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Michalczyk J, Miłosz A, Gesek M, Fornal A. Prenatal Diabetes and Obesity: Implications for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Offspring - A Comprehensive Review. Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e945087. [PMID: 39180197 DOI: 10.12659/msm.945087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Fetal brain development is an important determinant of neuropsychological performance in children. Any alterations in the intrauterine environment at different stages of pregnancy, such as maternal metabolic disorders, can lead to the development of chronic conditions in the offspring. Therefore, maternal diabetes, especially gestational diabetes mellitus, is an important factor in the development of pathological changes, such as miscarriage, fetal macrosomia, or neurodevelopmental disorders. During pregnancy, the hyperglycemic intrauterine environment adversely affects fetal brain development. A growing body of scientific research indicates that prenatal environmental factors, by affecting fetal brain development, can contribute to the appearance of autism spectrum disorders. According to the latest estimates from the International Diabetes Federation (2021), approximately 21.1 million live births worldwide (16.7%) have been affected by some form of hyperglycemia during pregnancy. The condition is more prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, where access to obstetric care is limited. The following factors have been identified as potential risk factors for gestational diabetes: advanced maternal age, overweight and obesity, family history of diabetes, and any form of diabetes. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent studies evaluating the effect of prenatal and maternal risk factors such as maternal pre-pregnancy diabetes, gestational diabetes, and obesity on the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Michalczyk
- Student Scientific Association at the Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Nursing, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Agata Miłosz
- Student Scientific Association at the Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Nursing, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Monika Gesek
- Department of Pediatric and Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
- Department of Integrated Nursing Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Fornal
- Department of Pediatric and Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
- Department of Integrated Nursing Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Wang X, Li Y, Li R, Yuan L, Hua Y, Cai Y, Liu X. Low-frequency RTMS attenuates social impairment in the VPA-induced mouse model. Behav Brain Res 2024; 472:115156. [PMID: 39032867 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115156] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interactions and repetitive behaviors. Despite its prevalence, effective treatments remain elusive. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the balance between GABAergic and glutamatergic neuronal synaptic functions in ASD development. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (RTMS) is a painless and effective treatment allowed for use in depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, its efficacy in treating autism is still under investigation. Low-frequency RTMS (LF-RTMS), which shows promise in reducing autism-like behaviors, is considered to regulate synaptic function. OBJECTIVE We observed and recorded the behaviors of mice to assess the impact of RTMS on their social interactions and repetitive activities. Subsequently, we examined GABAergic and glutamatergic neuronal markers along with synaptic marker proteins to understand the underlying changes associated with these behaviors. METHODS To evaluate behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), several behavioral tests were conducted, focusing on sociability, repetitive behaviors, locomotion, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, Western blot and immunofluorescence staining were employed to investigate the activity of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons in the hippocampus, aiming to understand the synaptic mechanisms underlying these behaviors. RESULTS LF-RTMS treatment effectively relieved the social disability and normalized synaptic function in the hippocampus of ASD mice model induced by valproate (VPA). Importantly, this treatment did not lead to any adverse effects on repetitive behavior, locomotion, anxiety, or depression. CONCLUSION LF-RTMS attenuated social disability without affecting repetitive behavior, locomotion, anxiety, or depression. Changes in the expression of GABAergic and glutamatergic neuronal synaptic proteins in the hippocampus were also observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, China
| | - Yanna Li
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Linying Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, China
| | - Yanfan Hua
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, China
| | - Yulong Cai
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xinfeng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, China.
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Xu L, Shen X, Ma W, Li H. Picturing immediate echolalia within the context of autism: Examining its formats, actions and patterns under conversation analysis. CLINICAL LINGUISTICS & PHONETICS 2024:1-24. [PMID: 39101257 DOI: 10.1080/02699206.2024.2383914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Echolalia, a prevalent feature of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), has been extensively debated among behaviourists and developmental researchers for decades, long segmenting clinical work within the context of autism. This qualitative study aimed to explore the interactive underpinnings of immediate echolalia naturally occurring in dyadic conversation between autistic individuals and clinicians, employing turn-by-turn and sequence-by-sequence analysis within the framework of Conversation Analysis (CA). The results revealed that varying the complete-incomplete-transformed format, echolalia helped participants a) express their emotions, b) automatically associate conversation, c) organise their response, d) maintain conversational reciprocity, and e) assist with request initiation. Within the context of echolalia, the dynamics of conversation exhibited blocking, diverting, or affiliating patterns. The current study provides insights into the interactive traits of immediate echolalia and underscores the potential utility for clinical therapists to employ the echoic sources in clinical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lele Xu
- School of Foreign Languages and Literature, Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Xiuxiu Shen
- School of Foreign Languages and Literature, Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Wen Ma
- School of Foreign Languages and Literature, Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Haiying Li
- School of Chinese Languages and Literature, Ludong University, Yantai, P.R. China
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Wei Q, Dong W, Yu D, Wang K, Yang T, Xiao Y, Long D, Xiong H, Chen J, Xu X, Li T. Early identification of autism spectrum disorder based on machine learning with eye-tracking data. J Affect Disord 2024; 358:326-334. [PMID: 38615846 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.04.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) improves long-term outcomes, yet significant diagnostic delays persist. METHODS A retrospective cohort of 449 children (ASD: 246, typically developing [TD]: 203) was used for model development. Eye-movement data were collected from the participants watching videos that featured eye-tracking paradigms for assessing social and non-social cognition. Five machine learning algorithms, namely random forest, support vector machine, logistic regression, artificial neural network, and extreme gradient boosting, were trained to classify children with ASD and TD. The best-performing algorithm was selected to build the final model which was further evaluated in a prospective cohort of 80 children. The Shapley values interpreted important eye-tracking features. RESULTS Random forest outperformed other algorithms during model development and achieved an area under the curve of 0.849 (< 3 years: 0.832, ≥ 3 years: 0.868) on the external validation set. Of the ten most important eye-tracking features, three measured social cognition, and the rest were related to non-social cognition. A deterioration in model performance was observed using only the social or non-social cognition-related eye-tracking features. LIMITATIONS The sample size of this study, although larger than that of existing studies of ASD based on eye-tracking data, was still relatively small compared to the number of features. CONCLUSIONS Machine learning models based on eye-tracking data have the potential to be cost- and time-efficient digital tools for the early identification of ASD. Eye-tracking phenotypes related to social and non-social cognition play an important role in distinguishing children with ASD from TD children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuhong Wei
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, Chongqing, China; College of Medical Informatics, Medical Data Science Academy, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Clinical Big-data and Drug Evaluation, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenxin Dong
- College of Computer Science and Engineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, China; Big Data Center for Children's Medical Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dongchuan Yu
- Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Ministry of Education), Research Center for Learning Science, School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Big Data Center for Children's Medical Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuanjie Xiao
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Long
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Haiyi Xiong
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Ximing Xu
- Big Data Center for Children's Medical Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Tingyu Li
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, Chongqing, China.
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Tu G, Jiang N, Chen W, Liu L, Hu M, Liao B. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying the effects of exercise interventions in autistic individuals. Rev Neurosci 2024; 0:revneuro-2024-0058. [PMID: 39083671 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2024-0058] [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: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is a pervasive and heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication difficulties and rigid, repetitive behaviors. Owing to the complex pathogenesis of autism, effective drugs for treating its core features are lacking. Nonpharmacological approaches, including education, social-communication, behavioral and psychological methods, and exercise interventions, play important roles in supporting the needs of autistic individuals. The advantages of exercise intervention, such as its low cost, easy implementation, and high acceptance, have garnered increasing attention. Exercise interventions can effectively improve the core features and co-occurring conditions of autism, but the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are unclear. Abnormal changes in the gut microbiome, neuroinflammation, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity may individually or interactively be responsible for atypical brain structure and connectivity, leading to specific autistic experiences and characteristics. Interestingly, exercise can affect these biological processes and reshape brain network connections, which may explain how exercise alleviates core features and co-occurring conditions in autistic individuals. In this review, we describe the definition, diagnostic approach, epidemiology, and current support strategies for autism; highlight the benefits of exercise interventions; and call for individualized programs for different subtypes of autistic individuals. Finally, the possible neurobiological mechanisms by which exercise improves autistic features are comprehensively summarized to inform the development of optimal exercise interventions and specific targets to meet the needs of autistic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genghong Tu
- Department of Sports Medicine, 47878 Guangzhou Sport University , Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, 47878 Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University , Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, P.R. China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Graduate School, 47878 Guangzhou Sport University , Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, P.R. China
| | - Weizhong Chen
- Graduate School, 47878 Guangzhou Sport University , Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, P.R. China
| | - Lining Liu
- Graduate School, 47878 Guangzhou Sport University , Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, P.R. China
| | - Min Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, 47878 Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University , Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, P.R. China
| | - Bagen Liao
- Department of Sports Medicine, 47878 Guangzhou Sport University , Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, 47878 Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University , Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, P.R. China
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Gao Z, Luo H, Li T, Zhao J. The Relationship Between Theory of Mind and Listening Comprehension Among Chinese Preschoolers with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2024:10.1007/s10803-024-06462-8. [PMID: 39042235 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06462-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
The study aimed to examine the performance on linguistic and cognitive tasks among Chinese preschool children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and explore the direct and indirect relationships between theory of mind (ToM) and literal and inferential listening comprehension. Forty-nine (N = 49) children with ASD and fifty-two (N = 52) age- and gender-matched typically developing (TD) children participated in the study. All participants were administered tasks evaluating their listening comprehension of literal and inferential statements, ToM, as well as verbal and nonverbal IQ. Results showed that the ASD group performed statistically worse on listening comprehension, ToM abilities, verbal IQ, and nonverbal IQ than their TD peers. Further, we found statistically significant correlations between general ToM performance and overall listening comprehension among Chinese preschool children with and without ASD. More specifically, ToM abilities of children with ASD had an indirect effect on their literal listening comprehension via the mediation of verbal IQ, whereas ToM performance among TD children predicted their literal listening comprehension via the mediation of nonverbal IQ. The major findings were discussed in detail based on the situation model. The research facilitated insights into listening comprehension among Chinese preschool children with and without ASD, providing their caregivers and teachers with viable strategies to improve their listening comprehension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeying Gao
- Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Huilin Luo
- Department of English, Sun Yat-sen University, 135 Xingangxi Road, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Tianbi Li
- Department of Psychology, Normal College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of English, Sun Yat-sen University, 135 Xingangxi Road, Guangzhou, 510275, China.
