251
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Stacey TL, Froude EH, Trollor J, Foley KR. Leisure participation and satisfaction in autistic adults and neurotypical adults. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2018; 23:993-1004. [PMID: 30132680 DOI: 10.1177/1362361318791275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Leisure participation is important for well-being and has been attributed to improved quality of life for autistic individuals. Rigorous studies exploring the leisure participation of autistic adults are sparse. This study aimed to compare the type of leisure activity and frequency of participation between autistic adults and neurotypical adults as well as compare and identify factors associated with their leisure satisfaction. Data for 145 autistic and 104 neurotypical adults were obtained from time point one of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Adults with Autism. The primary outcome measure used was the Leisure Satisfaction Scale. Autistic adults were less satisfied with their leisure overall (mean = 3.29, standard deviation = 0.75) compared with neurotypical adults (mean = 3.69, standard deviation = 0.55). Multiple linear regression revealed being younger and reporting less depressive symptoms were significantly associated with higher leisure satisfaction in autistic but not neurotypical adults. Engagement in solitary leisure activities was comparable across participants, but socialising in person was predominated by neurotypical adults. Leisure activity preferences of autistic adults' and the frequency of their leisure participation are important factors for clinicians to understand when working with this population and tailoring well-being interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Julian Trollor
- 2 UNSW, Australia.,3 Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), Australia
| | - Kitty-Rose Foley
- 2 UNSW, Australia.,3 Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), Australia.,4 Southern Cross University, Australia
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252
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Pinares-Garcia P, Stratikopoulos M, Zagato A, Loke H, Lee J. Sex: A Significant Risk Factor for Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Brain Sci 2018; 8:E154. [PMID: 30104506 PMCID: PMC6120011 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8080154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Males and females sometimes significantly differ in their propensity to develop neurological disorders. Females suffer more from mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, whereas males are more susceptible to deficits in the dopamine system including Parkinson's disease (PD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. Despite this, biological sex is rarely considered when making treatment decisions in neurological disorders. A better understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) underlying sex differences in the healthy and diseased brain will help to devise diagnostic and therapeutic strategies optimal for each sex. Thus, the aim of this review is to discuss the available evidence on sex differences in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders regarding prevalence, progression, symptoms and response to therapy. We also discuss the sex-related factors such as gonadal sex hormones and sex chromosome genes and how these might help to explain some of the clinically observed sex differences in these disorders. In particular, we highlight the emerging role of the Y-chromosome gene, SRY, in the male brain and its potential role as a male-specific risk factor for disorders such as PD, autism, and ADHD in many individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Pinares-Garcia
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - Marielle Stratikopoulos
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - Alice Zagato
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia.
| | - Hannah Loke
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - Joohyung Lee
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
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253
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Wong CT, Bestard-Lorigados I, Crawford DA. Autism-related behaviors in the cyclooxygenase-2-deficient mouse model. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 18:e12506. [PMID: 30027581 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is an endogenous lipid molecule involved in normal brain development. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) is the main regulator of PGE2 synthesis. Emerging clinical and molecular research provides compelling evidence that abnormal COX2/PGE2 signaling is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We previously found that COX2 knockout mice had dysregulated expression of many ASD genes belonging to important biological pathways for neurodevelopment. The present study is the first to show the connection between irregular COX2/PGE2 signaling and autism-related behaviors in male and female COX2-deficient knockin, (COX)-2- , mice at young (4-6 weeks) or adult (8-11 weeks) ages. Autism-related behaviors were prominent in male (COX)-2- mice for most behavioral tests. In the open field test, (COX)-2- mice traveled more than controls and adult male (COX)-2- mice spent less time in the center indicating elevated hyperactive and anxiety-linked behaviors. (COX)-2- mice also buried more marbles, with males burying more than females, suggesting increased anxiety and repetitive behaviors. Young male (COX)-2- mice fell more frequently in the inverted screen test revealing motor deficits. The three-chamber sociability test found that adult female (COX)-2- mice spent less time in the novel mouse chamber indicative of social abnormalities. In addition, male (COX)-2- mice showed altered expression of several autism-linked genes: Wnt2, Glo1, Grm5 and Mmp9. Overall, our findings offer new insight into the involvement of disrupted COX2/PGE2 signaling in ASD pathology with age-related differences and greater impact on males. We propose that (COX)-2- mice might serve as a novel model system to study specific types of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine T Wong
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neuroscience Graduate Diploma Program, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Isabel Bestard-Lorigados
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neuroscience Graduate Diploma Program, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dorota A Crawford
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neuroscience Graduate Diploma Program, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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254
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Lord C, Elsabbagh M, Baird G, Veenstra-Vanderweele J. Autism spectrum disorder. Lancet 2018; 392:508-520. [PMID: 30078460 PMCID: PMC7398158 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)31129-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 934] [Impact Index Per Article: 155.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is a term used to describe a constellation of early-appearing social communication deficits and repetitive sensory-motor behaviours associated with a strong genetic component as well as other causes. The outlook for many individuals with autism spectrum disorder today is brighter than it was 50 years ago; more people with the condition are able to speak, read, and live in the community rather than in institutions, and some will be largely free from symptoms of the disorder by adulthood. Nevertheless, most individuals will not work full-time or live independently. Genetics and neuroscience have identified intriguing patterns of risk, but without much practical benefit yet. Considerable work is still needed to understand how and when behavioural and medical treatments can be effective, and for which children, including those with substantial comorbidities. It is also important to implement what we already know and develop services for adults with autism spectrum disorder. Clinicians can make a difference by providing timely and individualised help to families navigating referrals and access to community support systems, by providing accurate information despite often unfiltered media input, and by anticipating transitions such as family changes and school entry and leaving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Lord
- Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, White Plains, NY, USA.
| | - Mayada Elsabbagh
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gillian Baird
- Evelina Children's Hospital, King's Health Partners, London, UK
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-Vanderweele
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, White Plains, NY, USA
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255
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Thion MS, Garel S. [Microbiome and microglia: prenatal and postnatal interactions diverge according to sex]. Med Sci (Paris) 2018; 34:527-529. [PMID: 30067209 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/20183406011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Sonia Thion
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, Inserm, PSL université Paris, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Sonia Garel
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, Inserm, PSL université Paris, 75005 Paris, France
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256
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Clinical characteristics and problems diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in girls. Arch Pediatr 2018; 25:399-403. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arcped.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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257
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Kang E, Keifer CM, Levy EJ, Foss-Feig JH, McPartland JC, Lerner MD. Atypicality of the N170 Event-Related Potential in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2018; 3:657-666. [PMID: 30092916 PMCID: PMC6089230 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 11/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with impaired face processing. The N170 event-related potential (ERP) has been considered a promising neural marker of this impairment. However, no quantitative review to date has integrated the literature to assess whether the N170 response to faces in individuals with ASD differs from that of typically developing (TD) individuals. METHODS This meta-analysis examined the corpus of literature investigating difference in N170 response to faces in individuals with ASD and without ASD. Data from 23 studies (NASD = 374, NTD = 359) were reviewed. Meta-analysis was used to examine the effect size of the difference in N170 latency and amplitude among individuals with ASD and without ASD. Analyses were also conducted examining hemispheric differences, potential moderators, and publication bias. RESULTS On average, N170 latencies to faces were delayed in individuals with ASD, but amplitudes did not differ for individuals with ASD and TD individuals. Moderator analyses revealed that N170 amplitudes were smaller in magnitude in the ASD participants relative to the TD participants in adult samples and in those with higher cognitive ability. However, effects differed as a function of hemisphere of recording. No evidence of publication bias was found. CONCLUSIONS Atypicality of N170-particularly latency-to faces appears to be a specific biomarker of social-communicative dysfunction in ASD and may relate to differential developmental experiences and use of compensatory cognitive mechanisms. Future research should examine phenotypic differences that contribute to N170 heterogeneity, as well as specificity of N170 differences in ASD versus non-ASD clinical populations, and N170 malleability with treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Kang
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York.
