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Weissenkampen JD, Ghorai A, Fasolino M, Gehringer B, Rajan M, Dow HC, Sebro R, Rader DJ, Keenan BT, Almasy L, Brodkin ES, Bucan M. Sleep and Activity Patterns in Autism Spectrum Disorder. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.02.592263. [PMID: 38766266 PMCID: PMC11100584 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.02.592263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heritable and heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interactions, repetitive behaviors, and a wide range of comorbidities. Between 44-83% of autistic individuals report sleep disturbances, which may share an underlying neurodevelopmental basis with ASD. Methods We recruited 382 ASD individuals and 223 of their family members to obtain quantitative ASD-related traits and wearable device-based accelerometer data spanning three consecutive weeks. An unbiased approach identifying traits associated with ASD was achieved by applying the elastic net machine learning algorithm with five-fold cross-validation on 6,878 days of data. The relationship between sleep and physical activity traits was examined through linear mixed-effects regressions using each night of data. Results This analysis yielded 59 out of 242 actimetry measures associated with ASD status in the training set, which were validated in a test set (AUC: 0.777). For several of these traits (e.g. total light physical activity), the day-to-day variability, in addition to the mean, was associated with ASD. Individuals with ASD were found to have a stronger correlation between physical activity and sleep, where less physical activity decreased their sleep more significantly than that of their non-ASD relatives. Conclusions The average duration of sleep/physical activity and the variation in the average duration of sleep/physical activity strongly predict ASD status. Physical activity measures were correlated with sleep quality, traits, and regularity, with ASD individuals having stronger correlations. Interventional studies are warranted to investigate whether improvements in both sleep and increased physical activity may improve the core symptoms of ASD.
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Hayat AA, Meny AH, Millman RF, Salahuddin N, Ahuja R, Sami W. The Intersection of Faith and Neurodiversity: Unraveling Religiosity in Autistic Adolescents-A Critical Review Analysis. Cureus 2024; 16:e61271. [PMID: 38947705 PMCID: PMC11212682 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61271] [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: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
This literature review aims to explore religiosity, faith, and related beliefs in autistic adolescents. The term religiosity was used interchangeably with various related concepts such as faith, spirituality, and religious beliefs, and a broader, multifaceted approach encompassing the cognitive, subjective, social, cultural, and emotional domains of religiosity is analyzed in this population subgroup. In alignment with the neurodiversity paradigm, this review endeavors to adopt an inclusive lens toward autism spectrum conditions, appreciating the spectrum of cognitive and behavioral differences and highlighting the importance of recognizing strengths and challenges alike, reflecting the nuanced discourse surrounding neurodiversity and autism spectrum conditions. However, terms such as "high-functioning autism" and "disorder" were used where needed to reflect the journals included in the review. A systematic search was conducted by accessing academic search engines such as APA PsycInfo, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycTests, and PubMed. Only peer-reviewed articles written in English and performed on human subjects were included using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Several recurring themes were identified from the 13 articles selected after review for relevance and quality. The most important finding was the association of different terminologies and features while exploring "religiosity in autism." Thirty-nine key themes were identified, which were grouped into six major themes. These were religious faith, spirituality, and its expression in autistic adolescents; religious behaviors and practices of autistic adolescents; cognition and religion in autistic teens; social and cultural influences on religiosity in autistic young ones; parents' and carers' influence, perspectives, and experiences about faith and spirituality on autistic adolescents; and perceived benefits of faith to autistic teens: parents and adolescent perspectives. Looking at the concept of religiosity and spirituality as a whole, it can be inferred from the available research included in this review that religiosity (cognitive abilities, behaviors, and experiences) in a subset of autistic adolescents (high-functioning autism) might not be significantly subdued as compared to neurotypical adolescents. However, there is not enough research to conclude the same or the opposite for autistic adolescents in general. When found, reserved religiosity could be attributed to a plethora of factors, and decreased mental ability or mentalization, empathy, or imagination did not seem to be the sole or primary predictors or contributors to religiosity. The role of culture, parents, carers, and religious affiliations was significant and might be a stronger contributor to religiosity and its expression than other previously argued predictors like mentalization. Many autistic teens and their carers regard religiosity and spirituality as essential domains in their and their children's lives, want their children to be given opportunities to be a part of religious groups and affiliations, and look forward to government, religious, and healthcare authorities actively supporting them in this domain. The findings call for policymakers, religious leaders, and stakeholders to devise strategies for inclusion and support for autistic adolescents. The possible role of religion as a resource and coping strategy for these children and their families is worth exploring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aalia A Hayat
- Department of Psychiatry, Maternity and Children Hospital, Makkah Al-Mukarramah, SAU
| | - Areej H Meny
- Department of Occupational Therapy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Ruth F Millman
- Department of Autism and Neurodiversity, New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling, London, GBR
| | - Nabila Salahuddin
- Community Pediatric Department, Provide Community Service, Essex, GBR
| | - Ricky Ahuja
- Autism Clinic, Independent Autism Service, London, GBR
| | - Waqas Sami
- Department of Pre-Clinical Affairs, College of Nursing, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, QAT
