared to those detected in microarrays. CONCLUSIONS Despite the limited number of animals used in the study, our bioinformatic analysis indicates the En2-/- mouse is a valuable tool for investigating molecular alterations related to ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Sgadò
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via delle Regole 101, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Giovanni Provenzano
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via delle Regole 101, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Erik Dassi
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via delle Regole 101, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Valentina Adami
- High Throughput Screening Core Facility, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via delle Regole 101, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Giulia Zunino
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via delle Regole 101, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Sacha Genovesi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via delle Regole 101, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Simona Casarosa
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via delle Regole 101, 38123 Trento, Italy.,C.N.R. Neuroscience Institute, via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Yuri Bozzi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via delle Regole 101, 38123 Trento, Italy.,C.N.R. Neuroscience Institute, via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Dennis M, Spiegler BJ, Juranek JJ, Bigler ED, Snead OC, Fletcher JM. Age, plasticity, and homeostasis in childhood brain disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 37:2760-73. [PMID: 24096190 PMCID: PMC3859812 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2013] [Revised: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
It has been widely accepted that the younger the age and/or immaturity of the organism, the greater the brain plasticity, the young age plasticity privilege. This paper examines the relation of a young age to plasticity, reviewing human pediatric brain disorders, as well as selected animal models, human developmental and adult brain disorder studies. As well, we review developmental and childhood acquired disorders that involve a failure of regulatory homeostasis. Our core arguments are as follows:
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Dennis
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada.
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Lanz TA, Guilmette E, Gosink MM, Fischer JE, Fitzgerald LW, Stephenson DT, Pletcher MT. Transcriptomic analysis of genetically defined autism candidate genes reveals common mechanisms of action. Mol Autism 2013; 4:45. [PMID: 24238429 PMCID: PMC4176301 DOI: 10.1186/2040-2392-4-45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Austism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous behavioral disorder or condition characterized by severe impairment of social engagement and the presence of repetitive activities. The molecular etiology of ASD is still largely unknown despite a strong genetic component. Part of the difficulty in turning genetics into disease mechanisms and potentially new therapeutics is the sheer number and diversity of the genes that have been associated with ASD and ASD symptoms. The goal of this work is to use shRNA-generated models of genetic defects proposed as causative for ASD to identify the common pathways that might explain how they produce a core clinical disability. Methods Transcript levels of Mecp2, Mef2a, Mef2d, Fmr1, Nlgn1, Nlgn3, Pten, and Shank3 were knocked-down in mouse primary neuron cultures using shRNA constructs. Whole genome expression analysis was conducted for each of the knockdown cultures as well as a mock-transduced culture and a culture exposed to a lentivirus expressing an anti-luciferase shRNA. Gene set enrichment and a causal reasoning engine was employed to identify pathway level perturbations generated by the transcript knockdown. Results Quantification of the shRNA targets confirmed the successful knockdown at the transcript and protein levels of at least 75% for each of the genes. After subtracting out potential artifacts caused by viral infection, gene set enrichment and causal reasoning engine analysis showed that a significant number of gene expression changes mapped to pathways associated with neurogenesis, long-term potentiation, and synaptic activity. Conclusions This work demonstrates that despite the complex genetic nature of ASD, there are common molecular mechanisms that connect many of the best established autism candidate genes. By identifying the key regulatory checkpoints in the interlinking transcriptional networks underlying autism, we are better able to discover the ideal points of intervention that provide the broadest efficacy across the diverse population of autism patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mathew T Pletcher
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer, Inc, Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, MA 02140, USA.
