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Campos-Sánchez I, Navarrete-Muñoz EM, Hurtado-Pomares M, Júlvez J, Lertxundi N, Martens DS, Fernández-Somoano A, Riaño-Galán I, Guxens M, Ibarluzea JM, Nawrot T, Valera-Gran D. Association between telomere length and neuropsychological function at 4-5 years in children from the INMA project: a cross-sectional study. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:2803-2812. [PMID: 38246982 PMCID: PMC11272730 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02361-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Shortened telomere length (TL) has been associated with lower cognitive performance, different neurological diseases in adults, and certain neurodevelopmental disorders in children. However, the evidence about the association between TL and neuropsychological developmental outcomes in children from the general population is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the association between TL and neuropsychological function in children 4-5 years of age. We included 686 children from the INMA Project, a population-based birth cohort in Spain. Leucocyte TL was determined by quantitative PCR method, and neuropsychological outcomes were measured using the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MCSA). Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate associations adjusted for potential confounding variables. Main findings showed that a longer TL was associated with a higher mean working memory score (β = 4.55; 95% CI = 0.39, 8.71). In addition, longer TL was associated with a higher mean global quantitative score (β = 3.85; 95% CI = -0.19, 7.89), although the association was marginally significant. To our knowledge, this is the first study that shows a positive association between TL and better neuropsychological outcomes in children. Although further research is required to confirm these results, this study supports the hypothesis that TL is essential in protecting and maintaining a child's health, including cognitive functions such as working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Campos-Sánchez
- Department of Surgery and Pathology, Miguel Hernandez University, Alicante, Spain
| | - Eva María Navarrete-Muñoz
- Department of Surgery and Pathology, Miguel Hernandez University, Alicante, Spain.
- Grupo de Investigación en Terapia Ocupacional (InTeO), Miguel Hernandez University, Alicante, Spain.
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Miriam Hurtado-Pomares
- Department of Surgery and Pathology, Miguel Hernandez University, Alicante, Spain
- Grupo de Investigación en Terapia Ocupacional (InTeO), Miguel Hernandez University, Alicante, Spain
| | - Jordi Júlvez
- Clinical and Epidemiological Neuroscience (NeuroÈpia), Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Reus, Spain
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea Lertxundi
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain
- School of Psychology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Dries S Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Ana Fernández-Somoano
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología Del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA) - Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Isolina Riaño-Galán
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Servicio de Pediatría, Endocrinología Pediátrica, HUCA, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Mònica Guxens
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jesús María Ibarluzea
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain
- School of Psychology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, San Sebastián, Spain
- Sub-Directorate for Public Health and Addictions of Gipuzkoa, Ministry of Health of the Basque Government, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Tim Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Desirée Valera-Gran
- Department of Surgery and Pathology, Miguel Hernandez University, Alicante, Spain
- Grupo de Investigación en Terapia Ocupacional (InTeO), Miguel Hernandez University, Alicante, Spain
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Salem S, Ashaat E. Association of Relative Telomere Length and LINE-1 Methylation with Autism but not with Severity. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:2266-2273. [PMID: 37014460 PMCID: PMC11142980 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-05965-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Autism is associated with genomic instability, which is regulated by telomere length (TL) and index of global methylation (LINE-1). This study will determine relative TL (RTL) and LINE-1 methylation percentage for 69 patients and 33 control subjects to evaluate their potential role as biomarkers for autism. The results displayed a significant decrease of both RTL and LINE-1 methylation in autistic cases relative to controls (P < 0.001). Analysis of receiver operating characteristics curve revealed that both of RTL and LINE-1 methylation percentage have the ability to serve as autism biomarkers (area under the curve = 0.817 and 0.889, respectively). The statistical analysis revealed positive correlation between the two biomarkers (correlation coefficient = 0.439 and P < 0.001).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohair Salem
- Molecular Genetics & Enzymology Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Engy Ashaat
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