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Hu C, Yang T, Chen J, Dai Y, Wei H, Wu Q, Chen H, Long D, Feng Y, Wei Q, Zhang Q, Chen L, Li T. Phenotypic characteristics and rehabilitation effect of children with regressive autism spectrum disorder: a prospective cohort study. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:514. [PMID: 39030516 PMCID: PMC11264485 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05955-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this prospective cohort study, we determined the phenotypic characteristics of children with regressive autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and explored the effects of rehabilitation. METHODS We recruited 370 children with ASD aged 1.5-7 years. Based on the Regression Supplement Form, the children were assigned to two groups: regressive and non-regressive. The core symptoms and neurodevelopmental levels of ASD were assessed before and after 1 year of behavioral intervention using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), Social Response Scale (SRS), Children Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and Gesell Developmental Scale (GDS). RESULTS Among the 370 children with ASD, 28.38% (105/370) experienced regression. Regression was primarily observed in social communication and language skills. Children with regressive ASD exhibited higher SRS and CARS scores and lower GDS scores than those with non-regressive ASD. After 1 year of behavioral intervention, the symptom scale scores significantly decreased for all children with ASD; however, a lesser degree of improvement was observed in children with regressive ASD than in those with non-regressive ASD. In addition, the symptom scores of children with regressive ASD below 4 years old significantly decreased, whereas the scores of those over 4 years old did not significantly improve. Children with regressive ASD showed higher core symptom scores and lower neurodevelopmental levels. Nevertheless, after behavioral intervention, some symptoms exhibited significant improvements in children with regressive ASD under 4 years of age. CONCLUSION Early intervention should be considered for children with ASD, particularly for those with regressive ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqun Hu
- Growth, Development and Mental Health Center of Children and Adolescents, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Growth, Development and Mental Health Center of Children and Adolescents, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Growth, Development and Mental Health Center of Children and Adolescents, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Dai
- Growth, Development and Mental Health Center of Children and Adolescents, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hua Wei
- Growth, Development and Mental Health Center of Children and Adolescents, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qionghui Wu
- Growth, Development and Mental Health Center of Children and Adolescents, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongyu Chen
- Growth, Development and Mental Health Center of Children and Adolescents, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Long
- Growth, Development and Mental Health Center of Children and Adolescents, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuru Feng
- Growth, Development and Mental Health Center of Children and Adolescents, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiuhong Wei
- Growth, Development and Mental Health Center of Children and Adolescents, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Growth, Development and Mental Health Center of Children and Adolescents, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Chen
- Growth, Development and Mental Health Center of Children and Adolescents, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Tingyu Li
- Growth, Development and Mental Health Center of Children and Adolescents, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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Hamoud AF, Al-Saadi NH. The Assessment of Selenium, Aluminum, and Zinc in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024:10.1007/s12011-024-04283-5. [PMID: 39008215 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04283-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
ASD is a complex condition defined by many causes, one of them being excessive concentrations of necessary and harmful chemicals in children. The serum, hair, and nails of children with ASD have lower levels of critical trace elements, according to studies. It is quite obvious that bio elements are involved in physiology and pathophysiology. Thus, this study examined trace element contents in serum samples from children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), specifically zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), and selenium (Se). The study also looked for links between trace element levels and autistic severity. The study included 47 children with autism spectrum disorder, and the Gilliam's Scale was used for severity. The study also included 53 healthy kids with age and gender-matched with those of ASD. For serum trace element analysis, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used. The study found significant decreases in selenium and zinc concentration (OR, 5.25; CI, 1.96 ~ 14.08; p < 0.001) and increases in aluminum level (OR, 39.34; CI, 8.20 ~ 89.45; p < 0.001) in children with ASD compared to the control group. The area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.85 for Se, 0.98 for Al, and 0.7 for Zn showed high sensitivity and specificity for all parameters. Results indicate a strong positive connection between ASD and their levels of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) (β, 0.48; CI, 0.280 ~ 0.679; p < 0.001 and β, 0.31; CI, 0.10 ~ 0.52; p = 0.005). There is a negative correlation between ASD and aluminum (Al) (β 0.83; CI, 0.71 ~ 0.95; p < 0.001). This element may be a biomarker for autism in youngsters. High odds ratio (OR) values indicate trace element risk in autistic children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Fadheel Hamoud
- Ministry of Education, Karbala Education Directorate, Karbala, Iraq.
- Chemistry Department, College of Science, Kerbala University, Karbala, Iraq.
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Zhou D, Hua T, Tang H, Yang R, Huang L, Gong Y, Zhang L, Tang G. Gender and age related brain structural and functional alterations in children with autism spectrum disorder. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae283. [PMID: 38997211 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
To explore the effects of age and gender on the brain in children with autism spectrum disorder using magnetic resonance imaging. 185 patients with autism spectrum disorder and 110 typically developing children were enrolled. In terms of gender, boys with autism spectrum disorder had increased gray matter volumes in the insula and superior frontal gyrus and decreased gray matter volumes in the inferior frontal gyrus and thalamus. The brain regions with functional alterations are mainly distributed in the cerebellum, anterior cingulate gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and putamen. Girls with autism spectrum disorder only had increased gray matter volumes in the right cuneus and showed higher amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation in the paracentral lobule, higher regional homogeneity and degree centrality in the calcarine fissure, and greater right frontoparietal network-default mode network connectivity. In terms of age, preschool-aged children with autism spectrum disorder exhibited hypo-connectivity between and within auditory network, somatomotor network, and visual network. School-aged children with autism spectrum disorder showed increased gray matter volumes in the rectus gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, insula, and suboccipital gyrus, as well as increased amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation and regional homogeneity in the calcarine fissure and precentral gyrus and decreased in the cerebellum and anterior cingulate gyrus. The hyper-connectivity between somatomotor network and left frontoparietal network and within visual network was found. It is essential to consider the impact of age and gender on the neurophysiological alterations in autism spectrum disorder children when analyzing changes in brain structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Ting Hua
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Huan Tang
- Department of Radiology, Huadong Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Rong Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Linsheng Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Yujiao Gong
- Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Guangyu Tang
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Fudan University, Shanghai 201103, China
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Zhao T, Huang C, Zhang Y, Zhu Y, Chen X, Wang T, Shao J, Meng X, Huang Y, Wang H, Wang H, Wang B, Xu D. Prenatal 1-Nitropyrene Exposure Causes Autism-Like Behavior Partially by Altering DNA Hydroxymethylation in Developing Brain. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2306294. [PMID: 38757379 PMCID: PMC11267330 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by social communication disability and stereotypic behavior. This study aims to investigate the impact of prenatal exposure to 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), a key component of motor vehicle exhaust, on autism-like behaviors in a mouse model. Three-chamber test finds that prenatal 1-NP exposure causes autism-like behaviors during the weaning period. Patch clamp shows that inhibitory synaptic transmission is reduced in medial prefrontal cortex of 1-NP-exposed weaning pups. Immunofluorescence finds that prenatal 1-NP exposure reduces the number of prefrontal glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) positive interneurons in fetuses and weaning pups. Moreover, prenatal 1-NP exposure retards tangential migration of GAD67-positive interneurons and downregulates interneuron migration-related genes, such as Nrg1, Erbb4, and Sema3F, in fetal forebrain. Mechanistically, prenatal 1-NP exposure reduces hydroxymethylation of interneuron migration-related genes through inhibiting ten-eleven translocation (TET) activity in fetal forebrain. Supplement with alpha-ketoglutarate (α-KG), a cofactor of TET enzyme, reverses 1-NP-induced hypohydroxymethylation at specific sites of interneuron migration-related genes. Moreover, α-KG supplement alleviates 1-NP-induced migration retardation of interneurons in fetal forebrain. Finally, maternal α-KG supplement improves 1-NP-induced autism-like behaviors in weaning offspring. In conclusion, prenatal 1-NP exposure causes autism-like behavior partially by altering DNA hydroxymethylation of interneuron migration-related genes in developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhao
- Department of ToxicologySchool of Public HealthAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230022China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| | - Cheng‐Qing Huang
- School of Food and BioengineeringHefei University of TechnologyHefei230009China
| | - Yi‐Hao Zhang
- Department of ToxicologySchool of Public HealthAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230022China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| | - Yan‐Yan Zhu
- Department of ToxicologySchool of Public HealthAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230022China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| | - Xiao‐Xi Chen
- Department of ToxicologySchool of Public HealthAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230022China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| | - Tao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| | - Jing Shao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| | - Xiu‐Hong Meng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| | - Yichao Huang
- Department of ToxicologySchool of Public HealthAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230022China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of ToxicologySchool of Public HealthAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230022China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| | - Hui‐Li Wang
- School of Food and BioengineeringHefei University of TechnologyHefei230009China
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of ToxicologySchool of Public HealthAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230022China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| | - De‐Xiang Xu
- Department of ToxicologySchool of Public HealthAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230022China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
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11
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Xu S, Wang J, Mao K, Jiao D, Li Z, Zhao H, Sun Y, Feng J, Lai Y, Peng R, Fu Y, Gan R, Chen S, Zhao HY, Wei HJ, Cheng Y. Generation and transcriptomic characterization of MIR137 knockout miniature pig model for neurodevelopmental disorders. Cell Biosci 2024; 14:86. [PMID: 38937838 PMCID: PMC11212353 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-024-01268-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disorders (ID), are highly debilitating childhood psychiatric conditions. Genetic factors are recognized as playing a major role in NDD, with a multitude of genes and genomic regions implicated. While the functional validation of NDD-associated genes has predominantly been carried out using mouse models, the significant differences in brain structure and gene function between mice and humans have limited the effectiveness of mouse models in exploring the underlying mechanisms of NDD. Therefore, it is important to establish alternative animal models that are more evolutionarily aligned with humans. RESULTS In this study, we employed CRISPR/Cas9 and somatic cell nuclear transplantation technologies to successfully generate a knockout miniature pig model of the MIR137 gene, which encodes the neuropsychiatric disorder-associated microRNA miR-137. The homozygous knockout of MIR137 (MIR137-/-) effectively suppressed the expression of mature miR-137 and led to the birth of stillborn or short-lived piglets. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant changes in genes associated with neurodevelopment and synaptic signaling in the brains of MIR137-/- miniature pig, mirroring findings from human ASD transcriptomic data. In comparison to miR-137-deficient mouse and human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neuron models, the miniature pig model exhibited more consistent changes in critical neuronal genes relevant to humans following the loss of miR-137. Furthermore, a comparative analysis identified differentially expressed genes associated with ASD and ID risk genes in both miniature pig and hiPSC-derived neurons. Notably, human-specific miR-137 targets, such as CAMK2A, known to be linked to cognitive impairments and NDD, exhibited dysregulation in MIR137-/- miniature pigs. These findings suggest that the loss of miR-137 in miniature pigs affects genes crucial for neurodevelopment, potentially contributing to the development of NDD. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights the impact of miR-137 loss on critical genes involved in neurodevelopment and related disorders in MIR137-/- miniature pigs. It establishes the miniature pig model as a valuable tool for investigating neurodevelopmental disorders, providing valuable insights for potential applications in human research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengyun Xu
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Jiaoxiang Wang
- Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation in Yunnan Province, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Kexin Mao
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
- Southwest United Graduate School, Kunming, 650092, China
| | - Deling Jiao
- Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation in Yunnan Province, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Zhu Li
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Heng Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation in Yunnan Province, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Yifei Sun
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Jin Feng
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
- Southwest United Graduate School, Kunming, 650092, China
| | - Yuanhao Lai
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Ruiqi Peng
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Yu Fu
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Ruoyi Gan
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
- Southwest United Graduate School, Kunming, 650092, China
| | - Shuhan Chen
- Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation in Yunnan Province, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Hong-Ye Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation in Yunnan Province, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China.
| | - Hong-Jiang Wei
- Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation in Yunnan Province, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China.
| | - Ying Cheng
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.
- Southwest United Graduate School, Kunming, 650092, China.