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Brimberg L, Sadiq A, Gregersen PK, Diamond B. Brain-reactive IgG correlates with autoimmunity in mothers of a child with an autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2013; 18:1171-7. [PMID: 23958959 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2013.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2013] [Revised: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
It is believed that in utero environmental factors contribute to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The goal of this study was to demonstrate, using the largest cohort reported so far, that mothers of an ASD child have an elevated frequency of anti-brain antibodies and to assess whether brain reactivity is associated with an autoimmune diathesis of the mother. We screened plasma of 2431 mothers of an ASD child from Simon Simplex Collection and plasma of 653 unselected women of child-bearing age for anti-brain antibodies using immunohistology on mouse brain. Positive and negative plasma from mothers with an ASD child were analyzed for anti-nuclear antibodies and for autoimmune disorders. Mothers of an ASD child were four times more likely to harbor anti-brain antibodies than unselected women of child-bearing age (10.5 vs 2.6%). A second cohort from The Autism Genetic Resource Exchange with multiplex families displayed an 8.8% prevalence of anti-brain antibodies in the mothers of these families. Fifty-three percent of these mothers with anti-brain antibodies also exhibited anti-nuclear autoantibodies compared with 13.4% of mothers of an ASD child without anti-brain antibodies and 15% of control women of child-bearing age. The analysis of ASD mothers with brain-reactive antibodies also revealed an increased prevalence of autoimmune diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. This study provides robust evidence that brain-reactive antibodies are increased in mothers of an ASD child and may be associated with autoimmunity. The current study serves as a benchmark and justification for studying the potential pathogenicity of these antibodies on the developing brain. The detailed characterization of the specificity of these antibodies will provide practical benefits for the management and prevention of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Brimberg
- Center for Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Manhasset, NY, USA
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Rose'meyer R. A review of the serotonin transporter and prenatal cortisol in the development of autism spectrum disorders. Mol Autism 2013; 4:37. [PMID: 24103554 PMCID: PMC3852299 DOI: 10.1186/2040-2392-4-37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during early childhood has a profound effect not only on young children but on their families. Aside from the physical and behavioural issues that need to be dealt with, there are significant emotional and financial costs associated with living with someone diagnosed with ASD. Understanding how autism occurs will assist in preparing families to deal with ASD, if not preventing or lessening its occurrence. Serotonin plays a vital role in the development of the brain during the prenatal and postnatal periods, yet very little is known about the serotonergic systems that affect children with ASD. This review seeks to provide an understanding of the biochemistry and physiological actions of serotonin and its termination of action through the serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT). Epidemiological studies investigating prenatal conditions that can increase the risk of ASD describe a number of factors which elevate plasma cortisol levels causing such symptoms during pregnancy such as hypertension, gestational diabetes and depression. Because cortisol plays an important role in driving dysregulation of serotonergic signalling through elevating SERT production in the developing brain, it is also necessary to investigate the physiological functions of cortisol, its action during gestation and metabolic syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roselyn Rose'meyer
- School of Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Parklands Drive, Southport, Queensland 4222, Australia.
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Pratt L, Ni L, Ponzio NM, Jonakait GM. Maternal inflammation promotes fetal microglial activation and increased cholinergic expression in the fetal basal forebrain: role of interleukin-6. Pediatr Res 2013; 74:393-401. [PMID: 23877071 DOI: 10.1038/pr.2013.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perinatal exposure to infectious agents with associated maternal immune activation (MIA) leads to neuroanatomical and behavioral dysregulation reminiscent of autism spectrum disorders. Persistent microglial activation as well as increased choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in the basal forebrain (BF) are characteristic of autistic subjects. Previous studies have shown that medium from activated microglia promotes cholinergic differentiation of precursors in the BF. We sought to determine whether MIA in vivo would lead to a similar effect on developing BF neurons. METHODS Pregnant mice were treated with the viral mimic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) or saline. RESULTS Poly(I:C) treatment resulted in increased production of cytokines and chemokines in fetal microglia and increased ChAT activity and cholinergic cell number in the perinatal BF. Whether microglial activation causes these changes is unclear. Examination of fetal brains from mice lacking interleukin-6 (IL-6 KOs) revealed an elevation in non-microglial-derived cytokines and chemokines over wild-type controls. Moreover, IL-6 KO offspring showed an elevation of ChAT activity even in the absence of poly(I:C) administration. CONCLUSION These data suggest that elevations in cytokines and/or chemokines caused either by maternal poly(I:C) administration or by the absence of IL-6 are associated with alterations in cholinergic development in the BF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorelei Pratt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey
