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Finszter CK, Kemecsei R, Zachar G, Ádám Á, Csillag A. Gestational VPA exposure reduces the density of juxtapositions between TH+ axons and calretinin or calbindin expressing cells in the ventrobasal forebrain of neonatal mice. Front Neuroanat 2024; 18:1426042. [PMID: 39026519 PMCID: PMC11254666 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2024.1426042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Gestational exposure to valproic acid (VPA) is a valid rodent model of human autism spectrum disorder (ASD). VPA treatment is known to bring about specific behavioral deficits of sociability, matching similar alterations in human autism. Previous quantitative morphometric studies from our laboratory showed a marked reduction and defasciculation of the mesotelencephalic dopaminergic pathway of VPA treated mice, along with a decrease in tissue dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), but not in the caudatoputamen (CPu). In the present study, the correlative distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase positive (TH+) putative axon terminals, presynaptic to the target neurons containing calretinin (CR) or calbindin (CB), was assessed using double fluorescent immunocytochemistry and confocal laser microscopy in two dopamine recipient forebrain regions, NAc and olfactory tubercle (OT) of neonatal mice (mothers injected with VPA on ED13.5, pups investigated on PD7). Representative image stacks were volumetrically analyzed for spatial proximity and abundance of presynaptic (TH+) and postsynaptic (CR+, CB+) structures with the help of an Imaris (Bitplane) software. In VPA mice, TH/CR juxtapositions were reduced in the NAc, whereas the TH/CB juxtapositions were impoverished in OT. Volume ratios of CR+ and CB+ elements remained unchanged in NAc, whereas that of CB+ was markedly reduced in OT; here the abundance of TH+ axons was also diminished. CR and CB were found to partially colocalize with TH in the VTA and SN. In VPA exposed mice, the abundance of CR+ (but not CB+) perikarya increased both in VTA and SN, however, this upregulation was not mirrored by an increase of the number of CR+/TH+ double labeled cells. The observed reduction of total CB (but not of CB+ perikarya) in the OT of VPA exposed animals signifies a diminished probability of synaptic contacts with afferent TH+ axons, presumably by reducing the available synaptic surface. Altered dopaminergic input to ventrobasal forebrain targets during late embryonic development will likely perturb the development and consolidation of neural and synaptic architecture, resulting in lasting changes of the neuronal patterning (detected here as reduced synaptic input to dopaminoceptive interneurons) in ventrobasal forebrain regions specifically involved in motivation and reward.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - András Csillag
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Sandoval-Talamantes AK, Tenorio-Castaño JA, Santos-Simarro F, Adán C, Fernández-Elvira M, García-Fernández L, Muñoz Y, Lapunzina P, Nevado J. NGS Custom Panel Implementation in Patients with Non-Syndromic Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Clinical Routine of a Tertiary Hospital. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2091. [PMID: 38003033 PMCID: PMC10671584 DOI: 10.3390/genes14112091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a set of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficiencies in communication, social interaction, and repetitive and restrictive behaviors. The discovery of genetic involvement in the etiology of ASD has made this condition a strong candidate for genome-based diagnostic tests. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is useful for the detection of variants in the sequence of different genes in ASD patients. Herein, we present the implementation of a personalized NGS panel for autism (AutismSeq) for patients with essential ASD over a prospective period of four years in the clinical routine of a tertiary hospital. The cohort is composed of 48 individuals, older than 3 years, who met the DSM-5 (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) diagnostic criteria for ASD. The NGS customized panel (AutismSeq) turned out to be a tool with good diagnostic efficacy in routine clinical care, where we detected 12 "pathogenic" (including pathogenic, likely pathogenic, and VUS (variant of uncertain significance) possibly pathogenic variations) in 11 individuals, and 11 VUS in 10 individuals, which had previously been negative for chromosomal microarray analysis and other previous genetic studies, such as karyotype, fragile-X, or MLPA/FISH (Multiplex Ligation dependent Probe Amplification/Fluorescence in situ hybridization) analysis. Our results demonstrate the high genetic and clinical heterogeneity of individuals with ASD and the current difficulty of molecular diagnosis. Our study also shows that an NGS-customized panel might be useful for diagnosing patients with essential/primary autism and that it is cost-effective for most genetic laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Karen Sandoval-Talamantes
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
| | - Jair Antonio Tenorio-Castaño
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
- ITHACA, European Research Network, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- CIBERER (Network for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Santos-Simarro
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
- ITHACA, European Research Network, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- CIBERER (Network for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Adán
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
| | - María Fernández-Elvira
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
| | - Laura García-Fernández
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
| | - Yolanda Muñoz
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
| | - Pablo Lapunzina
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
- ITHACA, European Research Network, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- CIBERER (Network for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Julián Nevado
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
- ITHACA, European Research Network, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- CIBERER (Network for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), 28046 Madrid, Spain
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3
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Finszter CK, Kemecsei R, Zachar G, Holtkamp S, Echevarría D, Adorján I, Ádám Á, Csillag A. Early cellular and synaptic changes in dopaminoceptive forebrain regions of juvenile mice following gestational exposure to valproate. Front Neuroanat 2023; 17:1235047. [PMID: 37603782 PMCID: PMC10435871 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2023.1235047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Gestational exposure of mice to valproic acid (VPA) is one currently used experimental model for the investigation of typical failure symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the present study we hypothesized that the reduction of dopaminergic source neurons of the VTA, followed by perturbed growth of the mesotelencephalic dopamine pathway (MT), should also modify pattern formation in the dopaminoceptive target regions (particularly its mesoaccumbens/mesolimbic portion). Here, we investigated VPA-evoked cellular morphological (apoptosis-frequency detected by Caspase-3, abundance of Ca-binding proteins, CaBP), as well as synaptic proteomic (western blotting) changes, in selected dopaminoceptive subpallial, as compared to pallial, regions of mice, born to mothers treated with 500 mg/kg VPA on day 13.5 of pregnancy. We observed a surge of apoptosis on VPA treatment in nearly all investigated subpallial and pallial regions; with a non-significant trend of similar increase the nucleus accumbens (NAc) at P7, the age at which the MT pathway reduction has been reported (also supplemented by current findings). Of the CaBPs, calretinin (CR) expression was decreased in pallial regions, most prominently in retrosplenial cortex, but not in the subpallium of P7 mice. Calbindin-D 28K (CB) was selectively reduced in the caudate-putamen (CPu) of VPA exposed animals at P7 but no longer at P60, pointing to a potency of repairment. The VPA-associated overall increase in apoptosis at P7 did not correlate with the abundance and distribution of CaBPs, except in CPu, in which the marked drop of CB was negatively correlated with increased apoptosis. Abundance of parvalbumin (PV) at P60 showed no significant response to VPA treatment in any of the observed regions we did not find colocalization of apoptotic (Casp3+) cells with CaBP-immunoreactive neurons. The proteomic findings suggest reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase in the crude synaptosome fraction of NAc, but not in the CPu, without simultaneous decrease of the synaptic protein, synaptophysin, indicating selective impairment of dopaminergic synapses. The morpho-functional changes found in forebrain regions of VPA-exposed mice may signify dendritic and synaptic reorganization in dopaminergic target regions, with potential translational value to similar impairments in the pathogenesis of human ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Klaudia Finszter
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Róbert Kemecsei
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gergely Zachar
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sophie Holtkamp
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Diego Echevarría
- Institute of Neuroscience (UMH-CSIC), University of Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - István Adorján
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ágota Ádám
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Csillag
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Montagut-Asunción M, Crespo-Martín S, Pastor-Cerezuela G, D’Ocon-Giménez A. Joint Attention and Its Relationship with Autism Risk Markers at 18 Months of Age. CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9040556. [PMID: 35455600 PMCID: PMC9027970 DOI: 10.3390/children9040556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
(1) Joint attention is the ability to coordinate attention to share a point of reference with another person. It has an early onset and is a clear indicator of understanding the representations of others, and it is essential in the development of symbolic thought and the acquisition of language. Deficiencies in this prelinguistic early communication skill are strong markers of the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD); (2) this longitudinal study aimed to evaluate joint attention skills in a group of 32 infants at two developmental moments (8 and 12 months) in order to explore whether their performance on this skill was related to the presence of early signs of ASD at 18 months. Logistic multiple regressions were carried out for the data analysis; (3) results of the analysis showed that the variables of initiating joint attention at 8 months and responding to joint attention at 12 months were linked to the risk of ASD at 18 months of age; (4) in conclusion, early joint attention skills had a pivotal role in defining early manifestations of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maite Montagut-Asunción
- Department of Neuropsychobiology, Methodology, and Basic and Social Psychology, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain;
| | - Sarah Crespo-Martín
- Department of Basic Psychology, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (S.C.-M.); (A.D.-G.)
| | - Gemma Pastor-Cerezuela
- Department of Basic Psychology, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (S.C.-M.); (A.D.-G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ana D’Ocon-Giménez
- Department of Basic Psychology, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (S.C.-M.); (A.D.-G.)