| | - Cara M Keifer
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Emily J Levy
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | | | - Matthew D Lerner
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
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258
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Knutsen J, Crossman M, Perrin J, Shui A, Kuhlthau K. Sex differences in restricted repetitive behaviors and interests in children with autism spectrum disorder: An Autism Treatment Network study. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2018; 23:858-868. [PMID: 30047281 DOI: 10.1177/1362361318786490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Compared to the social communication domain, considerably less is known about the cause, development, and impact of restricted, repetitive behaviors interests and activities in children with autism spectrum disorder, including possible sex differences. This study examined sex differences in clinically identified (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) restricted and repetitive behavior symptoms using the largest known sample (N = 1024) of age-matched and intelligence quotient-matched female and male children with autism spectrum disorder. More similarities than differences were observed; however, younger higher functioning and older lower functioning females presented reduced rates on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule restricted and repetitive behavior subcategory unusually repetitive/excessive, stereotyped behaviors compared to similar males. These findings identify key restricted and repetitive behavior similarities and differences among young females and males with autism spectrum disorder and emphasize the need for a deeper understanding of the female autism phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Knutsen
- 1 Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA
- 2 Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Morgan Crossman
- 1 Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA
- 2 Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - James Perrin
- 1 Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA
- 2 Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Amy Shui
- 1 Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA
| | - Karen Kuhlthau
- 1 Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA
- 2 Harvard Medical School, USA
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259
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260
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Whitehouse AJO, Alvares GA, Cleary D, Harun A, Stojanoska A, Taylor LJ, Varcin KJ, Maybery M. Symptom severity in autism spectrum disorder is related to the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy: a retrospective case-control study. Mol Autism 2018; 9:37. [PMID: 29951183 PMCID: PMC6009817 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-018-0223-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) is thought to be caused by changes in maternal hormones during pregnancy. Differences in hormone exposure during prenatal life have been implicated in the causal pathways for some cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, no study has investigated whether the presence and severity of NVP may be related to symptom severity in offspring with ASD. Methods A large sample of children with ASD (227 males and 60 females, aged 2 to 18 years) received a clinical assessment, during which parents completed questionnaires regarding their child’s social (Social Responsiveness Scale, SRS) and communication (Children’s Communication Checklist–2nd edition, CCC-2) symptoms. Parents also reported on a 5-point scale the frequency and severity of NVPs during the pregnancy of the child being assessed: (1) no NVP during the pregnancy, (2) occasional nausea, but no vomiting, (3) daily nausea, but no vomiting, (4) occasional vomiting, with or without nausea, and (5) daily nausea and vomiting. Results Impairments in social responsiveness in offspring, as indexed by SRS total score, significantly increased as a function of the frequency and severity of their mothers’ NVP, as did the level of language difficulties as indexed by the Global Communication Composite of the CCC-2. Conclusions The strong, positive association between increasing frequency and severity of NVP and ASD severity in offspring provides further evidence that exposure to an atypical hormonal environment during prenatal life may affect neurodevelopment and contribute to the ASD phenotype. Given that the measure of NVP symptoms in the current study was based on retrospective recall, replication of this finding is required before strong conclusions can be drawn. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13229-018-0223-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J O Whitehouse
- 1Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, 100 Roberts Rd, Subiaco, WA 6009 Australia.,4Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, 100 Roberts Road, Subiaco, WA 6008 Australia
| | - Gail A Alvares
- 1Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, 100 Roberts Rd, Subiaco, WA 6009 Australia
| | - Dominique Cleary
- 1Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, 100 Roberts Rd, Subiaco, WA 6009 Australia
| | - Alexis Harun
- 1Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, 100 Roberts Rd, Subiaco, WA 6009 Australia
| | - Angela Stojanoska
- 1Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, 100 Roberts Rd, Subiaco, WA 6009 Australia
| | - Lauren J Taylor
- 2Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, UK
| | - Kandice J Varcin
- 1Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, 100 Roberts Rd, Subiaco, WA 6009 Australia
| | - Murray Maybery
- 3School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, 6009 Australia
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261
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Tanigawa J, Kagitani-Shimono K, Matsuzaki J, Ogawa R, Hanaie R, Yamamoto T, Tominaga K, Nabatame S, Mohri I, Taniike M, Ozono K. Atypical auditory language processing in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Clin Neurophysiol 2018; 129:2029-2037. [PMID: 29934264 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often show characteristic differences in auditory processing. To clarify the mechanisms underlying communication impairment in ASD, we examined auditory language processing with both anatomical and functional methods. METHODS We assessed the language abilities of adolescents with ASD and typically developing (TD) adolescents, and analyzed the surface-based morphometric structure between the groups using magnetic resonance imaging. Furthermore, we measured cortical responses to an auditory word comprehension task with magnetoencephalography and performed network-based statistics using the phase locking values. RESULTS We observed no structural differences between the groups. However, the volume of the left ventral central sulcus (vCS) showed a significant correlation with linguistic scores in ASD. Moreover, adolescents with ASD showed weaker cortical activation in the left vCS and superior temporal sulcus. Furthermore, these regions showed differential correlations with linguistic scores between the groups. Moreover, the ASD group had an atypical gamma band (25-40 Hz) network centered on the left vCS. CONCLUSIONS Adolescents with ASD showed atypical responses on the auditory word comprehension task and functional brain differences. SIGNIFICANCE Our results suggest that phonological processing and gamma band cortical activity play a critical role in auditory language processing-related pathophysiology in adolescents with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpei Tanigawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Kuriko Kagitani-Shimono
- Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Division of Developmental Neuroscience, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Junko Matsuzaki
- Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Rei Ogawa
- Division of Developmental Neuroscience, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Ryuzo Hanaie
- Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Tomoka Yamamoto
- Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Koji Tominaga
- Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Division of Developmental Neuroscience, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Shin Nabatame
- Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Ikuko Mohri
- Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Division of Developmental Neuroscience, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Masako Taniike
- Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Division of Developmental Neuroscience, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Keiichi Ozono
- Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
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262
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Differences in Neural Correlates of Speech Perception in 3 Month Olds at High and Low Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 47:3125-3138. [PMID: 28688078 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3222-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated neural precursors of language acquisition as potential endophenotypes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 3-month-old infants at high and low familial ASD risk. Infants were imaged using functional near-infrared spectroscopy while they listened to auditory stimuli containing syllable repetitions; their neural responses were analyzed over left and right temporal regions. While female low risk infants showed initial neural activation that decreased over exposure to repetition-based stimuli, potentially indicating a habituation response to repetition in speech, female high risk infants showed no changes in neural activity over exposure. This finding may indicate a potential neural endophenotype of language development or ASD specific to females at risk for the disorder.
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263
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Sturner R, Howard B, Bergmann P, Morrel T, Landa R, Walton K, Marks D. Accurate Autism Screening at the 18-Month Well-Child Visit Requires Different Strategies than at 24 Months. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 47:3296-3310. [PMID: 28762159 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3231-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Accuracy of autism screening using M-CHAT plus the follow-up interview (M-CHAT/F) for children screened positive at 18-months was compared to screening at 24-months. Formal ASD testing was criterion for a community sample of M-CHAT positive children (n = 98), positive predictive value (PPV) was 0.40 for the M-CHAT and 0.58 for the M-CHAT/F. MCHAT/F PPV was 0.69 among children 20+ months compared to 0.36 for <20 months. Multivariate analyses incorporating data from the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory, M-CHAT and M-CHAT/F results, and M-CHAT items suggest language variables carry greatest relative importance in contributing to an age-based algorithm with potential to improve PPV for toddlers <20 months to the same level as observed in older toddlers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Sturner
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA. .,Center for Promotion of Child Development through Primary Care, Baltimore, MD, 21210, USA. .,, 6017 Altamont Place, Baltimore, MD, 21210, USA.
| | - Barbara Howard
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.,Total Child Health, Baltimore, MD, 21210, USA
| | - Paul Bergmann
- Foresight Logic, Inc., Saint Paul, MN, USA.,PrairieCare Institute, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Rebecca Landa
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.,Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Kejuana Walton
- Total Child Health, Baltimore, MD, 21210, USA.,Baltimore Healthy Start, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Danielle Marks
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.,Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, MD, 21215, USA.,Maternal and Child Health Unit, Public Health Division, Wyoming Department of Health, Evanston, WY, USA
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264
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Klein-Tasman BP, Mervis CB. Autism Spectrum Symptomatology Among Children with Duplication 7q11.23 Syndrome. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 48:1982-1994. [PMID: 29307037 PMCID: PMC6003247 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3439-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Gold-standard diagnostic assessments of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptomatology were conducted on 63 children (mean CA: 8.81 years) with 7q11.23 duplication syndrome, one of the copy number variants identified by Sanders et al. (Neuron 70:863-885, 2011a) as associated with ASD. ASD classification rate was 39.6% for the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and 25.4% for the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2). Based on these assessments combined with clinical judgment, 19.0% of children were diagnosed with ASD. Reasons for these discrepancies are discussed, as are differences in rate of diagnosis as a function of sex, age, and ADOS-2 module administered and differences in intellectual and adaptive behavior abilities as a function of presence or absence of ASD diagnosis and ADOS-2 module administered. Implications are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonita P Klein-Tasman
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, PO Box 413, Milwaukee, WI, 53201, USA.