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Mandal M, Donnelly R, Elkabes S, Zhang P, Davini D, David BT, Ponzio NM. Maternal immune stimulation during pregnancy shapes the immunological phenotype of offspring. Brain Behav Immun 2013; 33:33-45. [PMID: 23643646 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2013.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2013] [Revised: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have associated infection during pregnancy with increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children, which is modeled in rodents by stimulating the immune system of pregnant dams with microorganisms or their mimics, such as poly(I:C) or LPS. In two prenatal mouse models, we show that in utero exposure of the fetus to cytokines/inflammatory mediators elicited by maternal immune stimulation with poly(I:C) yields offspring that exhibit a proinflammatory phenotype due to alterations in developmental programming of their immune system. Changes in the innate and adaptive immune elements of these pro-inflammatory offspring result in more robust responses following exposure to immune stimuli than those observed in control offspring from PBS-injected pregnant dams. In the first model, offspring from poly(I:C)-injected immunologically naïve dams showed heightened cellular and cytokine responses 4 h after injection of zymosan, a TLR2 agonist. In the second model, using dams with immunological memory, poly(I:C) injection during pregnancy produced offspring that showed preferential differentiation toward Th17 cell development, earlier onset of clinical symptoms of EAE, and more severe neurological deficits following immunization with MOG35-55. Such "fetal programming" in offspring from poly(I:C)-injected dams not only persists into neonatal and adult life, but also can have profound consequences on health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mili Mandal
- UMDNJ-Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07101, USA
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128
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Youssef J, Singh K, Huntington N, Becker R, Kothare SV. Relationship of serum ferritin levels to sleep fragmentation and periodic limb movements of sleep on polysomnography in autism spectrum disorders. Pediatr Neurol 2013; 49:274-8. [PMID: 24053984 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2013.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although children with autism spectrum disorders experience a range of sleep disturbances, exact mechanisms are not well-characterized. We investigated the association of serum-ferritin to sleep fragmentation and periodic limb movements of sleep using polysomnography in children with autism spectrum disorders. METHODS We conducted a retrospective chart review of children with autism spectrum disorders followed from 1990 to 2010. Inclusion criteria were availability of polysomnography data and ferritin levels within 12 months of each other. The following variables on polysomnography characterized sleep fragmentation: increased arousal index, alpha intrusions, and reduced sleep efficiency. The data were compared with age- and gender-matched controls. RESULTS Of 9791 children with autism spectrum disorders identified, 511 had a ferritin level, 377 had polysomnography data, and 53 had both ferritin and polysomnography data. As compared with the controls (86 ng/mL), the median ferritin level was 27 ng/mL in the study autism spectrum disorders population (53 patients) (P < 0.01), 27 ng/mL in autism spectrum disorder subjects with periodic limb movements of sleep (25 patients) (P = 0.01), and 24 ng/mL in autism spectrum disorders subjects with sleep fragmentation (21 patients) (P = 0.02). Within the autism spectrum disorders population, median ferritin levels were significantly lower in patients with poor sleep efficiency (7 ng/mL) versus those with normal sleep efficiency (29 ng/mL) (P = 0.01). The prevalence of periodic limb movements of sleep was 47% in autism spectrum disorders compared with 8% in controls (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Children with autism spectrum disorders had significantly lower ferritin levels compared with controls. In addition, they experience a higher prevalence of sleep fragmentation, obstructive sleep apnea, and periodic limb movements of sleep than children with ASD and no sleep complaints. Our preliminary observations, which have not been described before, need to be validated in multicenter prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Youssef
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Molecular basis of lateral force spectroscopy nano-diagnostics: computational unbinding of autism related chemokine MCP-1 from IgG antibody. J Mol Model 2013; 19:4773-80. [PMID: 24061853 PMCID: PMC3825506 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-013-1972-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Monocyte-chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), also known as CCL2, is a potent chemoattractant of T cells and monocytes, involved in inflammatory and angio-proliferative brain and retinal diseases. Higher expression of MCP-1 is observed in metastatic tumors. Unusual levels of MCP-1 in the brain may be correlated with autism. Immunochemistry where atomic force microscope (AFM) tips functionalized with appropriate antibodies against MCP-1 are used could in principle support medical diagnostics. Useful signals from single molecule experiments may be generated if interaction forces are large enough. The chemokine-antibody unbinding force depends on a relative motion of the interacting fragments of the complex. In this paper the stability of the medically important MCP-1- immunoglobulin G antibody Fab fragment complex has been studied using steered molecular dynamics (SMD) computer simulations with the aim to model possible arrangements of nano-diagnostics experiments. Using SMD we confirm that molecular recognition in MCP1-IgG is based mainly on six pairs of residues: Glu39A - Arg98H, Lys56A - Asp52H, Asp65A - Arg32L, Asp68A - Arg32L, Thr32A - Glu55L, Gln61A - Tyr33H. The minimum external force required for mechanical dissociation of the complex depends on a direction of the force. The pulling of the MCP-1 antigen in the directions parallel to the antigen-antibody contact plane requires forces about 20 %–40 % lower than in the perpendicular one. Fortunately, these values are large enough that the fast lateral force spectroscopy may be used for effective nano-diagnostics purposes. We show that molecular modeling is a useful tool in planning AFM force spectroscopy experiments. Lateral SMD forces (green arrow) required for mechanical unbinding of MCP-1 chemokine (blue) from Ig G antibody (red/gray) are 20-40% lower than vertical ones (orange arrow) ![]()
