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Kassa AM, Lilja HE. Neurodevelopmental outcomes in individuals with VACTERL association. A population-based cohort study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288061. [PMID: 37384789 PMCID: PMC10310046 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies on neurodevelopmental outcomes in individuals with congenital anomalies who undergo neonatal surgery are scarce and have reported contradictory findings based on small study groups. The congenital condition VACTERL association includes at least three malformations: vertebral anomalies, anorectal malformations, cardiac defects, tracheoesophageal fistula with or without esophageal atresia, renal anomalies and limb deformities. Most of these patients undergo surgery during their first days of life. Neurodevelopmental disorders include a broad group of disabilities involving some form of disruption to brain development. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) are diagnoses included in this group. The aim of the study was to investigate the risk of ADHD, ASD and ID in a cohort of individuals with VACTERL association. METHOD Data was obtained from four Swedish national health registers and analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Patients born 1973-2018 in Sweden with the diagnosis of VACTERL association were included in the study. For each case five healthy controls matched for sex, gestational age at birth, birth year and birth county were obtained. RESULTS The study included 136 individuals with VACTERL association and 680 controls. Individuals with VACTERL had significantly higher risk of ADHD, ASD and ID than the controls; 2.25 (95% CI, 1.03-4.91), 5.15 (95% CI, 1.93-13.72) and 8.13 (95% CI, 2.66-24.87) times respectively. CONCLUSIONS A higher risk of ADHD, ASD and ID was found among individuals with VACTERL association compared to controls. These results are of importance to caregivers and to professionals participating in follow ups of these patients in providing early diagnosis and support, aiming to optimize the quality of life of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Marie Kassa
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Children’s Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Helene Engstrand Lilja
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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2
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Moreau MM, Pietropaolo S, Ezan J, Robert BJA, Miraux S, Maître M, Cho Y, Crusio WE, Montcouquiol M, Sans N. Scribble Controls Social Motivation Behavior through the Regulation of the ERK/Mnk1 Pathway. Cells 2022; 11:cells11101601. [PMID: 35626639 PMCID: PMC9139383 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Social behavior is a basic domain affected by several neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD and a heterogeneous set of neuropsychiatric disorders. The SCRIB gene that codes for the polarity protein SCRIBBLE has been identified as a risk gene for spina bifida, the most common type of neural tube defect, found at high frequencies in autistic patients, as well as other congenital anomalies. The deletions and mutations of the 8q24.3 region encompassing SCRIB are also associated with multisyndromic and rare disorders. Nonetheless, the potential link between SCRIB and relevant social phenotypes has not been fully investigated. Hence, we show that Scribcrc/+ mice, carrying a mutated version of Scrib, displayed reduced social motivation behavior and social habituation, while other behavioral domains were unaltered. Social deficits were associated with the upregulation of ERK phosphorylation, together with increased c-Fos activity. Importantly, the social alterations were rescued by both direct and indirect pERK inhibition. These results support a link between polarity genes, social behaviors and hippocampal functionality and suggest a role for SCRIB in the etiopathology of neurodevelopmental disorders. Furthermore, our data demonstrate the crucial role of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in underlying social motivation behavior, thus supporting its relevance as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maïté M. Moreau
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 33077 Bordeaux, France; (J.E.); (B.J.A.R.); (M.M.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.M.M.); (N.S.)
| | - Susanna Pietropaolo
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neurosciences, UMR5287, 33405 Bordeaux, France; (S.P.); (Y.C.); (W.E.C.)
| | - Jérôme Ezan
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 33077 Bordeaux, France; (J.E.); (B.J.A.R.); (M.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Benjamin J. A. Robert
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 33077 Bordeaux, France; (J.E.); (B.J.A.R.); (M.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Sylvain Miraux
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Résonance Magnétique des Systèmes Biologiques UMR5536, 33077 Bordeaux, France;
| | - Marlène Maître
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 33077 Bordeaux, France; (J.E.); (B.J.A.R.); (M.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Yoon Cho
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neurosciences, UMR5287, 33405 Bordeaux, France; (S.P.); (Y.C.); (W.E.C.)
| | - Wim E. Crusio
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neurosciences, UMR5287, 33405 Bordeaux, France; (S.P.); (Y.C.); (W.E.C.)
| | - Mireille Montcouquiol
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 33077 Bordeaux, France; (J.E.); (B.J.A.R.); (M.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Nathalie Sans
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 33077 Bordeaux, France; (J.E.); (B.J.A.R.); (M.M.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.M.M.); (N.S.)