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Li Y, Dai W, Wang T, Wu Y, Dou F, Xing D. Visual surround suppression at the neural and perceptual levels. Cogn Neurodyn 2024; 18:741-756. [PMID: 38699623 PMCID: PMC11061091 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-023-10027-3] [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] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Surround suppression was initially identified as a phenomenon at the neural level in which stimuli outside the neuron's receptive field alone cannot activate responses but can modulate neural responses to stimuli covered inside the receptive field. Subsequent studies showed that surround suppression is not only a critical property of neurons across species and brain areas but also has been found in visual perceptions. More importantly, surround suppression varies across individuals and shows significant differences between normal controls and patients with certain mental disorders. Here, we combined results from related literature and summarized the findings derived from physiological and psychophysical evidence. We first outline the basic properties of surround suppression in the visual system and perceptions. Then, we mainly summarize the differences in perceptual surround suppression among different human subjects. Our review suggests that there is no consensus regarding whether the strength of perceptual surround suppression could be used as an effective index to distinguish particular populations. Then, we summarized the similar mechanisms for surround suppression and cognitive impairments to further explore the potential clinical applications of surround suppression. A clearer understanding of the mechanisms of surround suppression in neural responses and perceptions is necessary for facilitating its clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- School of Criminology, People’s Public Security University of China, Beijing, 100038 China
| | - Weifeng Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
| | - Tian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
| | - Yujie Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
| | - Fei Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
| | - Dajun Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
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Dionísio A, Espírito A, Pereira AC, Mouga S, d'Almeida OC, Oliveira G, Castelo-Branco M. Neurochemical differences in core regions of the autistic brain: a multivoxel 1H-MRS study in children. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2374. [PMID: 38287121 PMCID: PMC10824733 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52279-x] [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: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition which compromises various cognitive and behavioural domains. The understanding of the pathophysiology and molecular neurobiology of ASD is still an open critical research question. Here, we aimed to address ASD neurochemistry in the same time point at key regions that have been associated with its pathophysiology: the insula, hippocampus, putamen and thalamus. We conducted a multivoxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) study to non-invasively estimate the concentrations of total choline (GPC + PCh, tCho), total N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA + NAAG, tNAA) and Glx (Glu + Gln), presenting the results as ratios to total creatine while investigating replication for ratios to total choline as a secondary analysis. Twenty-two male children aged between 10 and 18 years diagnosed with ASD (none with intellectual disability, in spite of the expected lower IQ) and 22 age- and gender-matched typically developing (TD) controls were included. Aspartate ratios were significantly lower in the insula (tNAA/tCr: p = 0.010; tNAA/tCho: p = 0.012) and putamen (tNAA/tCr: p = 0.015) of ASD individuals in comparison with TD controls. The Glx ratios were significantly higher in the hippocampus of the ASD group (Glx/tCr: p = 0.027; Glx/tCho: p = 0.011). Differences in tNAA and Glx indices suggest that these metabolites might be neurochemical markers of region-specific atypical metabolism in ASD children, with a potential contribution for future advances in clinical monitoring and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Dionísio
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Espírito
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Andreia C Pereira
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Susana Mouga
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centro de Desenvolvimento da Criança, Unidade de Neurodesenvolvimento e Autismo, Hospital Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Otília C d'Almeida
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Guiomar Oliveira
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centro de Desenvolvimento da Criança, Unidade de Neurodesenvolvimento e Autismo, Hospital Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University Clinic of Pediatrics, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Johnson AJ, Shankland E, Richards T, Corrigan N, Shusterman D, Edden R, Estes A, St John T, Dager S, Kleinhans NM. Relationships between GABA, glutamate, and GABA/glutamate and social and olfactory processing in children with autism spectrum disorder. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2023; 336:111745. [PMID: 37956467 PMCID: PMC10841920 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2023.111745] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Theories of altered inhibitory/excitatory signaling in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suggest that gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) abnormalities may underlie social and sensory challenges in ASD. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure Glu and GABA+ levels in the amygdala-hippocampus region and cerebellum in autistic children (n = 30), a clinical control group with sensory abnormalities (SA) but not ASD (n = 30), and children with typical development (n = 37). All participants were clinically assessed using the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale-2, and the Child Sensory Profile-2. The Social Responsiveness Scale-2, Sniffin Sticks Threshold Test, and the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test were administered to assess social impairment and olfactory processing. Overall, autistic children showed increased cerebellar Glu levels compared to TYP children. Evidence for altered excitatory/inhibitory signaling in the cerebellum was more clear-cut when analyses were restricted to male participants. Further, lower cerebellar GABA+/Glu ratios were correlated to more severe social impairment in both autistic and SA males, suggesting that the cerebellum may play a transdiagnostic role in social impairment. Future studies of inhibitory/excitatory neural markers, powered to investigate the role of sex, may aid in parsing out disorder-specific neurochemical profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allegra J Johnson
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, USA; Integrated Brain Imaging Center (IBIC), University of Washington, Box 357115, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Todd Richards
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, USA; Integrated Brain Imaging Center (IBIC), University of Washington, Box 357115, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Neva Corrigan
- Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD), University of Washington, USA
| | - Dennis Shusterman
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Richard Edden
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA; F.M. Kirby Center for Functional MRI, Kennedy Krieger Institute, USA
| | - Annette Estes
- Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD), University of Washington, USA; Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, USA; University of Washington Autism Center, USA
| | - Tanya St John
- University of Washington Autism Center, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Stephen Dager
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, USA; Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD), University of Washington, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Washington, USA
| | - Natalia M Kleinhans
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, USA; Integrated Brain Imaging Center (IBIC), University of Washington, Box 357115, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD), University of Washington, USA.