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Loureiro LO, Howe JL, Reuter MS, Iaboni A, Calli K, Roshandel D, Pritišanac I, Moses A, Forman-Kay JD, Trost B, Zarrei M, Rennie O, Lau LYS, Marshall CR, Srivastava S, Godlewski B, Buttermore ED, Sahin M, Hartley D, Frazier T, Vorstman J, Georgiades S, Lewis SME, Szatmari P, Bradley CAL, Tabet AC, Willems M, Lumbroso S, Piton A, Lespinasse J, Delorme R, Bourgeron T, Anagnostou E, Scherer SW. A recurrent SHANK3 frameshift variant in Autism Spectrum Disorder. NPJ Genom Med 2021; 6:91. [PMID: 34737294 PMCID: PMC8568906 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-021-00254-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is genetically complex with ~100 copy number variants and genes involved. To try to establish more definitive genotype and phenotype correlations in ASD, we searched genome sequence data, and the literature, for recurrent predicted damaging sequence-level variants affecting single genes. We identified 18 individuals from 16 unrelated families carrying a heterozygous guanine duplication (c.3679dup; p.Ala1227Glyfs*69) occurring within a string of 8 guanines (genomic location [hg38]g.50,721,512dup) affecting SHANK3, a prototypical ASD gene (0.08% of ASD-affected individuals carried the predicted p.Ala1227Glyfs*69 frameshift variant). Most probands carried de novo mutations, but five individuals in three families inherited it through somatic mosaicism. We scrutinized the phenotype of p.Ala1227Glyfs*69 carriers, and while everyone (17/17) formally tested for ASD carried a diagnosis, there was the variable expression of core ASD features both within and between families. Defining such recurrent mutational mechanisms underlying an ASD outcome is important for genetic counseling and early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia O Loureiro
- Genetics and Genome Biology and The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer L Howe
- Genetics and Genome Biology and The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Miriam S Reuter
- Canada's Genomics Enterprise (CGEn), The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alana Iaboni
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kristina Calli
- Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Delnaz Roshandel
- Genetics and Genome Biology and The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Iva Pritišanac
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alan Moses
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julie D Forman-Kay
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Brett Trost
- Genetics and Genome Biology and The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mehdi Zarrei
- Genetics and Genome Biology and The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Olivia Rennie
- Genetics and Genome Biology and The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lynette Y S Lau
- Genome Diagnostics, Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christian R Marshall
- Genome Diagnostics, Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Siddharth Srivastava
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brianna Godlewski
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth D Buttermore
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Thomas Frazier
- Autism Speaks and Department of Psychology, John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jacob Vorstman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stelios Georgiades
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Suzanne M E Lewis
- Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Peter Szatmari
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Clarrisa A Lisa Bradley
- Genetics and Genome Biology and The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anne-Claude Tabet
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR3571 CNRS, Université de Paris, F-75015, Paris, France
- Genetics Department, Cytogenetic Unit, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, F-75019, Paris, France
| | | | - Serge Lumbroso
- Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, CHU Nimes, Univ. Montpellier, Nimes, France
| | - Amélie Piton
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
- Unité de Génétique Moléculaire, IGMA, Hôpitaux Universitaire de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | | | - Richard Delorme
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR3571 CNRS, Université de Paris, F-75015, Paris, France
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, F-75019, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Bourgeron
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR3571 CNRS, Université de Paris, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen W Scherer
- Genetics and Genome Biology and The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Molecular Genetics and the McLaughlin Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Lavenne-Collot N, Jallot N, Maguet J, Degrez C, Botbol M, Grandgeorge M. Early Motor Skills in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Are Marked by Less Frequent Hand and Knees Crawling. Percept Mot Skills 2021; 128:2148-2165. [PMID: 34372738 DOI: 10.1177/00315125211037983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Our aim in this study was to affirm or negate (quantitatively) our subjective impression of altered hands and knees crawling (H&K crawling) among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Through parental questionnaires and children's health records, we retrospectively compared early motor skills, including the frequency of H&K crawling in 79 children with Autistic Disorder or Asperger Syndrome versus 100 children with typical development (TD). We found H&K crawling to be significantly less frequent among children with ASD (44.2%) versus children with TD (69%). Children with ASD also showed a decreased frequency of acquiring a seating position without help and a later mean walking age compared to the TD children. These data suggest that early motor development delays may be a useful sign for detecting ASD at early ages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nelle Jallot
- Service universitaire de psychiatrie infanto-juvénile, CHRU de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Julie Maguet
- Service universitaire de psychiatrie infanto-juvénile, CHRU de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Céline Degrez
- Service universitaire de psychiatrie infanto-juvénile, CHRU de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Michel Botbol
- Service universitaire de psychiatrie infanto-juvénile, CHRU de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Marine Grandgeorge
- Service universitaire de psychiatrie infanto-juvénile, CHRU de Brest, Brest, France.,Laboratoire de Neurosciences de Brest, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France.,EthoS (Éthologie animale et humaine) - UMR 6552, Univ Rennes, Normandie Univ, CNRS, Paimpont, France
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7
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Mezinska S, Gallagher L, Verbrugge M, Bunnik EM. Ethical issues in genomics research on neurodevelopmental disorders: a critical interpretive review. Hum Genomics 2021; 15:16. [PMID: 33712057 PMCID: PMC7953558 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-021-00317-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genomic research on neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), particularly involving minors, combines and amplifies existing research ethics issues for biomedical research. We performed a review of the literature on the ethical issues associated with genomic research involving children affected by NDDs as an aid to researchers to better anticipate and address ethical concerns. Results Qualitative thematic analysis of the included articles revealed themes in three main areas: research design and ethics review, inclusion of research participants, and communication of research results. Ethical issues known to be associated with genomic research in general, such as privacy risks and informed consent/assent, seem especially pressing for NDD participants because of their potentially decreased cognitive abilities, increased vulnerability, and stigma associated with mental health problems. Additionally, there are informational risks: learning genetic information about NDD may have psychological and social impact, not only for the research participant but also for family members. However, there are potential benefits associated with research participation, too: by enrolling in research, the participants may access genetic testing and thus increase their chances of receiving a (genetic) diagnosis for their neurodevelopmental symptoms, prognostic or predictive information about disease progression or the risk of concurrent future disorders. Based on the results of our review, we developed an ethics checklist for genomic research involving children affected by NDDs. Conclusions In setting up and designing genomic research efforts in NDD, researchers should partner with communities of persons with NDDs. Particular attention should be paid to preventing disproportional burdens of research participation of children with NDDs and their siblings, parents and other family members. Researchers should carefully tailor the information and informed consent procedures to avoid therapeutic and diagnostic misconception in NDD research. To better anticipate and address ethical issues in specific NDD studies, we suggest researchers to use the ethics checklist for genomic research involving children affected by NDDs presented in this paper. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40246-021-00317-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mezinska
- Faculty of Medicine and Institute of Clinical and Preventive Medicine, University of Latvia, Jelgavas Str.3, Riga, LV-1004, Latvia.
| | - L Gallagher
- Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - M Verbrugge
- Department of Medical Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, PO Box 2400, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands
| | - E M Bunnik
- Department of Medical Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, PO Box 2400, Rotterdam, 3000, CA, The Netherlands
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8
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8p21.3 deletions are rare causes of non-syndromic autism spectrum disorder. Neurogenetics 2021; 22:207-213. [PMID: 33683518 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-021-00635-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A de novo 0.95 Mb 8p21.3 deletion had been identified in an individual with non-syndromic autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through high-resolution copy number variant analysis. Subsequent screening of in-house and publicly available databases resulted in the identification of six additional individuals with 8p21.3 deletions. Through case-based reasoning, we conclude that 8p21.3 deletions are rare causes of non-syndromic neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Based on literature data, we highlight six genes within the region of minimal overlap as potential ASD genes or genes for neuropsychiatric disorders: DMTN, EGR3, FGF17, LGI3, PHYHIP, and PPP3CC.
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9
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Brain-Enriched Coding and Long Non-coding RNA Genes Are Overrepresented in Recurrent Neurodevelopmental Disorder CNVs. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108307. [PMID: 33113368 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with substantial phenotypic and etiological heterogeneity. Although 10%-20% of ASD cases are attributable to copy number variation (CNV), causative genomic loci and constituent genes remain unclarified. We have developed SNATCNV, a tool that outperforms existing tools, to identify 47 recurrent ASD CNV regions from 19,663 cases and 6,479 controls documented in the AutDB database. Analysis of ASD CNV gene content using FANTOM5 shows that constituent coding genes and long non-coding RNAs have brain-enriched patterns of expression. Notably, such enrichment is not observed for regions identified by using other tools. We also find evidence of sexual dimorphism, one locus uniquely comprising a single lncRNA gene, and correlation of CNVs to distinct clinical and behavioral traits. Finally, we analyze a large dataset for schizophrenia to further demonstrate that SNATCNV is an effective, publicly available tool to define genomic loci and causative genes for multiple CNV-associated conditions.
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10
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Ádám Á, Kemecsei R, Company V, Murcia-Ramón R, Juarez I, Gerecsei LI, Zachar G, Echevarría D, Puelles E, Martínez S, Csillag A. Gestational Exposure to Sodium Valproate Disrupts Fasciculation of the Mesotelencephalic Dopaminergic Tract, With a Selective Reduction of Dopaminergic Output From the Ventral Tegmental Area. Front Neuroanat 2020; 14:29. [PMID: 32581730 PMCID: PMC7290005 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2020.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Gestational exposure to valproic acid (VPA) is known to cause behavioral deficits of sociability, matching similar alterations in human autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Available data are scarce on the neuromorphological changes in VPA-exposed animals. Here, we focused on alterations of the dopaminergic system, which is implicated in motivation and reward, with relevance to social cohesion. Whole brains from 7-day-old mice born to mothers given a single injection of VPA (400 mg/kg b.wt.) on E13.5 were immunostained against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). They were scanned using the iDISCO method with a laser light-sheet microscope, and the reconstructed images were analyzed in 3D for quantitative morphometry. A marked reduction of mesotelencephalic (MT) axonal fascicles together with a widening of the MT tract were observed in VPA treated mice, while other major brain tracts appeared anatomically intact. We also found a reduction in the abundance of dopaminergic ventral tegmental (VTA) neurons, accompanied by diminished tissue level of DA in ventrobasal telencephalic regions (including the nucleus accumbens (NAc), olfactory tubercle, BST, substantia innominata). Such a reduction of DA was not observed in the non-limbic caudate-putamen. Conversely, the abundance of TH+ cells in the substantia nigra (SN) was increased, presumably due to a compensatory mechanism or to an altered distribution of TH+ neurons occupying the SN and the VTA. The findings suggest that defasciculation of the MT tract and neuronal loss in VTA, followed by diminished dopaminergic input to the ventrobasal telencephalon at a critical time point of embryonic development (E13-E14) may hinder the patterning of certain brain centers underlying decision making and sociability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ágota Ádám
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Róbert Kemecsei
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Verónica Company
- Institute of Neuroscience (UMH-CSIC), University of Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - Raquel Murcia-Ramón
- Institute of Neuroscience (UMH-CSIC), University of Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - Iris Juarez