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Abstract
Neurodevelopmental impairments have been recognised as a major association of paediatric kidney disease and bladder dysfunction, presenting challenges to clinicians and families to provide reasonable adjustments in order to allow access to investigations and treatments. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by impairments in social interaction/communication and repetitive sensory-motor behaviours. Mental health, learning and physical co-morbidities are common. There is emerging evidence that ASD and kidney disease have some overlaps with genetic copy number variants and environmental factors contributing to shared pathogenesis. Prevalence rates of ASD in kidney disease are currently not known. A high index of suspicion of underlying ASD is required when a young person presents with communication difficulties, anxiety or behaviour that challenges, which should then trigger referral for a neurodevelopmental and behavioural assessment. We discuss practical approaches for providing care, which include understanding methods of communication and sensory, behavioural and environmental adaptations.
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4
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Pan PY, Bölte S, Kaur P, Jamil S, Jonsson U. Neurological disorders in autism: A systematic review and meta-analysis. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2020; 25:812-830. [PMID: 32907344 DOI: 10.1177/1362361320951370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Neurological disorders, such as epilepsy and cerebral palsy, have been reported to occur among individuals with autism beyond chance and may have an impact on daily living across the lifespan. Although there has been research investigating neurological disorders in autism, the findings are not always conclusive. Previous summaries of existing studies have not evaluated the full range of neurological disorders. This study aimed to comprehensively explore the neurological problems appearing in autism to provide updated information that is needed for better healthcare and support in this population. We looked at already published studies focusing on risk or frequency of neurological disorders in autism. Our results suggest that individuals with autism are more likely than the general population to have a range of neurological disorders, including epilepsy, macrocephaly, hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, migraine/headache, and inborn abnormalities of the nervous system. In order to provide individualized healthcare and support of high quality to individuals diagnosed with autism, health care professionals and other support providers need to be attentive to neurological complications. To further improve our understanding about the link between autism and neurological disorders, future research should follow the neurological health of children who are diagnosed with or are at increased likelihood of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yin Pan
- Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.,Region Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sven Bölte
- Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.,Region Stockholm, Sweden.,Curtin University, Australia
| | - Preet Kaur
- Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.,Region Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sadia Jamil
- Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.,Region Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulf Jonsson
- Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.,Region Stockholm, Sweden.,Uppsala University, Sweden
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5
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Maynard TM, Zohn IE, Moody SA, LaMantia AS. Suckling, Feeding, and Swallowing: Behaviors, Circuits, and Targets for Neurodevelopmental Pathology. Annu Rev Neurosci 2020; 43:315-336. [PMID: 32101484 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-100419-100636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
All mammals must suckle and swallow at birth, and subsequently chew and swallow solid foods, for optimal growth and health. These initially innate behaviors depend critically upon coordinated development of the mouth, tongue, pharynx, and larynx as well as the cranial nerves that control these structures. Disrupted suckling, feeding, and swallowing from birth onward-perinatal dysphagia-is often associated with several neurodevelopmental disorders that subsequently alter complex behaviors. Apparently, a broad range of neurodevelopmental pathologic mechanisms also target oropharyngeal and cranial nerve differentiation. These aberrant mechanisms, including altered patterning, progenitor specification, and neurite growth, prefigure dysphagia and may then compromise circuits for additional behavioral capacities. Thus, perinatal dysphagia may be an early indicator of disrupted genetic and developmental programs that compromise neural circuits and yield a broad range of behavioral deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Maynard
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, Virginia 24016, USA;
| | - Irene E Zohn
- Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA.,Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Sally A Moody
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Anthony-S LaMantia
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, Virginia 24016, USA; .,Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
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6
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The Association Between Somatic Health, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Autistic Traits. Behav Genet 2019; 50:233-246. [PMID: 31811521 PMCID: PMC7355269 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-019-09986-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This study used a twin cohort to investigate the association of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autistic traits with somatic health. A total of 344 twins (172 pairs; mean age 15.56 ± 5.62 years) enriched for ASD and other neurodevelopmental conditions were examined. Medical history and current physical problems were collected with a validated questionnaire to determine twin’s somatic health. The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2) was used to measure the participant’s severity of autistic traits. Identified somatic health issues with significant within-twin pair differences were tested in relation to both ASD diagnosis and autistic traits in a co-twin control model. Twins with ASD exhibited more neurological and immunological health problems compared to those without ASD (p = 0.005 and p = 0.004, respectively). The intra-pair differences of neurological conditions and SRS-2 score were significantly correlated in monozygotic twins differing for autism traits (r = 0.40, p = 0.001), while the correlation was not found for immunological problems. In addition, a conditional model for analysis of within-twin pair effects revealed an association between neurological problems and clinical ASD diagnosis (Odds ratio per neurological problem 3.15, p = 0.02), as well as autistic traits (β = 10.44, p = 0.006), after adjusting for possible effects of co-existing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and general intellectual abilities. Our findings suggest that neurological problems are associated with autism, and that non-shared environmental factors contribute to the overlap for both clinical ASD and autistic traits. Further population-based twin studies are warranted to validate our results and examine in detailed the shared genetic and environmental contributions of neurological problems and ASD.