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Plueckebaum H, Meyer L, Beck AK, Menn KH. The developmental trajectory of functional excitation-inhibition balance relates to language abilities in autistic and allistic children. Autism Res 2023; 16:1681-1692. [PMID: 37493078 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that has been related to an overall imbalance between the brain's excitatory (E) and inhibitory (I) systems. Such an EI imbalance can lead to structural and functional cortical deviances and thus alter information processing in the brain, ultimately giving rise to autism traits. However, the developmental trajectory of EI imbalances across childhood and adolescence has not been investigated yet. Therefore, its relationship to autism traits is not well understood. In the present study, we determined a functional measure of the EI balance (f-EIB) from resting-state electrophysiological recordings for a final sample of 92 autistic children from 6 to 17 years of age and 100 allistic (i.e., non-autistic) children matched by age, sex, and nonverbal-IQ. We related the developmental trajectory of f-EIB to behavioral assessments of autism traits as well as language ability. Our results revealed differential EI trajectories for autistic compared to allistic children. Importantly, the developmental trajectory of f-EIB values related to individual language ability. In particular, elevated excitability in late childhood and early adolescence was linked to decreased listening comprehension. Our findings provide evidence against a general EI imbalance in autistic children when correcting for non-verbal IQ. Instead, we show that the developmental trajectory of EI balance shares variance with autism trait development at a specific age range. This is consistent with the proposal that the late development of inhibitory brain activity is a key substrate of autism traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Plueckebaum
- Research Group Language Cycles, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Center for Cognitive Science, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Lars Meyer
- Research Group Language Cycles, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Clinic for Phoniatrics and Pedaudiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Beck
- Center for Cognitive Science, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Katharina H Menn
- Research Group Language Cycles, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Neuropsychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School on Neuroscience of Communication: Function, Structure, and Plasticity, Leipzig, Germany
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Du Y, Chen L, Yan MC, Wang YL, Zhong XL, Xv CX, Li YB, Cheng Y. Neurometabolite levels in the brains of patients with autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies (N = 1501). Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3092-3103. [PMID: 37117459 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02079-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that neurometabolite alterations may be involved in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We performed a meta-analysis of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) studies to examine the neurometabolite levels in the brains of patients with ASD. A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science identified 54 studies for the meta-analysis. A random-effects meta-analysis demonstrated that compared with the healthy controls, patients with ASD had lower N-acetyl-aspartate-containing compound (NAA) and choline-containing compound (Cho) levels and NAA/(creatine-containing compound) Cr ratios in the gray matter and lower NAA and glutamate + glutamine (Glx) levels in the white matter. Furthermore, NAA and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels, NAA/Cr ratios, and GABA/Cr ratios were significantly decreased in the frontal cortex of patients with ASD, whereas glutamate (Glu) levels were increased in the prefrontal cortex. Additionally, low NAA levels and GABA/Cr ratios in the temporal cortex, low NAA levels and NAA/Cr ratios in the parietal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices, and low NAA levels in the cerebellum and occipital cortex were observed in patients with ASD. Meta-regression analysis revealed that age was positively associated with effect size in studies analyzing the levels of gray matter NAA and white matter Glx. Taken together, these results provide strong clinical evidence that neurometabolite alterations in specific brain regions are associated with ASD and age is a confounding factor for certain neurometabolite levels in patients with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Du
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Mei-Chen Yan
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Li Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Chen-Xi Xv
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yao-Bo Li
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.
- Institute of National Security, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Research, Prevention, and Treatment (Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health-Care Hospital), Changsha, Hunan, China.
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8
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Perdue MV, DeMayo MM, Bell TK, Boudes E, Bagshawe M, Harris AD, Lebel C. Changes in brain metabolite levels across childhood. Neuroimage 2023; 274:120087. [PMID: 37080345 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120087] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolites play important roles in brain development and their levels change rapidly in the prenatal period and during infancy. Metabolite levels are thought to stabilize during childhood, but the development of neurochemistry across early-middle childhood remains understudied. We examined the developmental changes of key metabolites (total N-acetylaspartate, tNAA; total choline, tCho; total creatine, tCr; glutamate+glutamine, Glx; and myo-inositol, mI) using short echo-time magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the left temporo-parietal cortex (LTP) using a mixed cross-sectional/longitudinal design in children aged 2-11 years (ACC: N=101 children, 112 observations; LTP: N=95 children, 318 observations). We found age-related effects for all metabolites. tNAA increased with age in both regions, while tCho decreased with age in both regions. tCr increased with age in the LTP only, and mI decreased with age in the ACC only. Glx did not show linear age effects in either region, but a follow-up analysis in only participants with ≥3 datapoints in the LTP revealed a quadratic effect of age following an inverted U-shape. These substantial changes in neurochemistry throughout childhood likely underlie various processes of structural and functional brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meaghan V Perdue
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary
| | - Marilena M DeMayo
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary; Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education; Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary
| | - Tiffany K Bell
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary
| | | | - Mercedes Bagshawe
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute; Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary
| | - Ashley D Harris
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary
| | - Catherine Lebel
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary.