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Mamidala MP, Polinedi A, P T V PK, Rajesh N, Vallamkonda OR, Udani V, Singhal N, Rajesh V. Prenatal, perinatal and neonatal risk factors of Autism Spectrum Disorder: a comprehensive epidemiological assessment from India. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2013; 34:3004-3013. [PMID: 23816633 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2013.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Revised: 05/02/2013] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is increasing across the globe and no data is available from India regarding the risk factors of ASD. In this regard a questionnaire based epidemiological assessment was carried out on prenatal, perinatal and neonatal risk factors of ASD across 8 cities in India. A retrospective cohort of 942 children was enrolled for the study. 471 children with ASD, under age of 10, were analyzed for pre-, peri-, and neonatal factors and were compared with the observations from equal number of controls. The quality control of the questionnaire and data collection was done thoroughly and the observations were computed statistically. A total of 25 factors were evaluated by unadjusted and adjusted analysis in this study. Among the prenatal factors considered, advanced maternal age, fetal distress and gestational respiratory infections were found to be associated with ASD and had an odds ratio of 1.8. Evaluation of perinatal and neonatal risk factors showed labor complications, pre-term birth, neonatal jaundice, delayed birth cry and birth asphyxia to be associated with ASD with an odds ratio greater than 1.5. This important study, first of its kind in Indian population gives a firsthand account of the relation of pre-, peri- and neonatal risk factors on ASD from an ethnically and socially diverse country like India, the impact of which was unknown earlier. This advocates additional focused investigations on physiological and genetic changes contributed by these risk factor inducing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhu Poornima Mamidala
- Department of Biological Sciences, BITS, Pilani - Hyderabad Campus, Jawaharnagar, Shamirpet (M), Hyderabad 500078, Andhra Pradesh, India
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Toma C, Hervás A, Balmaña N, Salgado M, Maristany M, Vilella E, Aguilera F, Orejuela C, Cuscó I, Gallastegui F, Pérez-Jurado LA, Caballero-Andaluz R, Diego-Otero YD, Guzmán-Alvarez G, Ramos-Quiroga JA, Ribasés M, Bayés M, Cormand B. Neurotransmitter systems and neurotrophic factors in autism: association study of 37 genes suggests involvement of DDC. World J Biol Psychiatry 2013; 14:516-27. [PMID: 22397633 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2011.602719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Neurotransmitter systems and neurotrophic factors can be considered strong candidates for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The serotoninergic and dopaminergic systems are involved in neurotransmission, brain maturation and cortical organization, while neurotrophic factors (NTFs) participate in neurodevelopment, neuronal survival and synapses formation. We aimed to test the contribution of these candidate pathways to autism through a case-control association study of genes selected both for their role in central nervous system functions and for pathophysiological evidences. METHODS The study sample consisted of 326 unrelated autistic patients and 350 gender-matched controls from Spain. We genotyped 369 tagSNPs to perform a case-control association study of 37 candidate genes. RESULTS A significant association was obtained between the DDC gene and autism in the single-marker analysis (rs6592961, P = 0.00047). Haplotype-based analysis pinpointed a four-marker combination in this gene associated with the disorder (rs2329340C-rs2044859T-rs6592961A-rs11761683T, P = 4.988e-05). No significant results were obtained for the remaining genes after applying multiple testing corrections. However, the rs167771 marker in DRD3, associated with ASD in a previous study, displayed a nominal association in our analysis (P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that common allelic variants in the DDC gene may be involved in autism susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Toma
- Departament de Genètica, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona , Spain
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Neuroligin1 drives synaptic and behavioral maturation through intracellular interactions. J Neurosci 2013; 33:9364-84. [PMID: 23719805 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4660-12.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro studies suggest that the intracellular C terminus of Neuroligin1 (NL1) could play a central role in the maturation of excitatory synapses. However, it is unknown how this activity affects synapses in vivo, and whether it may impact the development of complex behaviors. To determine how NL1 influences the state of glutamatergic synapses in vivo, we compared the synaptic and behavioral phenotypes of mice overexpressing a full-length version of NL1 (NL1FL) with mice overexpressing a version missing part of the intracellular domain (NL1ΔC). We show that overexpression of full-length NL1 yielded an increase in the proportion of synapses with mature characteristics and impaired learning and flexibility. In contrast, the overexpression of NL1ΔC increased the number of excitatory postsynaptic structures and led to enhanced flexibility in mnemonic and social behaviors. Transient overexpression of NL1FL revealed that elevated levels are not necessary to maintain synaptic and behavioral states altered earlier in development. In contrast, overexpression of NL1FL in the fully mature adult was able to impair normal learning behavior after 1 month of expression. These results provide the first evidence that NL1 significantly impacts key developmental processes that permanently shape circuit function and behavior, as well as the function of fully developed neural circuits. Overall, these manipulations of NL1 function illuminate the significance of NL1 intracellular signaling in vivo, and enhance our understanding of the factors that gate the maturation of glutamatergic synapses and complex behavior. This has significant implications for our ability to address disorders such as autism spectrum disorders.