- Institute of Neuroscience (UMH-CSIC), University of Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - László I Gerecsei
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gergely Zachar
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Diego Echevarría
- Institute of Neuroscience (UMH-CSIC), University of Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - Eduardo Puelles
- Institute of Neuroscience (UMH-CSIC), University of Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - Salvador Martínez
- Institute of Neuroscience (UMH-CSIC), University of Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - András Csillag
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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11
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Zarrei M, Burton CL, Engchuan W, Young EJ, Higginbotham EJ, MacDonald JR, Trost B, Chan AJS, Walker S, Lamoureux S, Heung T, Mojarad BA, Kellam B, Paton T, Faheem M, Miron K, Lu C, Wang T, Samler K, Wang X, Costain G, Hoang N, Pellecchia G, Wei J, Patel RV, Thiruvahindrapuram B, Roifman M, Merico D, Goodale T, Drmic I, Speevak M, Howe JL, Yuen RKC, Buchanan JA, Vorstman JAS, Marshall CR, Wintle RF, Rosenberg DR, Hanna GL, Woodbury-Smith M, Cytrynbaum C, Zwaigenbaum L, Elsabbagh M, Flanagan J, Fernandez BA, Carter MT, Szatmari P, Roberts W, Lerch J, Liu X, Nicolson R, Georgiades S, Weksberg R, Arnold PD, Bassett AS, Crosbie J, Schachar R, Stavropoulos DJ, Anagnostou E, Scherer SW. A large data resource of genomic copy number variation across neurodevelopmental disorders. NPJ Genom Med 2019; 4:26. [PMID: 31602316 PMCID: PMC6779875 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-019-0098-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Copy number variations (CNVs) are implicated across many neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and contribute to their shared genetic etiology. Multiple studies have attempted to identify shared etiology among NDDs, but this is the first genome-wide CNV analysis across autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia (SCZ), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) at once. Using microarray (Affymetrix CytoScan HD), we genotyped 2,691 subjects diagnosed with an NDD (204 SCZ, 1,838 ASD, 427 ADHD and 222 OCD) and 1,769 family members, mainly parents. We identified rare CNVs, defined as those found in <0.1% of 10,851 population control samples. We found clinically relevant CNVs (broadly defined) in 284 (10.5%) of total subjects, including 22 (10.8%) among subjects with SCZ, 209 (11.4%) with ASD, 40 (9.4%) with ADHD, and 13 (5.6%) with OCD. Among all NDD subjects, we identified 17 (0.63%) with aneuploidies and 115 (4.3%) with known genomic disorder variants. We searched further for genes impacted by different CNVs in multiple disorders. Examples of NDD-associated genes linked across more than one disorder (listed in order of occurrence frequency) are NRXN1, SEH1L, LDLRAD4, GNAL, GNG13, MKRN1, DCTN2, KNDC1, PCMTD2, KIF5A, SYNM, and long non-coding RNAs: AK127244 and PTCHD1-AS. We demonstrated that CNVs impacting the same genes could potentially contribute to the etiology of multiple NDDs. The CNVs identified will serve as a useful resource for both research and diagnostic laboratories for prioritization of variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Zarrei
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Christie L. Burton
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Worrawat Engchuan
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Edwin J. Young
- Genome Diagnostics, Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Edward J. Higginbotham
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Jeffrey R. MacDonald
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Brett Trost
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Ada J. S. Chan
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Susan Walker
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Sylvia Lamoureux
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Tracy Heung
- Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Bahareh A. Mojarad
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Barbara Kellam
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Tara Paton
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Muhammad Faheem
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Karin Miron
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Chao Lu
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Ting Wang
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Kozue Samler
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Gregory Costain
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Medical Genetics Residency Training Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Ny Hoang
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Genetic Counselling, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Giovanna Pellecchia
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - John Wei
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Rohan V. Patel
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | | | - Maian Roifman
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- The Prenatal Diagnosis and Medical Genetics Program, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Daniele Merico
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Deep Genomics Inc., Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Tara Goodale
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Irene Drmic
- Hamilton Health Sciences, Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre, Hamilton, On Canada
| | - Marsha Speevak
- Trillium Health Partners Credit Valley Site, Mississauga, Ontario Canada
| | - Jennifer L. Howe
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Ryan K. C. Yuen
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Janet A. Buchanan
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Jacob A. S. Vorstman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
- Autism Research Unit, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Christian R. Marshall
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Genome Diagnostics, Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Richard F. Wintle
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - David R. Rosenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI USA
- The Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI United States
| | - Gregory L. Hanna
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Marc Woodbury-Smith
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Cheryl Cytrynbaum
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | | | - Mayada Elsabbagh
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Janine Flanagan
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Bridget A. Fernandez
- Discipline of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL Canada
| | - Melissa T. Carter
- Regional Genetics Program, The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON Canada
| | - Peter Szatmari
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Wendy Roberts
- Autism Research Unit, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Jason Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Xudong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen’s University, Kinston, ON Canada
| | - Rob Nicolson
- Children’s Health Research Institute, London, ON Canada
- Western University, London, ON Canada
| | - Stelios Georgiades
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada
| | - Rosanna Weksberg
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Paul D. Arnold
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB Canada
- Departments of Psychiatry and Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB Canada
| | - Anne S. Bassett
- Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
- The Dalglish Family 22q Clinic, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Jennifer Crosbie
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Russell Schachar
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Dimitri J. Stavropoulos
- Genome Diagnostics, Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Stephen W. Scherer
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics and McLaughlin Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
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12
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Abruzzo PM, Matté A, Bolotta A, Federti E, Ghezzo A, Guarnieri T, Marini M, Posar A, Siciliano A, De Franceschi L, Visconti P. Plasma peroxiredoxin changes and inflammatory cytokines support the involvement of neuro-inflammation and oxidative stress in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Transl Med 2019; 17:332. [PMID: 31578139 PMCID: PMC6775664 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-019-2076-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been established that children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are affected by oxidative stress, the origin of which is still under investigation. In the present work, we evaluated inflammatory and pro-oxidant soluble signature in non-syndromic ASD and age-matched typically developing (TD) control children. METHODS We analyzed leukocyte gene expression of inflammatory cytokines and inflammation/oxidative-stress related molecules in 21 ASD and 20 TD children. Moreover, in another-comparable-group of non-syndromic ASD (N = 22) and TD (N = 21) children, we analyzed for the first time the protein expression of the four members of the antioxidant enzyme family of peroxiredoxins (Prx) in both erythrocyte membranes and in plasma. RESULTS The gene expression of IL6 and of HSP70i, a stress protein, was increased in ASD children. Moreover, gene expression of many inflammatory cytokines and inflammation/oxidative stress-related proteins correlated with clinical features, and appeared to be linked by a complex network of inter-correlations involving the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor signaling pathway. In addition, when the study of inter-correlations within the expression pattern of these molecules was extended to include the healthy subjects, the intrinsic physiological relationships of the inflammatory/oxidative stress network emerged. Plasma levels of Prx2 and Prx5 were remarkably increased in ASD compared to healthy controls, while no significant differences were found in red cell Prx levels. CONCLUSIONS Previous findings reported elevated inflammatory cytokines in the plasma of ASD children, without clearly pointing to the presence of neuro-inflammation. On the other hand, the finding of microglia activation in autoptic specimens was clearly suggesting the presence of neuro-inflammation in ASD. Given the role of peroxiredoxins in the protection of brain cells against oxidative stress, the whole of our results, using peripheral data collected in living patients, support the involvement of neuro-inflammation in ASD, and generate a rational for neuro-inflammation as a possible therapeutic target and for plasma Prx5 as a novel indicator of ASD severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Abruzzo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Via A. Capecelatro, 66, 20148, Milan, Italy
| | - A Matté
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy
| | - A Bolotta
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Via A. Capecelatro, 66, 20148, Milan, Italy
| | - E Federti
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy
| | - A Ghezzo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy
| | - T Guarnieri
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M Marini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy. .,IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Via A. Capecelatro, 66, 20148, Milan, Italy.
| | - A Posar
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Ugo Foscolo 7, 40123, Bologna, Italy.,Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura, 3, 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Siciliano
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy
| | - L De Franceschi
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy
| | - P Visconti
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura, 3, 40139, Bologna, Italy
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13
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Harrington JW, Emuren L, Restaino K, Schrier Vergano S. Parental Perception and Participation in Genetic Testing Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2018; 57:1642-1655. [PMID: 30264578 DOI: 10.1177/0009922818803398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with genetic testing in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and understand parental involvement in the decision to test using survey data of parents of children with ASD. Evaluation by a geneticist was associated with genetic testing by more than 39 times compared to evaluation by a nongeneticist (95% CI = 9.15-168.81). Those offered testing by the physicians were more than 6 times more likely to be tested than those not offered testing (95% CI = 1.66-24.61). Financial concerns, not being offered testing, and lack of awareness were the most consistent reasons for not testing given by participants. A physician's recommendation for testing and an evaluation by a geneticist were the most important factors associated with genetic testing in children with ASD. Educating primary care physicians and nongenetic specialists can potentially improve genetic testing among children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Harrington
- 1 Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA.,2 Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Leonard Emuren
- 1 Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA.,2 Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Kathryn Restaino
- 1 Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA.,2 Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Samantha Schrier Vergano
- 1 Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA.,2 Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Norfolk, VA, USA
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14
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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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15
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Klin A. Biomarkers in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Challenges, Advances, and the Need for Biomarkers of Relevance to Public Health. FOCUS (AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PUBLISHING) 2018; 16:135-142. [PMID: 31975908 PMCID: PMC6526849 DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.20170047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the most strongly genetic of all complex neuropsychiatric disorders, it is still defined and diagnosed behaviorally. The vast genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity of the condition necessitate a vigorous search for biological markers capable of aiding in diagnosis, identifying more homogeneous subgroups for biological study, individualizing treatment, and measuring treatment response. Many candidate biomarkers are available, spanning genetic, metabolic, electroencephalographic, magnetic resonance imaging, and neuropsychological methods. Although biomarker research has focused primarily on mechanistic etiologic hypotheses, the biomarkers more likely to result in optimized clinical outcomes in the near term are cost-effective and community-viable measures obtained through eye-tracking technology involving infants and toddlers. Although these tools are still far from being ready for widespread application, the goal is to develop objective procedures and measures for population-based screening and diagnosis to increase access to early treatment and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ami Klin