| | - Carolyn B Mervis
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, 317 Life Sciences Building, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
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265
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Egger HL, Dawson G, Hashemi J, Carpenter KLH, Espinosa S, Campbell K, Brotkin S, Schaich-Borg J, Qiu Q, Tepper M, Baker JP, Bloomfield RA, Sapiro G. Automatic emotion and attention analysis of young children at home: a ResearchKit autism feasibility study. NPJ Digit Med 2018; 1:20. [PMID: 31304303 PMCID: PMC6550157 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-018-0024-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Current tools for objectively measuring young children's observed behaviors are expensive, time-consuming, and require extensive training and professional administration. The lack of scalable, reliable, and validated tools impacts access to evidence-based knowledge and limits our capacity to collect population-level data in non-clinical settings. To address this gap, we developed mobile technology to collect videos of young children while they watched movies designed to elicit autism-related behaviors and then used automatic behavioral coding of these videos to quantify children's emotions and behaviors. We present results from our iPhone study Autism & Beyond, built on ResearchKit's open-source platform. The entire study-from an e-Consent process to stimuli presentation and data collection-was conducted within an iPhone-based app available in the Apple Store. Over 1 year, 1756 families with children aged 12-72 months old participated in the study, completing 5618 caregiver-reported surveys and uploading 4441 videos recorded in the child's natural settings. Usable data were collected on 87.6% of the uploaded videos. Automatic coding identified significant differences in emotion and attention by age, sex, and autism risk status. This study demonstrates the acceptability of an app-based tool to caregivers, their willingness to upload videos of their children, the feasibility of caregiver-collected data in the home, and the application of automatic behavioral encoding to quantify emotions and attention variables that are clinically meaningful and may be refined to screen children for autism and developmental disorders outside of clinical settings. This technology has the potential to transform how we screen and monitor children's development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen L. Egger
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke Health, Durham, USA
- Present Address: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Langone Health, Adjunct at Duke Health, Durham, USA
| | - Geraldine Dawson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke Health, Durham, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Durham, USA
| | - Jordan Hashemi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, USA
| | - Kimberly L. H. Carpenter
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke Health, Durham, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Durham, USA
| | - Steven Espinosa
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, USA
| | - Kathleen Campbell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke Health, Durham, USA
| | - Samuel Brotkin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke Health, Durham, USA
| | - Jana Schaich-Borg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke Health, Durham, USA
| | - Qiang Qiu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, USA
| | - Mariano Tepper
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, USA
| | | | - Richard A. Bloomfield
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke Health, Durham, USA
- Present Address: Apple, Inc., Cupertino, USA
| | - Guillermo Sapiro
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Computer Sciences, Department of Mathematics, Duke University, Durham, USA
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266
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) characteristics seem to abate over time, but whether this protracts until late adulthood is largely unknown. We cross-sectionally investigated self- and other-reported ASD characteristics of adults with (ASD: Nmax-self = 237, Nmax-other = 130) and without ASD (COM: Nmax-self = 198, Nmax-other = 148) aged 19-79 years. Within the ASD group, self-reported ASD characteristics, and sensory sensitivities were highest in middle adulthood, while age was not associated to empathy. Sex differences were also found. However, age-and sex-related differences were not revealed by others and self- and other-report were poorly concordant. These results show that ASD characteristics in adulthood are differently perceived across age, sex, and informants and suggest that it is important to repeatedly assess self-reported ASD characteristics during adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne G Lever
- Department of Psychology, Dutch Autism and ADHD Research Center, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129B, 1018 WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Dimence, Deventer, The Netherlands
| | - Hilde M Geurts
- Department of Psychology, Dutch Autism and ADHD Research Center, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129B, 1018 WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Dr. Leo Kannerhuis, Research Development & Innovation, Doorwerth, The Netherlands.
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267
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Moseley RL, Hitchiner R, Kirkby JA. Self-reported sex differences in high-functioning adults with autism: a meta-analysis. Mol Autism 2018; 9:33. [PMID: 29796237 PMCID: PMC5960195 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-018-0216-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sex differences in autistic symptomatology are believed to contribute to the mis- and missed diagnosis of many girls and women with an autism spectrum condition (ASC). Whilst recent years have seen the emergence of clinical and empirical reports delineating the profile of young autistic girls, recognition of sex differences in symptomatology in adulthood is far more limited. Methods We chose here to focus on symptomatology as reported using a screening instrument, the Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R). In a meta-analysis, we pooled and analysed RAADS-R data from a number of experimental groups. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) searched for the presence of main effects of Sex and Diagnosis and for interactions between these factors in our sample of autistic and non-autistic adults. Results In social relatedness and circumscribed interests, main effects of Diagnosis revealed that as expected, autistic adults reported significantly greater lifetime prevalence of symptoms in these domains; an effect of Sex, in circumscribed interests, also suggested that males generally reported more prevalent symptoms than females. An interaction of Sex and Diagnosis in language symptomatology revealed that a normative sex difference in language difficulties was attenuated in autism. An interaction of Sex and Diagnosis in the sensorimotor domain revealed the opposite picture: a lack of sex differences between typically developing men and women and a greater prevalence of sensorimotor symptoms in autistic women than autistic men. Conclusions We discuss the literature on childhood sex differences in relation to those which emerged in our adult sample. Where childhood sex differences fail to persist in adulthood, several interpretations exist, and we discuss, for example, an inherent sampling bias that may mean that only autistic women most similar to the male presentation are diagnosed. The finding that sensorimotor symptomatology is more highly reported by autistic women is a finding requiring objective confirmation, given its potential importance in diagnosis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13229-018-0216-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Moseley
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB UK
| | - R Hitchiner
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB UK
| | - J A Kirkby
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB UK
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268
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Dong D, Zielke HR, Yeh D, Yang P. Cellular stress and apoptosis contribute to the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2018; 11:1076-1090. [PMID: 29761862 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The molecular pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder, a neurodevelopmental disorder, is still elusive. In this study, we investigated the possible roles of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, oxidative stress, and apoptosis as molecular mechanisms underlying autism. This study compared the activation of ER stress signals (protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase [PERK], activating transcription factor 6 [ATF6], inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha [IRE1α]) in different brain regions (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum) in subjects with autism and in age-matched controls. Our data showed that the activation of three signals of ER stress varies in different regions of the autistic brain. IRE1α was activated in cerebellum and prefrontal cortex but ATF6 was activated in hippocampus. PERK was not activated in the three regions. Furthermore, the activation of ER stress was confirmed because the expression of C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP), which is the common downstream indicators of ER stress signals, and most of ER chaperones were upregulated in the three regions. Consistent with the induction of ER stress, apoptosis was found in the three regions by detecting the cleavage of caspase 8 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase as well as using the transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Moreover, our data showed that oxidative stress was responsible for ER stress and apoptosis because the levels of 4-Hydroxynonenal and nitrotyrosine-modified proteins were significantly increased in the three regions. In conclusion, these data indicate that cellular stress and apoptosis may play important roles in the pathogenesis of autism. Autism Res 2018, 11: 1076-1090. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY Autism results in significant morbidity and mortality in children. The functional and molecular changes in the autistic brains are unclear. The present study utilized autistic brain tissues from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's Brain Tissue Bank for the analysis of cellular and molecular changes in autistic brains. Three key brain regions, the hippocampus, the cerebellum, and the frontal cortex, in six cases of autistic brains and six cases of non-autistic brains from 6 to 16 years old deceased children, were analyzed. The current study investigated the possible roles of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, oxidative stress, and apoptosis as molecular mechanisms underlying autism. The activation of three signals of ER stress (protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase, activating transcription factor 6, inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha) varies in different regions. The occurrence of ER stress leads to apoptosis in autistic brains. ER stress may result from oxidative stress because of elevated levels of the oxidative stress markers: 4-Hydroxynonenal and nitrotyrosine-modified proteins in autistic brains. These findings suggest that cellular stress and apoptosis may contribute to the autistic phenotype. Pharmaceuticals and/or dietary supplements, which can alleviate ER stress, oxidative stress and apoptosis, may be effective in ameliorating adverse phenotypes associated with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daoyin Dong
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Horst Ronald Zielke
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - David Yeh
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Peixin Yang
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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269
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Neurodevelopmental disorders disproportionately affect males. The mechanisms underlying male vulnerability or female protection are not known and remain understudied. Determining the processes involved is crucial to understanding the etiology and advancing treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we review current findings and theories that contribute to male preponderance of neurodevelopmental disorders, with a focus on autism. RECENT FINDINGS Recent work on the biological basis of the male preponderance of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders includes discussion of a higher genetic burden in females and sex-specific gene mutations or epigenetic changes that differentially confer risk to males or protection to females. Other mechanisms discussed are sex chromosome and sex hormone involvement. Specifically, fetal testosterone is involved in many aspects of development and may interact with neurotransmitter, neuropeptide, or immune pathways to contribute to male vulnerability. Finally, the possibilities of female underdiagnosis and a multi-hit hypothesis are discussed. This review highlights current theories of male bias in developmental disorders. Topics include environmental, genetic, and epigenetic mechanisms; theories of sex chromosomes, hormones, neuroendocrine, and immune function; underdiagnosis of females; and a multi-hit hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L. Ferri