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Ghanizadeh A, Moghimi-Sarani E. A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical trial of N-Acetylcysteine added to risperidone for treating autistic disorders. BMC Psychiatry 2013; 13:196. [PMID: 23886027 PMCID: PMC3737121 DOI: 10.1186/1471-244x-13-196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2013] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examined the efficacy and safety of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) augmentation for treating irritability in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). METHOD Forty children and adolescents met diagnostic criteria for ASD according to DSM-IV. They were randomly allocated into one of the two groups of NAC (1200 mg/day)+risperidone or placebo+risperidone. NAC and placebo were administered in the form of effervescent and in two divided doses for 8 weeks. Irritability subscale score of Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) was considered as the main outcome measure. Adverse effects were also checked. RESULTS The mean score of irritability in the NAC+risperidone and placebo+risperidone groups at baseline was 13.2(5.3) and 16.7(7.8), respectively. The scores after 8 weeks were 9.7(4.1) and 15.1(7.8), respectively. Repeated measures of ANOVA showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups after 8 weeks. The most common adverse effects in the NAC+risperidone group were constipation (16.1%), increased appetite (16.1%), fatigue (12.9%), nervousness (12.9%), and daytime drowsiness (12.9%). There was no fatal adverse effect. CONCLUSIONS Risperidone plus NAC more than risperidone plus placebo decreased irritability in children and adolescents with ASD. Meanwhile, it did not change the core symptoms of autism. Adverse effects were not common and NAC was generally tolerated well. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial was registered at http://www.irct.ir. The registration number of this trial was IRCT201106103930N6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Ghanizadeh
- Research Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Ebrahim Moghimi-Sarani
- Department of Psychiatry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shiraz, Iran
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Oxidative Stress and Erythrocyte Membrane Alterations in Children with Autism: Correlation with Clinical Features. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66418. [PMID: 23840462 PMCID: PMC3686873 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), but the literature reports somewhat contradictory results. To further investigate the issue, we evaluated a high number of peripheral oxidative stress parameters, and some related issues such as erythrocyte membrane functional features and lipid composition. Twenty-one autistic children (Au) aged 5 to 12 years, were gender and age-matched with 20 typically developing children (TD). Erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, urinary isoprostane and hexanoyl-lysine adduct levels were elevated in Au, thus confirming the occurrence of an imbalance of the redox status of Au, whilst other oxidative stress markers or associated parameters (urinary 8-oxo-dG, plasma radical absorbance capacity and carbonyl groups, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase activities) were unchanged. A very significant reduction of Na+/K+-ATPase activity (−66%, p<0.0001), a reduction of erythrocyte membrane fluidity and alteration in erythrocyte fatty acid membrane profile (increase in monounsaturated fatty acids, decrease in EPA and DHA-ω3 with a consequent increase in ω6/ω3 ratio) were found in Au compared to TD, without change in membrane sialic acid content. Some Au clinical features appear to be correlated with these findings; in particular, hyperactivity score appears to be related with some parameters of the lipidomic profile and membrane fluidity. Oxidative stress and erythrocyte membrane alterations may play a role in the pathogenesis of ASD and prompt the development of palliative therapeutic protocols. Moreover, the marked decrease in NKA could be potentially utilized as a peripheral biomarker of ASD.
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135
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N-acetyl-cysteine prevents pyramidal cell disarray and reelin-immunoreactive neuron deficiency in CA3 after prenatal immune challenge in rats. Pediatr Res 2013; 73:750-5. [PMID: 23478644 DOI: 10.1038/pr.2013.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal infection is a major risk factor for the occurrence of neuropsychiatric disorders. These have been associated with hippocampal neuroanatomical and functional abnormalities. In the present study, we evaluated the occurrence of pyramidal cell disarray and reelin neuronal deficit in the hippocampus, and the protective role of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) in a rodent experimental model of prenatal immune challenge. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats received either 500 μg/kg of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) or 2 ml/kg of isotonic saline by i.p. injection on day 19 of gestation. After LPS injection, rats were or were not maintained on a preventive treatment of NAC (5 g/l in tap water), up to delivery. The pyramidal cell orientation and the number and type of reelin-expressing neurons were determined in male offspring. RESULTS Prenatal LPS challenge led to permanent pyramidal cell disarray and to an early and transient decreased density of reelin-immunoreactive neurons. These disorders, more pronounced in the CA3 area, were prevented by NAC. CONCLUSION Hippocampal cytoarchitectural alterations and reelin deficiency may be involved in the development of remote cognitive impairments in this model. The antioxidant NAC is an efficient neuroprotective drug that underlines the role of oxidative stress in prenatal infection and associated neurodevelopmental damage.
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136
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Frazier TW, Keshavan MS, Minshew NJ, Hardan AY. A two-year longitudinal MRI study of the corpus callosum in autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2013; 42:2312-22. [PMID: 22350341 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-012-1478-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of literature has identified size reductions of the corpus callosum (CC) in autism. However, to our knowledge, no published studies have reported on the growth of CC volumes in youth with autism. Volumes of the total CC and its sub-divisions were obtained from 23 male children with autism and 23 age- and gender-matched controls at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Persistent reductions in total CC volume were observed in participants with autism relative to controls. Only the rostral body subdivision showed a normalization of size over time. Persistent reductions are consistent with the diagnostic stability and life-long impairment observed in many individuals with autism. Multi-modal imaging studies are needed to identify specific fiber tracks contributing to CC reductions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W Frazier
- Center for Autism (CRS10) and Pediatric Behavioral Health, Cleveland Clinic, 2801 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Cleveland, OH 44104, USA.