- Dr. Klin is with the Division of Autism & Related Disabilities, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, George, and the Marcus Autism Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
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16
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Anwar A, Abruzzo PM, Pasha S, Rajpoot K, Bolotta A, Ghezzo A, Marini M, Posar A, Visconti P, Thornalley PJ, Rabbani N. Advanced glycation endproducts, dityrosine and arginine transporter dysfunction in autism - a source of biomarkers for clinical diagnosis. Mol Autism 2018; 9:3. [PMID: 29479405 PMCID: PMC5817812 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0183-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clinical chemistry tests for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are currently unavailable. The aim of this study was to explore the diagnostic utility of proteotoxic biomarkers in plasma and urine, plasma protein glycation, oxidation, and nitration adducts, and related glycated, oxidized, and nitrated amino acids (free adducts), for the clinical diagnosis of ASD. Methods Thirty-eight children with ASD (29 male, 9 female; age 7.6 ± 2.0 years) and 31 age-matched healthy controls (23 males, 8 females; 8.6 ± 2.0 years) were recruited for this study. Plasma protein glycation, oxidation, and nitration adducts and amino acid metabolome in plasma and urine were determined by stable isotopic dilution analysis liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Machine learning methods were then employed to explore and optimize combinations of analyte data for ASD diagnosis. Results We found that children with ASD had increased advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) and Nω-carboxymethylarginine (CMA), and increased oxidation damage marker, dityrosine (DT), in plasma protein, with respect to healthy controls. We also found that children with ASD had increased CMA free adduct in plasma ultrafiltrate and increased urinary excretion of oxidation free adducts, alpha-aminoadipic semialdehyde and glutamic semialdehyde. From study of renal handling of amino acids, we found that children with ASD had decreased renal clearance of arginine and CMA with respect to healthy controls. Algorithms to discriminate between ASD and healthy controls gave strong diagnostic performance with features: plasma protein AGEs—CML, CMA—and 3-deoxyglucosone-derived hydroimidazolone, and oxidative damage marker, DT. The sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic area-under-the-curve were 92%, 84%, and 0.94, respectively. Conclusions Changes in plasma AGEs were likely indicative of dysfunctional metabolism of dicarbonyl metabolite precursors of AGEs, glyoxal and 3-deoxyglucosone. DT is formed enzymatically by dual oxidase (DUOX); selective increase of DT as an oxidative damage marker implicates increased DUOX activity in ASD possibly linked to impaired gut mucosal immunity. Decreased renal clearance of arginine and CMA in ASD is indicative of increased arginine transporter activity which may be a surrogate marker of disturbance of neuronal availability of amino acids. Data driven combination of these biomarkers perturbed by proteotoxic stress, plasma protein AGEs and DT, gave diagnostic algorithms of high sensitivity and specificity for ASD. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13229-017-0183-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attia Anwar
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, University Hospital, Coventry, UK
| | - Provvidenza Maria Abruzzo
- 2Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 8, 40126 Bologna, Italy.,4Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS, IRCCS "S. Maria Nascente", Via Alfonso Capecelatro 66, 20148 Milan, Italy
| | - Sabah Pasha
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, University Hospital, Coventry, UK
| | - Kashif Rajpoot
- 3Department of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alessandra Bolotta
- 2Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 8, 40126 Bologna, Italy.,4Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS, IRCCS "S. Maria Nascente", Via Alfonso Capecelatro 66, 20148 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ghezzo
- 2Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 8, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marina Marini
- 2Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 8, 40126 Bologna, Italy.,4Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS, IRCCS "S. Maria Nascente", Via Alfonso Capecelatro 66, 20148 Milan, Italy
| | - Annio Posar
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, Via Altura, 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy.,6Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy
| | - Paola Visconti
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, Via Altura, 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy
| | - Paul J Thornalley
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, University Hospital, Coventry, UK.,7Zeeman Institute for Systems Biology & Infectious Disease Epidemiology Research, Senate House, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL UK
| | - Naila Rabbani
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, University Hospital, Coventry, UK.,7Zeeman Institute for Systems Biology & Infectious Disease Epidemiology Research, Senate House, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL UK.,8Research Technology Platform-Proteomics, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
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17
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Zhang Y, Liu Y, Zarrei M, Tong W, Dong R, Wang Y, Zhang H, Yang X, MacDonald JR, Uddin M, Scherer SW, Gai Z. Association of IMMP2L deletions with autism spectrum disorder: A trio family study and meta-analysis. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2018; 177:93-100. [PMID: 29152845 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
IMMP2L, the gene encoding the inner mitochondrial membrane peptidase subunit 2-like protein, has been reported as a candidate gene for Tourette syndrome, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and additional neurodevelopmental disorders. Here we genotyped 100 trio families with an index proband with autism spectrum disorder in Han Chinese population and found three cases with rare exonic IMMP2L deletions. We have conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to quantify the association of IMMP2L deletions with ASD using 5,568 cases and 10,279 controls. While the IMMP2L deletions carried non-recurrent breakpoints, in contrast to previous reports, our meta-analysis found no evidence of association (P > 0.05) between IMMP2L deletions and ASD. We also observed common exonic deletions impacting IMMP2L in a separate control (5,971 samples) cohort where subjects were screened for psychiatric conditions. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis regarding the effect of IMMP2L deletions on ASD, but further investigations in different populations, especially Chinese population may be still needed to confirm our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqing Zhang
- Pediatric Health Care Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Mehdi Zarrei
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Winnie Tong
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rui Dong
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Xiaomeng Yang
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Jeffrey R MacDonald
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mohammed Uddin
- Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Dubai, UAE
| | - Stephen W Scherer
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,McLaughlin Centre and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Zhongtao Gai
- Pediatric Health Care Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China.,Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
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18
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Retico A, Arezzini S, Bosco P, Calderoni S, Ciampa A, Coscetti S, Cuomo S, De Santis L, Fabiani D, Fantacci ME, Giuliano A, Mazzoni E, Mercatali P, Miscali G, Pardini M, Prosperi M, Romano F, Tamburini E, Tosetti M, Muratori F. ARIANNA: A research environment for neuroimaging studies in autism spectrum disorders. Comput Biol Med 2017; 87:1-7. [PMID: 28544911 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2017.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The complexity and heterogeneity of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) require the implementation of dedicated analysis techniques to obtain the maximum from the interrelationship among many variables that describe affected individuals, spanning from clinical phenotypic characterization and genetic profile to structural and functional brain images. The ARIANNA project has developed a collaborative interdisciplinary research environment that is easily accessible to the community of researchers working on ASD (https://arianna.pi.infn.it). The main goals of the project are: to analyze neuroimaging data acquired in multiple sites with multivariate approaches based on machine learning; to detect structural and functional brain characteristics that allow the distinguishing of individuals with ASD from control subjects; to identify neuroimaging-based criteria to stratify the population with ASD to support the future development of personalized treatments. Secure data handling and storage are guaranteed within the project, as well as the access to fast grid/cloud-based computational resources. This paper outlines the web-based architecture, the computing infrastructure and the collaborative analysis workflows at the basis of the ARIANNA interdisciplinary working environment. It also demonstrates the full functionality of the research platform. The availability of this innovative working environment for analyzing clinical and neuroimaging information of individuals with ASD is expected to support researchers in disentangling complex data thus facilitating their interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Retico
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Silvia Arezzini
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Bosco
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Ciampa
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Coscetti
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Cuomo
- Institute of Legal Information Theory and Techniques (ITTIG) of the National Research Council, Via de' Barucci 20, 50127 Florence, Italy
| | | | - Dario Fabiani
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Evelina Fantacci
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy; University of Pisa, Physics Department, Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessia Giuliano
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Enrico Mazzoni
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Pietro Mercatali
- Institute of Legal Information Theory and Techniques (ITTIG) of the National Research Council, Via de' Barucci 20, 50127 Florence, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Francesco Romano
- Institute of Legal Information Theory and Techniques (ITTIG) of the National Research Council, Via de' Barucci 20, 50127 Florence, Italy
| | | | - Michela Tosetti
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Muratori
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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19
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Johannessen J, Nærland T, Hope S, Torske T, Høyland AL, Strohmaier J, Heiberg A, Rietschel M, Djurovic S, Andreassen OA. Parents' Attitudes toward Clinical Genetic Testing for Autism Spectrum Disorder-Data from a Norwegian Sample. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E1078. [PMID: 28524073 PMCID: PMC5454987 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18051078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical genetic testing (CGT) of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have positive and negative effects. Knowledge about parents' attitudes is needed to ensure good involvement of caregivers, which is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective clinical management. This study aimed to assess parents' attitudes toward CGT for ASD. Parent members of the Norwegian Autism Society were given a previously untested questionnaire and 1455 answered. Linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate contribution of parent and child characteristics to attitude statements. Provided it could contribute to a casual explanation of their child's ASD, 76% would undergo CGT. If it would improve the possibilities for early interventions, 74% were positive to CGT. Between 49-67% agreed that CGT could have a negative impact on health insurance, increase their concern for the child's future and cause family conflicts. Parents against CGT (9%) were less optimistic regarding positive effects, but not more concerned with negative impacts. The severity of the children's ASD diagnosis had a weak positive association with parent's positive attitudes to CGT (p-values range from <0.001 to 0.975). Parents prefer that CGT is offered to those having a child with ASD (65%), when the child's development deviates from normal (48%), or before pregnancy (36%). A majority of the parents of children with ASD are positive to CGT due to possibilities for an etiological explanation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarle Johannessen
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, University of Oslo, Oslo 0424, Norway.
- Autism Society Norway, Oslo 0609, Norway.
| | - Terje Nærland
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, University of Oslo, Oslo 0424, Norway.
- NevSom, Department of Rare Disorders and Disabilities, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo 0424, Norway.
| | - Sigrun Hope
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, University of Oslo, Oslo 0424, Norway.
- Department of Neurohabilitation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo 0424, Norway.
| | - Tonje Torske
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen 3004, Norway.
| | - Anne Lise Høyland
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim 7491, Norway.
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim 7006, Norway.
| | - Jana Strohmaier
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim 68159, Germany.
| | - Arvid Heiberg
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo 0424, Norway.
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim 68159, Germany.
| | - Srdjan Djurovic
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, University of Oslo, Oslo 0424, Norway.
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo 0424, Norway.
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen 5021, Norway.
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, University of Oslo, Oslo 0424, Norway.
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo 0315, Norway.