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Maier S, Düppers AL, Runge K, Dacko M, Lange T, Fangmeier T, Riedel A, Ebert D, Endres D, Domschke K, Perlov E, Nickel K, Tebartz van Elst L. Increased prefrontal GABA concentrations in adults with autism spectrum disorders. Autism Res 2022; 15:1222-1236. [PMID: 35587691 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The excitatory-inhibitory imbalance hypothesis postulates dysregulation of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) neurotransmitter systems as a common underlying deficit in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Previous studies suggest an important role of these systems in the pathophysiology of ASD, including a study of our group reporting decreased glutamate concentrations in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of adults with ASD. The aim of this study was to replicate our previous findings of impaired glutamate metabolism in ASD in a new sample and to additionally quantify GABA in the ACC and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). Concentrations of GABA and glutamate-glutamine (Glx; combined glutamate and glutamine signal) were quantified in the ACC and dlPFC of 43 adults with ASD and 43 neurotypical controls (NTC) by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The ASD group showed increased absolute GABA concentrations and elevated GABA/creatine ratios in the left dlPFC compared to NTC, while no group differences were detected in the pregenual and dorsal ACC. Previous findings of altered Glx concentration in the pregenual ACC of the ASD group could not be replicated. Regarding Glx concentrations and Glx/creatine ratios, there were no significant differences in the dlPFC and ACC either. The study supports the hypothesis of an altered GABA and glutamate equilibrium, indicating an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory metabolism in ASD patients. However, inconsistent results across studies and brain regions suggest a complex underlying phenomenon. LAY SUMMARY: Adults of the autism spectrum exhibit elevated levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This finding supports the hypothesis of an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory equilibrium in patients with autism spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Maier
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Kimon Runge
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Dacko
- Department of Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Lange
- Department of Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Fangmeier
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Riedel
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Luzerner Psychiatrie, Ambulante Dienste, Luzern, Switzerland
| | - Dieter Ebert
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dominique Endres
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Center for Basics in Neuromodulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Evgeniy Perlov
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Clinic for Psychiatry Luzern, Hospital St. Urban, St. Urban, Switzerland
| | - Kathrin Nickel
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ludger Tebartz van Elst
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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10
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Nisar S, Bhat AA, Masoodi T, Hashem S, Akhtar S, Ali TA, Amjad S, Chawla S, Bagga P, Frenneaux MP, Reddy R, Fakhro K, Haris M. Genetics of glutamate and its receptors in autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:2380-2392. [PMID: 35296811 PMCID: PMC9135628 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01506-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental impairment characterized by deficits in social interaction skills, impaired communication, and repetitive and restricted behaviors that are thought to be due to altered neurotransmission processes. The amino acid glutamate is an essential excitatory neurotransmitter in the human brain that regulates cognitive functions such as learning and memory, which are usually impaired in ASD. Over the last several years, increasing evidence from genetics, neuroimaging, protein expression, and animal model studies supporting the notion of altered glutamate metabolism has heightened the interest in evaluating glutamatergic dysfunction in ASD. Numerous pharmacological, behavioral, and imaging studies have demonstrated the imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, thus revealing the involvement of the glutamatergic system in ASD pathology. Here, we review the effects of genetic alterations on glutamate and its receptors in ASD and the role of non-invasive imaging modalities in detecting these changes. We also highlight the potential therapeutic targets associated with impaired glutamatergic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabah Nisar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tariq Masoodi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sheema Hashem
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sabah Akhtar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tayyiba Akbar Ali
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sara Amjad
- Shibli National College, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, 276001, India
| | - Sanjeev Chawla
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Puneet Bagga
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Michael P Frenneaux
- Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ravinder Reddy
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Khalid Fakhro
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, P.O. Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar.
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Laboratory of Animal Research, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
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11
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Marafi D, Fatih JM, Kaiyrzhanov R, Ferla MP, Gijavanekar C, Al-Maraghi A, Liu N, Sites E, Alsaif HS, Al-Owain M, Zakkariah M, El-Anany E, Guliyeva U, Guliyeva S, Gaba C, Haseeb A, Alhashem AM, Danish E, Karageorgou V, Beetz C, Subhi AA, Mullegama SV, Torti E, Sebastin M, Breilyn MS, Duberstein S, Abdel-Hamid MS, Mitani T, Du H, Rosenfeld JA, Jhangiani SN, Coban Akdemir Z, Gibbs RA, Taylor JC, Fakhro KA, Hunter JV, Pehlivan D, Zaki MS, Gleeson JG, Maroofian R, Houlden H, Posey JE, Sutton VR, Alkuraya FS, Elsea SH, Lupski JR. Biallelic variants in SLC38A3 encoding a glutamine transporter cause epileptic encephalopathy. Brain 2022; 145:909-924. [PMID: 34605855 PMCID: PMC9050560 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The solute carrier (SLC) superfamily encompasses >400 transmembrane transporters involved in the exchange of amino acids, nutrients, ions, metals, neurotransmitters and metabolites across biological membranes. SLCs are highly expressed in the mammalian brain; defects in nearly 100 unique SLC-encoding genes (OMIM: https://www.omim.org) are associated with rare Mendelian disorders including developmental and epileptic encephalopathy and severe neurodevelopmental disorders. Exome sequencing and family-based rare variant analyses on a cohort with neurodevelopmental disorders identified two siblings with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy and a shared deleterious homozygous splicing variant in SLC38A3. The gene encodes SNAT3, a sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter and a principal transporter of the amino acids asparagine, histidine, and glutamine, the latter being the precursor for the neurotransmitters GABA and glutamate. Additional subjects with a similar developmental and epileptic encephalopathy phenotype and biallelic predicted-damaging SLC38A3 variants were ascertained through GeneMatcher and collaborations with research and clinical molecular diagnostic laboratories. Untargeted metabolomic analysis was performed to identify novel metabolic biomarkers. Ten individuals from seven unrelated families from six different countries with deleterious biallelic variants in SLC38A3 were identified. Global developmental delay, intellectual disability, hypotonia, and absent speech were common features while microcephaly, epilepsy, and visual impairment were present in the majority. Epilepsy was drug-resistant in half. Metabolomic analysis revealed perturbations of glutamate, histidine, and nitrogen metabolism in plasma, urine, and CSF of selected subjects, potentially representing biomarkers of disease. Our data support the contention that SLC38A3 is a novel disease gene for developmental and epileptic encephalopathy and illuminate the likely pathophysiology of the disease as perturbations in glutamine homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Marafi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, 13110 Safat, Kuwait