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137
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McCanlies EC, Fekedulegn D, Mnatsakanova A, Burchfiel CM, Sanderson WT, Charles LE, Hertz-Picciotto I. Parental occupational exposures and autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2013; 42:2323-34. [PMID: 22399411 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-012-1468-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Both self-report and industrial hygienist (IH) assessed parental occupational information were used in this pilot study in which 174 families (93 children with ASD and 81 unaffected children) enrolled in the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment study participated. IH results indicated exposures to lacquer, varnish, and xylene occurred more often in the parents of children with ASD compared to the parents of unaffected children. Parents of children with ASD were more likely to report exposures to asphalt and solvents compared to parents of unaffected children. This study was limited by the small sample size, but results suggest that workplace exposures to some chemicals may be important in the etiology of ASD and deserve further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin C McCanlies
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Rd., Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
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138
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Abstract
The large isoforms of the Rab3 interacting molecule (RIM) family, RIM1α/β and RIM2α/β, have been shown to be centrally involved in mediating presynaptic active zone function. The RIM protein family contains two additional small isoforms, RIM3γ and RIM4γ, which are composed only of the RIM-specific C-terminal C2B domain and varying N-terminal sequences and whose function remains to be elucidated. Here, we report that both, RIM3γ and RIM4γ, play an essential role for the development of neuronal arborization and of dendritic spines independent of synaptic function. γ-RIM knock-down in rat primary neuronal cultures and in vivo resulted in a drastic reduction in the complexity of neuronal arborization, affecting both axonal and dendritic outgrowth, independent of the time point of γ-RIM downregulation during dendrite development. Rescue experiments revealed that the phenotype is caused by a function common to both γ-RIMs. These findings indicate that γ-RIMs are involved in cell biological functions distinct from the regulation of synaptic vesicle exocytosis and play a role in the molecular mechanisms controlling the establishment of dendritic complexity and axonal outgrowth.
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139
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Zeidán-Chuliá F, Rybarczyk-Filho JL, Salmina AB, de Oliveira BHN, Noda M, Moreira JCF. Exploring the Multifactorial Nature of Autism Through Computational Systems Biology: Calcium and the Rho GTPase RAC1 Under the Spotlight. Neuromolecular Med 2013; 15:364-83. [DOI: 10.1007/s12017-013-8224-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2012] [Accepted: 02/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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140
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Stamou M, Streifel KM, Goines PE, Lein PJ. Neuronal connectivity as a convergent target of gene × environment interactions that confer risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2013; 36:3-16. [PMID: 23269408 PMCID: PMC3610799 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2012.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2012] [Revised: 11/12/2012] [Accepted: 12/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Evidence implicates environmental factors in the pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). However, the identity of specific environmental chemicals that influence ASD risk, severity or treatment outcome remains elusive. The impact of any given environmental exposure likely varies across a population according to individual genetic substrates, and this increases the difficulty of identifying clear associations between exposure and ASD diagnoses. Heritable genetic vulnerabilities may amplify adverse effects triggered by environmental exposures if genetic and environmental factors converge to dysregulate the same signaling systems at critical times of development. Thus, one strategy for identifying environmental risk factors for ASD is to screen for environmental factors that modulate the same signaling pathways as ASD susceptibility genes. Recent advances in defining the molecular and cellular pathology of ASD point to altered patterns of neuronal connectivity in the developing brain as the neurobiological basis of these disorders. Studies of syndromic ASD and rare highly penetrant mutations or CNVs in ASD suggest that ASD risk genes converge on several major signaling pathways linked to altered neuronal connectivity in the developing brain. This review briefly summarizes the evidence implicating dysfunctional signaling via Ca(2+)-dependent mechanisms, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)/phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases (PI3K) and neuroligin-neurexin-SHANK as convergent molecular mechanisms in ASD, and then discusses examples of environmental chemicals for which there is emerging evidence of their potential to interfere with normal neuronal connectivity via perturbation of these signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Stamou
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis CA, 95616, United States
| | - Karin M. Streifel
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis CA, 95616, United States
| | - Paula E. Goines
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis CA, 95616, United States
| | - Pamela J. Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis CA, 95616, United States
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141
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Landa RJ, Gross AL, Stuart EA, Faherty A. Developmental trajectories in children with and without autism spectrum disorders: the first 3 years. Child Dev 2013; 84:429-42. [PMID: 23110514 PMCID: PMC4105265 DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2012.01870.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Retrospective studies indicate 2 major classes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) onset: early and later, after a period of relatively healthy development. This prospective, longitudinal study examined social, language, and motor trajectories in 235 children with and without a sibling with autism, ages 6-36 months. Children were grouped as: ASD identified by 14 months, ASD identified after 14 months, and no ASD. Despite groups' initial similar developmental level at 6 months, ASD groups exhibited atypical trajectories thereafter. Impairment from 14 to 24 months was greater in the Early-ASD than the Later-ASD group, but comparable at 36 months. Developmental plateau and regression occurred in some children with ASD, regardless of timing of ASD diagnosis. Findings indicate a preclinical phase of varying duration for ASD.