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20
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A microcosting and cost–consequence analysis of clinical genomic testing strategies in autism spectrum disorder. Genet Med 2017; 19:1268-1275. [DOI: 10.1038/gim.2017.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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21
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Howsmon DP, Kruger U, Melnyk S, James SJ, Hahn J. Classification and adaptive behavior prediction of children with autism spectrum disorder based upon multivariate data analysis of markers of oxidative stress and DNA methylation. PLoS Comput Biol 2017; 13:e1005385. [PMID: 28301476 PMCID: PMC5354243 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of diagnosed cases of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has increased dramatically over the last four decades; however, there is still considerable debate regarding the underlying pathophysiology of ASD. This lack of biological knowledge restricts diagnoses to be made based on behavioral observations and psychometric tools. However, physiological measurements should support these behavioral diagnoses in the future in order to enable earlier and more accurate diagnoses. Stepping towards this goal of incorporating biochemical data into ASD diagnosis, this paper analyzes measurements of metabolite concentrations of the folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism and transulfuration pathways taken from blood samples of 83 participants with ASD and 76 age-matched neurotypical peers. Fisher Discriminant Analysis enables multivariate classification of the participants as on the spectrum or neurotypical which results in 96.1% of all neurotypical participants being correctly identified as such while still correctly identifying 97.6% of the ASD cohort. Furthermore, kernel partial least squares is used to predict adaptive behavior, as measured by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Composite score, where measurement of five metabolites of the pathways was sufficient to predict the Vineland score with an R2 of 0.45 after cross-validation. This level of accuracy for classification as well as severity prediction far exceeds any other approach in this field and is a strong indicator that the metabolites under consideration are strongly correlated with an ASD diagnosis but also that the statistical analysis used here offers tremendous potential for extracting important information from complex biochemical data sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P. Howsmon
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, United States of America
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, United States of America
| | - Uwe Kruger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, United States of America
| | - Stepan Melnyk
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - S. Jill James
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Juergen Hahn
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, United States of America
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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22
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C Yuen RK, Merico D, Bookman M, L Howe J, Thiruvahindrapuram B, Patel RV, Whitney J, Deflaux N, Bingham J, Wang Z, Pellecchia G, Buchanan JA, Walker S, Marshall CR, Uddin M, Zarrei M, Deneault E, D'Abate L, Chan AJS, Koyanagi S, Paton T, Pereira SL, Hoang N, Engchuan W, Higginbotham EJ, Ho K, Lamoureux S, Li W, MacDonald JR, Nalpathamkalam T, Sung WWL, Tsoi FJ, Wei J, Xu L, Tasse AM, Kirby E, Van Etten W, Twigger S, Roberts W, Drmic I, Jilderda S, Modi BM, Kellam B, Szego M, Cytrynbaum C, Weksberg R, Zwaigenbaum L, Woodbury-Smith M, Brian J, Senman L, Iaboni A, Doyle-Thomas K, Thompson A, Chrysler C, Leef J, Savion-Lemieux T, Smith IM, Liu X, Nicolson R, Seifer V, Fedele A, Cook EH, Dager S, Estes A, Gallagher L, Malow BA, Parr JR, Spence SJ, Vorstman J, Frey BJ, Robinson JT, Strug LJ, Fernandez BA, Elsabbagh M, Carter MT, Hallmayer J, Knoppers BM, Anagnostou E, Szatmari P, Ring RH, Glazer D, Pletcher MT, Scherer SW. Whole genome sequencing resource identifies 18 new candidate genes for autism spectrum disorder. Nat Neurosci 2017; 20:602-611. [PMID: 28263302 DOI: 10.1038/nn.4524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 533] [Impact Index Per Article: 76.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We are performing whole-genome sequencing of families with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to build a resource (MSSNG) for subcategorizing the phenotypes and underlying genetic factors involved. Here we report sequencing of 5,205 samples from families with ASD, accompanied by clinical information, creating a database accessible on a cloud platform and through a controlled-access internet portal. We found an average of 73.8 de novo single nucleotide variants and 12.6 de novo insertions and deletions or copy number variations per ASD subject. We identified 18 new candidate ASD-risk genes and found that participants bearing mutations in susceptibility genes had significantly lower adaptive ability (P = 6 × 10-4). In 294 of 2,620 (11.2%) of ASD cases, a molecular basis could be determined and 7.2% of these carried copy number variations and/or chromosomal abnormalities, emphasizing the importance of detecting all forms of genetic variation as diagnostic and therapeutic targets in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan K C Yuen
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Daniele Merico
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Deep Genomics Inc., Toronto, Canada
| | - Matt Bookman
- Google, Mountain View, California, USA.,Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jennifer L Howe
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Bhooma Thiruvahindrapuram
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rohan V Patel
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Joe Whitney
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nicole Deflaux
- Google, Mountain View, California, USA.,Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jonathan Bingham
- Google, Mountain View, California, USA.,Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Zhuozhi Wang
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Giovanna Pellecchia
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Janet A Buchanan
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Susan Walker
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Christian R Marshall
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Genome Diagnostics, Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mohammed Uddin
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mehdi Zarrei
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Eric Deneault
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lia D'Abate
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ada J S Chan
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stephanie Koyanagi
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Tara Paton
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sergio L Pereira
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ny Hoang
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Autism Research Unit, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Worrawat Engchuan
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Edward J Higginbotham
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Karen Ho
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sylvia Lamoureux
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Weili Li
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jeffrey R MacDonald
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Thomas Nalpathamkalam
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Wilson W L Sung
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Fiona J Tsoi
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - John Wei
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lizhen Xu
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Anne-Marie Tasse
- Public Population Project in Genomics and Society, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Emily Kirby
- Public Population Project in Genomics and Society, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | | | - Wendy Roberts
- Autism Research Unit, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Irene Drmic
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Autism Research Unit, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sanne Jilderda
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Autism Research Unit, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Bonnie MacKinnon Modi
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Autism Research Unit, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Barbara Kellam
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael Szego
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cheryl Cytrynbaum
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rosanna Weksberg
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Marc Woodbury-Smith
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Jessica Brian
- Bloorview Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Lili Senman
- Bloorview Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Alana Iaboni
- Bloorview Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | | | - Ann Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Christina Chrysler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Jonathan Leef
- Bloorview Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | | | - Isabel M Smith
- Departments of Pediatrics and of Psychology &Neuroscience, Dalhousie University and Autism Research Centre, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Canada
| | - Xudong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kinston, Canada
| | - Rob Nicolson
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Edwin H Cook
- Institute for Juvenile Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Stephen Dager
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Annette Estes
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Louise Gallagher
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Beth A Malow
- Sleep Disorders Division, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jeremy R Parr
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Sarah J Spence
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jacob Vorstman
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Brendan J Frey
- Deep Genomics Inc., Toronto, Canada.,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - James T Robinson
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Lisa J Strug
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Bridget A Fernandez
- Disciplines of Genetics and Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Provincial Medical Genetic Program, Eastern Health, St. John's, Canada
| | | | - Melissa T Carter
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Regional Genetics Program, The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Joachim Hallmayer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | | | - Peter Szatmari
- Child Youth and Family Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Robert H Ring
- Department of Pharmacology &Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David Glazer
- Google, Mountain View, California, USA.,Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Stephen W Scherer
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,McLaughlin Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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23
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Reiff M, Bugos E, Giarelli E, Bernhardt BA, Spinner NB, Sankar PL, Mulchandani S. "Set in Stone" or "Ray of Hope": Parents' Beliefs About Cause and Prognosis After Genomic Testing of Children Diagnosed with ASD. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 47:1453-1463. [PMID: 28229350 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3067-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Despite increasing utilization of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), limited information exists about how results influence parents' beliefs about etiology and prognosis. We conducted in-depth interviews and surveys with 57 parents of children with ASD who received CMA results categorized as pathogenic, negative or variant of uncertain significance. Parents tended to incorporate their child's CMA results within their existing beliefs about the etiology of ASD, regardless of CMA result. However, parents' expectations for the future tended to differ depending on results; those who received genetic confirmation for their children's ASD expressed a sense of concreteness, acceptance and permanence of the condition. Some parents expressed hope for future biomedical treatments as a result of genetic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Reiff
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,Counseling and Psychological Services, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Eva Bugos
- Mixed Methods Research Lab, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Ellen Giarelli
- College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Barbara A Bernhardt
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nancy B Spinner
- Division of Genomic Diagnostics and the Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pamela L Sankar
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Surabhi Mulchandani
- Division of Genomic Diagnostics and the Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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24
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Hens K, Peeters H, Dierickx K. Genetic testing and counseling in the case of an autism diagnosis: A caregivers perspective. Eur J Med Genet 2016; 59:452-8. [PMID: 27544064 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Revised: 08/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The search for genes that can explain the development of autism is ongoing. At the same time, genetic counselling and genetic testing can be offered to families with a child diagnosed with autism. However, given the complexity of autism, both with respect to its aetiology as well as with respect to its heterogeneity, such genetic counselling and testing raises specific ethical questions regarding the aim and scope. In order to map these questions and opinions we interviewed 15 Belgian autism professionals. We found that they believed that genetic counselling and genetic testing have certain benefits for families confronted with an autism diagnosis, but also that direct benefit to the child is limited to those cases where a genetic finding offers a certain prognosis and intervention plan. In cases where autism is the result of a syndrome or a known genetic variant that is associated with other health problems, detection can also enable prevention of these health issues. Benefits of genetic testing, such as relief of guilt and reproductive choice, are primarily benefits to the parents, although indirectly they may affect the wellbeing of the person diagnosed. These benefits are associated with ethical questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristien Hens
- Department of Philosophy, University of Antwerp, Stadscampus, Rodestraat 14, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium.
| | | | - Kris Dierickx
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, KU Leuven, Belgium
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25
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Reiff M, Giarelli E, Bernhardt BA, Easley E, Spinner NB, Sankar PL, Mulchandani S. Parents' perceptions of the usefulness of chromosomal microarray analysis for children with autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 2016; 45:3262-75. [PMID: 26066358 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2489-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Clinical guidelines recommend chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) for all children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We explored the test's perceived usefulness among parents of children with ASD who had undergone CMA, and received a result categorized as pathogenic, variant of uncertain significance, or negative. Fifty-seven parents participated in a semi-structured telephone interview, and 50 also completed a survey. Most parents reported that CMA was helpful for their child and family. Major themes regarding perceived usefulness were: medical care, educational and behavioral interventions, causal explanation, information for family members, and advancing knowledge. Limits to utility, uncertainties and negative outcomes were also identified. Our findings highlight the importance of considering both health and non-health related utility in genomic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Reiff
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Penn Tower Room 1112, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Ellen Giarelli
- College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Barbara A Bernhardt
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Penn Tower Room 1112, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ebony Easley
- Mixed Methods Research Lab, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nancy B Spinner
- Division of Genomic Diagnostics and Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pamela L Sankar
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Surabhi Mulchandani
- Division of Genomic Diagnostics and Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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26
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Szego MJ, Zawati MH. Whole Genome Sequencing as a Genetic Test for Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Bench to Bedside and then Back Again. JOURNAL OF THE CANADIAN ACADEMY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY = JOURNAL DE L'ACADEMIE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE DE L'ENFANT ET DE L'ADOLESCENT 2016; 25:116-121. [PMID: 27274747 PMCID: PMC4879951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by repetitive patterns of behaviour and impairments in social interactions and communication abilities. Although ASD is a heterogeneous disorder, it is a highly genetic condition for which genetic testing is routinely performed. Microarray analysis is currently the standard of care genetic test for ASD, however whole genome sequencing offers several key advantages and will likely replace microarrays as a frontline genetic test in the near future. The 2nd Consultation on Translation of Genomic Advances into Health Applications took place in the spring of 2014 to broadly explore the current and potential impacts of genomic advances in supporting personalized and family-centered care for autism and related developmental conditions. In anticipation of WGS becoming a standard of care test, we examine the policy landscape and highlight the lack of consistency among guidelines regarding what genomic information should be returned to patients and their families. We also discuss the need to create the infrastructure to share clinical WGS data with researchers in a systematic and ethically defensible manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Szego
