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Neff RC, Stangis KA, Beniwal U, Hergenreder T, Ye B, Murphy GG. Cognitive behavioral phenotyping of DSCAM heterozygosity as a model for autism spectrum disorder. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.03.597158. [PMID: 38895491 PMCID: PMC11185729 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.03.597158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
It is estimated that 1 in 36 children are affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States, which is nearly a twofold increase from a decade ago. Recent genetic studies have identified de novo loss-of-function (dnLoF) mutations in the Down Syndrome Cell Adhesion Molecule (DSCAM) as a strong risk factor for ASD. Previous research has shown that DSCAM ablation confers social interaction deficits and perseverative behaviors in mouse models. However, it remains unknown to what extent DSCAM underexpression captures the full range of behaviors, specifically cognitive phenotypes, presented in ASD. Here, we conducted a comprehensive cognitive behavioral phenotyping which revealed that loss of one copy of DSCAM , as in the DSCAM 2J +/- mice, displayed hyperactivity, increased anxiety, and motor coordination impairments. Additionally, hippocampal-dependent learning and memory was affected, including working memory, long-term memory, and contextual fear learning. Interestingly, implicit learning processes remained intact. Therefore, DSCAM LoF produces autistic-like behaviors that are similar to human cases of ASD. These findings further support a role for DSCAM dnLoF mutations in ASD and suggest DSCAM 2J +/- as a suitable model for ASD research. Summary Statement Autism spectrum disorder represents a growing patient population. Loss of one copy of the DSCAM gene provides a promising mouse model that reproduces autistic-like behaviors for research and therapeutic testing.
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Dromard Y, Borie AM, Chakraborty P, Muscatelli F, Guillon G, Desarménien MG, Jeanneteau F. Disengagement of somatostatin neurons from lateral septum circuitry by oxytocin and vasopressin restores social-fear extinction and suppresses aggression outbursts in Prader-Willi syndrome model. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:785-799. [PMID: 38952926 PMCID: PMC11216544 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Background Responding to social signals by expressing the correct behavior is not only challenged in autism, but also in diseases with high prevalence of autism, like Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). Clinical evidence suggests aberrant pro-social behavior in patients can be regulated by intranasal oxytocin (OXT) or vasopressin (AVP). However, what neuronal mechanisms underlie impaired behavioral responses in a socially-aversive context, and how can they be corrected, remains largely unknown. Methods Using the Magel2 knocked-out (KO) mouse model of PWS (crossed with CRE-dependent transgenic lines), we devised optogenetic, physiological and pharmacological strategies in a social-fear-conditioning paradigm. Pathway specific roles of OXT and AVP signaling were investigated converging on the lateral septum (LS), a region which receives dense hypothalamic inputs. Results OXT and AVP signaling promoted inhibitory synaptic transmission in the LS, which failure in Magel2KO mice disinhibited somatostatin (SST) neurons and disrupted social-fear extinction. The source of OXT and AVP deficits mapped specifically in the supraoptic nucleus→LS pathway of Magel2KO mice disrupting social-fear extinction, which could be corrected by optogenetic or pharmacological inhibition of SST-neurons in the LS. Interestingly, LS SST-neurons also gated the expression of aggressive behavior, possibly as part of functional units operating beyond local septal circuits. Conclusions SST cells in the LS play a crucial role in integration and expression of disrupted neuropeptide signals in autism, thereby altering the balance in expression of safety versus fear. Our results uncover novel mechanisms underlying dysfunction in a socially-aversive context, and provides a new framework for future treatments in autism-spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Dromard
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, France
| | - Amélie M. Borie
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, France
| | - Prabahan Chakraborty
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, France
| | - Françoise Muscatelli
- Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, INSERM, University of Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Gilles Guillon
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, France
| | - Michel G. Desarménien
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, France
| | - Freddy Jeanneteau
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, France
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Sacrey LAR, Zwaigenbaum L, Brian JA, Smith IM, Armstrong V, Vaillancourt T, Schmidt LA. Behavioral and physiological differences during an emotion-evoking task in children at increased likelihood for autism spectrum disorder. Dev Psychopathol 2024; 36:404-414. [PMID: 36573373 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579422001286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Literature examining emotional regulation in infants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has focused on parent report. We examined behavioral and physiological responses during an emotion-evoking task designed to elicit emotional states in infants. Infants at an increased likelihood for ASD (IL; have an older sibling with ASD; 96 not classified; 29 classified with ASD at age two) and low likelihood (LL; no family history of ASD; n = 61) completed the task at 6, 12, and 18 months. The main findings were (1) the IL-ASD group displayed higher levels of negative affect during toy removal and negative tasks compared to the IL non-ASD and LL groups, respectively, (2) the IL-ASD group spent more time looking at the baseline task compared to the other two groups, and (3) the IL-ASD group showed a greater increase in heart rate from baseline during the toy removal and negative tasks compared to the LL group. These results suggest that IL children who are classified as ASD at 24 months show differences in affect, gaze, and heart rate during an emotion-evoking task, with potential implications for understanding mechanisms related to emerging ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori-Ann R Sacrey
