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Autistic-like behavioral effects of prenatal stress in juvenile Fmr1 mice: the relevance of sex differences and gene-environment interactions. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7269. [PMID: 35508566 PMCID: PMC9068699 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11083-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most common heritable form of mental retardation and monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). FXS is due to a mutation in the X-linked FMR1 gene and is characterized by motor, cognitive and social alterations, mostly overlapping with ASD behavioral phenotypes. The severity of these symptoms and their timing may be exacerbated and/or advanced by environmental adversity interacting with the genetic mutation. We therefore tested the effects of the prenatal exposure to unpredictable chronic stress on the behavioral phenotype of juveniles of both sexes in the Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mouse model of FXS. Mice underwent behavioral tests at 7-8 weeks of age, that is, when most of the relevant behavioral alterations are absent or mild in Fmr1-KOs. Stress induced the early appearance of deficits in spontaneous alternation in KO male mice, without exacerbating the behavioral phenotype of mutant females. In males stress also altered social interaction and communication, but mostly in WT mice, while in females it induced effects on locomotion and communication in mice of both genotypes. Our data therefore highlight the sex-dependent relevance of early environmental stressors to interact with genetic factors to influence the appearance of selected FXS- and ASD-like phenotypes.
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Abbeduto L, Thurman AJ, McDuffie A, Klusek J, Feigles RT, Ted Brown W, Harvey DJ, Adayev T, LaFauci G, Dobkins C, Roberts JE. ASD Comorbidity in Fragile X Syndrome: Symptom Profile and Predictors of Symptom Severity in Adolescent and Young Adult Males. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 49:960-977. [PMID: 30382442 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3796-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Many males with FXS meet criteria for ASD. This study was designed to (1) describe ASD symptoms in adolescent and young adult males with FXS (n = 44) and (2) evaluate the contributions to ASD severity of cognitive, language, and psychiatric factors, as well as FMRP (the protein deficient in FXS). A few ASD symptoms on the ADOS-2 were universal in the sample. There was less impairment in restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRB) than in the social affective (SA) domain. The best predictor of overall ASD severity and SA severity was expressive syntactic ability. RRB severity was best predicted by the psychiatric factors. Implications for clinical practice and for understanding the ASD comorbidity in FXS are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Abbeduto
- University of California, Davis, USA. .,UC Davis MIND Institute, 2825 50th St, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | - W Ted Brown
- New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, USA
| | | | - Tatyana Adayev
- New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, USA
| | - Giuseppe LaFauci
- New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, USA
| | - Carl Dobkins
- New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, USA
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Schmitt LM, Shaffer RC, Hessl D, Erickson C. Executive Function in Fragile X Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Brain Sci 2019; 9:E15. [PMID: 30654486 PMCID: PMC6356760 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Executive function (EF) supports goal-directed behavior and includes key aspects such as working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, attention, processing speed, and planning. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading inherited monogenic cause of intellectual disability and is phenotypically characterized by EF deficits beyond what is expected given general cognitive impairments. Yet, a systematic review of behavioral studies using performance-based measures is needed to provide a summary of EF deficits across domains in males and females with FXS, discuss clinical and biological correlates of these EF deficits, identify critical limitations in available research, and offer suggestions for future studies in this area. Ultimately, this review aims to advance our understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to EF in FXS and to inform the development of outcome measures of EF and identification of new treatment targets in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Schmitt
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
| | - Rebecca C Shaffer
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
| | - David Hessl
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Craig Erickson
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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Dimolareva M, Gee NR, Pfeffer K, Maréchal L, Pennington K, Meints K. Measuring Cortisol in the Classroom with School-Aged Children-A Systematic Review and Recommendations. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15051025. [PMID: 29783677 PMCID: PMC5982064 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15051025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The collection of salivary cortisol has been chosen as one of the least intrusive, easiest to collect, analyze, and store methods of obtaining information on physiological changes. It is, however, not clear what the best practice is when collecting salivary cortisol from children within the school setting. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the feasibility of cortisol collection in schools for future research and to make recommendations for best practice. The review included 25 peer-reviewed articles from seven databases. The hypotheses of the included studies vary, but they all use cortisol as a diurnal, baseline, or acute measure, or to measure the effect of an intervention. Two methods of salivary cortisol collection were preferred by most of the research, i.e., passive drool or cotton Salivettes. The review has concluded that cortisol is a physiological marker that can be successfully measured in school-based research. However, there are discrepancies across studies when evaluating the collection guidelines, protocols, and instructions to participants as well as transparency of the success rate of obtaining all samples. Recommendations are made for future research to address and avoid such discrepancies and improve cross-study comparisons by implementing standard protocol guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirena Dimolareva
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Sarah Swift Building, 8 Brayford Wharf, Lincoln LN5 7AT, UK.
| | - Nancy R Gee
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York, Fredonia, NY 14063, USA.
- WALTHAM™ Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 4RT, UK.
| | - Karen Pfeffer
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Sarah Swift Building, 8 Brayford Wharf, Lincoln LN5 7AT, UK.
| | - Laëtitia Maréchal
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Sarah Swift Building, 8 Brayford Wharf, Lincoln LN5 7AT, UK.
| | - Kyla Pennington
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Sarah Swift Building, 8 Brayford Wharf, Lincoln LN5 7AT, UK.
| | - Kerstin Meints
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Sarah Swift Building, 8 Brayford Wharf, Lincoln LN5 7AT, UK.