- Correspondence to: Dana Marafi, MD, MSc Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University P.O. Box 24923, 13110 Safat, Kuwait E-mail:
| | - Jawid M Fatih
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rauan Kaiyrzhanov
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Matteo P Ferla
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford OX4 2PG, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Charul Gijavanekar
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Baylor Genetics Laboratory, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Ning Liu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Baylor Genetics Laboratory, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Emily Sites
- Division of Molecular and Human Genetics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Hessa S Alsaif
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Al-Owain
- Department of Medical Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University 11533, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Zakkariah
- Section of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Al-adan Hospital, Riqqa, Kuwait
| | - Ehab El-Anany
- Section of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Al-adan Hospital, Riqqa, Kuwait
| | | | | | - Colette Gaba
- Department of Pediatrics, Bon Secours Mercy Health, Toledo, OH 43608, USA
| | - Ateeq Haseeb
- Mercy Children’s Hospital, Toledo, OH 43608, USA
| | - Amal M Alhashem
- Division of Medical Genetic and Metabolic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Medical Military City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Enam Danish
- Department of Ophthalmology, King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Alaa A Subhi
- Neurosciences Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Monisha Sebastin
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York 10467, USA
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, 10467, USA
| | - Margo Sheck Breilyn
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York 10467, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Susan Duberstein
- Isabelle Rapin Division of Child Neurology in the Saul R Korey Department of Neurology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Mohamed S Abdel-Hamid
- Department of Medical Molecular Genetics, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Tadahiro Mitani
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Haowei Du
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jill A Rosenfeld
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Baylor Genetics Laboratory, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shalini N Jhangiani
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zeynep Coban Akdemir
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Richard A Gibbs
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jenny C Taylor
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford OX4 2PG, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Khalid A Fakhro
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha 34110, Qatar
| | - Jill V Hunter
- E.B. Singleton Department of Pediatric Radiology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Davut Pehlivan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Section of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Maha S Zaki
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Joseph G Gleeson
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Reza Maroofian
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Jennifer E Posey
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - V Reid Sutton
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Baylor Genetics Laboratory, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Fowzan S Alkuraya
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah H Elsea
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Baylor Genetics Laboratory, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - James R Lupski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence may also be addressed to: James R. Lupski, MD, PhD, DSc (hon) Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine One Baylor Plaza, Room 604B, Houston, TX 77030, USA E-mail:
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12
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Montanari M, Martella G, Bonsi P, Meringolo M. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Focus on Glutamatergic Neurotransmission. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073861. [PMID: 35409220 PMCID: PMC8998955 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Disturbances in the glutamatergic system have been increasingly documented in several neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Glutamate-centered theories of ASD are based on evidence from patient samples and postmortem studies, as well as from studies documenting abnormalities in glutamatergic gene expression and metabolic pathways, including changes in the gut microbiota glutamate metabolism in patients with ASD. In addition, preclinical studies on animal models have demonstrated glutamatergic neurotransmission deficits and altered expression of glutamate synaptic proteins. At present, there are no approved glutamatergic drugs for ASD, but several ongoing clinical trials are currently focusing on evaluating in autistic patients glutamatergic pharmaceuticals already approved for other conditions. In this review, we provide an overview of the literature concerning the role of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the pathophysiology of ASD and as a potential target for novel treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Montanari
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (G.M.)
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Martella
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Paola Bonsi
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence: (P.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Maria Meringolo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence: (P.B.); (M.M.)
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13
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Thabault M, Turpin V, Maisterrena A, Jaber M, Egloff M, Galvan L. Cerebellar and Striatal Implications in Autism Spectrum Disorders: From Clinical Observations to Animal Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:2294. [PMID: 35216408 PMCID: PMC8874522 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex conditions that stem from a combination of genetic, epigenetic and environmental influences during early pre- and postnatal childhood. The review focuses on the cerebellum and the striatum, two structures involved in motor, sensory, cognitive and social functions altered in ASD. We summarize clinical and fundamental studies highlighting the importance of these two structures in ASD. We further discuss the relation between cellular and molecular alterations with the observed behavior at the social, cognitive, motor and gait levels. Functional correlates regarding neuronal activity are also detailed wherever possible, and sexual dimorphism is explored pointing to the need to apprehend ASD in both sexes, as findings can be dramatically different at both quantitative and qualitative levels. The review focuses also on a set of three recent papers from our laboratory where we explored motor and gait function in various genetic and environmental ASD animal models. We report that motor and gait behaviors can constitute an early and quantitative window to the disease, as they often correlate with the severity of social impairments and loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells. The review ends with suggestions as to the main obstacles that need to be surpassed before an appropriate management of the disease can be proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Thabault
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France; (M.T.); (V.T.); (A.M.); (M.J.); (M.E.)
| | - Valentine Turpin
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France; (M.T.); (V.T.); (A.M.); (M.J.); (M.E.)
| | - Alexandre Maisterrena
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France; (M.T.); (V.T.); (A.M.); (M.J.); (M.E.)
| | - Mohamed Jaber
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France; (M.T.); (V.T.); (A.M.); (M.J.); (M.E.)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Poitiers, 86021 Poitiers, France
| | - Matthieu Egloff
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France; (M.T.); (V.T.); (A.M.); (M.J.); (M.E.)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Poitiers, 86021 Poitiers, France
| | - Laurie Galvan
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France; (M.T.); (V.T.); (A.M.); (M.J.); (M.E.)