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta/Autism Research Centre, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta/Autism Research Centre, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jessica A Brian
- Bloorview Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Isabel M Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Autism Research Centre, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Vickie Armstrong
- Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Autism Research Centre, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Tracy Vaillancourt
- Department of Education and Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Louis A Schmidt
- Department of Psychology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Ne'eman A, Richman KA, McCarthy AM, Wilkenfeld D. A Passing Problem: Evaluating Harm and Benefit in Autism Research. Ethics Hum Res 2023; 45:2-18. [PMID: 37988276 DOI: 10.1002/eahr.500188] [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] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Autism research frequently seeks to evaluate interventions or inform their development. Unfortunately, researchers often assume that autism intervention should reduce autistic traits, effectively setting as a goal of treatment that autistic people attempt to "pass" as nonautistic. A growing body of evidence highlights serious potential harms from passing demands. We discuss why it is important for institutional review boards (IRBs) to scrutinize autism research for clinical passing demands, and we document the existence of such demands in outcome measures commonly employed in autism research. We propose an ethical framework for IRBs and others to make use of in evaluating the ethical appropriateness of particular treatment goals in autism intervention or intervention-adjacent research, emphasizing that treatment goals should be in pursuit of a beneficial nonpassing purpose and be the least burdensome means of accomplishing such a purpose. We also highlight potential promising practices for IRBs, investigators, and other stakeholders seeking to address these issues in autism research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ari Ne'eman
- PhD candidate in health policy at Harvard University
| | - Kenneth A Richman
- Professor of philosophy and health care ethics at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (officially known as MCPHS University)
| | - Allison M McCarthy
- Assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and a faculty member with the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
| | - Daniel Wilkenfeld
- Associate professor in the Department of Acute and Tertiary Care in the School of Nursing at the University of Pittsburgh
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Nuske HJ, Goodwin MS, Kushleyeva Y, Forsyth D, Pennington JW, Masino A, Finkel E, Bhattacharya A, Tan J, Tai H, Atkinson-Diaz Z, Bonafide CP, Herrington JD. Evaluating commercially available wireless cardiovascular monitors for measuring and transmitting real-time physiological responses in children with autism. Autism Res 2022; 15:117-130. [PMID: 34741438 PMCID: PMC9040058 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Commercially available wearable biosensors have the potential to enhance psychophysiology research and digital health technologies for autism by enabling stress or arousal monitoring in naturalistic settings. However, such monitors may not be comfortable for children with autism due to sensory sensitivities. To determine the feasibility of wearable technology in children with autism age 8-12 years, we first selected six consumer-grade wireless cardiovascular monitors and tested them during rest and movement conditions in 23 typically developing adults. Subsequently, the best performing monitors (based on data quality robustness statistics), Polar and Mio Fuse, were evaluated in 32 children with autism and 23 typically developing children during a 2-h session, including rest and mild stress-inducing tasks. Cardiovascular data were recorded simultaneously across monitors using custom software. We administered the Comfort Rating Scales to children. Although the Polar monitor was less comfortable for children with autism than typically developing children, absolute scores demonstrated that, on average, all children found each monitor comfortable. For most children, data from the Mio Fuse (96%-100%) and Polar (83%-96%) passed quality thresholds of data robustness. Moreover, in the stress relative to rest condition, heart rate increased for the Polar, F(1,53) = 135.70, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.78, and Mio Fuse, F(1,53) = 71.98, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.61, respectively, and heart rate variability decreased for the Polar, F(1,53) = 13.41, p = 0.001, ηp2 = 0.26, and Mio Fuse, F(1,53) = 8.89, p = 0.005, ηp2 = 0.16, respectively. This feasibility study suggests that select consumer-grade wearable cardiovascular monitors can be used with children with autism and may be a promising means for tracking physiological stress or arousal responses in community settings. LAY SUMMARY: Commercially available heart rate trackers have the potential to advance stress research with individuals with autism. Due to sensory sensitivities common in autism, their comfort wearing such trackers is vital to gathering robust and valid data. After assessing six trackers with typically developing adults, we tested the best trackers (based on data quality) in typically developing children and children with autism and found that two of them met criteria for comfort, robustness, and validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather J. Nuske
- Penn Center for Mental Health, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | | | - Yelena Kushleyeva
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, US
| | - Daniel Forsyth
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, US
| | - Jeffrey W. Pennington
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, US
| | | | - Emma Finkel
- Center for Autism Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Jessica Tan
- Penn Center for Mental Health, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Hungtzu Tai
- Penn Center for Mental Health, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA
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