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Conners FA, Tungate AS, Abbeduto L, Merrill EC, Faught GG. Growth and Decline in Language and Phonological Memory Over Two Years Among Adolescents With Down Syndrome. AMERICAN JOURNAL ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2018; 123:103-118. [PMID: 29480772 PMCID: PMC5858704 DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-123.2.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Forty-two adolescents with Down syndrome (DS) ages 10 to 21 years completed a battery of language and phonological memory measures twice, 2 years apart. Individual differences were highly stable across two years. Receptive vocabulary scores improved, there was no change in receptive or expressive grammar scores, and nonword repetition scores declined. Digit memory and expressive vocabulary scores improved among younger adolescents, but generally held steady among older adolescents. These patterns may reveal key points in development at which interventions may be best applied. Further research is needed to understand specific processes in tasks that appear to be slowing or declining during adolescence. They may be important for understanding early aging and dementia in DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances A Conners
- Frances A. Conners and Andrew S. Tungate, Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama
| | - Andrew S Tungate
- Frances A. Conners and Andrew S. Tungate, Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama
| | - Leonard Abbeduto
- Leonard Abbeduto, MIND Institute, and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of California, Davis
| | - Edward C Merrill
- Edward C. Merrill and Gayle G. Faught, Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama
| | - Gayle G Faught
- Edward C. Merrill and Gayle G. Faught, Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama
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Matherly SM, Klusek J, Thurman AJ, McDuffie A, Abbeduto L, Roberts JE. Cortisol profiles differentiated in adolescents and young adult males with fragile X syndrome versus autism spectrum disorder. Dev Psychobiol 2018; 60:78-89. [PMID: 29171019 PMCID: PMC5747975 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and non-syndromic autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are distinct disorders with overlapping behavioral features. Both disorders are also highly associated with anxiety with abnormal physiological regulation implied mechanistically. Some reports suggest atypical hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function, indexed via aberrant cortisol reactivity, in both FXS and non-syndromic ASD. However, no study has compared cortisol reactivity across these two disorders, or its relationship to ASD symptom severity. METHODS Cortisol reactivity (prior to and following a day of assessments) was measured in 54 adolescent/young adult males with FXS contrasted to 15 males with non-syndromic ASD who had low cognitive abilities. RESULTS Greater ASD symptom severity was related to increased cortisol reactivity and higher levels at the end of the day, but only in the non-syndromic ASD group. Elevated anxiety was associated with increased HPA activation in the group with FXS alone. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, findings suggest a unique neuroendocrine profile that distinguishes adolescent/young adult males with FXS from those with non-syndromic ASD. Severity of ASD symptoms appears to be related to cortisol reactivity in the non-syndromic ASD sample, but not in FXS; while anxiety symptoms are associated with HPA activation in the FXS sample, but not in ASD despite a high prevalence of ASD, anxiety and physiological dysregulation characteristic in both populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Matherly
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Jessica Klusek
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Angela J Thurman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Andrea McDuffie
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Leonard Abbeduto
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Jane E Roberts
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
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Behavioral effects of chronic stress in the Fmr1 mouse model for fragile X syndrome. Behav Brain Res 2017; 320:128-135. [PMID: 27939692 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.11.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a pervasive developmental disorder due to a mutation in the FMR1 X-linked gene. Despite its clear genetic cause, the expression of FXS symptoms is known to be modulated by environmental factors, including stress. Furthermore, several studies have shown disturbances in stress regulatory systems in FXS patients and Fmr1 mice. These studies have mostly focused on the hormonal responses to stress, using the acute exposure to a single type of stressor. Hence, little is known about the behavioral effects of stress in FXS, and the importance of the nature of the stressing procedure, especially in the context of a repeated exposure that more closely resembles real life conditions. Here we evaluated the effects of chronic exposure to different types of stress (i.e., either repeated restraint or unpredictable stress) on the behavioral phenotype of adult Fmr1 mice. Our results demonstrated that chronic stress induced deficits in social interaction and working memory only in WT mice and the impact of stress depended on the type of stressors and the specific behavior tested. Our data suggest that the behavioral sensitivity to stress is dramatically reduced in FXS, opening new views on the impact of gene-environment interactions in this pathology.
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Hardiman RL, Bratt A. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in Fragile X Syndrome and its relationship to behaviour: A systematic review. Physiol Behav 2016; 167:341-353. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Thorsell A, Nätt D. Maternal stress and diet may influence affective behavior and stress-response in offspring via epigenetic regulation of central peptidergic function. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2016; 2:dvw012. [PMID: 29492293 PMCID: PMC5804527 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvw012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
It has been shown that maternal stress and malnutrition, or experience of other adverse events, during the perinatal period may alter susceptibility in the adult offspring in a time-of-exposure dependent manner. The mechanism underlying this may be epigenetic in nature. Here, we summarize some recent findings on the effects on gene-regulation following maternal malnutrition, focusing on epigenetic regulation of peptidergic activity. Numerous neuropeptides within the central nervous system are crucial components in regulation of homeostatic energy-balance, as well as affective health (i.e. health events related to affective disorders, psychiatric disorders also referred to as mood disorders). It is becoming evident that expression, and function, of these neuropeptides can be regulated via epigenetic mechanisms during fetal development, thereby contributing to the development of the adult phenotype and, possibly, modulating disease susceptibility. Here, we focus on two such neuropeptides, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), both involved in regulation of endocrine function, energy homeostasis, as well as affective health. While a number of published studies indicate the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in CRH-dependent regulation of the offspring adult phenotype, NPY has been much less studied in this context and needs further work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Thorsell
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, SE 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Daniel Nätt
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, SE 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
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