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Wikarska A, Roszak K, Roszek K. Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Purinergic Signaling in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Bridging the Gap between Cell-Based Strategies and Neuro-Immune Modulation. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1310. [PMID: 38927517 PMCID: PMC11201695 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061310] [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: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is still increasing, which means that this neurodevelopmental lifelong pathology requires special scientific attention and efforts focused on developing novel therapeutic approaches. It has become increasingly evident that neuroinflammation and dysregulation of neuro-immune cross-talk are specific hallmarks of ASD, offering the possibility to treat these disorders by factors modulating neuro-immunological interactions. Mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy has already been postulated as one of the therapeutic approaches for ASD; however, less is known about the molecular mechanisms of stem cell influence. One of the possibilities, although still underestimated, is the paracrine purinergic activity of MSCs, by which stem cells ameliorate inflammatory reactions. Modulation of adenosine signaling may help restore neurotransmitter balance, reduce neuroinflammation, and improve overall brain function in individuals with ASD. In our review article, we present a novel insight into purinergic signaling, including but not limited to the adenosinergic pathway and its role in neuroinflammation and neuro-immune cross-talk modulation. We anticipate that by achieving a greater understanding of the purinergic signaling contribution to ASD and related disorders, novel therapeutic strategies may be devised for patients with autism in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Katarzyna Roszek
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland; (A.W.); (K.R.)
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Liu F, Begeer S, Hoekstra RA, Wang C, Scheeren AM. Autistic adults in China and the Netherlands: Proxy-reported community integration and life satisfaction. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024:13623613241258182. [PMID: 38864577 DOI: 10.1177/13623613241258182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Even though there are about 10 million Chinese autistic individuals, we know little about autistic adults in China. This study examined how well young autistic adults in China integrate into their communities (such as having a job, living independently and having friends) and how satisfied they are with their lives as reported by their caregivers. We compared them to autistic adults with similar characteristics (such as high support needs) from the Netherlands. We included 99 autistic adults in China and 109 in the Netherlands (18-30 years). In both countries, autistic adults were reported to have a hard time fitting into their communities. They often had no work, did not live on their own and had few close friends. Also, in both countries, caregivers reported that autistic adults felt low satisfaction with their life. Chinese adults were less satisfied with their life than Dutch adults, as indicated by their caregivers. This could be because of a lack of support for autistic adults in China, higher parental stress in Chinese caregivers, or general cross-country differences in happiness. Only in the Dutch group, younger compared with older adults fitted better into their communities, and adults without additional psychiatric conditions were reported to have higher life satisfaction. Country was a significant predictor of independent living only, with Dutch participants more likely living in care facilities than Chinese participants. In conclusion, our study shows that autistic adults with high support needs generally face similar challenges in both China and the Netherlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Liu
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, The Netherlands
| | - Sander Begeer
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Anke M Scheeren
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, The Netherlands
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14
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Zhu K, Xie X, Hou F, Chen Y, Wang H, Jiang Q, Feng Y, Xiao P, Zhang Q, Xiang Z, Fan Y, Wu X, Li L, Song R. The Association Between Functional Variants in Long Non-coding RNAs and the Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder Was Not Mediated by Gut Microbiota. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04276-4. [PMID: 38861233 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04276-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
The effect of functional variants in long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) gene regions on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the association of functional variants located in lncRNA genes with the risk of ASD and explore whether gut microbiota would mediate the relationship. A total of 87 cases and 71 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. MassARRAY platform and 16S rRNA sequencing were respectively applied to assess the genotype of candidate SNPs and gut microbiota of children. The logistic regression models showed that the association between rs2295412 and the risk of ASD was statistically significant after Bonferroni adjustments. The risk of ASD decreased by 19% for each additional C allele carried by children in multiplicative models (OR = 0.81, 95% CI, 0.69-0.94, P = 0.007). Although we identified significant correlations between rs8113922 polymorphisms, Bifidobacteriales, and ASD, the mediating effect of gut microbiota on the relationship of the polymorphisms with the risk of ASD was not significant. The findings demonstrated that functional variants in lncRNA genes play an important role in ASD and gut microbiota could not mediate the association. Future studies are warranted to verify the results and search for more possible mechanisms of variants located in lncRNA genes implicated in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiheng Zhu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinyan Xie
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Hou
- Maternity and Children, Health Care Hospital of Luohu District, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanlin Chen
- Maternity and Children, Health Care Hospital of Luohu District, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haoxue Wang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Qi Jiang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanan Feng
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Pei Xiao
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Quan Zhang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhen Xiang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Yixi Fan
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Xufang Wu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Li
- Maternity and Children, Health Care Hospital of Luohu District, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Ranran Song
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, China.
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15
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Liu M, Brady NC, Zhao H, Liu Q. A Chinese version of the communication complexity scale (CCS): psychometric evaluation in children with minimal verbal skills. Disabil Rehabil 2024; 46:2433-2440. [PMID: 37390843 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2226405] [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: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the translated Chinese version of the Communication Complexity Scale (C-CCS) in a Chinese sample of preschool-aged children with minimal verbal skills. METHODS A total of 120 children with autism spectrum disorders or children with developmental delays aged 2 to 5 years with minimal verbal skills (i.e., produced less than 20 functional words) were recruited to complete the C-CCS. First, we tested the protocol with 20 children and shortened it based on their results. Second, the interrater reliability, test-retest reliability, and concurrent validity for 100 participants were examined. C-CCS scores were compared with scores from the Chinese Communicative Development Inventories (CCDI) for concurrent validity. RESULTS Ten C-CCS interactive scripts were administered to 100 participants. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) between independent observers were high. The ICCs for overall optimal scores, optimal BR scores and optimal JA scores were 0.978, 0.971 and 0.977 respectively. Agreement for scores within scripted opportunities and communication level were high-Kappa coefficients 0.869 and 1.000 respectively. The test-retest reliability was high (r = 0.911). A moderate correlation was found between the C-CCS and the CCDI (r = 0.401). CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that C-CCS could be used as a measurement tool in research and clinical practice to describe communication levels in children with minimal verbal skills in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, Institute of AI for Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Nancy C Brady
- Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences & Disorders, University of KS, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Hang Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, Institute of AI for Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Qiaoyun Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, Institute of AI for Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, P.R. China
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16
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Jiang X, Chen X, Su J, Liu N. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in mainland china over the past 6 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:404. [PMID: 38811881 PMCID: PMC11137880 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05729-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coupled with its rising prevalence, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has become a globally recognized public health concern. Nevertheless, large-scale, multicenter studies that analyze the epidemiology of ASD in China are relatively scarce. METHODS Literature searches were conducted in PubMed/Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, China Biology Medicine database (CBM), China Science and Technology Journal Database (CSTJ), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) to retrieve studies published before April 8, 2023, related to ASD prevalence among children aged 0 to 14 years in mainland China. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.2 and Stata 14.0. RESULTS Twenty-one articles were included. The ASD prevalence among children in mainland China has been 0.7% (95% confidence interval(CI): 0.006-0.008) since 2017. The prevalence of ASD among boys was 1.0% (95% CI: 0.008-0.011), which was significantly higher than that among girls at 0.2% (95% CI: 0.002-0.003), with a statistically significant difference (OR = 3.198, 95% CI: 2.489-4.109, P = 0.000). Among the included studies, 18 reported an ASD prevalence of 0.8% (95% CI: 0.007-0.010), while 3 studies reported an autistic disorder (AD) prevalence of 0.7% (95% CI: 0.006-0.008). The prevalence of autism among urban children was 23.9% (95% CI: 0.149-0.328), and in rural areas, it was 0.7% (95% CI: 0.002-0.013), with no statistically significant difference (OR = 1.342, 95% CI: 0.258-6.975, P = 0.727). Regression analysis showed that factors such as region (P = 0.000), age (P = 0.000), study period (P = 0.000), sample size (P = 0.000), sampling method (P = 0.002), population source (P = 0.000), disease type (P = 0.000), quality score of the study (P = 0.000), and diagnostic criteria (P = 0.000) might have contributed to the heterogeneity in ASD prevalence. CONCLUSION The prevalence of ASD in China from 2017 to 2023 was 7/1000, showing an upward trend compared to that before 2017 (26.50/10,000). The male-to-female prevalence ratio was 5:1.The overall prevalence remained significantly lower than that reported in foreign countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhong Jiang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Xianrui Chen
- Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Xiamen Rehabilitation Hospital, Xiamen, 361003, Fujian, China
| | - Jingying Su
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, Fujian, China.
| | - Nan Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.
- Fujian Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.
- Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.
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17
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Feng YR, Zhang Q, Miao JK, Yang T, Chen J, Chen HY, Mou QH, Xiang XL, Long D, Wei QH, Wu Y, Li TY. Association of the retinol to all-trans retinoic acid pathway with autism spectrum disorder. World J Pediatr 2024:10.1007/s12519-024-00815-0. [PMID: 38789720 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-024-00815-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex group of neurodevelopmental disorders. Research has highlighted a close association between the retinoic acid (RA) signaling pathway and ASD. This study investigates alterations in the vitamin A (VA, retinol) to RA metabolic pathway in children with ASD and speculates on the underlying reasons for these changes. We propose a subtype characterized by downregulated RA signaling in ASD, laying the groundwork for precise diagnosis and treatment research. METHODS We included 489 children with ASD and 280 typically developing (TD) children. Those with ASD underwent evaluations of core symptoms and neuro-developmental levels, which were conducted by professional developmental behavior physicians using assessment scales. Serum VA and all-trans RA (atRA) levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The expression levels and concentrations of enzyme molecules such as retinol dehydrogenase 10 were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Children with ASD exhibited reduced serum atRA, accompanied by a downregulation of atRA synthesis enzymes. The reduction in serum atRA levels was linked not only to VA levels but also to the aberrant expression of metabolic enzymes responsible for atRA. Furthermore, the serum atRA levels in children with ASD were more strongly correlated with core symptoms and neurodevelopmental levels than VA levels. CONCLUSION Children with ASD exhibited a dual regulation of reduced serum atRA levels, influenced by both VA levels and abnormal expression of atRA metabolic enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ru Feng
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No 136, 2nd Zhongshan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No 136, 2nd Zhongshan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing-Kun Miao
- Department of Pediatrics, Women and Children' Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No 136, 2nd Zhongshan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No 136, 2nd Zhongshan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong-Yu Chen
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No 136, 2nd Zhongshan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiu-Hong Mou
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No 136, 2nd Zhongshan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Xue-Li Xiang
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No 136, 2nd Zhongshan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Long
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No 136, 2nd Zhongshan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiu-Hong Wei
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No 136, 2nd Zhongshan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuan Wu
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No 136, 2nd Zhongshan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting-Yu Li
- Children Nutrition Research Center, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No 136, 2nd Zhongshan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China.