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14
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Hangel G, Niess E, Lazen P, Bednarik P, Bogner W, Strasser B. Emerging methods and applications of ultra-high field MR spectroscopic imaging in the human brain. Anal Biochem 2022; 638:114479. [PMID: 34838516 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2021.114479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI) of the brain enables insights into the metabolic changes and fluxes in diseases such as tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, or hepatic encephalopathy, as well as insights into general brain functionality. However, the routine application of MRSI is mostly hampered by very low signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) due to the low concentrations of metabolites, about 10000 times lower than water. Furthermore, MRSI spectra have a dense information content with many overlapping metabolite resonances, especially for proton MRSI. MRI scanners at ultra-high field strengths, like 7 T or above, offer the opportunity to increase SNR, as well as the separation between resonances, thus promising to solve both challenges. Yet, MRSI at ultra-high field strengths is challenged by decreased B0- and B1-homogeneity, shorter T2 relaxation times, stronger chemical shift displacement errors, and aggravated lipid contamination. Therefore, to capitalize on the advantages of ultra-high field strengths, these challenges must be overcome. This review focuses on the challenges MRSI of the human brain faces at ultra-high field strength, as well as the possible applications to this date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert Hangel
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Niess
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Lazen
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Petr Bednarik
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Bogner
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Strasser
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
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15
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Kang QQ, Li X, Tong GL, Fan YL, Shi L. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy features of the thalamus and the cerebellum and their association with clinical features in children with autism spectrum disorder: a prospective study. ZHONGGUO DANG DAI ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PEDIATRICS 2021; 23:1250-1255. [PMID: 34911608 PMCID: PMC8690718 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2108137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To study the changes in biochemical metabolites in the thalamus and the cerebellum and their association with clinical features in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS In this prospective study, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) with point-resolved spatial selection was used to analyze the thalamus and the cerebellum at both sides in 50 children with ASD aged 2-6 years. Creatine (Cr) was as the internal standard to measure the relative values of N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/Cr, choline (Cho)/Cr, myoinositol (MI)/Cr, and glutamine and glutamate complex (Glx)/Cr, and the differences in metabolites and their association with clinical symptoms were compared. RESULTS In the children with ASD, NAA/Cr in the left thalamus was positively correlated with the scores of hearing-language and hand-eye coordination in the Griffiths Development Scales-Chinese (P<0.05). Cho/Cr in the right cerebellum was positively correlated with the scores of personal-social competence, hearing-language, and hand-eye coordination (P<0.05). NAA/Cr and Glx/Cr in the left thalamus were positively correlated with those in the left cerebellum (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in metabolites between the left and right sides of the thalamus and the cerebellum in the children with ASD (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS There are metabolic disorders in the cerebellum and the thalamus in children with ASD, and there is a correlation between the changes of metabolites in the left cerebellum and the left thalamus. Some metabolic indexes are related to the clinical symptoms of ASD. MRS may reveal the pathological basis of ASD and provide a basis for diagnosis and prognosis assessment of ASD as a noninvasive and quantitative detection method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Qian Kang
- Anhui Hospital Affiliated to Children's Hospital of Fudan University/Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Xu Li
- Anhui Hospital Affiliated to Children's Hospital of Fudan University/Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Guang-Lei Tong
- Anhui Hospital Affiliated to Children's Hospital of Fudan University/Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Ya-Lan Fan
- Anhui Hospital Affiliated to Children's Hospital of Fudan University/Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Anhui Hospital Affiliated to Children's Hospital of Fudan University/Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei 230022, China
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16
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Zhang R, He H, Yuan B, Wu Z, Wang X, Du Y, Chen Y, Qiu Z. An Intronic Variant of CHD7 Identified in Autism Patients Interferes with Neuronal Differentiation and Development. Neurosci Bull 2021; 37:1091-1106. [PMID: 33948885 PMCID: PMC8353028 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-021-00685-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic composition plays critical roles in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Especially, inherited and de novo intronic variants are often seen in patients with ASD. However, the biological significance of intronic variants is difficult to address. Here, among a Chinese ASD cohort, we identified a recurrent inherited intronic variant in the CHD7 gene, which is specifically enriched in East Asian populations. CHD7 has been implicated in numerous developmental disorders including CHARGE syndrome and ASD. To investigate whether the ASD-associated CHD7 intronic variant affects neural development, we established human embryonic stem cells carrying this variant using CRISPR/Cas9 methods and found that the level of CHD7 mRNA significantly decreased compared to control. Upon differentiation towards the forebrain neuronal lineage, we found that neural cells carrying the CHD7 intronic variant exhibited developmental delay and maturity defects. Importantly, we found that TBR1, a gene also implicated in ASD, was significantly increased in neurons carrying the CHD7 intronic variant, suggesting the intrinsic relevance among ASD genes. Furthermore, the morphological defects found in neurons carrying CHD7 intronic mutations were rescued by knocking down TBR1, indicating that TBR1 may be responsible for the defects in CHD7-related disorders. Finally, the CHD7 intronic variant generated three abnormal forms of transcripts through alternative splicing, which all exhibited loss-of-function in functional assays. Our study provides crucial evidence supporting the notion that the intronic variant of CHD7 is potentially an autism susceptibility site, shedding new light on identifying the functions of intronic variants in genetic studies of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, 201210, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hui He
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, 201210, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bo Yuan
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, 201210, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ziyan Wu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, 201210, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiuzhen Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, 201210, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yasong Du
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Yuejun Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, 201210, China.