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, 169 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA
| | - Ted Abel
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, 169 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA
| | - Edward S. Brodkin
- Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Translational Research Laboratory, 125 South 31 Street, Room 2202, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3403 USA
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270
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Neuhaus E, Beauchaine TP, Bernier RA, Webb SJ. Child and family characteristics moderate agreement between caregiver and clinician report of autism symptoms. Autism Res 2018; 11:476-487. [PMID: 29251835 PMCID: PMC5867206 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and age at first diagnosis vary considerably across the United States and are moderated by children's sex, race, ethnicity, and availability of services. We additionally suggest that degree of caregiver-clinician agreement on ASD symptoms may play a role in ASD assessment. Since gold standard ASD assessment integrates caregiver-reported developmental history with clinician observations, differential agreement between reporters across demographic groups may contribute to a host of detrimental outcomes. Here, we investigate whether caregiver-clinician agreement on ASD symptoms varies according to child and family characteristics. Comprehensive data from 2,759 families in the Simons Simplex Collection were analyzed. Linear models were created with caregiver reports predicting clinician reports, and moderating effects of child characteristics and family factors were examined. Poorer reporter correspondence was observed when children had higher IQ scores, stronger adaptive behavior, and more behavioral difficulties. Greater disagreement was also associated with African American racial status (for younger children), lower household income, and paternal social difficulties (for older children). Children's biological sex did not moderate caregiver-clinician agreement. Marked disagreement between caregivers and clinicians could lead to suboptimal or insufficient intervention services and negative experiences for families throughout development. Such families may also be less likely to qualify for research studies, and therefore be underrepresented in the ASD literature. Modified assessment procedures may be required to improve assessment accuracy and family experiences. Autism Res 2018, 11: 476-487. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY Evaluation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) incorporates both caregiver and clinician perspectives of symptoms, and disagreement between these perspectives could lead to poorer outcomes for families. Using data from 2,759 families, we show that caregiver-clinician agreement on ASD symptoms is poorer for children with higher cognitive and adaptive skills, more behavioral difficulties, lower household income, and African American racial status. These children may be at higher risk for misdiagnosis, poorer family experiences during evaluations, and poorer representation in ASD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Neuhaus
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Center on Child Health, Behavior, and Development, M/S CW8-6, PO Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145
| | - Theodore P. Beauchaine
- The Ohio State University, 135 Psychology Building, 1835 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Raphael A. Bernier
- University of Washington, Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Box 357920, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Sara J. Webb
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Center on Child Health, Behavior, and Development, M/S CW8-6, PO Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145
- University of Washington, Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Box 357920, Seattle, WA 98195
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271
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Szatmari P. Risk and resilience in autism spectrum disorder: a missed translational opportunity? Dev Med Child Neurol 2018; 60:225-229. [PMID: 28976014 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.13588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The objective of this review is to provide a narrative summary of risk and resiliency in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) over the lifespan. In recent years, much has been learned about risk factors for ASD which include both genetic and environmental mechanisms. Resiliency in ASD is much less studied but examples can be gleaned by exploring studies that allow for heterogeneity in causation and outcome. Possible examples come from the literature on sex difference, infant siblings, and natural history. Exciting translational opportunities can be achieved through a greater focus on understanding protective factors and resiliency in ASD than the field's almost exclusive focus on risk factors and the ability to predict poor outcomes. Although the exact nature of processes that protect in ASD are not yet known, putting a resiliency lens on research and clinical practice may prove illuminating. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS Resiliency in autism spectrum disorder is a function of the vast variation seen in etiology and outcome. A focus on strengthening protective factors may improve long-term outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Szatmari
- Child and Youth Mental Health Collaborative, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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272
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Driscoll DJO', Felice VD, Kenny LC, Boylan GB, O'Keeffe GW. Mild prenatal hypoxia-ischemia leads to social deficits and central and peripheral inflammation in exposed offspring. Brain Behav Immun 2018; 69:418-427. [PMID: 29355822 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) resulting from intrauterine or perinatal hypoxic-ischemia (HI) is a leading cause of long-term neonatal neurodisability. While most studies of long-term outcome have focused on moderate and severe HIE in term infants, recent work has shown that those with mild HIE may have subtle neurological impairments. However, the impact of mild HI on pre-term infants is much less clear given that pre-term birth is itself a risk factor for neurodisability. Here we show that mild HI insult alters behaviour, inflammation and the corticosterone stress response in a rat model of pre-term HIE. Mild HI exposure led to social deficits in exposed offspring at postnatal day 30, without impairments in the novel object recognition test nor in the open field test. This was also accompanied by elevations in circulating adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone indicating an exaggerated stress response. There were also elevations in il-1β and il-6 but not tnf-α mRNA and protein in the brain and blood samples. In summary we find that a mild HI exposure leads to social deficits, central and peripheral inflammation, and an abnormal corticosterone response which are three core features of autism spectrum disorder. This shows that mild HI exposure may be a risk factor for an abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome in pre-term offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J O ' Driscoll
- Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University College Cork (UCC), Cork, Ireland
| | - Valeria D Felice
- Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, UCC, Cork, Ireland
| | - Louise C Kenny
- Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University College Cork (UCC), Cork, Ireland
| | - Geraldine B Boylan
- Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, UCC, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerard W O'Keeffe
- Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience and Cork Neuroscience Centre, UCC, Cork, Ireland.
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273
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Nobili A, Krashia P, Cordella A, La Barbera L, Dell'Acqua MC, Caruso A, Pignataro A, Marino R, Sciarra F, Biamonte F, Scattoni ML, Ammassari-Teule M, Cecconi F, Berretta N, Keller F, Mercuri NB, D'Amelio M. Ambra1 Shapes Hippocampal Inhibition/Excitation Balance: Role in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:7921-7940. [PMID: 29488136 PMCID: PMC6132777 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-0911-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Imbalances between excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission cause brain network dysfunction and are central to the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders. Parvalbumin interneurons are highly implicated in this imbalance. Here, we probed the social behavior and hippocampal function of mice carrying a haploinsufficiency for Ambra1, a pro-autophagic gene crucial for brain development. We show that heterozygous Ambra1 mice (Ambra+/−) are characterized by loss of hippocampal parvalbumin interneurons, decreases in the inhibition/excitation ratio, and altered social behaviors that are solely restricted to the female gender. Loss of parvalbumin interneurons in Ambra1+/− females is further linked to reductions of the inhibitory drive onto principal neurons and alterations in network oscillatory activity, CA1 synaptic plasticity, and pyramidal neuron spine density. Parvalbumin interneuron loss is underlined by increased apoptosis during the embryonic development of progenitor neurons in the medial ganglionic eminence. Together, these findings identify an Ambra1-dependent mechanism that drives inhibition/excitation imbalance in the hippocampus, contributing to abnormal brain activity reminiscent of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Nobili
- Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143, Rome, Italy.,Department of Medicine, University Campus-Biomedico, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Paraskevi Krashia
- Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143, Rome, Italy. .,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Alberto Cordella
- Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143, Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Livia La Barbera
- Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143, Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Dell'Acqua
- Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143, Rome, Italy.,Department of Medicine, University Campus-Biomedico, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Caruso
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Annabella Pignataro
- Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143, Rome, Italy.,Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology (IBCN), National Research Council (CNR), 00143, Rome, Italy
| | - Ramona Marino
- Department of Medicine, University Campus-Biomedico, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Sciarra
- Department of Medicine, University Campus-Biomedico, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Biamonte
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, "A. Gemelli" Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Scattoni
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Martine Ammassari-Teule
- Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143, Rome, Italy.,Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology (IBCN), National Research Council (CNR), 00143, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Cecconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', 00133, Rome, Italy.,Cell Stress and Survival Group, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, IRCSS Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Berretta
- Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavio Keller
- Department of Medicine, University Campus-Biomedico, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Biagio Mercuri
- Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143, Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello D'Amelio
- Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143, Rome, Italy. .,Department of Medicine, University Campus-Biomedico, 00128, Rome, Italy.
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274
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McVey AJ, Schiltz H, Haendel A, Dolan BK, Willar KS, Pleiss S, Karst JS, Carson AM, Caiozzo C, Vogt E, Van Hecke AV. Brief Report: Does Gender Matter in Intervention for ASD? Examining the Impact of the PEERS ® Social Skills Intervention on Social Behavior Among Females with ASD. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 47:2282-2289. [PMID: 28391452 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3121-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A paucity of research has been conducted to examine the effect of social skills intervention on females with ASD. Females with ASD may have more difficulty developing meaningful friendships than males, as the social climate can be more complex (Archer, Coyne, Personality and Social Psychology Review 9(3):212-230, 2005). This study examined whether treatment response among females differed from males. One hundred and seventy-seven adolescents and young adults with ASD (N = 177) participated in this study. When analyzed by group, no significant differences by gender emerged: PEERS® knowledge (TASSK/TYASSK, p = .494), direct interactions (QSQ, p = .762), or social responsiveness (SRS, p = .689; SSIS-RS, p = .482). Thus, females and males with ASD respond similarly to the PEERS® intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana J McVey
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA.