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18
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Du X, Sun L, Dong Q. A family perspective for the mechanism of parent-child conflict on maternal anxiety in Chinese children with autism. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:286. [PMID: 38778400 PMCID: PMC11112947 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01786-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mothers of children with autism reported higher levels of anxiety than mothers of typical children. This study revealed the relationship between parent-child conflict, children's problem behavior, parenting stress, and maternal anxiety from the perspective of the relationship within the family. METHODS The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Caregiver Strain Questionnaire (CGSQ) were used to measure maternal anxiety and parenting stress respectively from 102 mothers of children with autism. We also collected information on parent-child relationships and children's problem behaviors by using the Child-Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS) and Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ). RESULTS Parent-child conflict positively predicted state and trait anxiety in mothers of children with autism. The severity of children's psychosomatic disorders fully mediated the positive association between parent-child conflict and state-trait anxiety in mothers of children with autism. Parenting stress significantly moderated the impact of parent-child conflict on maternal state anxiety and trait anxiety. CONCLUSION In the case of children with autism spectrum disorders, parent-child conflict can directly affect maternal anxiety levels, especially when mothers have low levels of parenting stress. Parent-child conflict can also affect children's problem behaviors and thus indirectly affect maternal anxiety. Therefore, this study is of great significance for the alleviation of anxiety of mothers of autistic children and the family intervention for the early rehabilitation of autistic children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Du
- College of Educational Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.
| | - Le Sun
- College of Educational Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Qi Dong
- College of Educational Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
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吴 媛, 杨 亭, 陈 红, 龙 丹, 向 雪, 冯 钰, 韦 秋, 陈 洁, 李 廷. [Serum folate and vitamin B 12 levels and their association with neurodevelopmental features in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder]. ZHONGGUO DANG DAI ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PEDIATRICS 2024; 26:371-377. [PMID: 38660901 PMCID: PMC11057295 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2310091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the levels of serum folate and vitamin B12 (VB12) and their association with the level of neurodevelopment in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS A total of 324 ASD children aged 2-6 years and 318 healthy children aged 2-6 years were recruited. Serum levels of folate and VB12 were measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay. The Social Responsiveness Scale and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale were used to assess the core symptoms of ASD children, and the Gesell Developmental Schedule was employed to evaluate the level of neurodevelopment. RESULTS The levels of serum folate and VB12 in ASD children were significantly lower than those in healthy children (P<0.05). Serum folate levels in ASD children were positively correlated with gross and fine motor developmental quotients (P<0.05), and serum VB12 levels were positively correlated with adaptive behavior, fine motor, and language developmental quotients (P<0.05). In ASD children aged 2 to <4 years, serum folate levels were positively correlated with developmental quotients in all domains (P<0.05), and serum VB12 levels were positively correlated with language developmental quotient (P<0.05). In male ASD children, serum VB12 levels were positively correlated with language and personal-social developmental quotients (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Serum folate and VB12 levels in preschool ASD children are lower than those in healthy children and are associated with neurodevelopmental levels, especially in ASD children under 4 years of age. Therefore, maintaining normal serum folate and VB12 levels may be beneficial for the neurodevelopment of ASD children, especially in ASD children under 4 years of age.
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20
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郭 乃, 王 瑜. [Recent advances in the virtual reality technology for treating children with autism spectrum disorder]. ZHONGGUO DANG DAI ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PEDIATRICS 2024; 26:414-419. [PMID: 38660907 PMCID: PMC11057304 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2310142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the neurodevelopmental disorders in children, and there are currently no specific treatments, with the main interventions focusing on educational training and behavioral correction. Virtual reality, as an emerging technology, is a computer-based environmental simulation system that achieves interactive dynamics and immersive experiences by integrating information from multiple sources. In recent years, it has been gradually applied in intervention training for children with ASD. This paper reviews the recent studies on the effects of virtual reality intervention on emotional cognition, social skills, daily living skills, motor skills, and specific phobias in children with ASD, offering a new direction for ASD intervention training.
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21
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Mao Y, Lin X, Wu Y, Lu J, Shen J, Zhong S, Jin X, Ma J. Additive interaction between birth asphyxia and febrile seizures on autism spectrum disorder: a population-based study. Mol Autism 2024; 15:17. [PMID: 38600595 PMCID: PMC11007945 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-024-00596-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder that can significantly impact an individual's ability to socially integrate and adapt. It's crucial to identify key factors associated with ASD. Recent studies link both birth asphyxia (BA) and febrile seizures (FS) separately to higher ASD prevalence. However, investigations into the interplay of BA and FS and its relationship with ASD are yet to be conducted. The present study mainly focuses on exploring the interactive effect between BA and FS in the context of ASD. METHODS Utilizing a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling, we initially recruited 84,934 Shanghai children aged 3-12 years old from June 2014 to June 2015, ultimately including 74,251 post-exclusion criteria. A logistic regression model was conducted to estimate the interaction effect after controlling for pertinent covariates. The attributable proportion (AP), the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), the synergy index (SI), and multiplicative-scale interaction were computed to determine the interaction effect. RESULTS Among a total of 74,251 children, 192 (0.26%) were diagnosed with ASD. The adjusted odds ratio for ASD in children with BA alone was 3.82 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.42-6.02), for FS alone 3.06 (95%CI 1.48-6.31), and for comorbid BA and FS 21.18 (95%CI 9.10-49.30), versus children without BA or FS. The additive interaction between BA and FS showed statistical significance (P < 0.001), whereas the multiplicative interaction was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). LIMITATIONS This study can only demonstrate the relationship between the interaction of BA and FS with ASD but cannot prove causation. Animal brain experimentation is necessary to unravel its neural mechanisms. A larger sample size, ongoing monitoring, and detailed FS classification are needed for confirming BA-FS interaction in ASD. CONCLUSION In this extensive cross-sectional study, both BA and FS were significantly linked to ASD. The coexistence of these factors was associated with an additive increase in ASD prevalence, surpassing the cumulative risk of each individual factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Mao
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Xindi Lin
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yuhan Wu
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jiayi Lu
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jiayao Shen
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Shaogen Zhong
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Xingming Jin
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China.
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Chen WX, Chen YR, Peng MZ, Liu X, Cai YN, Huang ZF, Yang SY, Huang JY, Wang RH, Yi P, Liu L. Plasma Amino Acid Profile in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Southern China: Analysis of 110 Cases. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:1567-1581. [PMID: 36652126 PMCID: PMC10981617 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05829-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
To retrospectively explore the characteristics of plasma amino acids (PAAs) in children with autism spectrum disorder and their clinical association via case-control study. A total of 110 autistic and 55 healthy children were recruited from 2014 to 2018. The clinical phenotypes included severity of autism, cognition, adaptability, and regression. Compared with the control group, autistic children had significantly elevated glutamate, γ-Amino-n-butyric acid, glutamine, sarcosine, δ-aminolevulinic acid, glycine and citrulline. In contrast, their plasma level of ethanolamine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, homocysteine, pyroglutamic acid, hydroxyproline, ornithine, histidine, lysine, and glutathione were significantly lower. Elevated neuroactive amino acids (glutamate) and decreased essential amino acids were mostly distinct characteristics of PAAs of autistic children. Increased level of tryptophan might be associated with severity of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Xiong Chen
- Department of Neurology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- The Assessment and Intervention Center for Autistic Children, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yi-Ru Chen
- Department of Neurology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min-Zhi Peng
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xian Liu
- Division of Birth Cohort Study, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Na Cai
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Fang Huang
- Department of Neurology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Assessment and Intervention Center for Autistic Children, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Si-Yuan Yang
- Department of Neurology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Assessment and Intervention Center for Autistic Children, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Yu Huang
- Department of Neurology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Assessment and Intervention Center for Autistic Children, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruo-Han Wang
- Department of Neurology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng Yi
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Zhou X, Lin WS, Zou FY, Zhong SS, Deng YY, Luo XW, Shen LS, Wang SH, Guo RM. Biomarkers of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder: quantitative analysis of whole-brain tissue component volumes, intelligence scores, ADOS-CSS, and ages of first-word production and walking onset. World J Pediatr 2024:10.1007/s12519-024-00800-7. [PMID: 38526835 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-024-00800-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preschooling is a critical time for intervention in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); thus, we analyzed brain tissue component volumes (BTCVs) and clinical indicators in preschool children with ASD to identify new biomarkers for early screening. METHODS Eighty preschool children (3-6 years) with ASD were retrospectively included. The whole-brain myelin content (MyC), white matter (WM), gray matter (GM), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and non-WM/GM/MyC/CSF brain component volumes were obtained using synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (SyMRI). Clinical data, such as intelligence scores, autism diagnostic observation schedule-calibrated severity scores, age at first production of single words (AFSW), age at first production of phrases (AFP), and age at walking onset (AWO), were also collected. The correlation between the BTCV and clinical data was evaluated, and the effect of BTCVs on clinical data was assessed by a regression model. RESULTS WM and GM volumes were positively correlated with intelligence scores (both P < 0.001), but WM and GM did not affect intelligence scores (P = 0.116, P = 0.290). AWO was positively correlated with AFSW and AFP (both P < 0.001). The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that MyC, AFSW, AFP, and AWO were significantly different (P = 0.005, P < 0.001, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study revealed positive correlations between WM and GM volumes and intelligence scores. Whole-brain MyC affected AFSW, AFP, and AWO in preschool children with ASD. Noninvasive quantification of BTCVs via SyMRI revealed a new visualizable and quantifiable biomarker (abnormal MyC) for early ASD screening in preschool children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhou
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Wu-Sheng Lin
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Feng-Yun Zou
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Shuang-Shuang Zhong
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Ya-Yin Deng
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Luo
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Li-Shan Shen
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Shi-Huan Wang
- Department of Child Development and Behavior Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
| | - Ruo-Mi Guo
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
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Ranaut A, Khandnor P, Chand T. Identifying autism using EEG: unleashing the power of feature selection and machine learning. Biomed Phys Eng Express 2024; 10:035013. [PMID: 38457850 DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/ad31fb] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by communication barriers, societal disengagement, and monotonous actions. Currently, the diagnosis of ASD is made by experts through a subjective and time-consuming qualitative behavioural examination using internationally recognized descriptive standards. In this paper, we present an EEG-based three-phase novel approach comprising 29 autistic subjects and 30 neurotypical people. In the first phase, preprocessing of data is performed from which we derived one continuous dataset and four condition-based datasets to determine the role of each dataset in the identification of autism from neurotypical people. In the second phase, time-domain and morphological features were extracted and four different feature selection techniques were applied. In the last phase, five-fold cross-validation is used to evaluate six different machine learning models based on the performance metrics and computational efficiency. The neural network outperformed when trained with maximum relevance and minimum redundancy (MRMR) algorithm on the continuous dataset with 98.10% validation accuracy and 0.9994 area under the curve (AUC) value for model validation, and 98.43% testing accuracy and AUC test value of 0.9998. The decision tree overall performed the second best in terms of computational efficiency and performance accuracy. The results indicate that EEG-based machine learning models have the potential for ASD identification from neurotypical people with a more objective and reliable method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamika Ranaut
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, India
| | - Padmavati Khandnor
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, India
| | - Trilok Chand
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, India
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25
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Zhao Y, Zhang R, Zheng X. Socioeconomic disparities in education placement for children of primary school age with autism spectrum disorder in China. Biosci Trends 2024; 18:73-82. [PMID: 38325825 DOI: 10.5582/bst.2023.01319] [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] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Relatively little is known about education placements for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in China. While disparities in ASD diagnoses and services for the population broadly are often documented, the presence and determinants of differences in the educational placement of ASD children are less studied and understood. By identifying who is likely to be in segregated settings, we can discern how to best support them and facilitate a possible transition to a less restrictive setting. This study describes four placements (regular schools, special schools, institutions, homes) and their influencing factors retrospectively in a large sample (n = 2,190) of Chinese primary school-aged children (6-12 years old). We divided ASD into severe and mild to moderate categories for analysis. Children with ASD were more likely to study in a regular school (48.60%), while 13.88% were in a special school. Children with severe ASD were placed in less regular settings than children with mild to moderate ASD. However, families with higher socioeconomic status (SES) were more likely to place their children in regular schools than lower SES families if their children experienced mild to moderate symptoms. Children with severe ASD were more likely to be placed in expensive institutions for families with higher SES than those with lower SES. SES disparities in educational placement existed and had two manifestations. It is important to characterize educational placements of students with ASD to determine the extent to which they are placed in general education settings, which are often the preferred placement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Zhao
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- China Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health and Family Planning Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Autism Research Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoying Zheng
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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26
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Xiong H, Liu X, Yang F, Yang T, Chen J, Chen J, Li T. Developmental Language Differences in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Possible Sex Difference. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:841-851. [PMID: 36538127 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05806-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Developmental difference is a common characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with unclear sex differences. The current study included 610 children with ASD, aged between 2 and 7 years, with completed language profiles. We used a nonparametric item response theory model called Mokken scale analysis to examine the order of acquisition of developmental language milestones in children with ASD. Our results demonstrated the developmental language differences in the expressive and receptive language dimensions in children with ASD compared with typical developmental sequences. Furthermore, The acquisition of gestures and pragmatics was more impaired in the female subgroup than in the male subgroup. The identified developmental language sequence could help provide a more comprehensive ASD developmental profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyi Xiong
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, No.136 Zhongshan Er Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, No.136 Zhongshan Er Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Yang
- Department of Language Disorders, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, No.136 Zhongshan Er Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinjin Chen
- Department of Child Healthcare, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, No.136 Zhongshan Er Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tingyu Li
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, No.136 Zhongshan Er Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, People's Republic of China.