- Centre for Clinical Ethics, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Toronto, Ontario
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, The Dalla Lana School of Public Health, and The Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Ma’n H. Zawati
- Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
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27
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Hens K, Peeters H, Dierickx K. The ethics of complexity. Genetics and autism, a literature review. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2016; 171B:305-16. [PMID: 26870917 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
It is commonly believed that the etiology of autism is at least partly explained through genetics. Given the complexity of autism and the variability of the autistic phenotype, genetic research and counseling in this field are also complex and associated with specific ethical questions. Although the ethics of autism genetics, especially with regard to reproductive choices, has been widely discussed on the public fora, an in depth philosophical or bioethical reflection on all aspects of the theme seems to be missing. With this literature review we wanted to map the basic questions and answers that exist in the bioethical literature on autism genetics, research, counseling and reproduction, and provide suggestions as to how the discussion can proceed. We found 19 papers that fitted the description of "bioethics literature focusing on autism genetics," and analyzed their content to distill arguments and themes. We concluded that because of the complexity of autism, and the uncertainty with regard to its status, more ethical reflection is needed before definite conclusions and recommendations can be drawn. Moreover, there is a dearth of bioethical empirical studies querying the opinions of all parties, including people with autism themselves. Such empirical bioethical studies should be urgently done before bioethical conclusions regarding the aims and desirability of research into autism genes can be done. Also, fundamental philosophical reflection on concepts of disease should accompany research into the etiology of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristien Hens
- Department of Philosophy, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Hilde Peeters
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kris Dierickx
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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28
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Varadinova M, Boyadjieva N. Epigenetic mechanisms: A possible link between autism spectrum disorders and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Pharmacol Res 2015; 102:71-80. [PMID: 26408203 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2015.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 09/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) still remains unclear and seems to involve a considerable overlap between polygenic, epigenetic and environmental factors. We have summarized the current understanding of the interplay between gene expression dysregulation via epigenetic modifications and the potential epigenetic impact of environmental factors in neurodevelopmental deficits. Furthermore, we discuss the scientific controversies of the relationship between prenatal exposure to alcohol and alcohol-induced epigenetic dysregulations, and gene expression alterations which are associated with disrupted neural plasticity and causal pathways for ASDs. The review of the literature suggests that a better understanding of developmental epigenetics should contribute to furthering our comprehension of the etiology and pathogenesis of ASDs and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslava Varadinova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
| | - Nadka Boyadjieva
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
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29
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Nakai N, Otsuka S, Myung J, Takumi T. Autism spectrum disorder model mice: Focus on copy number variation and epigenetics. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2015; 58:976-84. [DOI: 10.1007/s11427-015-4891-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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30
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Ungar WJ. Next Generation Sequencing and Health Technology Assessment in Autism Spectrum Disorder. JOURNAL OF THE CANADIAN ACADEMY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY = JOURNAL DE L'ACADEMIE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE DE L'ENFANT ET DE L'ADOLESCENT 2015; 24:123-127. [PMID: 26379724 PMCID: PMC4558983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Next generation sequencing (NGS) is a new genome-based technology showing great promise in delineating the genetic basis of autism thus facilitating diagnosis and in the future, the selection of treatment. NGS can have a targeted use as well as provide clinically important findings from medically actionable variants regarding the risk of other disorders. As more is learned about the genomic basis of autism, the clinical utility of the risk information will increase. But at what cost? As the medical management that ensues from primary and secondary (incidental) findings grows, there will be increased pressure on sub-specialists with a longer and more circuitous pathway to care. This will result in higher costs to health care systems and to families. Health technology assessment is needed to measure the additional costs associated with NGS compared to standard care and to weigh these costs against additional health benefits. Well-designed data collection systems should be implemented early in clinical translation of this technology to enable assessment of clinical utility and cost-effectiveness and to generate high quality evidence to inform clinical and budget allocation decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy J. Ungar
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
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31
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Kanduri C, Kantojärvi K, Salo PM, Vanhala R, Buck G, Blancher C, Lähdesmäki H, Järvelä I. The landscape of copy number variations in Finnish families with autism spectrum disorders. Autism Res 2015; 9:9-16. [PMID: 26052927 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 04/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Rare de novo and inherited copy number variations (CNVs) have been implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk. However, the genetic underpinnings of ASD remain unknown in more than 80% of cases. Therefore, identification of novel candidate genes and corroboration of known candidate genes may broaden the horizons of determining genetic risk alleles, and subsequent development of diagnostic testing. Here, using genotyping arrays, we characterized the genetic architecture of rare CNVs (<1% frequency) in a Finnish case-control dataset. Unsurprisingly, ASD cases harbored a significant excess of rare, large (>1 Mb) CNVs and rare, exonic CNVs. The exonic rare de novo CNV rate (∼22.5%) seemed higher compared to previous reports. We identified several CNVs in well-known ASD regions including GSTM1-5, DISC1, FHIT, RBFOX1, CHRNA7, 15q11.2, 15q13.2-q13.3, 17q12, and 22q11.21. Additionally, several novel candidate genes (BDKRB1, BDKRB2, AP2M1, SPTA1, PTH1R, CYP2E1, PLCD3, F2RL1, UQCRC2, LILRB3, RPS9, and COL11A2) were identified through gene prioritization. The majority of these genes belong to neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathways, and calcium signaling pathways, thus suggesting that a subset of these novel candidate genes may contribute to ASD risk. Furthermore, several metabolic pathways like caffeine metabolism, drug metabolism, retinol metabolism, and calcium-signaling pathway were found to be affected by the rare exonic ASD CNVs. Additionally, biological processes such as bradykinin receptor activity, endoderm formation and development, and oxidoreductase activity were enriched among the rare exonic ASD CNVs. Overall, our findings may add data about new genes and pathways that contribute to the genetic architecture of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chakravarthi Kanduri
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katri Kantojärvi
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paula M Salo
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Raija Vanhala
- Hospital of Children and Adolescents, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, 00014, Helsinki
| | - Gemma Buck
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Roosewelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN
| | - Christine Blancher
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Roosewelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN
| | - Harri Lähdesmäki
- Department of Information and Computer Science, Aalto University School of Science, Espoo, Finland
| | - Irma Järvelä
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
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32
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Liu Y, Zhang Y, Zhao D, Dong R, Yang X, Tammimies K, Uddin M, Scherer SW, Gai Z. Rare de novo deletion of metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (GRM7) gene in a patient with autism spectrum disorder. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2015; 168B:258-64. [PMID: 25921429 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
GRM7, the gene encoding metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGluR7), have been implicated in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders and shown to mediate excitatory synaptic neurotransmitter signaling and plasticity in the mammalian brain. Here we report a 303 kb de novo deletion at band 3p26.1, disrupting five coding exons of GRM7 in a proband with autism spectrum disorder, and hyperactivity. Our exon transcriptome-mutation contingency index method shows that three of the exons within the breakpoint boundaries are under purifying selection and highly expressed in prenatal brain regions. Based on our results and a thorough review of the literature, we propose that haploinsufficiency of the GRM7 product (mGluR7) contributes to autism spectrum disorders and hyperactivity phenotype as seen in the patient described here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Liu
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Yanqing Zhang
- Pediatric Health Care Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Dongmei Zhao
- Pediatric Health Care Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Rui Dong
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Xiaomeng Yang
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Kristiina Tammimies
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,The Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institutet (KIND), Pediatric Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohammed Uddin
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stephen W Scherer
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,McLaughlin Centre and Department of Molecular Genetics, University ofToronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Zhongtao Gai
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China.,Pediatric Health Care Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
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33
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Aldinger KA, Lane CJ, Veenstra-VanderWeele J, Levitt P. Patterns of Risk for Multiple Co-Occurring Medical Conditions Replicate Across Distinct Cohorts of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res 2015; 8:771-81. [PMID: 26011086 PMCID: PMC4736680 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may present with multiple medical conditions in addition to ASD symptoms. This study investigated whether there are predictive patterns of medical conditions that co-occur with ASD, which could inform medical evaluation and treatment in ASD, as well as potentially identify etiologically meaningful subgroups. Medical history data were queried in the multiplex family Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE). Fourteen medical conditions were analyzed. Replication in the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC) was attempted using available medical condition data on gastrointestinal disturbances (GID), sleep problems, allergy and epilepsy. In the AGRE cohort, no discrete clusters emerged among 14 medical conditions. GID and seizures were enriched in unaffected family members, and together with sleep problems, were represented in both AGRE and SSC. Further analysis of these medical conditions identified predictive co-occurring patterns in both samples. For a child with ASD, the presence of GID predicts sleep problems and vice versa, with an approximately 2-fold odds ratio in each direction. These risk patterns were replicated in the SSC sample, and in addition, there was increased risk for seizures and sleep problems to co-occur with GID. In these cohorts, seizure alone was not predictive of the other conditions co-occurring, but behavioral impairments were more severe as the number of co-occurring medical symptoms increased. These findings indicate that interdisciplinary clinical care for children with ASD will benefit from evaluation for specific patterns of medical conditions in the affected child and their family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Aldinger
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Christianne J Lane
- Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Program in Developmental Neurogenetics, Institute for the Developing Mind, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Pat Levitt
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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34
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Liu Y, Zhao D, Dong R, Yang X, Zhang Y, Tammimies K, Uddin M, Scherer SW, Gai Z. De novo exon 1 deletion ofAUTS2gene in a patient with autism spectrum disorder and developmental delay: A case report and a brief literature review. Am J Med Genet A 2015; 167:1381-5. [PMID: 25851617 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.37050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Liu
- Pediatric Research Institute; Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University; Ji'nan China
| | - Dongmei Zhao
- Pediatric Health Institute; Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University; Ji'nan China
| | - Rui Dong
- Pediatric Research Institute; Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University; Ji'nan China
| | - Xiaomeng Yang
- Pediatric Research Institute; Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University; Ji'nan China
| | - Yanqing Zhang
- Pediatric Health Institute; Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University; Ji'nan China
| | - Kristiina Tammimies
- The Centre for Applied Genomics; The Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Canada
| | - Mohammed Uddin
- The Centre for Applied Genomics; The Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Canada
| | - Stephen W Scherer
- The Centre for Applied Genomics; The Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Canada
- McLaughlin Centre and Department of Molecular Genetics; University of Toronto; Toronto Canada
| | - Zhongtao Gai
- Pediatric Research Institute; Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University; Ji'nan China
- Pediatric Health Institute; Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University; Ji'nan China
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35
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Klin A, Shultz S, Jones W. Social visual engagement in infants and toddlers with autism: early developmental transitions and a model of pathogenesis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015; 50:189-203. [PMID: 25445180 PMCID: PMC4355308 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Revised: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Efforts to determine and understand the causes of autism are currently hampered by a large disconnect between recent molecular genetics findings that are associated with the condition and the core behavioral symptoms that define the condition. In this perspective piece, we propose a systems biology framework to bridge that gap between genes and symptoms. The framework focuses on basic mechanisms of socialization that are highly-conserved in evolution and are early-emerging in development. By conceiving of these basic mechanisms of socialization as quantitative endophenotypes, we hope to connect genes and behavior in autism through integrative studies of neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and epigenetic changes. These changes both lead to and are led by the accomplishment of specific social adaptive tasks in a typical infant's life. However, based on recent research that indicates that infants later diagnosed with autism fail to accomplish at least some of these tasks, we suggest that a narrow developmental period, spanning critical transitions from reflexive, subcortically-controlled visual behavior to interactional, cortically-controlled and social visual behavior be prioritized for future study. Mapping epigenetic, neural, and behavioral changes that both drive and are driven by these early transitions may shed a bright light on the pathogenesis of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ami Klin
- Marcus Autism Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta & Emory University School of Medicine, 1920 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States.
| | - Sarah Shultz
- Marcus Autism Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta & Emory University School of Medicine, 1920 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States
| | - Warren Jones
- Marcus Autism Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta & Emory University School of Medicine, 1920 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States
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Rios C, Ortega F, Zorzanelli R, Nascimento LF. Da invisibilidade à epidemia: a construção narrativa do autismo na mídia impressa brasileira. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1590/1807-57622014.0146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Embora o autismo não seja uma doença contagiosa, fala-se de uma “epidemia de autismo”, em alusão ao aumento vertiginoso do número de casos num período curto de tempo. O artigo traça um panorama das concepções socialmente partilhadas sobre o autismo no Brasil, a partir das narrativas que vêm conferindo visibilidade ao tema na mídia impressa brasileira no período de 2000 a 2012. Entendemos tais narrativas não como representações de uma realidade a priori, mas em sua função estruturante da experiência humana. Por um lado, essas narrativas dão forma e conteúdo às questões e às controvérsias ligadas ao autismo no Brasil, e, por outro, contribuem ativamente para esses debates, pois produzem determinados efeitos de sentido nos leitores.