| | - Hillary Schiltz
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
| | - Angela Haendel
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
| | - Bridget K Dolan
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
| | - Kirsten S Willar
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA.,Children's Hospital Colorado, 13123 E 16th Ave., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Sheryl Pleiss
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA.,University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Karst
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA.,Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Audrey M Carson
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA.,Texas Children's Hospital, 6621 Fannin St, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Christina Caiozzo
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
| | - Elisabeth Vogt
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
| | - Amy Vaughan Van Hecke
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
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275
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Torske T, Nærland T, Øie MG, Stenberg N, Andreassen OA. Metacognitive Aspects of Executive Function Are Highly Associated with Social Functioning on Parent-Rated Measures in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 11:258. [PMID: 29375332 PMCID: PMC5767603 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by social dysfunction. Even though executive dysfunction has been recognized as important in understanding ASD, the findings are inconsistent. This might be due to different definitions of executive function (EF), which part of EF that has been studied, structured vs. unstructured tasks, inclusion of different moderators (age, IQ, sex) and different diagnostic categories within the spectrum. The main finding is that people with ASD have more EF difficulties than normal controls and more difficulties on open-end tasks than on structured cognitive tasks. Since some EF difficulties may not be observable in a laboratory setting, informant measures might have higher ecological validity than neuropsychological tests. Evidence suggests that executive dysfunctions are associated with social impairments, but few studies have investigated the details of this relationship, and it remains unclear what types of EF deficits are relevant for the social problems of individuals with ASD. Here we investigated which EF domains were associated with various domains of social function on parent-rated measures. A total of 86 children and adolescents with a diagnosis of ASD were included and tested for general cognitive abilities. Parents completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Multiple regression analysis revealed significant associations between SRS scores and age, sex, total IQ and the BRIEF indexes. The Metacognition Index from the BRIEF added significantly to the prediction of the SRS total score and the subscales Social Communication, Social Motivation and Autistic Mannerisms. The findings suggest that metacognitive aspects of EF are of particular importance for social abilities in children and adolescents with ASD. Earlier research has shown that typically developing (TD) children have a different relationship between EF and social function than children with ASD. They found that in TD children the EF domain related to behavioral regulation was most important to social function. The results from the current study may have implications for understanding the cognitive components of the social problems that define ASD, and may be relevant in developing more targeted clinical EF interventions related to core ASD dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonje Torske
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Norway
| | - Terje Nærland
- NevSom Department of Rare Disorders and Disabilities, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Merete G Øie
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Research Department, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway
| | - Nina Stenberg
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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276
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Nag HE, Nordgren A, Anderlid BM, Nærland T. Reversed gender ratio of autism spectrum disorder in Smith-Magenis syndrome. Mol Autism 2018; 9:1. [PMID: 29321841 PMCID: PMC5759230 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0184-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A substantial amount of research shows a higher rate of autistic type of problems in males compared to females. The 4:1 male to female ratio is one of the most consistent findings in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Lately, the interest in studying ASD in genetic disorders has increased, and research has shown a higher prevalence of ASD in some genetic disorders than in the general population. Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a rare and complex genetic syndrome caused by an interstitial deletion of chromosome 17p11.2 or a mutation on the retinoic acid induced 1 gene. The disorder is characterised by intellectual disability, multiple congenital anomalies, obesity, neurobehavioural abnormalities and a disrupted circadian sleep-wake pattern. Methods Parents of 28 persons with SMS between 5 and 50 years old participated in this study. A total of 12 of the persons with SMS were above the age of 18 at the time of the study. A total of 11 came from Sweden and 17 were from Norway. We collected information regarding the number of autism spectrum symptoms using the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Adaptive behaviour was also measured using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale II. The level of intellectual disability was derived from a review of the medical chart. Results We found significant gender differences in ASD symptomatology using the SCQ and SRS questionnaires. We found approximately three females per male above the SCQ cutoff. The same differences were not found in the intellectual level and adaptive behaviour or for behavioural and emotional problems. Gender had an independent contribution in a regression model predicting the total SCQ score, and neither the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale II nor the Developmental Behaviour Checklist had an independent contribution to the SCQ scores. Conclusion We found a clear reversed gender difference in ASD symptomatology in persons with SMS. This may be relevant in the search for female protective factors assumed to explain the male bias in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Elisabeth Nag
- Frambu Resource Centre for Rare Disorders, Siggerud, Norway.,University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Ann Nordgren
- Karolinska Centre for Rare Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
| | - Britt-Marie Anderlid
- Karolinska Centre for Rare Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
| | - Terje Nærland
- NevSom, Department of Rare Disorders and Disabilities, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, NORMENT, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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277
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Fakhoury M. Imaging genetics in autism spectrum disorders: Linking genetics and brain imaging in the pursuit of the underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 80:101-114. [PMID: 28322981 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) include a wide range of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions that affect an individual in several aspects of social communication and behavior. Recent advances in molecular genetic technologies have dramatically increased our understanding of ASD etiology through the identification of several autism risk genes, most of which serve important functions in synaptic plasticity and protein synthesis. However, despite significant progress in this field of research, the characterization of the neurobiological mechanisms by which common genetic risk variants might operate to give rise to ASD symptomatology has proven to be far more difficult than expected. The imaging genetics approach holds great promise for advancing our understanding of ASD etiology by bridging the gap between genetic variations and their resultant biological effects on the brain. This paper provides a conceptual overview of the contribution of genetics in ASD and discusses key findings from the emerging field of imaging genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Fakhoury
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada.
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278
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Thion MS, Low D, Silvin A, Chen J, Grisel P, Schulte-Schrepping J, Blecher R, Ulas T, Squarzoni P, Hoeffel G, Coulpier F, Siopi E, David FS, Scholz C, Shihui F, Lum J, Amoyo AA, Larbi A, Poidinger M, Buttgereit A, Lledo PM, Greter M, Chan JKY, Amit I, Beyer M, Schultze JL, Schlitzer A, Pettersson S, Ginhoux F, Garel S. Microbiome Influences Prenatal and Adult Microglia in a Sex-Specific Manner. Cell 2017; 172:500-516.e16. [PMID: 29275859 PMCID: PMC5786503 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.11.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 501] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Microglia are embryonically seeded macrophages that contribute to brain development, homeostasis, and pathologies. It is thus essential to decipher how microglial properties are temporally regulated by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, such as sexual identity and the microbiome. Here, we found that microglia undergo differentiation phases, discernable by transcriptomic signatures and chromatin accessibility landscapes, which can diverge in adult males and females. Remarkably, the absence of microbiome in germ-free mice had a time and sexually dimorphic impact both prenatally and postnatally: microglia were more profoundly perturbed in male embryos and female adults. Antibiotic treatment of adult mice triggered sexually biased microglial responses revealing both acute and long-term effects of microbiota depletion. Finally, human fetal microglia exhibited significant overlap with the murine transcriptomic signature. Our study shows that microglia respond to environmental challenges in a sex- and time-dependent manner from prenatal stages, with major implications for our understanding of microglial contributions to health and disease. Microglia undergo sequential phases of differentiation during development The maternal microbiome influences microglial properties during prenatal stages The absence of the microbiome has a sex- and time-specific impact on microglia Microbiome depletions have acute and long-term effects on microglial properties
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Sonia Thion
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole normale supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Donovan Low
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Aymeric Silvin
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Jinmiao Chen
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Pauline Grisel
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole normale supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Jonas Schulte-Schrepping
- Genomics and Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Ronnie Blecher
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Thomas Ulas
- Genomics and Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Paola Squarzoni
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole normale supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Hoeffel
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore; Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, INSERM, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Fanny Coulpier
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole normale supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Eleni Siopi
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Perception et Mémoire, CNRS, UMR 3571, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Friederike Sophie David
- Genomics and Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Claus Scholz
- Genomics and Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Foo Shihui
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Josephine Lum
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | | | - Anis Larbi
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Michael Poidinger
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Anne Buttgereit
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Marie Lledo
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Perception et Mémoire, CNRS, UMR 3571, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Melanie Greter
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jerry Kok Yen Chan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore; KK Research Centre, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 229899, Singapore
| | - Ido Amit
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Marc Beyer
- Genomics and Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany; Molecular Immunology in Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Joachim Ludwig Schultze
- Genomics and Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany; Platform of Single Cell Genomics and Epigenomics at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the University of Bonn, 53175 Bonn, Germany
| | - Andreas Schlitzer
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore; Myeloid Cell Biology, LIMES-Institute, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Sven Pettersson
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore; Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm 17165, Sweden
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore.
| | - Sonia Garel
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole normale supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France.
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279
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Hus Y. Issues in Identification and Assessment of Children with Autism and a Proposed Resource Toolkit for Speech-Language Pathologists. Folia Phoniatr Logop 2017; 69:27-37. [PMID: 29248918 DOI: 10.1159/000477398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased significantly in the last decade as have treatment choices. Nonetheless, the vastly diverse autism topic includes issues related to naming, description, iden-tification, assessment, and differentiation from other neu-rodevelopmental conditions. ASD issues directly impact speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who often see these children as the second contact, after pediatric medical practitioners. Because of shared symptomology, differentiation among neurodevelopmental disorders is crucial as it impacts treatment, educational choices, and the performance trajectory of affected children. OBJECTIVES To highlight issues in: identification and differentiation of ASD from other communication and language challenges, the prevalence differences between ASD gender phenotypes, and the insufficient consideration of cultural factors in evaluating ASD in children. A second objective was to propose a tool to assist SLPs in the management of autism in children. SUMMARY A universal resource toolkit development project for SLP communities at large is proposed. The resource is comprised of research-based observation and screening tools for caregivers and educators, as well as parent questionnaires for portraying the children's function in the family, cultural com-munity, and educational setting.