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27
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Liu J, Tan Y, Zhang F, Wang Y, Chen S, Zhang N, Dai W, Zhou L, Li JC. Metabolomic analysis of plasma biomarkers in children with autism spectrum disorders. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e488. [PMID: 38420161 PMCID: PMC10901282 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.488] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents a significant risk to human well-being and has emerged as a worldwide public health concern. Twenty-eight children with ASD and 33 healthy children (HC) were selected for the quantitative determination of their plasma metabolites using an ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) platform. A total of 1997 metabolites were detected in the study cohort, from which 116 metabolites were found to be differentially expressed between the ASD and HC groups. Through analytical algorithms such as least absolute shrinkage selection operator (LASSO), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF), three potential metabolic markers were identified as FAHFA (18:1(9Z)/9-O-18:0), DL-2-hydroxystearic acid, and 7(S),17(S)-dihydroxy-8(E),10(Z),13(Z),15(E),19(Z)-docosapentaenoic acid. These metabolites demonstrated superior performance in distinguishing the ASD group from the HC group, as indicated by the area under curves (AUCs) of 0.935, 0.897, and 0.963 for the three candidate biomarkers, respectively. The samples were divided into training and validation sets according to 7:3. Diagnostic models were constructed using logistic regression (LR), SVM, and RF. The constructed three-biomarker diagnostic model also exhibited strong discriminatory efficacy. These findings contribute to advancing our understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in the occurrence of ASD and provide a valuable reference for clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- Medical Research Center Yue Bei People's Hospital, Shantou University Medical College Shaoguan China
| | - Yuhua Tan
- Shaoguan Maternal and Child Health Hospital Shaoguan China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Medical Research Center Yue Bei People's Hospital, Shantou University Medical College Shaoguan China
| | - Yan Wang
- Shaoguan Maternal and Child Health Hospital Shaoguan China
| | - Shu Chen
- Shaoguan Maternal and Child Health Hospital Shaoguan China
| | - Na Zhang
- Shaoguan Maternal and Child Health Hospital Shaoguan China
| | - Wenjie Dai
- Medical Research Center Yue Bei People's Hospital, Shantou University Medical College Shaoguan China
| | - Liqing Zhou
- Medical Research Center Yue Bei People's Hospital, Shantou University Medical College Shaoguan China
| | - Ji-Cheng Li
- Medical Research Center Yue Bei People's Hospital, Shantou University Medical College Shaoguan China
- Institute of Cell Biology Zhejiang University Hangzhou China
- Major Disease Biomarkers Research Laboratory School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University Kaifeng China
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28
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Zhuang H, Liang Z, Ma G, Qureshi A, Ran X, Feng C, Liu X, Yan X, Shen L. Autism spectrum disorder: pathogenesis, biomarker, and intervention therapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e497. [PMID: 38434761 PMCID: PMC10908366 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has become a common neurodevelopmental disorder. The heterogeneity of ASD poses great challenges for its research and clinical translation. On the basis of reviewing the heterogeneity of ASD, this review systematically summarized the current status and progress of pathogenesis, diagnostic markers, and interventions for ASD. We provided an overview of the ASD molecular mechanisms identified by multi-omics studies and convergent mechanism in different genetic backgrounds. The comorbidities, mechanisms associated with important physiological and metabolic abnormalities (i.e., inflammation, immunity, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction), and gut microbial disorder in ASD were reviewed. The non-targeted omics and targeting studies of diagnostic markers for ASD were also reviewed. Moreover, we summarized the progress and methods of behavioral and educational interventions, intervention methods related to technological devices, and research on medical interventions and potential drug targets. This review highlighted the application of high-throughput omics methods in ASD research and emphasized the importance of seeking homogeneity from heterogeneity and exploring the convergence of disease mechanisms, biomarkers, and intervention approaches, and proposes that taking into account individuality and commonality may be the key to achieve accurate diagnosis and treatment of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbin Zhuang
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Zhiyuan Liang
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Guanwei Ma
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Ayesha Qureshi
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Xiaoqian Ran
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Chengyun Feng
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of BaoanShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Xukun Liu
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Xi Yan
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Liming Shen
- College of Life Science and OceanographyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
- Shenzhen‐Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science‐Shenzhen Fundamental Research InstitutionsShenzhenP. R. China
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Li W, Song C, Hu L, Wu L, Zhu Z. Influence of parental education on the intelligence quotient profiles and socially adaptive behavior of school-age children with autism spectrum disorder in eastern China. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38423538 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2300354] [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: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Intelligence quotient (IQ) and adaptive behavior are the influencing factors of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children entering mainstream schools. This study explored the association between parental education level, IQ, and adaptive behavior in ASD groups. A total of 257 school-age ASD children were enrolled in our study from January 2017 to June 2021. Their parents completed a standard demographic form, including age at autism diagnosis, gender, school placement, and parents' educational background. The Chinese version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) was completed by a certified assessor for each enrolled child. Parents were interviewed on adaptive behavior using the Chinese version of the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Second Edition (ABAS-II). The average IQ of school-age ASD children was 76.88 (standard deviation (SD)=22.62) and boys had higher IQ levels than girls. The IQ was positively correlated with age. The General Adaptive Composite (GAC) score was 82.47 (SD=15.86) and adaptive behavior did not increase with age. ASD children who attended mainstream schools had better adaptive behavior profiles than other children. The mother's education level showed a significant correlation with the IQ and adaptive behavior of autistic children, while the father's education level did not. Consequently, better training and support for parents may help autistic children enter mainstream schools, with adaptive training being the most urgently required skill for parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Li
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Centre for Child Health, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Chao Song
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Centre for Child Health, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Lifei Hu
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Centre for Child Health, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Lingling Wu
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Centre for Child Health, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Zhiwei Zhu
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Centre for Child Health, Hangzhou 310053, China.
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Zhao Y, Lu F, Wang X, Luo Y, Zhang R, He P, Zheng X. The economic burden of autism spectrum disorder with and without intellectual disability in China: A nationwide cost-of-illness study. Asian J Psychiatr 2024; 92:103877. [PMID: 38176313 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The economic burden of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on individuals, their families and society as a whole is poorly understood. Accurate figures are crucial for economic estimates and service planning. METHODS The total lifetime individual costs and annual societal costs of ASD in China were estimated with a prevalence-based, gross cost of illness approach and data from multiple sources. The direct medical costs in outpatient and inpatient settings from the electronic health records (EHRs) of hospitals, and direct nonmedical costs from a national survey were included. The indirect costs were from both the national survey and the estimation using human capital methods. Age-specific lifetime incremental societal costs were measured. Comorbidity-related and unrelated costs were analyzed separately. RESULTS The discounted lifetime cost for an individual with ASD in China was $2.65 million (at 2020 prices, $) for those without intellectual disability (ID) and $4.61 million (at 2020 prices, $) for those with ID. The total cost of ASD amounted to $41.8 billion in 2020. Productivity loss were major cost drivers for ASD individuals without ID. Direct nonmedical costs (rehabilitation or adult care costs etc.) were major drivers for ASD individuals with ID. In a lifetime course, the total annual costs for middle aged and elderly (>42 years) were highest, followed by transitional adults (18-29 years) and preschoolers, both for individuals with or without ID. The distribution of costs over the lifespan varied by the cost category. CONCLUSIONS ASD imposes a substantial economic burden on families and health care systems. Sectors and services coordination should be given policy considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Zhao
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; China Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Lu
- Beijing Municipal Health Big Data and Policy Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- China Center for Food and Drug International Exchange, Beijing, China
| | - Yanan Luo
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health and Family Planning Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ping He
- China Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiaoying Zheng
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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Dinstein I, Solomon S, Zats M, Shusel R, Lottner R, Gershon BB, Meiri G, Menashe I, Shmueli D. Large increase in ASD prevalence in Israel between 2017 and 2021. Autism Res 2024; 17:410-418. [PMID: 38193609 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Accurate estimation of annual changes in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) prevalence is critical for planning the expansion of diagnostic, education, and intervention services at an adequate rate. Previous studies from Israel have reported that ASD prevalence among 8-year-old children has increased from estimates of 0.3% in 2008 to 0.65% in 2015 and 1.3% in 2018. Here, we analyzed data acquired from the National Insurance Institute of Israeli (NII), a governmental organization that approves and monitors all ASD children who receive welfare services in Israel, and Clalit Health Services (CHS), the largest Health Maintenance Organization in Israel that provides health services to ~52% of the population. Data from both sources included annual data files from 2017 to 2021 containing the number of ASD cases per year of birth for 1-17-year-old children. This allowed us to estimate annual ASD prevalence among 3.5 million children born between 2000 and 2020 in Israel. Both data sources revealed a nearly two-fold increase in ASD prevalence among 1-17-year-old children from 2017 to 2021. Estimated prevalence rates differed across age groups with 2-3-year-old (day-care) children increasing from 0.27% to 1.19% (>4 fold change), 4-6-year-old (pre-school) children increasing from 0.8% to 1.83%, and 8-year-old children increasing from 0.82% to 1.56% in NII data. These results demonstrate that autism prevalence continues to increase in Israel with a shift towards diagnosis at earlier ages. These findings highlight the challenge facing health and education service providers in meeting the needs of a rapidly growing autism population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilan Dinstein
- Psychology Department, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Cognitive and Brain Sciences Department, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Shirley Solomon
- Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Michael Zats
- ALUT, The National Society for Children and Adults with Autism, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ronit Shusel
- ALUT, The National Society for Children and Adults with Autism, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | | | - Gal Meiri
- Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Idan Menashe
- Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Community Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Dorit Shmueli