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Zilong Qiu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, 201210, China.
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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17
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Pierce S, Kadlaskar G, Edmondson DA, McNally Keehn R, Dydak U, Keehn B. Associations between sensory processing and electrophysiological and neurochemical measures in children with ASD: an EEG-MRS study. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:5. [PMID: 33407072 PMCID: PMC7788714 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-020-09351-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with hyper- and/or hypo-sensitivity to sensory input. Spontaneous alpha power, which plays an important role in shaping responsivity to sensory information, is reduced across the lifespan in individuals with ASD. Furthermore, an excitatory/inhibitory imbalance has also been linked to sensory dysfunction in ASD and has been hypothesized to underlie atypical patterns of spontaneous brain activity. The present study examined whether resting-state alpha power differed in children with ASD as compared to TD children, and investigated the relationships between alpha levels, concentrations of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, and atypical sensory processing in ASD. Methods Participants included thirty-one children and adolescents with ASD and thirty-one age- and IQ-matched typically developing (TD) participants. Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) was used to obtain measures of alpha power. A subset of participants (ASD = 16; TD = 16) also completed a magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) protocol in order to measure concentrations of excitatory (glutamate + glutamine; Glx) and inhibitory (GABA) neurotransmitters. Results Children with ASD evidenced significantly decreased resting alpha power compared to their TD peers. MRS estimates of GABA and Glx did not differ between groups with the exception of Glx in the temporal-parietal junction. Inter-individual differences in alpha power within the ASD group were not associated with region-specific concentrations of GABA or Glx, nor were they associated with sensory processing differences. However, atypically decreased Glx was associated with increased sensory impairment in children with ASD. Conclusions Although we replicated prior reports of decreased alpha power in ASD, atypically reduced alpha was not related to neurochemical differences or sensory symptoms in ASD. Instead, reduced Glx in the temporal-parietal cortex was associated with greater hyper-sensitivity in ASD. Together, these findings may provide insight into the neural underpinnings of sensory processing differences present in ASD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11689-020-09351-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Pierce
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Girija Kadlaskar
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - David A Edmondson
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Imaging Research Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Rebecca McNally Keehn
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ulrike Dydak
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Brandon Keehn
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. .,Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
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18
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Auvichayapat N, Patjanasoontorn N, Phuttharak W, Suphakunpinyo C, Keeratitanont K, Tunkamnerdthai O, Aneksan B, Klomjai W, Boonphongsathian W, Sinkueakunkit A, Punjaruk W, Tiamkao S, Auvichayapat P. Brain Metabolite Changes After Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:70. [PMID: 32581703 PMCID: PMC7287211 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Previous research has provided evidence that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can reduce severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, the exact mechanism of this effect is still unknown. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy has demonstrated low levels of brain metabolites in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), amygdala, and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in individuals with ASD. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of anodal tDCS on social functioning of individuals with ASD, as measured by the social subscale of the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), through correlations between pretreatment and posttreatment concentrations of brain metabolites in the areas of interest (DLPFC, ACC, amygdala, and locus coeruleus) and scores on the ATEC social subscale. Methods Ten participants with ASD were administered 1 mA anodal tDCS to the left DLPFC for 20 min over five consecutive days. Measures of the ATEC social subscale and the concentrations of brain metabolites were performed before and immediately after the treatment. Results The results showed a significant decrease between pretreatment and immediately posttreatment in the ATEC social subscale scores, significant increases in N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) and myoinositol (mI)/Cr concentrations, and a decrease in choline (Cho)/Cr concentrations in the left DLPFC and locus coeruleus after tDCS treatment. Significant associations between decreased ATEC social subscale scores and changed concentrations in NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, and mI/Cr in the locus coeruleus were positive. Conclusion Findings suggest that beneficial effects of tDCS in ASD may be due to changes in neuronal and glia cell activity and synaptogenesis in the brain network of individuals with ASD. Further studies with larger sample sizes and control groups are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narong Auvichayapat
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | | | - Warinthorn Phuttharak
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Chanyut Suphakunpinyo
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | | | - Orathai Tunkamnerdthai
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | | | - Wanalee Klomjai
- Faculty of Physical Therapy, Mahidol University, Salaya, Thailand
| | | | | | - Wiyada Punjaruk
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Somsak Tiamkao
- Integrated Epilepsy Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Paradee Auvichayapat
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
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19
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Update on Atypicalities of Central Nervous System in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10050309. [PMID: 32443912 PMCID: PMC7287879 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10050309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous, behaviorally defined, neurodevelopmental disorder that has been modeled as a brain-based disease. The behavioral and cognitive features of ASD are associated with pervasive atypicalities in the central nervous system (CNS). To date, the exact mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of ASD still remain unknown and there is currently no cure or effective treatment for this disorder. Many publications implicated the association of ASD with inflammation, immune dysregulation, neurotransmission dysfunction, mitochondrial impairment and cell signaling dysregulation. This review attempts to highlight evidence of the major pathophysiology of ASD including abnormalities in the brain structure and function, neuroglial activation and neuroinflammation, glutamatergic neurotransmission, mitochondrial dysfunction and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway dysregulation. Molecular and cellular factors that contributed to the pathogenesis of ASD and how they may affect the development and function of CNS are compiled in this review. However, findings of published studies have been complicated by the fact that autism is a very heterogeneous disorder; hence, we addressed the limitations that led to discrepancies in the reported findings. This review emphasizes the need for future studies to control study variables such as sample size, gender, age range and intelligence quotient (IQ), all of which that could affect the study measurements. Neuroinflammation or immune dysregulation, microglial activation, genetically linked neurotransmission, mitochondrial dysfunctions and mTOR signaling pathway could be the primary targets for treating and preventing ASD. Further research is required to better understand the molecular causes and how they may contribute to the pathophysiology of ASD.