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7
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Danzer E, Hoffman C, Miller JS, D'Agostino JA, Schindewolf EM, Gerdes M, Bernbaum J, Adams SE, Rintoul NE, Herkert LM, Taylor L, Schreiber J, Peranteau WH, Flake AW, Adzick NS, Hedrick HL. Autism spectrum disorder and neurodevelopmental delays in children with giant omphalocele. J Pediatr Surg 2019; 54:1771-1777. [PMID: 31196668 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2019.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and identify risk factors of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and neurodevelopmental delays in giant omphalocele (GO) survivors. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study cohort consists of 47 GO survivors enrolled in our follow-up program between 07/2004 and 12/2015. All patients underwent assessments at 2 years of age or older. Outcomes were assessed by either the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (prior 2006) or III (after 2006), or the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (children older than 4 years). ASD diagnosis was made based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (prior to 2014) or 5 criteria. RESULTS The prevalence of ASD in GO children is 16 times higher than the general population (P = 0.0002). ASD patients were more likely to be diagnosed with neurodevelopmental and neurofunctional delays, language disorders, and genetic abnormalities (P < 0.01). While 53.2% of GO children scored within the average range for all developmental domains, 19.1% scored within the mildly delayed and 27.7% in the severe delayed range in at least one domain. Prolonged respiratory support, pulmonary hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, feeding problems, prolonged hospitalization, abnormal BAER hearing screen, presence of delayed motor coordination, and hypotonicity were associated with delayed scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is a significant rate of ASD in GO survivors. Neurodevelopmental delays, language delays, and genetic abnormalities were strongly associated with ASD. Neurological impairments were present in nearly half of GO children. Surrogate markers of disease severity were associated with below average neurodevelopmental scores. Level of evidence Level IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Danzer
- The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia.
| | - Casey Hoffman
- The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
| | - Judith S Miller
- Center for Autism Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jo Ann D'Agostino
- The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
| | - Erica M Schindewolf
- The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
| | - Marsha Gerdes
- The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
| | - Judy Bernbaum
- The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
| | - Samantha E Adams
- The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
| | - Natalie E Rintoul
- The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
| | - Lisa M Herkert
- The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
| | - Lynne Taylor
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jane Schreiber
- The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
| | - William H Peranteau
- The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
| | - Alan W Flake
- The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
| | - N Scott Adzick
- The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
| | - Holly L Hedrick
- The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
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8
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Schieve LA, Shapira SK. Invited Commentary: Male Reproductive System Congenital Malformations and the Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Am J Epidemiol 2018; 187:664-667. [PMID: 29452336 PMCID: PMC5884740 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwx369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent developmental disorder. Studies indicate that while ASD etiology has a genetic component, the risk is polygenic, with gene-environment interactions being likely. The prenatal period is a critical exposure window for nongenetic risk factors. Previous studies have found positive associations between congenital malformations (all types) and ASD; a few also found specific associations between genitourinary system malformations and ASD; and one study found an association between hypospadias and ASD. In the accompanying article, Rotem et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2018;187(4):656-663) describe how they conducted a comprehensive analysis focusing on the shared risk of ASD with hypospadias or cryptorchidism, using existing data from a large Israeli health services system, which afforded several advantages because of the large sample size and low attrition of the patient population. The authors conducted a careful analysis, including sensitivity analyses, to account for risk factor and case misclassifications that might have occurred had they relied solely on preexisting diagnostic codes to define exposures and outcome. They observed positive associations between both hypospadias and cryptorchidism and ASD that were independent of numerous sociodemographic and pregnancy health factors. This study advances our understanding of ASD etiology and illustrates how existing data might be used to assess some ASD risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. Schieve
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia (Laura A. Schieve, Stuart K. Shapira)
| | - Stuart K. Shapira
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia (Laura A. Schieve, Stuart K. Shapira)