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280
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Masi A, Breen EJ, Alvares GA, Glozier N, Hickie IB, Hunt A, Hui J, Beilby J, Ravine D, Wray J, Whitehouse AJO, Guastella AJ. Cytokine levels and associations with symptom severity in male and female children with autism spectrum disorder. Mol Autism 2017; 8:63. [PMID: 29214007 PMCID: PMC5712192 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0176-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are complex, pervasive, and heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions with varying trajectories, significant male bias and largely unknown etiology. However, an understanding of the biological mechanisms driving pathophysiology is evolving. Immune system aberrations, as identified through cytokine profiles, are believed to have a role in ASD. Altered cytokine levels may facilitate identification of ASD subtypes as well as provide biological markers of response to effective treatments. Research exploring the relationship between cytokine profiles and ASD symptoms is, however, in its infancy. The objective of this study was to explore relationships between cytokine levels and the severity of ASD and other clinical traits. Methods Multiplex assay techniques were used to measure levels of 27 cytokines in plasma samples from a cohort of 144 children diagnosed with ASD. Results Overall, results showed a significant negative association between platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, and the severity of ASD symptoms. Furthermore, a significant interaction with sex suggested a different immune profile for females compared to males. ASD symptom severity was negatively associated with levels of 4 cytokines, IL-1β, IL-8, MIP-1β, and VEGF, in females, but not in males. Conclusions Results of the present study suggest that an altered cytokine response or profile is associated with the severity of ASD-related symptoms, with sex a potential modifier of this relationship. Further research in larger populations which recognizes the importance of sex comparisons and longitudinal assessments are now required to extend and further describe the role of the immune system in ASD. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13229-017-0176-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Masi
- Autism Clinic for Translational Research, Brain and Mind Centre, Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050 Australia
| | - Edmond J Breen
- Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gail A Alvares
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia Australia.,Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), Long Pocket, Brisbane, Queensland Australia
| | - Nicholas Glozier
- Autism Clinic for Translational Research, Brain and Mind Centre, Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050 Australia
| | - Ian B Hickie
- Autism Clinic for Translational Research, Brain and Mind Centre, Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050 Australia
| | - Anna Hunt
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Jennie Hui
- Pathwest Laboratory Medicine WA, Nedlands, Western Australia Australia.,School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia Australia.,School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - John Beilby
- Pathwest Laboratory Medicine WA, Nedlands, Western Australia Australia.,School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - David Ravine
- Pathwest Laboratory Medicine WA, Nedlands, Western Australia Australia.,School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - John Wray
- School of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Andrew J O Whitehouse
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia Australia.,Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), Long Pocket, Brisbane, Queensland Australia
| | - Adam J Guastella
- Autism Clinic for Translational Research, Brain and Mind Centre, Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050 Australia
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281
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Abstract
BACKGROUND "Aging well" is an increasingly popular concept in gerontology. Adults with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder represent a demographically substantial population, yet remain excluded from existing conceptualizations of aging well. This qualitative study aimed to explore what it means for autistic adults to "age well" from the perspectives of autistic adults and carers. METHODS Twenty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 autistic adults (mean age 50.3 years) and 9 carers of autistic adults. Interviews were offered in four formats: email, telephone, Skype, and face-to-face and included three questions exploring what it means for autistic adults to age well as well as what might help or hinder them from aging well. RESULTS Aging well was found to be a multifaceted concept that encompassed the autistic individual, others, the world they live in, and relational issues connecting these domains. Thematic analysis revealed eight themes to be common across participants' responses: "myself," "being autistic," "others," "lifestyle and living well," "being supported," "relating to others," "life environment," and "societal attitudes and acceptance." CONCLUSIONS In line with previous studies, a more diverse range of personal and environmental factors should be included in conceptualizing aging well. In contrast to dominant perspectives, being autistic was not considered a hindrance to aging well. Rather, social and relational issues were central and unique to aging well for autistic adults. Implications include the need to address societal attitudes towards autism and building capacity and understanding in those who are both formally and informally involved in the lives of autistic adults.
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282
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Psychometric Properties of Spanish Adaptation of the PDD-MRS Scale in Adults with Intellectual Developmental Disorders: The EVTEA-DI Scale. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 48:1566-1578. [PMID: 29188589 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3416-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Strategies for the early detection of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in people with intellectual developmental disorder (IDD) are urgently needed, but few specific tools have been developed. The present study examines the psychometric properties of the EVTEA-DI, a Spanish adaptation of the PDD-MRS, in a large randomized sample of 979 adults with IDD. Factorial solution analysis suggested a three-factor solution (stereotyped behavior, communication, and social behavior). The EVTEA-DI showed good reliability and convergent validity when compared to the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Discriminative validity analysis resulted in an acceptable global sensitivity of 70% and a high specificity of 90%. The EVTEA-DI proved to be a valid screening tool in ASD assessment of the adult Spanish population with IDD.
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283
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Endevelt-Shapira Y, Perl O, Ravia A, Amir D, Eisen A, Bezalel V, Rozenkrantz L, Mishor E, Pinchover L, Soroka T, Honigstein D, Sobel N. Altered responses to social chemosignals in autism spectrum disorder. Nat Neurosci 2017; 21:111-119. [PMID: 29180748 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-017-0024-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impaired social communication, often attributed to misreading of emotional cues. Why individuals with ASD misread emotions remains unclear. Given that terrestrial mammals rely on their sense of smell to read conspecific emotions, we hypothesized that misreading of emotional cues in ASD partially reflects altered social chemosignaling. We found no difference between typically developed (TD) and cognitively able adults with ASD at explicit detection and perception of social chemosignals. Nevertheless, TD and ASD participants dissociated in their responses to subliminal presentation of these same compounds: the undetected 'smell of fear' (skydiver sweat) increased physiological arousal and reduced explicit and implicit measures of trust in TD but acted opposite in ASD participants. Moreover, two different undetected synthetic putative social chemosignals increased or decreased arousal in TD but acted opposite in ASD participants. These results implicate social chemosignaling as a sensory substrate of social impairment in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ofer Perl
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aharon Ravia
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Daniel Amir
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ami Eisen
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Vered Bezalel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Liron Rozenkrantz
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eva Mishor
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Liron Pinchover
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Timna Soroka
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Noam Sobel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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284
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Mitjans M, Begemann M, Ju A, Dere E, Wüstefeld L, Hofer S, Hassouna I, Balkenhol J, Oliveira B, van der Auwera S, Tammer R, Hammerschmidt K, Völzke H, Homuth G, Cecconi F, Chowdhury K, Grabe H, Frahm J, Boretius S, Dandekar T, Ehrenreich H. Sexual dimorphism of AMBRA1-related autistic features in human and mouse. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1247. [PMID: 28994820 PMCID: PMC5682605 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ambra1 is linked to autophagy and neurodevelopment. Heterozygous Ambra1 deficiency induces autism-like behavior in a sexually dimorphic manner. Extraordinarily, autistic features are seen in female mice only, combined with stronger Ambra1 protein reduction in brain compared to males. However, significance of AMBRA1 for autistic phenotypes in humans and, apart from behavior, for other autism-typical features, namely early brain enlargement or increased seizure propensity, has remained unexplored. Here we show in two independent human samples that a single normal AMBRA1 genotype, the intronic SNP rs3802890-AA, is associated with autistic features in women, who also display lower AMBRA1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells relative to female GG carriers. Located within a non-coding RNA, likely relevant for mRNA and protein interaction, rs3802890 (A versus G allele) may affect its stability through modification of folding, as predicted by in silico analysis. Searching for further autism-relevant characteristics in Ambra1+/- mice, we observe reduced interest of female but not male mutants regarding pheromone signals of the respective other gender in the social intellicage set-up. Moreover, altered pentylentetrazol-induced seizure propensity, an in vivo readout of neuronal excitation-inhibition dysbalance, becomes obvious exclusively in female mutants. Magnetic resonance imaging reveals mild prepubertal brain enlargement in both genders, uncoupling enhanced brain dimensions from the primarily female expression of all other autistic phenotypes investigated here. These data support a role of AMBRA1/Ambra1 partial loss-of-function genotypes for female autistic traits. Moreover, they suggest Ambra1 heterozygous mice as a novel multifaceted and construct-valid genetic mouse model for female autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mitjans
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany,DFG Research Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - M Begemann
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany,DFG Research Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, UMG, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - A Ju
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - E Dere
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany,DFG Research Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - L Wüstefeld
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - S Hofer
- Biomedizinische NMR Forschungs GmbH, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - I Hassouna
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - J Balkenhol
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - B Oliveira
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - S van der Auwera
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine, and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - R Tammer
- Biomedizinische NMR Forschungs GmbH, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - K Hammerschmidt
- Cognitive Ethology Laboratory, German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - H Völzke
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - G Homuth
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - F Cecconi
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia and Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy,Unit of Cell Stress and Survival, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - K Chowdhury
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - H Grabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine, and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - J Frahm
- Biomedizinische NMR Forschungs GmbH, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - S Boretius
- Department of Functional Imaging, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute of Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - T Dandekar
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - H Ehrenreich
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany,DFG Research Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany,Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, Göttingen 37075, Germany. E-mail:
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285
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Cerebellar anatomical alterations and attention to eyes in autism. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12008. [PMID: 28931838 PMCID: PMC5607223 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11883-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum is implicated in social cognition and is likely to be involved in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The goal of our study was to explore cerebellar morphology in adults with ASD and its relationship to eye contact, as measured by fixation time allocated on the eye region using an eye-tracking device. Two-hundred ninety-four subjects with ASD and controls were included in our study and underwent a structural magnetic resonance imaging scan. Global segmentation and cortical parcellation of the cerebellum were performed. A sub-sample of 59 subjects underwent an eye tracking protocol in order to measure the fixation time allocated to the eye region. We did not observe any difference in global cerebellar volumes between ASD patients and controls; however, regional analyses found a decrease of the volume of the right anterior cerebellum in subjects with ASD compared to controls. There were significant correlations between fixation time on eyes and the volumes of the vermis and Crus I. Our results suggest that cerebellar morphology may be related to eye avoidance and reduced social attention. Eye tracking may be a promising neuro-anatomically based stratifying biomarker of ASD.