- Child Development Services, Clalit Healthcare, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Jiang Y, Guo C, Kuang M, Lin L, Xu G, Pan N, Weng X, Jing J, Shi L, Yi Q, Wang X. Examining associations of folic acid supplements administered to mothers during pre-conceptional and prenatal periods with autism spectrum disorders in their offspring: insights from a multi-center study in China. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1321046. [PMID: 38299071 PMCID: PMC10827999 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1321046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the relationship between maternal folic acid (FA) supplementation during the pre-conceptional and prenatal periods and the subsequent risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. Methods A total of 6,049 toddlers aged 16-30 months were recruited from August 2016 to March 2017 for this cross-sectional study conducted in China. The parents of the enrolled toddlers provided information on maternal supplemental FA, socio-demographic information, and related covariates. Standard diagnostic procedures were implemented to identify toddlers with ASD. Results Among the 6,049 children included in the study, consisting of 3,364 boys with an average age of 22.7 ± 4.1 months, a total of 71 children (1.2%) were diagnosed with ASD. Mothers who did not consume FA supplements during the prenatal period were found to have a significantly increased risk of having offspring with ASD, in comparison to those who were exposed to FA supplements (odds ratio [OR] = 2.47). However, we did not find a similar association during the pre-conceptional period. Compared to mothers who consistently used FA supplements from pre-conception to the prenatal period, those who never used FA supplements were statistically significantly associated with a higher risk of ASD in their offspring (OR = 2.88). Conclusion This study indicated that providing continuous maternal FA supplementation during the pre-conceptional and prenatal periods may decrease the risk of ASD in offspring. The prenatal period is considered to be the most crucial time for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Jiang
- Department of Children Health Care, Dongguan Children's Hospital, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Cuihua Guo
- Department of Children Health Care, Dongguan Children's Hospital, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Min Kuang
- Department of Children Health Care, Dongguan Children's Hospital, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Lizi Lin
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guifeng Xu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Ning Pan
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education; Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuchu Weng
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education; Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jin Jing
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Research Center of Children and Adolescent Psychological and Behavioral Development, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lei Shi
- JNU-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Neuroscience and Innovative Drug Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Quanying Yi
- Department of Children Health Care, Dongguan Children's Hospital, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education; Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Chen Y, Chen G, Liu Y, Dong GH, Yang BY, Li S, Huang H, Jin Z, Guo Y. Exposure to greenness during pregnancy and the first three years after birth and autism spectrum disorder: A matched case-control study in shanghai, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 340:122677. [PMID: 37827355 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have not been fully understood. Previous studies have linked environmental factors with ASD. However, evidence for the greenness-ASD association is limited, especially in China. To fill this gap, we conducted a matched case-control study to examine the association between greenness and ASD in China. Participants in this study were 84,934 children aged 3-12 years in Shanghai, China, selected using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. ASD cases were firstly screened by questionnaires completed by both children's parents and teachers, and were then confirmed by clinical examinations. Further, 10 healthy controls were randomly selected to match each ASD case by age and sex. The final analyses included 146 ASD cases and 1460 healthy controls. Participants' exposure to greenness before and after birth was assessed by normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) from NASA's Earth Observing System according to their residential locations. We used conditional logistic regression to examine the ASD-greenness association. Per interquartile range (IQR) increase in EVI500m and NDVI500m during the year before birth were associated with lower risks of ASD with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of 0.96 (95%CI: 0.946, 0.975, IQR = 0.074) and 0.937 (95%CI: 0.915, 0.959, IQR = 0.101). Exposure to greenness during the first 3 years after birth was also significantly associated with lower risk of ASD [IQR ORs for EVI500m and NDVI500m were 0.935 (95%CI: 0.91, 0.962, IQR = 0.06) and 0.897 (95%CI: 0.861, 0.935, IQR = 0.09), respectively]. Air pollution showed mediation effects on thegreenness-ASD association. Greenness was observed to have stronger beneficial effects on children without historical diseases and term birth. More greenness exposure before and after birth were significantly associated with lower risks of ASD in children. Our results highlight the importance of greenness in urban planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Gongbo Chen
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Yuewei Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Guang-Hui Dong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Bo-Yi Yang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Hong Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Zhijuan Jin
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200127, China.
| | - Yuming Guo
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
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Shi P, Zhang Z, Feng X, Li C, Tang Y. Effect of physical exercise in real-world settings on executive function of atypical children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Child Care Health Dev 2024; 50:e13182. [PMID: 37873578 DOI: 10.1111/cch.13182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired executive function is a core symptom of cognitive impairment in atypical children. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to explore the effectiveness of interventions for exercise in real-life settings on executive function in atypical children. METHODS This study searched the CNKI, Wan-Fang, VIP, WOS, PubMed, Scopus and EBSCO databases. Two researchers independently selected articles, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias for the included studies. Exercise activities were categorized into open and closed skills based on the unpredictability of the environmental context and into sequential and continuous skills based on the complexity of the movement structure. Based on these two classifications, motor skills were categorized into open-sequential (e.g. basketball), open-continuous (e.g. obstacle running), closed-sequential (e.g. martial arts) and closed-continuous (e.g. swimming) skills. The SPSS 25.0 and Stata 16.0 software were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS A total of 19 articles (23 studies) were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The participants were 990 atypical children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Physical exercise in real-world settings had significant intervention effects on inhibitory control (SMD = -0.592, P = 0.033), working memory (SMD = -0.473, P = 0.034) and cognitive flexibility (SMD = -0.793, P = 0.014) in atypical children. Quantitative intervention characteristics and motor skill types moderated the effect of exercise on promoting executive function in atypical children. Overall, exercise for 30-50 min, three to seven times a week for less than 10 weeks is effective in improving executive function in atypical children. Open skills and sequential skills have a positive intervention effect on more dimensions of executive function in atypical children. CONCLUSIONS Physical exercise in real-world settings has a positive intervention effect on executive function in atypical children. We should design interventions based on the personality traits of the subject and the type of exercise they are interested in to better promote improved executive function in atypical children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Shi
- School of Physical Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziyun Zhang
- School of Life and Health, Huzhou College, Huzhou, China
| | - Xiaosu Feng
- School of Physical Educaiton, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
| | - Chenyang Li
- Department of Physical Education, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, China
| | - Yan Tang
- School of Physical Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
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Chen Q, Liu XL, Lin LZ, Wang X, Li MH, Dai MX, Cao MQ, Li XH, Jin J, Xu HQ, Cai L. Associations of unintended pregnancy with autism spectrum disorders and the modification of folic acid supplements. Autism Res 2024; 17:172-181. [PMID: 38131613 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
There is limited evidence on the associations of unintended pregnancy with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study aimed to examine this relationship and the modification of pre-conceptional and prenatal folic acid supplements. Six thousand and five toddlers aged 16 to 30 months from seven cities of six provinces in China were eligible for participation. Information on unintended pregnancy and folic acid supplements was obtained via questionnaires from caregivers of toddlers. The diagnosis of ASD was based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and the Chinese version of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Of the 6005 toddlers in the study (3337 boys and 2668 girls), 71 (1.18%) received the diagnosis of ASD. Generalized linear models with a logit link function showed unintended pregnancy was positively associated with ASD (odds ratios [OR] = 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-2.79). Stratified estimates indicated that the association remained stable among toddlers of mothers without pre-conceptional and prenatal folic acid supplements (OR = 2.75, 95% CI, 1.04-7.27; n = 1243, 20.70%). Unintended pregnancy was associated with higher odds of ASD in 16-30 months of toddlers, and the association was consistent among toddlers of mothers without prenatal folic acid supplements. Our findings emphasize the need to raise awareness of the risk of unintended pregnancy and the benefits of folic acid supplements among Chinese women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Chen
- Department of Neonatology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Neonatal Intestinal Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Lian Liu
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Zi Lin
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming-Hui Li
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei-Xia Dai
- Department of Children's Healthcare and Mental Health Center, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Mu-Qing Cao
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiu-Hong Li
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Jin
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Qing Xu
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Cai
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
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Yang T, Zhang Q, Chen L, Dai Y, Jia FY, Hao Y, Li L, Zhang J, Wu LJ, Ke XY, Yi MJ, Hong Q, Chen JJ, Fang SF, Wang YC, Wang Q, Jin CH, Chen J, Li TY. Intestinal Symptoms Among Children aged 2-7 Years with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 13 Cities of China. J Autism Dev Disord 2023:10.1007/s10803-023-06122-3. [PMID: 38060105 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06122-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifactorial, pervasive, neurodevelopmental disorder, of which intestinal symptoms collectively represent one of the most common comorbidities. METHODS In this study, 1,222 children with ASD and 1,206 typically developing (TD) children aged 2-7 years were enrolled from 13 cities in China. Physical measurement and basic information questionnaires were conducted in ASD and TD children. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) were used to evaluate the clinical symptoms of children with ASD. The six-item Gastrointestinal Severity Index (6-GSI) was used to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal symptoms in two groups. RESULTS The detection rates of constipation, stool odor, and total intestinal symptoms in ASD children were significantly higher than those in TD children (40.098% vs. 25.622%, 17.021% vs. 9.287%, and 53.601% vs. 41.294%, respectively). Autistic children presenting with intestinal comorbidity had significantly higher scores on the ABC, SRS, CARS, and multiple subscales than autistic children without intestinal symptoms, suggesting that intestinal comorbidity may exacerbates the core symptoms of ASD children. CONCLUSION Intestinal dysfunction was significantly more common in autistic than in TD children. This dysfunction may aggravate the core symptoms of children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Chen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Dai
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Fei-Yong Jia
- Department of developmental and behavioral pediatrics, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yan Hao
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Children Rehabilitation, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Children Health Care Center, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Li-Jie Wu
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Ke
- Child mental health research center of Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming-Ji Yi
- Department of Child Health Care, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qi Hong
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Baoan, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jin-Jin Chen
- Department of Child Healthcare, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuan-Feng Fang
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi-Chao Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defect for Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Deyang Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Deyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Chun-Hua Jin
- Department of Children Health Care, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.
| | - Ting-Yu Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.