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142
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Insights on the functional impact of microRNAs present in autism-associated copy number variants. PLoS One 2013; 8:e56781. [PMID: 23451085 PMCID: PMC3581547 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2012] [Accepted: 01/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that appears during the first three years of infancy and lasts throughout a person’s life. Recently a large category of genomic structural variants, denoted as copy number variants (CNVs), were established to be a major contributor of the pathophysiology of autism. To date almost all studies have focussed only on the genes present in the CNV loci, but the impact of non-coding regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) present in these regions remain largely unexplored. Hence we attempted to elucidate the biological and functional significance of miRNAs present in autism-associated CNV loci and their target genes by using a series of computational tools. We demonstrate that nearly 11% of the CNV loci harbor miRNAs and a few of these miRNAs were previously reported to be associated with autism. A systematic analysis of the CNV-miRNAs based on their interactions with the target genes enabled the identification of top 10 miRNAs namely hsa-miR-590-3p, hsa-miR-944, hsa-miR-570, hsa-miR-34a, hsa-miR-124, hsa-miR-548f, hsa-miR-429, hsa-miR-200b, hsa-miR-195 and hsa-miR-497 as hub molecules. Further, the CNV-miRNAs formed a regulatory loop with transcription factors and their downstream target genes, and annotation of these target genes indicated their functional involvement in neurodevelopment and synapse. Moreover, miRNAs present in deleted and duplicated CNV loci may explain the difference in dosage of the crucial genes controlled by them. These CNV-miRNAs can also impair the global processing and biogenesis of all miRNAs by targeting key molecules in the miRNA pathway. To our knowledge, this is the first report to highlight the significance of CNV-microRNAs and their target genes to contribute towards the genetic heterogeneity and phenotypic variability of autism.
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143
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Hippocampal neuroligin-2 overexpression leads to reduced aggression and inhibited novelty reactivity in rats. PLoS One 2013; 8:e56871. [PMID: 23451101 PMCID: PMC3579928 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 01/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Disturbances of the excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance in the brain were recently suggested as potential factors underlying disorders like autism and schizophrenia resulting in associated behavioral alterations including changes in social and emotional behavior as well as abnormal aggression. Neuronal cell adhesion molecules (nCAMs) and mutations in these genes were found to be strongly implicated in the pathophysiology of these disorders. Neuroligin2 (nlgn2) is a postsynaptic cell adhesion molecule, which is predominantly expressed at inhibitory synapses and required for synapse specification and stabilization. Changes in the expression of nlgn2 were shown to result in alterations of social behavior as well as altered inhibitory synaptic transmission, hence modifying the E/I balance. In our study, we focused on the role of nlgn2 in the dorsal hippocampus in the regulation of emotional and social behaviors. To this purpose, we injected an AAV construct overexpressing nlgn2 in the hippocampus of rats and investigated the effects on behavior and on markers for the E/I ratio. We could show an increase in GAD65, a GABA-synthesizing protein in neuronal terminals, and furthermore, reduced exploration of novel stimuli and less offensive behavior. Our data suggest nlgn2 in the hippocampus to be strongly implicated in maintaining the E/I balance in the brain and thereby modulating social and emotional behavior.
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144
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Post-insult ibuprofen treatment attenuates damage to the serotonergic system after hypoxia-ischemia in the immature rat brain. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2013; 71:1137-48. [PMID: 23147509 DOI: 10.1097/nen.0b013e318277d4c7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There is currently no therapeutic intervention to stem neonatal brain injury after exposure to hypoxia-ischemia (HI). Potential neuroprotective treatments that can be delivered postinsult that target neuroinflammation and are safe to use in neonates are attractive. One candidate is ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that inhibits cyclooxygenase enzymes and is used in neonates to treat patent ductus arteriosus. We investigated whether ibuprofen can inhibit neuroinflammation and attenuate neuronal damage manifested in a rodent model of preterm HI. Postnatal day 3 (P3) rat pups were subjected to HI (right carotid artery ligation, 30 minutes 6% O₂). Ibuprofen was then administered daily for 1 week (100 mg/kg P3 2 hours after HI, 50 mg/kg P4-P9; subcutaneously). Ibuprofen treatment prevented the P3 HI-induced reductions in brain serotonin levels, serotonin transporter expression, and numbers of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphé nuclei on P10. Ibuprofen also significantly attenuated P3 HI-induced increases in brain cyclooxygenase 2 protein expression, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor levels, as well as the increase in numbers of activated microglia. Thus, ibuprofen administered after an HI insult may be an effective pharmacologic intervention to reduce HI-induced neuronal brain injury in the preterm neonate by limiting the effects of neuroinflammatory mediators.