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Abstract
Available research data in Autism suggests the role of a network of brain areas, often known as the ‘social brain’. Recent studies highlight the role of genetic mutations as underlying patho-mechanism in Autism. This mini review, discusses the basic concepts behind social brain networks, theory of mind and genetic factors associated with Autism. It critically evaluates and explores the relationship between the behavioral outcomes and genetic factors providing a conceptual framework for understanding of autism.
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Yoshimasu K, Kiyohara C, Takemura S, Nakai K. A meta-analysis of the evidence on the impact of prenatal and early infancy exposures to mercury on autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the childhood. Neurotoxicology 2014; 44:121-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2014.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Revised: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Cuccaro ML, Czape K, Alessandri M, Lee J, Deppen AR, Bendik E, Dueker N, Nations L, Pericak-Vance M, Hahn S. Genetic testing and corresponding services among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Am J Med Genet A 2014; 164A:2592-600. [DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.36698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael L. Cuccaro
- Dr. John T. McDonald Department of Human Genetics; Hussman Institute for Human Genomics; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami Florida
| | - Kayla Czape
- Dr. John T. McDonald Department of Human Genetics; Hussman Institute for Human Genomics; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami Florida
| | | | - Joycelyn Lee
- Dr. John T. McDonald Department of Human Genetics; Hussman Institute for Human Genomics; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami Florida
| | - Abigail Rupchock Deppen
- Dr. John T. McDonald Department of Human Genetics; Hussman Institute for Human Genomics; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami Florida
| | - Elise Bendik
- Dr. John T. McDonald Department of Human Genetics; Hussman Institute for Human Genomics; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami Florida
| | - Nicole Dueker
- Dr. John T. McDonald Department of Human Genetics; Hussman Institute for Human Genomics; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami Florida
| | - Laura Nations
- Carolina Institute for Intellectual Disabilities; University of North Carolina School of Medicine; Chapel Hill North Carolina
| | - Margaret Pericak-Vance
- Dr. John T. McDonald Department of Human Genetics; Hussman Institute for Human Genomics; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami Florida
| | - Susan Hahn
- Dr. John T. McDonald Department of Human Genetics; Hussman Institute for Human Genomics; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami Florida
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Yoo HJ, Yang SY, Cho IH, Park M, Kim SA. Polymorphisms of BDNF gene and autism spectrum disorders: family based association study with korean trios. Psychiatry Investig 2014; 11:319-24. [PMID: 25110506 PMCID: PMC4124192 DOI: 10.4306/pi.2014.11.3.319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2013] [Revised: 12/02/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of early childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social interaction and language skills, and repetitive behaviors. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in the differentiation of normal neuronal cells during embryonic and postnatal neuronal development through its neurotrophic effects. METHODS In this study, we performed a family-based association test (FBAT) between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs6265, rs11030101, rs7103411, and rs7103873) or haplotypes in the BDNF gene and affection status or several quantitative traits characterized by ADI-R with151 Korean trios, including a child diagnosed as ASDs. RESULTS While no significant association was found between SNPs or haplotypes and the ASDs disease status, a quantitative transmission disequilibrium test (QTDT) by using quantitative traits identified associations of the SNPs (rs6265 and rs11030101) with a domain score for "Restricted, Repetitive and Stereotyped patterns of behavior" (C domain), especially at the subdomain scores for "encompassing preoccupation or circumscribed pattern of interest" (C1) (rs6265A allele, dominant model, p-value=0.019; rs11030101 A allele, additive model, p-value=0.015) and "preoccupations with part of objects or non-functional elements of material" (C4) (rs11030101 A allele, additive model, p-value=0.015) within the ADI-R diagnostic algorithm. In addition, significant associations were also identified between the haplotypes and these quantitative traits (C1, p-value=0.016; C4, p-value=0.012). CONCLUSION We conclude that BDNF gene polymorphisms have a possible role in the pathogenesis of ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Jeong Yoo
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - So Young Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Chungnam National University College of Pharmacy, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - In Hee Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Mira Park
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon Ae Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is highly heritable, and although there has been active research in an attempt to discover the genetic factors underlying ASD, diagnosis still depends heavily on behavioral assessments. Recently, several large-scale initiatives, including those of the Autism Consortium, have contributed to the collection of extensive information from families affected by ASD. Our goal was to develop an ontology that can be used 1) to provide improved access to the data collected by those who study ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders, and 2) to assess and compare the characteristics of the instruments that are used in the assessment of ASD. We analyzed two dozen instruments used to assess ASD, studying the nature of the questions asked and items assessed, the method of delivery, and the overall scope of the content. These data together with the extensive literature on ASD contributed to our iterative development of an ASD phenotype ontology. The final ontology comprises 283 concepts distributed across three high-level classes, 'Personal Traits', 'Social Competence', and 'Medical History'. The ontology is fully integrated with the Autism Consortium database, allowing researchers to pose ontology-based questions. The ontology also allows researchers to assess the degree of overlap among a set of candidate instruments according to several objective criteria. The ASD phenotype ontology has promise for use in research settings where extensive phenotypic data have been collected, allowing a concept-based approach to identifying behavioral features of importance and for correlating these with genotypic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa T McCray
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, 10 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA,
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Increased topographical variability of task-related activation in perceptive and motor associative regions in adult autistics. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2014; 4:444-53. [PMID: 25101235 PMCID: PMC4116759 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2014.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2013] [Revised: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Background An enhanced plasticity is suspected to play a role in various microstructural alterations, as well as in regional cortical reallocations observed in autism. Combined with multiple indications of enhanced perceptual functioning in autism, and indications of atypical motor functioning, enhanced plasticity predicts a superior variability in functional cortical allocation, predominant in perceptual and motor regions. Method To test this prediction, we scanned 23 autistics and 22 typical participants matched on age, FSIQ, Raven percentile scores and handedness during a visuo-motor imitation task. For each participant, the coordinates of the strongest task-related activation peak were extracted in the primary (Brodmann area 4) and supplementary (BA 6) motor cortex, the visuomotor superior parietal cortex (BA 7), and the primary (BA 17) and associative (BAs 18 + 19) visual areas. Mean signal changes for each ROI in both hemispheres, and the number of voxels composing the strongest activation cluster were individually extracted to compare intensity and size of the signal between groups. For each ROI, in each hemisphere, and for every participant, the distance from their respective group average was used as a variable of interest to determine group differences in localization variability using repeated measures ANOVAs. Between-group comparison of whole-brain activation was also performed. Results Both groups displayed a higher mean variability in the localization of activations in the associative areas compared to the primary visual or motor areas. However, despite this shared increased variability in associative cortices, a direct between-group comparison of the individual variability in localization of the activation revealed a significantly greater variability in the autistic group than in the typical group in the left visuo-motor superior parietal cortex (BA 7) and in the left associative visual areas (BAs 18 + 19). Conclusion Different and possibly unique strategies are used by each autistic individual. That enhanced variability in localization of activations in the autistic group is found in regions typically more variable in non-autistics raises the possibility that autism involves an enhancement and/or an alteration of typical plasticity mechanisms. The current study also highlights the necessity to verify, in fMRI studies involving autistic people, that hypoactivation at the group level does not result from each individual successfully completing a task using a unique brain allocation, even by comparison to his own group. Functional activation in associative regions are more variable in autistics than in typicals. Autistics showed enhanced variability in regions that are typically more variable in typicals. Enhanced variability follows the same rule in perceptive and motor-related regions.
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Divergent dysregulation of gene expression in murine models of fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis. Mol Autism 2014; 5:16. [PMID: 24564913 PMCID: PMC3940253 DOI: 10.1186/2040-2392-5-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis are genetic syndromes that both have a high rate of comorbidity with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several lines of evidence suggest that these two monogenic disorders may converge at a molecular level through the dysfunction of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. Methods To explore the characteristics of transcriptomic changes in these monogenic disorders, we profiled genome-wide gene expression levels in cerebellum and blood from murine models of fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis. Results Differentially expressed genes and enriched pathways were distinct for the two murine models examined, with the exception of immune response-related pathways. In the cerebellum of the Fmr1 knockout (Fmr1-KO) model, the neuroactive ligand receptor interaction pathway and gene sets associated with synaptic plasticity such as long-term potentiation, gap junction, and axon guidance were the most significantly perturbed pathways. The phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway was significantly dysregulated in both cerebellum and blood of Fmr1-KO mice. In Tsc2 heterozygous (+/−) mice, immune system-related pathways, genes encoding ribosomal proteins, and glycolipid metabolism pathways were significantly changed in both tissues. Conclusions Our data suggest that distinct molecular pathways may be involved in ASD with known but different genetic causes and that blood gene expression profiles of Fmr1-KO and Tsc2+/− mice mirror some, but not all, of the perturbed molecular pathways in the brain.