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Lu Y, Zhang P, Xu F, Zheng Y, Zhao H. Advances in the study of IL-17 in neurological diseases and mental disorders. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1284304. [PMID: 38046578 PMCID: PMC10690603 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1284304] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-17 (IL-17), a cytokine characteristically secreted by T helper 17 (Th17) cells, has attracted increasing attention in recent years because of its importance in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune or chronic inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have shown that neurological diseases and mental disorders are closely related to immune function, and varying degrees of immune dysregulation may disrupt normal expression of immune molecules at critical stages of neural development. Starting from relevant mechanisms affecting immune regulation, this article reviews the research progress of IL-17 in a selected group of neurological diseases and mental disorders (autism spectrum disorder, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and depression) from the perspective of neuroinflammation and the microbiota-gut-brain axis, summarizes the commonalities, and provides a prospective outlook of target application in disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Piaopiao Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Fenfen Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuan Zheng
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongyang Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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Chen CC, Lin CH, Lin MC. Maternal autoimmune disease and risk of offspring autism spectrum disorder - a nationwide population-based cohort study. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1254453. [PMID: 38025447 PMCID: PMC10654781 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1254453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders which cause long term social and behavior impairment, and its prevalence is on the rise. Studies about the association between maternal autoimmune diseases and offspring ASD have controversial results. The aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal autoimmune diseases increase the risk of ASD in offspring from a population-based perspective. Methods The data sources were Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) and Taiwan's Maternal and Child Health Database (MCHD), which were integrated and used to identify newborns whose mothers were diagnosed with autoimmune disease. Newborns were matched by maternal age, neonatal gender, and date of birth with controls whose mothers were without autoimmune disease using a ratio of 1:4 between 2004 and 2019. Data on diagnoses of autoimmune disease and autism spectrum disorders were retrieved from NHIRD. Patients who had at least 3 outpatient visits or at least 1 admission with a diagnosis of autoimmune disease and autism spectrum disorders were defined as incidence cases. The risks of ASD in offspring were compared between mothers with or without autoimmune disorders. Results We identified 20,865 newborns whose mothers had been diagnosed with autoimmune disease before pregnancy and matched them at a ratio of 1:4 with a total of 83,460 newborn whose mothers were without autoimmune disease, by maternal age, neonatal gender, and date of birth. They were randomly selected as the control group. The cumulative incidence rates of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) were significantly higher among the offspring of mothers with autoimmune diseases. After adjusting for cofactors, the risk of ASD remained significantly higher in children whose mother had autoimmune diseases. Regarding to specific maternal autoimmune disease, Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis were both associated with elevated risks of ASD in offspring. Conclusion Mother with autoimmune disease might be associated with increasing the risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Chu Chen
- Children’s Medical Center, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Heng Lin
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chih Lin
- Children’s Medical Center, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Providence University, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Zhao Y, Luo Y, Zhang R, Zheng X. Direct and indirect costs for families of children with autism spectrum disorder in China. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2023; 27:2337-2347. [PMID: 36880445 DOI: 10.1177/13623613231158862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT This is the first comprehensive national study to explore the direct and indirect costs for families of children with autism spectrum disorder in China. The increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder highlights a growing need for resources to provide care for families of children with autism spectrum disorder. The medical and nonmedical costs and parents' productivity loss have caused a serious burden on their families. Our objective is to estimate the direct and indirect costs for the families of children with autism spectrum disorder in China. The target population was parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. We analyzed the costs using cross-sectional data from a Chinese national family survey with children aged 2-6 years (N = 3236) who were clinically diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Family data from 30 provinces in China were obtained. Cost items included direct medical costs, direct nonmedical costs, and indirect costs. In this study, we found that the largest part of family costs for autism spectrum disorder are nonmedical costs and productivity loss. Autism spectrum disorder has imposed a huge economic burden on parents having children with autism spectrum disorder in China, who need more support than the current health care system provides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xiaoying Zheng
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, china
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Cao X, Tang X, Feng C, Lin J, Zhang H, Liu Q, Zheng Q, Zhuang H, Liu X, Li H, Khan NU, Shen L. A Systematic Investigation of Complement and Coagulation-Related Protein in Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Multiple Reaction Monitoring Technology. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1623-1637. [PMID: 37031449 PMCID: PMC10603015 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01055-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the common neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Its etiology and pathogenesis are poorly understood. Previous studies have suggested potential changes in the complement and coagulation pathways in individuals with ASD. In this study, using multiple reactions monitoring proteomic technology, 16 of the 33 proteins involved in this pathway were identified as differentially-expressed proteins in plasma between children with ASD and controls. Among them, CFHR3, C4BPB, C4BPA, CFH, C9, SERPIND1, C8A, F9, and F11 were found to be altered in the plasma of children with ASD for the first time. SERPIND1 expression was positively correlated with the CARS score. Using the machine learning method, we obtained a panel composed of 12 differentially-expressed proteins with diagnostic potential for ASD. We also reviewed the proteins changed in this pathway in the brain and blood of patients with ASD. The complement and coagulation pathways may be activated in the peripheral blood of children with ASD and play a key role in the pathogenesis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueshan Cao
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- College of Physics and Optoelectronics Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Tang
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Chengyun Feng
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Baoan, Shenzhen, 518100, China
| | - Jing Lin
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Huajie Zhang
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Qiong Liu
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- College of Physics and Optoelectronics Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Qihong Zheng
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Hongbin Zhuang
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Xukun Liu
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Haiying Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Guiyang First People's Hospital, Guiyang, 550002, China
| | - Naseer Ullah Khan
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Liming Shen
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
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Dai Y, Deng T, Chen M, Huang B, Ji Y, Feng Y, Liu S, Zhong D, Zhang T, Zhang L. Improving early detection, diagnosis and intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder: A cross-sectional survey in China. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2023; 142:104616. [PMID: 37820392 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2023.104616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Detection and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are prerequisites for early interventions. However, few studies focused on this topic. AIM This study aims to characterize the timing from symptom detection to intervention in children with ASD and identify predictors of age at ASD diagnosis, presence of intervention, and the time lag between detection and diagnosis. METHODS AND PROCEDURES A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 303 parents (111 fathers and 192 mothers, 21-54 years) of children with ASD in Guangzhou, China. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS The median time from symptom observation to the first doctor visit was 3 months, while the time to ASD diagnosis averaged 6 months. Most children (76.24 %) were diagnosed within one year after detection, and 25.58 % had no intervention after diagnosis. Predictors of earlier ASD diagnosis included ASD-related symptoms identified at an older age, less serious symptoms, and initial symptoms with atypical motor development and sensory anomalies. ASD-related symptoms observed at an older age, initial symptoms with social deficits, sensory anomalies, and without language impairment, primary caregivers other than parents, families with lower income, and less social support utilization increased the odds of a time lag between detection and diagnosis. Children with fathers having lower education were less likely to receive interventions. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Earlier ASD identification and intervention might be facilitated by health education on typical symptoms of ASD for parents with young children and incorporating ASD screening during routine health examinations for children. For children whose primary caregivers are not their parents and from lower-income families, additional support may be required for timely diagnosis after reporting ASD-related symptoms. Moreover, more intervention supports are expected for children whose fathers have lower education levels. Helping families take full advantage of support is also important for early diagnosis and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushen Dai
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Deng
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Miaoying Chen
- Child Development and Behavior Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University Lingnan Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baoqin Huang
- Child Development and Behavior Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University Lingnan Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Ji
- Child Development and Behavior Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University Lingnan Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongshen Feng
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaofei Liu
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongmei Zhong
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, China
| | - Lifeng Zhang
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Feng Y, Chen F, Ma J, Wang L, Peng G. Production of Mandarin consonant aspiration and monophthongs in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. CLINICAL LINGUISTICS & PHONETICS 2023; 37:899-918. [PMID: 35848409 DOI: 10.1080/02699206.2022.2099302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Impaired speech sound production adds difficulties to social communication in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), while a limited attempt has been made to figure out the speech sound production among Mandarin-speaking children with ASD. The current study conducted both auditory-perceptual scoring and quantitative acoustic analysis of speech sound imitated by 27 Mandarin-speaking children with ASD (3.33-7.00 years) and 30 chronological-age-matched typically developing (TD) children. Auditory-perceptual scoring showed significantly lower scores for aspirated/unaspirated consonants and monophthongs in children with ASD. Moreover, the correlation between the developmental age of language and production accuracy in children with ASD emphasised the importance of language assessment. The quantitative acoustic analysis further indicated that the ASD group produced a much shorter voice onset time for aspirated consonants and showed a reduced vowel space than the TD group. Early interventions focusing on these production patterns should be introduced to improve the speech sound production in Mandarin-speaking children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Feng
- School of Foreign Studies, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China
- Research Centre for Language, Cognition, and Neuroscience, Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Fei Chen
- School of Foreign Languages, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Junzhou Ma
- School of Foreign Languages, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Gang Peng
- Research Centre for Language, Cognition, and Neuroscience, Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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Chen HB, Warrington R, Mandy W, Yang F, Tang Y, Yang JJ, Li A, Lin YQ, Xu MZ, Jia FJ, Hou CL. Validation of the developmental, dimensional and diagnostic interview -short version (3Di-sv) for diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in Chinese children. Asian J Psychiatr 2023; 88:103733. [PMID: 37597345 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric features of the Chinese version of the developmental dimensional diagnostic interview-short version (3Di-sv). A total sample of 138 children including 79 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 59 typically developing children completed the 3Di-sv interview. The Chinese version of the 3Di-sv has a good internal consistency (0.94). Test-retest analysis confirmed the instrument's time stability (0.89). The instrument's concurrent validity with the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and clinical diagnosis was verified; the correlation between total scores was 0.72, 0.82 and 0.90, respectively. The 3Di-sv significantly distinguished between autistic children and non-autistic children in every area of autism symptoms. Optimal cutoffs were derived using receiver operating characteristics curves. Using clinical diagnosis as criterion, overall sensitivity was 98 % and specificity was 90 %. The study determined that the Chinese version of 3Di-sv can well distinguish autistic children from typically developing children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Bei Chen
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China; Guangdong Mental Health Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Richard Warrington
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, UCL, London, UK
| | - William Mandy
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Fan Yang
- Guangdong Mental Health Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Yi Tang
- Guangdong Mental Health Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Jing-Jing Yang
- Guangdong Mental Health Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Ai Li
- Shantou University Mental Health Center, Shantou, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Yong-Qiang Lin
- Guangdong Mental Health Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Ming-Zhi Xu
- Guangdong Mental Health Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Fu-Jun Jia
- Guangdong Mental Health Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Cai-Lan Hou
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China; Guangdong Mental Health Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China.
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Sun Z, Yuan Y, Dong X, Liu Z, Cai K, Cheng W, Wu J, Qiao Z, Chen A. Supervised machine learning: A new method to predict the outcomes following exercise intervention in children with autism spectrum disorder. Int J Clin Health Psychol 2023; 23:100409. [PMID: 37711468 PMCID: PMC10498172 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2023.100409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The individual differences among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may make it challenging to achieve comparable benefits from a specific exercise intervention program. A new method for predicting the possible outcomes and maximizing the benefits of exercise intervention for children with ASD needs further exploration. Using the mini-basketball training program (MBTP) studies to improve the symptom performance of children with ASD as an example, we used the supervised machine learning method to predict the possible intervention outcomes based on the individual differences of children with ASD, investigated and validated the efficacy of this method. In a long-term study, we included 41 ASD children who received the MBTP. Before the intervention, we collected their clinical information, behavioral factors, and brain structural indicators as candidate factors. To perform the regression and classification tasks, the random forest algorithm from the supervised machine learning method was selected, and the cross validation method was used to determine the reliability of the prediction results. The regression task was used to predict the social communication impairment outcome following the MBTP in children with ASD, and explainable variance was used to evaluate the predictive performance. The classification task was used to distinguish the core symptom outcome groups of ASD children, and predictive performance was assessed based on accuracy. We discovered that random forest models could predict the outcome of social communication impairment (average explained variance was 30.58%) and core symptom (average accuracy was 66.12%) following the MBTP, confirming that the supervised machine learning method can predict exercise intervention outcomes for children with ASD. Our findings provide a novel and reliable method for identifying ASD children most likely to benefit from a specific exercise intervention program in advance and a solid foundation for establishing a personalized exercise intervention program recommendation system for ASD children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Sun
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Institute of Sports, Exercise and Brain, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Yunhao Yuan
- School of Information Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Dong
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Institute of Sports, Exercise and Brain, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Zhimei Liu
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Institute of Sports, Exercise and Brain, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Kelong Cai
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Institute of Sports, Exercise and Brain, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Institute of Sports, Exercise and Brain, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Jingjing Wu
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Institute of Sports, Exercise and Brain, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Zhiyuan Qiao
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Institute of Sports, Exercise and Brain, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
| | - Aiguo Chen
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Institute of Sports, Exercise and Brain, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Nanjing Institute of Physical Education, Nanjing 210014, China
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Yuan B, Wang M, Wu X, Cheng P, Zhang R, Zhang R, Yu S, Zhang J, Du Y, Wang X, Qiu Z. Identification of de novo Mutations in the Chinese Autism Spectrum Disorder Cohort via Whole-Exome Sequencing Unveils Brain Regions Implicated in Autism. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1469-1480. [PMID: 36881370 PMCID: PMC10533446 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01037-6] [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: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interactions and repetitive behaviors. Although hundreds of ASD risk genes, implicated in synaptic formation and transcriptional regulation, have been identified through human genetic studies, the East Asian ASD cohorts are still under-represented in genome-wide genetic studies. Here, we applied whole-exome sequencing to 369 ASD trios including probands and unaffected parents of Chinese origin. Using a joint-calling analytical pipeline based on GATK toolkits, we identified numerous de novo mutations including 55 high-impact variants and 165 moderate-impact variants, as well as de novo copy number variations containing known ASD-related genes. Importantly, combined with single-cell sequencing data from the developing human brain, we found that the expression of genes with de novo mutations was specifically enriched in the pre-, post-central gyrus (PRC, PC) and banks of the superior temporal (BST) regions in the human brain. By further analyzing the brain imaging data with ASD and healthy controls, we found that the gray volume of the right BST in ASD patients was significantly decreased compared to healthy controls, suggesting the potential structural deficits associated with ASD. Finally, we found a decrease in the seed-based functional connectivity between BST/PC/PRC and sensory areas, the insula, as well as the frontal lobes in ASD patients. This work indicated that combinatorial analysis with genome-wide screening, single-cell sequencing, and brain imaging data reveal the brain regions contributing to the etiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yuan
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Mengdi Wang
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xinran Wu
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Peipei Cheng
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ran Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ran Zhang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shunying Yu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Yasong Du
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Xiaoqun Wang
- Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Zilong Qiu
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201600, China.