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Diallo FB, Fombonne É, Kisely S, Rochette L, Vasiliadis HM, Vanasse A, Noiseux M, Pelletier É, Renaud J, St-Laurent D, Lesage A. Prevalence and Correlates of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Quebec: Prévalence et corrélats des troubles du spectre de l'autisme au Québec. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2018; 63:231-239. [PMID: 29056086 PMCID: PMC5894913 DOI: 10.1177/0706743717737031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence, comorbidities, and service use of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) based on data from Quebec Integrated Chronic Diseases Surveillance System (QICDSS). METHODS We included all residents up to age 24 eligible for health plan coverage who were in Quebec for at least 1 day from January 1, 1996, to March 31, 2015. To be considered as having an ASD, an individual had to have had at least 1 physician claim or hospital discharge abstract from 2000 to 2015 indicating one of the following ASD diagnosis codes: ICD-9 codes 299.0 to 299.9 or their ICD-10 equivalents. RESULTS The QICDSS shows that the prevalence of ASD has risen steadily over the past decade to approximately 1.2% ( n = 16,940) of children and youths aged 1 to 17 years in 2014 to 2015. The same prevalence was obtained using Ministry of Education data. Common medical comorbidities included congenital abnormalities of the nervous system, particularly in the first year of life. Psychiatric comorbidity was much more highly prevalent, especially common mental disorders like anxiety and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Children and youths with ASDs made on average 2.3 medical visits per year compared with 0.2 in the general population. Between 18 and 24 years old, the mental health needs of individuals with ASDs were met less by medical specialists and more by general practitioners. CONCLUSION Information derived from this database could support and monitor development of better medical services coordination and shared care to meet the continuous and changing needs of patients and families over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatoumata Binta Diallo
- 1 Quebec's Public Health Institute (Bureau d'information et d'études en santé des populations, Institut national de santé publique du Québec), Quebec, Quebec
| | - Éric Fombonne
- 2 Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Steve Kisely
- 3 Departments of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.,4 School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Louis Rochette
- 1 Quebec's Public Health Institute (Bureau d'information et d'études en santé des populations, Institut national de santé publique du Québec), Quebec, Quebec
| | | | - Alain Vanasse
- 6 Department of Family Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec
| | - Manon Noiseux
- 7 Department of Public Health, Health and Social Services Centre of Montérégie-Centre, Montérégie, Quebec
| | - Éric Pelletier
- 1 Quebec's Public Health Institute (Bureau d'information et d'études en santé des populations, Institut national de santé publique du Québec), Quebec, Quebec
| | - Johanne Renaud
- 8 Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
| | - Danielle St-Laurent
- 1 Quebec's Public Health Institute (Bureau d'information et d'études en santé des populations, Institut national de santé publique du Québec), Quebec, Quebec
| | - Alain Lesage
- 1 Quebec's Public Health Institute (Bureau d'information et d'études en santé des populations, Institut national de santé publique du Québec), Quebec, Quebec.,9 Department of Psychiatry, Research Centre of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec
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10
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Degroote S, Hunting D, Takser L. Periconceptional folate deficiency leads to autism-like traits in Wistar rat offspring. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2018; 66:132-138. [PMID: 29305196 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Folates in their role as key one carbon donors, are essential for two major pathways: the synthesis of DNA and RNA precursors and DNA methylation. A growing body of evidence from epidemiological studies indicates a possible association between nutritional and functional deficiency in folates and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). However, there are no available behavioral animal studies on periconceptional one‑carbon donor deficiency during gestation and the autistic phenotype. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine if the periconceptional alteration of one‑carbon metabolism induced with a folate deficient diet would affect the behaviour of rat offspring. METHODS Female Wistar rats were divided in two groups: control (basal diet, in compliance with standards of regular laboratory diets), or exposed during one month before breeding until Gestational Day 15 to a modified diet with no added folic acid (0.2mg/kg of food), reduced choline (750mg/kg of food), and added 1% SST (a non-absorbable antibiotic used to inhibit folate synthesis by gut bacteria). We administered behavioral tests to offspring, i.e., open field (P20), social interactions (P25), marble burying (P30), elevated plus maze (P35), and prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex (sensorimotor gating) (P45). Blood homocysteine levels were used to confirm the deficit in one‑carbon donors. RESULTS Compared to controls, offspring with the periconceptional deficit in folate showed: (i) congenital body malformations; (ii) reduced social interactions, with a ~30% decrease in social sniffing behavior; (iii) reduced exploration of the open arm by 50% in the elevated plus maze test, indicating increased anxiety; (iv) a ~160% increased number of marbles buried, indicating repetitive behaviors; and (v) altered sensorimotor gating, with a global 50% decrease in startle inhibition. CONCLUSION Maternal periconceptional deficit in folate provokes alterations in the behavior of offspring relevant to the autistic-like phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Degroote
- Département de Pédiatrie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Darel Hunting
- Département de médecine nucléaire et radiobiologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Larissa Takser
- Département de Pédiatrie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
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