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286
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Abstract
Brain development diverges in males and females in response to androgen production by the fetal testis. This sexual differentiation of the brain occurs during a sensitive window and induces enduring neuroanatomical and physiological changes that profoundly impact behavior. What we know about the contribution of sex chromosomes is still emerging, highlighting the need to integrate multiple factors into understanding sex differences, including the importance of context. The cellular mechanisms are best modeled in rodents and have provided both unifying principles and surprising specifics. Markedly distinct signaling pathways direct differentiation in specific brain regions, resulting in mosaicism of relative maleness, femaleness, and sameness through-out the brain, while canalization both exaggerates and constrains sex differences. Non-neuronal cells and inflammatory mediators are found in greater number and at higher levels in parts of male brains. This higher baseline of inflammation is speculated to increase male vulnerability to developmental neuropsychiatric disorders that are triggered by inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M McCarthy
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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287
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Arias VB, Gómez LE, Morán ML, Alcedo MÁ, Monsalve A, Fontanil Y. Does Quality of Life Differ for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability Compared to Peers Without Autism? J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 48:123-136. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3289-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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288
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The Endocannabinoid System and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Insights from Animal Models. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18091916. [PMID: 28880200 PMCID: PMC5618565 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18091916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) defines a group of neurodevelopmental disorders whose symptoms include impaired communication and social interaction with restricted or repetitive motor movements, frequently associated with general cognitive deficits. Although it is among the most severe chronic childhood disorders in terms of prevalence, morbidity, and impact to the society, no effective treatment for ASD is yet available, possibly because its neurobiological basis is not clearly understood hence specific drugs have not yet been developed. The endocannabinoid (EC) system represents a major neuromodulatory system involved in the regulation of emotional responses, behavioral reactivity to context, and social interaction. Furthermore, the EC system is also affected in conditions often present in subsets of patients diagnosed with ASD, such as seizures, anxiety, intellectual disabilities, and sleep pattern disturbances. Despite the indirect evidence suggestive of an involvement of the EC system in ASD, only a few studies have specifically addressed the role of the EC system in the context of ASD. This review describes the available data on the investigation of the presence of alterations of the EC system as well as the effects of its pharmacological manipulations in animal models of ASD-like behaviors.
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289
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Chaste P, Roeder K, Devlin B. The Yin and Yang of Autism Genetics: How Rare De Novo and Common Variations Affect Liability. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2017; 18:167-187. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-083115-022647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Chaste
- Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, 75014 Paris, France
- Centre hospitalier Sainte-Anne, 75674 Paris, France
| | - Kathryn Roeder
- Department of Statistics and Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
| | - Bernie Devlin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
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290
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Anshu K, Nair AK, Kumaresan UD, Kutty BM, Srinath S, Laxmi TR. Altered attentional processing in male and female rats in a prenatal valproic acid exposure model of autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2017; 10:1929-1944. [PMID: 28851114 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Attention is foundational to efficient perception and optimal goal driven behavior. Intact attentional processing is crucial for the development of social and communication skills. Deficits in attention are therefore likely contributors to the core pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Clinical evidence in ASD is suggestive of impairments in attention and its control, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We examined sustained, spatially divided attention in a prenatal valproic acid (VPA) model of ASD using the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT). As compared to controls, male and female VPA rats had progressively lower accuracy and higher omissions with increasing attentional demands during 5-CSRTT training, and showed further performance decrements when subjected to parametric task manipulations. It is noteworthy that although VPA exposure induced attentional deficits in both sexes, there were task parameter specific sex differences. Importantly, we did not find evidence of impulsivity or motivational deficits in VPA rats but we did find reduced social preference, as well as sensorimotor deficits that suggest pre-attentional information processing impairments. Importantly, with fixed rules, graded difficulty levels, and more time, VPA rats could be successfully trained on the attentional task. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study examining attentional functions in a VPA model. Our work underscores the need for studying both sexes in ASD animal models and validates the use of the VPA model in the quest for mechanistic understanding of aberrant attentional functions and for evaluating suitable therapeutic targets. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1929-1944. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY We studied rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid (VPA), an established rodent model of autism. Both male and female VPA rats had a range of attentional impairments with sex-specific characteristics. Importantly, with fixed rules, graded difficulty levels, and more time, VPA rats could be successfully trained on the attentional task. Our work validates the use of the VPA model in the quest for evaluating suitable therapeutic targets for improving attentional performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumari Anshu
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India
| | - Ajay Kumar Nair
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India
| | - U D Kumaresan
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India
| | - Bindu M Kutty
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India
| | - Shoba Srinath
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India
| | - T Rao Laxmi
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India
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291
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Ebihara K, Fujiwara H, Awale S, Dibwe DF, Araki R, Yabe T, Matsumoto K. Decrease in endogenous brain allopregnanolone induces autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-like behavior in mice: A novel animal model of ASD. Behav Brain Res 2017; 334:6-15. [PMID: 28743598 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with core symptoms of social impairments and restrictive repetitive behaviors. Recent evidence has implicated a dysfunction in the GABAergic system in the pathophysiology of ASD. We investigated the role of endogenous allopregnanolone (ALLO), a neurosteroidal positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors, in the regulation of ASD-like behavior in male mice using SKF105111 (SKF), an inhibitor of type I and type II 5α-reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme of ALLO biosynthesis. SKF impaired sociability-related performance, as analyzed by three different tests; i.e., the 3-chamber test and social interaction in the open field and resident-intruder tests, without affecting olfactory function elucidated by the buried food test. SKF also induced repetitive grooming behavior without affecting anxiety-like behavior. SKF had no effect on short-term spatial working memory or long-term fear memory, but enhanced latent learning ability in male mice. SKF-induced ASD-like behavior in male mice was abolished by the systemic administration of ALLO (1mg/kg, i.p.) and methylphenidate (MPH: 2.5mg/kg, i.p.), a dopamine transporter inhibitor. The effects of SKF on brain ALLO contents in male mice were reversed by ALLO, but not MPH. On the other hand, SKF failed to induce ASD-like behavior or a decline in brain ALLO contents in female mice. These results suggest that ALLO regulates episodes of ASD-like behavior by positively modulating the function of GABAA receptors linked to the dopaminergic system. Moreover, a sex-dependently induced decrease in brain ALLO contents may provide an animal model to study the main features of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Ebihara
- Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Hironori Fujiwara
- Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
| | - Suresh Awale
- Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Dya Fita Dibwe
- Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Ryota Araki
- Laboratory of Functional Biomolecules and Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotoge-cho, Hirakata City, Osaka 573-0101, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yabe
- Laboratory of Functional Biomolecules and Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotoge-cho, Hirakata City, Osaka 573-0101, Japan
| | - Kinzo Matsumoto
- Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
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292
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Smith IC, Swain D, Murphy HG, Ollendick TH, White SW. The Under- and Over-Identification of Autism: Factors Associated With Diagnostic Referral. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY 2017; 48:393-399. [DOI: 10.1080/15374416.2017.1342545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Isaac C. Smith
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
| | - Deanna Swain
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
| | - Haley G. Murphy
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
| | - Thomas H. Ollendick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
| | - Susan W. White
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
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293
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Kim KC, Cho KS, Yang SM, Gonzales EL, Valencia S, Eun PH, Choi CS, Mabunga DF, Kim JW, Noh JK, Kim HJ, Jeon SJ, Han SH, Bahn GH, Shin CY. Sex Differences in Autism-Like Behavioral Phenotypes and Postsynaptic Receptors Expression in the Prefrontal Cortex of TERT Transgenic Mice. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2017; 25:374-382. [PMID: 28208013 PMCID: PMC5499615 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2016.242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains unexplained and untreated despite the high attention of research in recent years. Aside from its various characteristics is the baffling male preponderance over the female population. Using a validated animal model of ASD which is the telomerase reverse transcriptase overexpressing mice (TERT-tg), we conducted ASD-related behavioral assessments and protein expression experiments to mark the difference between male and females of this animal model. After statistically analyzing the results, we found significant effects of TERT overexpression in sociability, social novelty preference, anxiety, nest building, and electroseizure threshold in the males but not their female littermates. Along these differences are the male-specific increased expressions of postsynaptic proteins which are the NMDA and AMPA receptors in the prefrontal cortex. The vGluT1 presynaptic proteins, but not GAD, were upregulated in both sexes of TERT-tg mice, although it is more significantly pronounced in the male group. Here, we confirmed that the behavioral effect of TERT overexpression in mice was male-specific, suggesting that the aberration of this gene and its downstream pathways preferentially affect the functional development of the male brain, consistent with the male preponderance in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki Chan Kim
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu Suk Cho
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Min Yang
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Edson Luck Gonzales
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Schley Valencia
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Pyeong Hwa Eun
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Soon Choi
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Darine Froy Mabunga
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Woon Kim
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Judy Kyoungju Noh
- College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States of America
| | - Hee Jin Kim
- Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Jin Jeon
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Seol-Heui Han
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Geon Ho Bahn
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Young Shin
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
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294
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Neuroimmunology and neuroepigenetics in the establishment of sex differences in the brain. Nat Rev Neurosci 2017. [PMID: 28638119 DOI: 10.1038/nrn.2017.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The study of sex differences in the brain is a topic of neuroscientific study that has broad reaching implications for culture, society and biomedical science. Recent research in rodent models has led to dramatic shifts in our views of the mechanisms underlying the sexual differentiation of the brain. These include the surprising discoveries of a role for immune cells and inflammatory mediators in brain masculinization and a role for epigenetic suppression in brain feminization. How and to what degree these findings will translate to human brain development will be questions of central importance in future research in this field.