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Zhang T, Sun Y, Wei J, Zhao G, Hao W, Lv Z, Chen X, Liu Y, Wei F. Shorter telomere length in children with autism spectrum disorder is associated with oxidative stress. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1209638. [PMID: 37333916 PMCID: PMC10272824 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1209638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a complex interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors. The balance between antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress (OS) induced free radicals may be crucial during the pathophysiological development of ASD. Methods In this study, 96 children with ASD who met the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders were collected, and the number of children in the typical development (TD) group was matched by 1:1. Digital PCR (dPCR) for telomere length (TL) expression in ASD in peripheral blood leukocytes. Urine levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) content were measured by tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry and corrected by urinary creatinine levels. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and capacity (AOC) were detected by kits. Results The TL of the ASD group was shorter than the TD group (p < 0.01) and had some accurate predictive significance for the identification of ASD (AUC = 0.632, 95% CI: 0.533-0.710, p = 0.002). Both 8-OHdG content and SOD activity in the ASD group were significantly higher than those in the TD group (p < 0.05). Shortened TL (Monofactor: 2.20 (1.22, 3.96), p = 0.009; Multifactor: 2.22 (1.22, 4.00), p = 0.008) and reduced CAT activity (Monofactor: 2.31 (1.28, 4.17), p = 0.006; Multifactor: 2.31 (1.28, 4.18), p = 0.006) are risk factors for the development of ASD, while reduced 8-OHdG content (Monofactor: 0.29 (0.14, 0.60), p = 0.001; Multifactor: 0.27 (0.13, 0.57), p = 0.001) and reduced SOD activity (Monofactor: 0.55 (0.31, 0.98), p = 0.042; Multifactor: 0.54 (0.30, 0.98), p = 0.042) are protective factors for the development of ASD. Conclusion In this study, TL and OS were significantly different between the ASD group and the TD group. As guanine-rich telomere sequences were likely damaged by oxygen free radicals, creating OS, which is a factor in the incidence and progression of ASDs. In conclusion, oxidative damage occurs in the bodies of children with ASD, which may lead to sustained disease progression and severe clinical manifestations. We assume that timely supplementation of antioxidants is very likely to be a potential treatment for early intervention in children with ASD. Identification and detection of OS-related biomarkers may contribute to early diagnosis and timely interventions in young patients with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Zhang
- Longgang District Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanan Sun
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Longgang District Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guoqiang Zhao
- Longgang District Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenqi Hao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Zhihai Lv
- Longgang District Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaohang Chen
- Longgang District Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanan Liu
- Longgang District Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fengxiang Wei
- Longgang District Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
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Song AY, Bakulski K, Feinberg JI, Newschaffer C, Croen LA, Hertz-Picciotto I, Schmidt RJ, Farzadegan H, Lyall K, Fallin MD, Volk HE, Ladd-Acosta C. Associations between accelerated parental biologic age, autism spectrum disorder, social traits, and developmental and cognitive outcomes in their children. Autism Res 2022; 15:2359-2370. [PMID: 36189953 PMCID: PMC9722613 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Parental age is a known risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), however, studies to identify the biologic changes underpinning this association are limited. In recent years, "epigenetic clock" algorithms have been developed to estimate biologic age and to evaluate how the epigenetic aging impacts health and disease. In this study, we examined the relationship between parental epigenetic aging and their child's prospective risk of ASD and autism related quantitative traits in the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation study. Estimates of epigenetic age were computed using three robust clock algorithms and DNA methylation measures from the Infinium HumanMethylation450k platform for maternal blood and paternal blood specimens collected during pregnancy. Epigenetic age acceleration was defined as the residual of regressing chronological age on epigenetic age while accounting for cell type proportions. Multinomial logistic regression and linear regression models were completed adjusting for potential confounders for both maternal epigenetic age acceleration (n = 163) and paternal epigenetic age acceleration (n = 80). We found accelerated epigenetic aging in mothers estimated by Hannum's clock was significantly associated with lower cognitive ability and function in offspring at 12 months, as measured by Mullen Scales of Early Learning scores (β = -1.66, 95% CI: -3.28, -0.04 for a one-unit increase). We also observed a marginal association between accelerated maternal epigenetic aging by Horvath's clock and increased odds of ASD in offspring at 36 months of age (aOR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.26). By contrast, fathers accelerated aging was marginally associated with decreased ASD risk in their offspring (aOR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.68, 1.01). Our findings suggest epigenetic aging could play a role in parental age risks on child brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Y. Song
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental
Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Kelly Bakulski
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann
Arbor, MI
| | - Jason I. Feinberg
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental
Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Craig Newschaffer
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State
University, State College, PA
| | - Lisa A. Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences and The MIND
Institute, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Rebecca J. Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences and The MIND
Institute, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Homayoon Farzadegan
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University,
Philadelphia, PA
| | - M. Daniele Fallin
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta,
Georgia, USA
| | - Heather E. Volk
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental
Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Christine Ladd-Acosta
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental
Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
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Li X, Cai J, Yang L, Zhang X, Deng W, Ni P, Zhao L, Du XD, Li T. Correlation between reduced telomere length and behavioural and emotional problems in left-behind children in a rural area in China. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 140:105732. [PMID: 35334391 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Evidence shows that being left behind experience (LBE) during childhood may increase the risks of poor psychopathological outcomes. However, it is unclear to what extent the mental health is affected by the LBE. Telomere length (TL), one of the most extensively studied biological markers of cellular ageing, provides a valuable tool for exploring the potential effects of parent-child separation on psychological problems by integrating genetic and environmental factors. In this study, a total of 613 children (mean age = 10.77, SD = 1.92) were recruited from the rural area of Deyang, Sichuan Province, China. We used a self-designed questionnaire to assess LBE, and collected psychopathological outcomes by using the Piers-Harris Children's Self-concept Scale, the Teacher's Report Form 6/18 and the Youth Self-Report 11/18. Terminal restriction fragment analysis was used to measure TL in peripheral blood leukocytes. Analyses revealed that 342 out of 613 participants (55.79%) were Left-behind children. LBE was observed to associated with shorter TL, lower self-esteem, and increased behavioural and emotional problems. The cumulative effects of LBE may be reflected by greater altered telomere homeostasis, decreased self-esteem, and worsened behavioural and emotional problems. The association of the total time of being left behind with self-esteem and behavioural and emotional problems was significantly mediated by altered telomere homeostasis, with estimated effects of 14.19%, 47.95% and 45.13%, respectively. The LBE in childhood, especially prolonged parent-child separation, increases the risk of mental health problems in childhood and adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Li
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jia Cai
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ling Yang
- The seventh people's hospital of Deyang, Deyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- The seventh people's hospital of Deyang, Deyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Deng
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peiyan Ni
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Liansheng Zhao
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiang-Dong Du
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Suzhou Psychiatric Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Tao Li
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, China.
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Sexual Dimorphism in Telomere Length in Childhood Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2022; 53:2050-2061. [PMID: 35220523 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05486-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are strikingly more prevalent in males, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for ASD sex-differential risk are poorly understood. Abnormally shorter telomeres have been associated with autism. Examination of relative telomere lengths (RTL) among non-syndromic male (N = 14) and female (N = 10) children with autism revealed that only autistic male children had significantly shorter RTL than typically-developing controls (N = 24) and paired siblings (N = 10). While average RTL of autistic girls did not differ significantly from controls, it was substantially longer than autistic boys. Our findings indicate a sexually-dimorphic pattern of RTL in childhood autism and could have important implications for RTL as a potential biomarker and the role/s of telomeres in the molecular mechanisms responsible for ASD sex-biased prevalence and etiology.
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Rodriguez-Fontenla C, Carracedo A. UTMOST, a single and cross-tissue TWAS (Transcriptome Wide Association Study), reveals new ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) associated genes. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:256. [PMID: 33931583 PMCID: PMC8087708 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01378-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that may significantly impact on the affected individual's life. Common variation (SNPs) could explain about 50% of ASD heritability. Despite this fact and the large size of the last GWAS meta-analysis, it is believed that hundreds of risk genes in ASD have yet to be discovered. New tools, such as TWAS (Transcriptome Wide Association Studies) which integrate tissue expression and genetic data, are a great approach to identify new ASD susceptibility genes. The main goal of this study is to use UTMOST with the publicly available summary statistics from the largest ASD GWAS meta-analysis as genetic input. In addition, an in silico biological characterization for the novel associated loci was performed. Our results have shown the association of 4 genes at the brain level (CIPC, PINX1, NKX2-2, and PTPRE) and have highlighted the association of NKX2-2, MANBA, ERI1, and MITF at the gastrointestinal level. The gastrointestinal associations are quite relevant given the well-established but unexplored relationship between ASD and gastrointestinal symptoms. Cross-tissue analysis has shown the association of NKX2-2 and BLK. UTMOST-associated genes together with their in silico biological characterization seems to point to different biological mechanisms underlying ASD etiology. Thus, it would not be restricted to brain tissue and it will involve the participation of other body tissues such as the gastrointestinal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Rodriguez-Fontenla
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Angel Carracedo
- grid.11794.3a0000000109410645Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain ,grid.11794.3a0000000109410645Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica (FPGMX), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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