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Faraji R, Ganji Z, Zamanpour SA, Nikparast F, Akbari-Lalimi H, Zare H. Impaired white matter integrity in infants and young children with autism spectrum disorder: What evidence does diffusion tensor imaging provide? Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2023; 335:111711. [PMID: 37741094 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2023.111711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal functional connections are associated with impaired white matter tract integrity in the brain. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a promising method for evaluating white matter integrity in infants and young children. This work aims to shed light on the location and nature of the decrease in white matter integrity. METHODS Here, the results of 19 studies have been presented that investigated white matter integrity in infants and young children (6 months to 12 years) with autism using diffusion tensor imaging. RESULTS In most of the reviewed studies, an increase in Fractional Anisotropy (FA) and a decrease in Radial Diffusivity (RD) were reported in Corpus Callosum (CC), Uncinate Fasciculus (UF), Cingulum (Cg), Inferior Longitudinal Fasciculus (ILF), and Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus (SLF), and in the Inferior Fronto-Occipital Fasciculus (IFOF) tract, a decrease in FA and an increase in RD were reported. CONCLUSION In the reviewed articles, except for one study, the diffusion indices were different compared to the control group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reyhane Faraji
- Medical Physics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Zohreh Ganji
- Medical Physics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Amir Zamanpour
- Medical Physics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Nikparast
- Medical Physics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hossein Akbari-Lalimi
- Medical Physics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hoda Zare
- Medical Physics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Chu L, Shen L, Ma C, Chen J, Tian Y, Zhang C, Gong Z, Li M, Wang C, Pan L, Zhu P, Wu D, Wang Y, Yu G. Effects of a Nonwearable Digital Therapeutic Intervention on Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorder in China: Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e45836. [PMID: 37616029 PMCID: PMC10485722 DOI: 10.2196/45836] [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: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can cause difficulty with communication and social interactions as well as complicated family dynamics. Digital health interventions can reduce treatment costs and promote healthy lifestyle changes. These therapies can be adjunctive or replace traditional treatments. However, issues with cooperation and compliance prevent preschool patients with ASD from applying these tools. In this open-label, randomized controlled trial, we developed a nonwearable digital therapy called virtual reality-incorporated cognitive behavioral therapy (VR-CBT). OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the adjunctive function of VR-CBT by comparing the effects of VR-CBT plus learning style profile (LSP) intervention with those of LSP-only intervention in preschool children with ASD. METHODS This trial was performed in China on 78 preschool children (age 3-6 years, IQ>70) diagnosed with ASD who were randomized to receive a 20-week VR-CBT plus LSP intervention (intervention group, 39/78, 50%) or LSP intervention only (control group, 39/78, 50%). The primary outcome was the change of scores from baseline to week 20, assessed by using the parent-rated Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). Secondary outcomes included the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV), and behavioral performance data (accuracy and reaction time) in go/no-go tasks. All primary and secondary outcomes were analyzed in the intention-to-treat population. RESULTS After the intervention, there was an intervention effect on total ABC (β=-5.528; P<.001) and CARS scores (β=-1.365; P=.02). A similar trend was observed in the ABC subscales: sensory (β=-1.133; P=.047), relating (β=-1.512; P=.03), body and object use (β=-1.211; P=.03), and social and self-help (β=-1.593; P=.03). The intervention also showed statistically significant effects in improving behavioral performance (go/no-go task, accuracy, β=2.923; P=.04). Moreover, a significant improvement of ADHD hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms was observed in 53 children with comorbid ADHD based on ADHD-RS-IV (β=-1.269; P=.02). No statistically significant intervention effect was detected in the language subscale of ABC (β=-.080; P=.83). Intervention group girls had larger improvements in ABC subscales, that is, sensory and body and object use and in the CARS score and accuracy of go/no-go task (all P<.05) than the control group girls. Statistically significant intervention effects could be observed in hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms in the intervention group boys with comorbid ADHD compared with those in the control group boys (β=-1.333; P=.03). CONCLUSIONS We found potentially positive effects of nonwearable digital therapy plus LSP on core symptoms associated with ASD, leading to a modest improvement in the function of sensory, motor, and response inhibition, while reducing impulsivity and hyperactivity in preschoolers with both ASD and ADHD. VR-CBT was found to be an effective and feasible adjunctive digital tool. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100053165; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=137016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liting Chu
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Shen
- Clinical Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenhuan Ma
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinjin Chen
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuncao Zhang
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zilan Gong
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengfan Li
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengjie Wang
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lizhu Pan
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peiying Zhu
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Danmai Wu
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangjun Yu
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
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Jiang Y, Dang W, Nie H, Kong X, Jiang Z, Guo J. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or vitamin D in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1238973. [PMID: 37654990 PMCID: PMC10466790 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1238973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
This systematic review aims to offer an updated understanding of the relationship between omega-3 supplementation and/or vitamin D and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, Vip, CNKI, Wanfang, China Biomedical Database databases were searched using keywords, and relevant literature was hand-searched. Papers (n = 1,151) were systematically screened and deemed eligible since 2002. Twenty clinical controlled studies were included in the final review. The findings were analyzed for intervention effects focusing on the core symptoms of ASD, included social functioning, behavioral functioning, speech function and biomarkers changes. The review found that the effects of omega-3 supplementation on ASD were too weak to conclude that core symptoms were alleviated. Vitamin D supplementation improved core symptoms, particularly behavioral functioning, however, the results of the literatures included in this study were slightly mixed, we cannot directly conclude that vitamin D supplementation has a beneficial effect on a specific symptom of ASD, but the overall conclusion is that vitamin D supplementation has a positive effect on behavioral functioning in ASD. Omega-3 and vitamin D combination supplementation has a good combined effect on social and behavioral outcomes in patients with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Jiang
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Wenjun Dang
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Hong Nie
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xiangying Kong
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Zhimei Jiang
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jin Guo
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang, China
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49
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刘 贤, 郭 程, 邹 明, 冯 芳, 梁 思, 陈 文, 武 丽. [Association between maternal gestational diabetes mellitus and the risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring]. ZHONGGUO DANG DAI ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PEDIATRICS 2023; 25:818-823. [PMID: 37668029 PMCID: PMC10484079 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2301021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the association between maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) exposure and the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. METHODS A case-control study was conducted, recruiting 221 children with ASD and 400 healthy children as controls. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect information on general characteristics of the children, socio-economic characteristics of the family, maternal pregnancy history, and maternal disease exposure during pregnancy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between maternal GDM exposure and the development of ASD in offspring. The potential interaction between offspring gender and maternal GDM exposure on the development of ASD in offspring was explored. RESULTS The proportion of maternal GDM was significantly higher in the ASD group compared to the control group (16.3% vs 9.4%, P=0.014). After adjusting for variables such as gender, gestational age, mode of delivery, parity, and maternal education level, maternal GDM exposure was a risk factor for ASD in offspring (OR=2.18, 95%CI: 1.04-4.54, P=0.038). On the basis of adjusting the above variables, after further adjusting the variables including prenatal intake of multivitamins, folic acid intake in the first three months of pregnancy, and assisted reproduction the result trend did not change, but no statistical significance was observed (OR=1.94, 95%CI: 0.74-5.11, P=0.183). There was an interaction between maternal GDM exposure and offspring gender on the development of ASD in offspring (P<0.001). Gender stratified analysis showed that only in male offspring of mothers with GDM, the risk of ASD was significantly increased (OR=3.67, 95%CI: 1.16-11.65, P=0.027). CONCLUSIONS Maternal GDM exposure might increase the risk of ASD in offspring. There is an interaction between GDM exposure and offspring gender in the development of ASD in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- 贤 刘
- 广州医科大学附属妇女儿童医疗中心/广东省儿童健康与疾病临床医学研究中心出生队列, 广东广州510623
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50
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Liu NH, Liu HQ, Zheng JY, Zhu ML, Wu LH, Pan HF, He XX. Fresh Washed Microbiota Transplantation Alters Gut Microbiota Metabolites to Ameliorate Sleeping Disorder Symptom of Autistic Children. J Microbiol 2023; 61:741-753. [PMID: 37665552 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-023-00069-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating studies have raised concerns about gut dysbiosis associating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its related symptoms. However, the effect of gut microbiota modification on the Chinese ASD population and its underlying mechanism were still elusive. Herein, we enrolled 24 ASD children to perform the first course of fresh washed microbiota transplantation (WMT), 18 patients decided to participate the second course, 13 of which stayed to participate the third course, and there were 8 patients at the fourth course. Then we evaluated the effects of fresh WMT on these patients and their related symptoms. Our results found that the sleeping disorder symptom was positively interrelated to ASD, fresh WMT significantly alleviated ASD and its sleeping disorder and constipation symptoms. In addition, WMT stably and continuously downregulated Bacteroides/Flavonifractor/Parasutterella while upregulated Prevotella_9 to decrease toxic metabolic production and improve detoxification by regulating glycolysis/myo-inositol/D-glucuronide/D-glucarate degradation, L-1,2-propanediol degradation, fatty acid β-oxidation. Thus, our results suggested that fresh WMT moderated gut microbiome to improve the behavioral and sleeping disorder symptoms of ASD via decrease toxic metabolic production and improve detoxification. Which thus provides a promising gut ecological strategy for ASD children and its related symptoms treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nai-Hua Liu
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China
- Key Specialty of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Nonglin Down Street 19, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Qian Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Research Center for Engineering Techniques of Microbiota-Targeted Therapies of Guangdong Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Nonglin Down Street 19, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Yi Zheng
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng-Lu Zhu
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Hao Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Research Center for Engineering Techniques of Microbiota-Targeted Therapies of Guangdong Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Nonglin Down Street 19, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua-Feng Pan
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xing-Xiang He
- Key Specialty of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Nonglin Down Street 19, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Gastroenterology, Research Center for Engineering Techniques of Microbiota-Targeted Therapies of Guangdong Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Nonglin Down Street 19, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.
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