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295
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Naerland T, Bakke KA, Storvik S, Warner G, Howlin P. Age and gender-related differences in emotional and behavioural problems and autistic features in children and adolescents with Down syndrome: a survey-based study of 674 individuals. JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH : JIDR 2017; 61:594-603. [PMID: 27862512 DOI: 10.1111/jir.12342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have indicated an increased risk of autism, behavioural and emotional problems and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in individuals with Down syndrome. METHOD In a large-scale survey-based study, we examined the rates of these problems and their relationship to age and gender, in a sample of 674 individuals (4-18 years) with Down syndrome. The relationship with IQ level was also explored in a subsample (n = 175). The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Social Communication Questionnaire were used to assess behavioural and emotional problems and autism traits. RESULTS On the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, peer problems were the most frequently reported difficulty (48% > cut-off), followed by hyperactivity/inattention (34% > cut-off). On the Social Communication Questionnaire, 37% scored at or above cut-off (≥15) for autism spectrum disorder; 17% were at or above the suggested cut-off (≥22) for autism. Little association between age and behavioural or emotional problems or with severity of autistic symptomatology was found. However, peer problems were more common in adolescents than in junior school children (P < 0.001); Hyperactivity/inattention was less prevalent among adolescents (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS High rates of autistic features, emotional and behavioural problems are documented. These problems are related to age, gender and degree of intellectual disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Naerland
- NevSom Department of Rare Disorders, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - K A Bakke
- NevSom Department of Rare Disorders, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - S Storvik
- NevSom Department of Rare Disorders, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - G Warner
- Psychology, Institue of Psychiatry, London, UK
| | - P Howlin
- Psychology, Institue of Psychiatry, London, UK
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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296
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Custódio CS, Mello BSF, Filho AJMC, de Carvalho Lima CN, Cordeiro RC, Miyajima F, Réus GZ, Vasconcelos SMM, Barichello T, Quevedo J, de Oliveira AC, de Lucena DF, Macedo DS. Neonatal Immune Challenge with Lipopolysaccharide Triggers Long-lasting Sex- and Age-related Behavioral and Immune/Neurotrophic Alterations in Mice: Relevance to Autism Spectrum Disorders. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:3775-3788. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0616-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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297
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Jamison R, Bishop SL, Huerta M, Halladay AK. The clinician perspective on sex differences in autism spectrum disorders. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2017; 21:772-784. [PMID: 28429618 DOI: 10.1177/1362361316681481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Research studies using existing samples of individuals with autism spectrum disorders have identified differences in symptoms between males and females. Differences are typically reported in school age and adolescence, with similarities in symptom presentation at earlier ages. However, existing studies on sex differences are significantly limited, making it challenging to discern if, how, and at what point in development females with autism spectrum disorder actually exhibit a different behavioral presentation than males. The purpose of this study was to gather impressions from a large group of clinicians to isolate specific areas for future study of sex differences. Clinicians were surveyed about their opinions and perceptions of symptom severity in females, as compared to males, at different points during development. They were also asked to provide open-ended responses about female symptom presentation. Consistent with previous literature, clinicians noted more sex-related differences in restricted and repetitive behaviors and fewer differences for social communication features. Differences were most commonly observed in school age and adolescence, suggesting this time period as a critical and particularly vulnerable window for females with autism spectrum disorder. The results are discussed in the context of other male/female differences across development so that more targeted investigations of autism spectrum disorder sex differences across development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marisela Huerta
- 3 Weill Cornell Medical College and New York Presbyterian Hospital, USA
| | - Alycia K Halladay
- 4 Autism Science Foundation, USA; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA
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298
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Multi-scale radiomic analysis of sub-cortical regions in MRI related to autism, gender and age. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45639. [PMID: 28361913 PMCID: PMC5374503 DOI: 10.1038/srep45639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
We propose using multi-scale image textures to investigate links between neuroanatomical regions and clinical variables in MRI. Texture features are derived at multiple scales of resolution based on the Laplacian-of-Gaussian (LoG) filter. Three quantifier functions (Average, Standard Deviation and Entropy) are used to summarize texture statistics within standard, automatically segmented neuroanatomical regions. Significance tests are performed to identify regional texture differences between ASD vs. TDC and male vs. female groups, as well as correlations with age (corrected p < 0.05). The open-access brain imaging data exchange (ABIDE) brain MRI dataset is used to evaluate texture features derived from 31 brain regions from 1112 subjects including 573 typically developing control (TDC, 99 females, 474 males) and 539 Autism spectrum disorder (ASD, 65 female and 474 male) subjects. Statistically significant texture differences between ASD vs. TDC groups are identified asymmetrically in the right hippocampus, left choroid-plexus and corpus callosum (CC), and symmetrically in the cerebellar white matter. Sex-related texture differences in TDC subjects are found in primarily in the left amygdala, left cerebellar white matter, and brain stem. Correlations between age and texture in TDC subjects are found in the thalamus-proper, caudate and pallidum, most exhibiting bilateral symmetry.
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299
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Modabbernia A, Velthorst E, Reichenberg A. Environmental risk factors for autism: an evidence-based review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Mol Autism 2017; 8:13. [PMID: 28331572 PMCID: PMC5356236 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0121-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 418] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to recent evidence, up to 40-50% of variance in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) liability might be determined by environmental factors. In the present paper, we conducted a review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of environmental risk factors for ASD. We assessed each review for quality of evidence and provided a brief overview of putative mechanisms of environmental risk factors for ASD. FINDINGS Current evidence suggests that several environmental factors including vaccination, maternal smoking, thimerosal exposure, and most likely assisted reproductive technologies are unrelated to risk of ASD. On the contrary, advanced parental age is associated with higher risk of ASD. Birth complications that are associated with trauma or ischemia and hypoxia have also shown strong links to ASD, whereas other pregnancy-related factors such as maternal obesity, maternal diabetes, and caesarian section have shown a less strong (but significant) association with risk of ASD. The reviews on nutritional elements have been inconclusive about the detrimental effects of deficiency in folic acid and omega 3, but vitamin D seems to be deficient in patients with ASD. The studies on toxic elements have been largely limited by their design, but there is enough evidence for the association between some heavy metals (most important inorganic mercury and lead) and ASD that warrants further investigation. Mechanisms of the association between environmental factors and ASD are debated but might include non-causative association (including confounding), gene-related effect, oxidative stress, inflammation, hypoxia/ischemia, endocrine disruption, neurotransmitter alterations, and interference with signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS Compared to genetic studies of ASD, studies of environmental risk factors are in their infancy and have significant methodological limitations. Future studies of ASD risk factors would benefit from a developmental psychopathology approach, prospective design, precise exposure measurement, reliable timing of exposure in relation to critical developmental periods and should take into account the dynamic interplay between gene and environment by using genetically informed designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Modabbernia
- Department of Psychiatry and Seaver Autism Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Eva Velthorst
- Department of Psychiatry and Seaver Autism Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Abraham Reichenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Seaver Autism Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Seaver Autism Center, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
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300
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Westwood H, Mandy W, Tchanturia K. Clinical evaluation of autistic symptoms in women with anorexia nervosa. Mol Autism 2017; 8:12. [PMID: 28331571 PMCID: PMC5356303 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0128-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite a suggested link between anorexia nervosa (AN) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), previous studies have used self-report or diagnostic criteria to assess for ASD in AN populations, rather than direct observation of symptom characteristic of ASD. The aim of this study was to use a standardised, clinical assessment of ASD, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2), to investigate the presence of autistic symptoms in a cross-sectional sample of women with AN. METHODS Sixty women were recruited from inpatient or day-patient specialist eating disorder services. Each participant underwent the ADOS-2 assessment and completed a set of self-report questionnaires assessing eating disorder pathology and other psychiatric symptoms. IQ was also assessed. RESULTS Fourteen women (23.3%) scored above clinical cutoff for ASD on the ADOS-2. Only eight of these women displayed repetitive or restrictive behaviours, while all 14 had difficulties with social affect. Elevated ASD symptoms were associated with increased alexithymia and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, but not specific eating disorder pathology. CONCLUSIONS ASD symptoms are over-represented in women with severe AN and appear to be associated with other psychiatric symptoms, which warrant further investigation and consideration in treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Westwood
- Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - William Mandy
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, 103 Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF UK
| | - Kate Tchanturia
- Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia.,Psychological Medicine Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust National Eating Disorders Service, London, UK
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