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145
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Oksenberg N, Stevison L, Wall JD, Ahituv N. Function and regulation of AUTS2, a gene implicated in autism and human evolution. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003221. [PMID: 23349641 PMCID: PMC3547868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2012] [Accepted: 11/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleotide changes in the AUTS2 locus, some of which affect only noncoding regions, are associated with autism and other neurological disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, epilepsy, dyslexia, motor delay, language delay, visual impairment, microcephaly, and alcohol consumption. In addition, AUTS2 contains the most significantly accelerated genomic region differentiating humans from Neanderthals, which is primarily composed of noncoding variants. However, the function and regulation of this gene remain largely unknown. To characterize auts2 function, we knocked it down in zebrafish, leading to a smaller head size, neuronal reduction, and decreased mobility. To characterize AUTS2 regulatory elements, we tested sequences for enhancer activity in zebrafish and mice. We identified 23 functional zebrafish enhancers, 10 of which were active in the brain. Our mouse enhancer assays characterized three mouse brain enhancers that overlap an ASD-associated deletion and four mouse enhancers that reside in regions implicated in human evolution, two of which are active in the brain. Combined, our results show that AUTS2 is important for neurodevelopment and expose candidate enhancer sequences in which nucleotide variation could lead to neurological disease and human-specific traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nir Oksenberg
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Laurie Stevison
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey D. Wall
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Nadav Ahituv
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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146
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Hogenson TL. Epigenetics as the Underlying Mechanism for Monozygotic Twin Discordance. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1159/000353688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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147
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Olexová L, Talarovičová A, Lewis-Evans B, Borbélyová V, Kršková L. Animal models of autism with a particular focus on the neural basis of changes in social behaviour: An update article. Neurosci Res 2012; 74:184-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2012.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2012] [Revised: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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148
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Zielinski BA, Anderson JS, Froehlich AL, Prigge MBD, Nielsen JA, Cooperrider JR, Cariello AN, Fletcher PT, Alexander AL, Lange N, Bigler ED, Lainhart JE. scMRI reveals large-scale brain network abnormalities in autism. PLoS One 2012. [PMID: 23185305 PMCID: PMC3504046 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism is a complex neurological condition characterized by childhood onset of dysfunction in multiple cognitive domains including socio-emotional function, speech and language, and processing of internally versus externally directed stimuli. Although gross brain anatomic differences in autism are well established, recent studies investigating regional differences in brain structure and function have yielded divergent and seemingly contradictory results. How regional abnormalities relate to the autistic phenotype remains unclear. We hypothesized that autism exhibits distinct perturbations in network-level brain architecture, and that cognitive dysfunction may be reflected by abnormal network structure. Network-level anatomic abnormalities in autism have not been previously described. We used structural covariance MRI to investigate network-level differences in gray matter structure within two large-scale networks strongly implicated in autism, the salience network and the default mode network, in autistic subjects and age-, gender-, and IQ-matched controls. We report specific perturbations in brain network architecture in the salience and default-mode networks consistent with clinical manifestations of autism. Extent and distribution of the salience network, involved in social-emotional regulation of environmental stimuli, is restricted in autism. In contrast, posterior elements of the default mode network have increased spatial distribution, suggesting a ‘posteriorization’ of this network. These findings are consistent with a network-based model of autism, and suggest a unifying interpretation of previous work. Moreover, we provide evidence of specific abnormalities in brain network architecture underlying autism that are quantifiable using standard clinical MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon A Zielinski
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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149
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Karere GM, Sullivan E, Kinnally EL, Capitanio JP, Lyons LA. Enhancing genotyping of MAOA-LPR and 5-HTT-LPR in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). J Med Primatol 2012; 41:407-11. [PMID: 23078595 DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic variation in monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and serotonin transporter (5-HTT)-linked polymorphic regions (LPR) is associated with neuropsychiatric behavior. METHODS We genotyped 37 macaques using conventional PCR product gel fractionation and by capillary electrophoresis of multiplexed amplicons and compared the data. RESULTS Genotype concordance was 97% and 95% for MAOA-LPR and 5-HTT-LPR, respectively. Capillary electrophoresis was more sensitive and cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS Multiplexing MAOA-LPR and 5-HTT-LPR will enhance the genotyping of large sample sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genesio M Karere
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
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150
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Gürkan CK, Hagerman RJ. TARGETED TREATMENTS IN AUTISM AND FRAGILE X SYNDROME. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2012; 6:1311-1320. [PMID: 23162607 PMCID: PMC3498468 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2012.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder consisting of a constellation of symptoms that sometimes occur as part of a complex disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication and behavioral domains. It is a highly disabling disorder and there is a need for treatment targeting the core symptoms. Although autism is accepted as highly heritable, there is no genetic cure at this time. Autism is shown to be linked to several genes and is a feature of some complex genetic disorders, including fragile X syndrome (FXS), fragile X premutation involvement, tuberous sclerosis and Rett syndrome. The term autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) covers autism, Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorders (PDD-NOS) and the etiologies are heterogeneous. In recent years, targeted treatments have been developed for several disorders that have a known specific genetic cause leading to autism. Since there are significant molecular and neurobiological overlaps among disorders, targeted treatments developed for a specific disorder may be helpful in ASD of unknown etiology. Examples of this are two drug classes developed to treat FXS, Arbaclofen, a GABA(B) agonist, and mGluR5 antagonists, and both may be helpful in autism without FXS. The mGluR5 antagonists are also likely to have a benefit in the aging problems of fragile X premutation carriers, the fragile X -associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and the Parkinsonism that can occur in aging patients with fragile X syndrome. Targeted treatments in FXS which has a well known genetic etiology may lead to new targeted treatments in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Kağan Gürkan
- Department of Pediatrics and the MIND Institute, UC Davis Medical Center, Adress: MIND Institute at UC Davis Medical Center, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, California 95817
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- Department of Pediatrics and the MIND Institute, UC Davis Medical Center, Adress: MIND Institute at UC Davis Medical Center, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, California 95817
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