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Bruining H, Eijkemans MJ, Kas MJ, Curran SR, Vorstman JA, Bolton PF. Behavioral signatures related to genetic disorders in autism. Mol Autism 2014; 5:11. [PMID: 24517317 PMCID: PMC3936826 DOI: 10.1186/2040-2392-5-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is well recognized to be genetically heterogeneous. It is assumed that the genetic risk factors give rise to a broad spectrum of indistinguishable behavioral presentations. Methods We tested this assumption by analyzing the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) symptom profiles in samples comprising six genetic disorders that carry an increased risk for ASD (22q11.2 deletion, Down’s syndrome, Prader-Willi, supernumerary marker chromosome 15, tuberous sclerosis complex and Klinefelter syndrome; total n = 322 cases, groups ranging in sample sizes from 21 to 90 cases). We mined the data to test the existence and specificity of ADI-R profiles using a multiclass extension of support vector machine (SVM) learning. We subsequently applied the SVM genetic disorder algorithm on idiopathic ASD profiles from the Autism Genetics Resource Exchange (AGRE). Results Genetic disorders were associated with behavioral specificity, indicated by the accuracy and certainty of SVM predictions; one-by-one genetic disorder stratifications were highly accurate leading to 63% accuracy of correct genotype prediction when all six genetic disorder groups were analyzed simultaneously. Application of the SVM algorithm to AGRE cases indicated that the algorithm could detect similarity of genetic behavioral signatures in idiopathic ASD subjects. Also, affected sib pairs in the AGRE were behaviorally more similar when they had been allocated to the same genetic disorder group. Conclusions Our findings provide evidence for genotype-phenotype correlations in relation to autistic symptomatology. SVM algorithms may be used to stratify idiopathic cases of ASD according to behavioral signature patterns associated with genetic disorders. Together, the results suggest a new approach for disentangling the heterogeneity of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilgo Bruining
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center, Postbus 85500, Heidelberglaan 100 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational Neuroscience, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marinus Jc Eijkemans
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational Neuroscience, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martien Jh Kas
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational Neuroscience, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah R Curran
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London, UK
| | - Jacob As Vorstman
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center, Postbus 85500, Heidelberglaan 100 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick F Bolton
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London, UK
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Anagnostou E, Zwaigenbaum L, Szatmari P, Fombonne E, Fernandez BA, Woodbury-Smith M, Brian J, Bryson S, Smith IM, Drmic I, Buchanan JA, Roberts W, Scherer SW. Autism spectrum disorder: advances in evidence-based practice. CMAJ 2014; 186:509-19. [PMID: 24418986 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.121756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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Lionel AC, Tammimies K, Vaags AK, Rosenfeld JA, Ahn JW, Merico D, Noor A, Runke CK, Pillalamarri VK, Carter MT, Gazzellone MJ, Thiruvahindrapuram B, Fagerberg C, Laulund LW, Pellecchia G, Lamoureux S, Deshpande C, Clayton-Smith J, White AC, Leather S, Trounce J, Melanie Bedford H, Hatchwell E, Eis PS, Yuen RKC, Walker S, Uddin M, Geraghty MT, Nikkel SM, Tomiak EM, Fernandez BA, Soreni N, Crosbie J, Arnold PD, Schachar RJ, Roberts W, Paterson AD, So J, Szatmari P, Chrysler C, Woodbury-Smith M, Brian Lowry R, Zwaigenbaum L, Mandyam D, Wei J, Macdonald JR, Howe JL, Nalpathamkalam T, Wang Z, Tolson D, Cobb DS, Wilks TM, Sorensen MJ, Bader PI, An Y, Wu BL, Musumeci SA, Romano C, Postorivo D, Nardone AM, Monica MD, Scarano G, Zoccante L, Novara F, Zuffardi O, Ciccone R, Antona V, Carella M, Zelante L, Cavalli P, Poggiani C, Cavallari U, Argiropoulos B, Chernos J, Brasch-Andersen C, Speevak M, Fichera M, Ogilvie CM, Shen Y, Hodge JC, Talkowski ME, Stavropoulos DJ, Marshall CR, Scherer SW. Disruption of the ASTN2/TRIM32 locus at 9q33.1 is a risk factor in males for autism spectrum disorders, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental phenotypes. Hum Mol Genet 2013; 23:2752-68. [PMID: 24381304 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddt669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rare copy number variants (CNVs) disrupting ASTN2 or both ASTN2 and TRIM32 have been reported at 9q33.1 by genome-wide studies in a few individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). The vertebrate-specific astrotactins, ASTN2 and its paralog ASTN1, have key roles in glial-guided neuronal migration during brain development. To determine the prevalence of astrotactin mutations and delineate their associated phenotypic spectrum, we screened ASTN2/TRIM32 and ASTN1 (1q25.2) for exonic CNVs in clinical microarray data from 89 985 individuals across 10 sites, including 64 114 NDD subjects. In this clinical dataset, we identified 46 deletions and 12 duplications affecting ASTN2. Deletions of ASTN1 were much rarer. Deletions near the 3' terminus of ASTN2, which would disrupt all transcript isoforms (a subset of these deletions also included TRIM32), were significantly enriched in the NDD subjects (P = 0.002) compared with 44 085 population-based controls. Frequent phenotypes observed in individuals with such deletions include autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), speech delay, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The 3'-terminal ASTN2 deletions were significantly enriched compared with controls in males with NDDs, but not in females. Upon quantifying ASTN2 human brain RNA, we observed shorter isoforms expressed from an alternative transcription start site of recent evolutionary origin near the 3' end. Spatiotemporal expression profiling in the human brain revealed consistently high ASTN1 expression while ASTN2 expression peaked in the early embryonic neocortex and postnatal cerebellar cortex. Our findings shed new light on the role of the astrotactins in psychopathology and their interplay in human neurodevelopment.
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Repetitive behavior profile and supersensitivity to amphetamine in the C58/J mouse model of autism. Behav Brain Res 2013; 259:200-14. [PMID: 24211371 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.10.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Revised: 10/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Restricted repetitive behaviors are core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The range of symptoms encompassed by the repetitive behavior domain includes lower-order stereotypy and self-injury, and higher-order indices of circumscribed interests and cognitive rigidity. Heterogeneity in clinical ASD profiles suggests that specific manifestations of repetitive behavior reflect differential neuropathology. The present studies utilized a set of phenotyping tasks to determine a repetitive behavior profile for the C58/J mouse strain, a model of ASD core symptoms. In an observational screen, C58/J demonstrated overt motor stereotypy, but not over-grooming, a commonly-used measure for mouse repetitive behavior. Amphetamine did not exacerbate motor stereotypy, but had enhanced stimulant effects on locomotion and rearing in C58/J, compared to C57BL/6J. Both C58/J and Grin1 knockdown mice, another model of ASD-like behavior, had marked deficits in marble-burying. In a nose poke task for higher-order repetitive behavior, C58/J had reduced holeboard exploration and preference for non-social, versus social, olfactory stimuli, but did not demonstrate cognitive rigidity following familiarization to an appetitive stimulus. Analysis of available high-density genotype data indicated specific regions of divergence between C58/J and two highly-sociable strains with common genetic lineage. Strain genome comparisons identified autism candidate genes, including Cntnap2 and Slc6a4, located within regions divergent in C58/J. However, Grin1, Nlgn1, Sapap3, and Slitrk5, genes linked to repetitive over-grooming, were not in regions of divergence. These studies suggest that specific repetitive phenotypes can be used to distinguish ASD mouse models, with implications for divergent underlying mechanisms for different repetitive behavior profiles.
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Plummer JT, Evgrafov OV, Bergman MY, Friez M, Haiman CA, Levitt P, Aldinger KA. Transcriptional regulation of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase gene by MeCP2 and sex-specific expression in autism and Rett syndrome. Transl Psychiatry 2013; 3:e316. [PMID: 24150225 PMCID: PMC3818007 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2013.91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Revised: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 09/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Single nucleotide variants (SNV) in the gene encoding the MET receptor tyrosine kinase have been associated with an increased risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The MET promoter SNV rs1858830 C 'low activity' allele is enriched in ASD, associated with reduced protein expression, and impacts functional and structural circuit connectivity in humans. To gain insight into the transcriptional regulation of MET on ASD-risk etiology, we examined an interaction between the methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and the MET 5' promoter region. Mutations in MeCP2 cause Rett syndrome (RTT), a predominantly female neurodevelopmental disorder sharing some ASD clinical symptoms. MeCP2 binds to a region of the MET promoter containing the ASD-risk SNV, and displays rs1858830 genotype-specific binding in human neural progenitor cells derived from the olfactory neuroepithelium. MeCP2 binding enhances MET expression in the presence of the rs1858830 C allele, but MET transcription is attenuated by RTT-specific mutations in MeCP2. In the postmortem temporal cortex, a region normally enriched in MET, gene expression is reduced dramatically in females with RTT, although not due to enrichment of the rs1858830 C 'low activity' allele. We newly identified a sex-based reduction in MET expression, with male ASD cases, but not female ASD cases compared with sex-matched controls. The experimental data reveal a prominent allele-specific regulation of MET transcription by MeCP2. The mechanisms underlying the pronounced reduction of MET in ASD and RTT temporal cortex are distinct and likely related to factors unique to each disorder, including a noted sex bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Plummer
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - O V Evgrafov
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - M Y Bergman
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - M Friez
- Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, SC, USA
| | - C A Haiman
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - P Levitt
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Department of Cell & Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - K A Aldinger
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1900 9th Avenue, Seattle, 98101 WA, USA. E-mail:
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Trottier M, Roberts W, Drmic I, Scherer SW, Weksberg R, Cytrynbaum C, Chitayat D, Shuman C, Miller FA. Parents' perspectives on participating in genetic research in autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2013; 43:556-68. [PMID: 22782649 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-012-1592-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Genetic research in autism depends on the willingness of individuals with autism to participate; thus, there is a duty to assess participants' needs in the research process. We report on families' motives and expectations related to their participation in autism genetic research. Respondents valued having a genetic result, as it alleviates guilt, promotes awareness, and may be used to tailor interventions and for family planning. The act of participating was distinctly significant, as it provided personal control, a connection to autism experts, networking with families, and hope for the future. The results of this study highlight complex factors involved in families' decisions to participate in autism genetic research and provide points to consider for this population of research participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magan Trottier
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Jiang YH, Yuen R, Jin X, Wang M, Chen N, Wu X, Ju J, Mei J, Shi Y, He M, Wang G, Liang J, Wang Z, Cao D, Carter M, Chrysler C, Drmic I, Howe J, Lau L, Marshall C, Merico D, Nalpathamkalam T, Thiruvahindrapuram B, Thompson A, Uddin M, Walker S, Luo J, Anagnostou E, Zwaigenbaum L, Ring R, Wang J, Lajonchere C, Wang J, Shih A, Szatmari P, Yang H, Dawson G, Li Y, Scherer S. Detection of clinically relevant genetic variants in autism spectrum disorder by whole-genome sequencing. Am J Hum Genet 2013; 93:249-63. [PMID: 23849776 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2013.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 335] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2013] [Revised: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) demonstrates high heritability and familial clustering, yet the genetic causes remain only partially understood as a result of extensive clinical and genomic heterogeneity. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) shows promise as a tool for identifying ASD risk genes as well as unreported mutations in known loci, but an assessment of its full utility in an ASD group has not been performed. We used WGS to examine 32 families with ASD to detect de novo or rare inherited genetic variants predicted to be deleterious (loss-of-function and damaging missense mutations). Among ASD probands, we identified deleterious de novo mutations in six of 32 (19%) families and X-linked or autosomal inherited alterations in ten of 32 (31%) families (some had combinations of mutations). The proportion of families identified with such putative mutations was larger than has been previously reported; this yield was in part due to the comprehensive and uniform coverage afforded by WGS. Deleterious variants were found in four unrecognized, nine known, and eight candidate ASD risk genes. Examples include CAPRIN1 and AFF2 (both linked to FMR1, which is involved in fragile X syndrome), VIP (involved in social-cognitive deficits), and other genes such as SCN2A and KCNQ2 (linked to epilepsy), NRXN1, and CHD7, which causes ASD-associated CHARGE syndrome. Taken together, these results suggest that WGS and thorough bioinformatic analyses for de novo and rare inherited mutations will improve the detection of genetic variants likely to be associated with ASD or its accompanying clinical symptoms.
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