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20
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Kolodny T, Schallmo MP, Gerdts J, Edden RAE, Bernier RA, Murray SO. Concentrations of Cortical GABA and Glutamate in Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res 2020; 13:1111-1129. [PMID: 32297709 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The balance of excitation and inhibition in neural circuits is hypothesized to be increased in autism spectrum disorder, possibly mediated by altered signaling of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), yet empirical evidence in humans is inconsistent. We used edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to quantify signals associated with both GABA and the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in multiple regions of the sensory and sensorimotor cortex, including primary visual, auditory, and motor areas in adult individuals with autism and in neurotypical controls. Despite the strong a priori hypothesis of reduced GABA in autism spectrum disorder, we found no group differences in neurometabolite concentrations in any of the examined regions and no correlations of MRS measure with psychophysical visual sensitivity or autism symptomatology. We demonstrate high data quality that is comparable across groups, with a relatively large sample of well-characterized participants, and use Bayesian statistics to corroborate the lack of any group differences. We conclude that levels of GABA and Glx (glutamate, glutamine, and glutathione) in the sensory and sensorimotor cortex, as measured with MRS at 3T, are comparable in adults with autism and neurotypical individuals. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1111-1129. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate are the main inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the human brain, respectively, and their balanced interaction is necessary for neural function. Previous research suggests that the GABA and glutamate systems might be altered in autism. In this study, we used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure concentrations of these neurotransmitters in the sensory areas in the brains of young adults with autism. In contradiction to the common hypothesis of reduced GABA in autism, we demonstrate that concentrations of both GABA and glutamate, in all the brain regions examined, are comparable in individuals with autism and in neurotypical adults. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Kolodny
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michael-Paul Schallmo
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jennifer Gerdts
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Richard A E Edden
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Raphael A Bernier
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Scott O Murray
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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21
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O'Neill J, Bansal R, Goh S, Rodie M, Sawardekar S, Peterson BS. Parsing the Heterogeneity of Brain Metabolic Disturbances in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 87:174-184. [PMID: 31427037 PMCID: PMC6925333 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), its brain bases remain uncertain. Abnormal levels of N-acetyl compounds, glutamate+glutamine, creatine+phosphocreatine, or choline compounds measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy suggest that neuron or glial density, mitochondrial energetic metabolism, and/or inflammation contribute to ASD neuropathology. The neuroanatomic distribution of these metabolites could help evaluate leading theories of ASD. However, most prior magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies had small samples (all <60, most <20), interrogated only a small fraction of the brain, and avoided assessing effects of age, sex, and IQ. METHODS We acquired near-whole-brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy of N-acetyl compounds, glutamate+glutamine, creatine+phosphocreatine, and choline compounds in 78 children and adults with ASD and 96 typically developing children and adults, rigorously evaluating effects of diagnosis and severity on metabolites, as moderated by age, sex, and IQ. RESULTS Effects of ASD and its severity included reduced levels of multiple metabolites in white matter and the perisylvian cortex and elevated levels in the posterior cingulate, consistent with white matter and social-brain theories of ASD. Regionally, both slower and faster decreases of metabolites with age were observed in ASD versus TD. Male-female metabolite differences were widely smaller in ASD than typically developing children and adults. ASD-specific decreases in metabolites with decreasing IQ occurred in several brain areas. CONCLUSIONS Results support multifocal abnormal neuron or glial density, mitochondrial energetics, or neuroinflammation in ASD, alongside widespread starkly atypical moderating effects of age, sex, and IQ. These findings help parse the neurometabolic signature for ASD by phenotypic heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph O'Neill
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Ravi Bansal
- Institute for the Developing Mind, the Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Suzanne Goh
- Division of Child Neurology, Rady Children's Hospital, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Martina Rodie
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Siddhant Sawardekar
- Institute for the Developing Mind, the Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Bradley S Peterson
- Institute for the Developing Mind, the Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Psychiatry, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
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22
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Edmondson DA, Xia P, McNally Keehn R, Dydak U, Keehn B. A Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study of Superior Visual Search Abilities in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res 2020; 13:550-562. [PMID: 31909886 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Although diagnosed on the basis of deficits in social communication and interaction, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is also characterized by superior performance on a variety of visuospatial tasks, including visual search. In neurotypical individuals, region-specific concentrations of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are associated with individual differences in attention and perception. While it has been hypothesized that ASD may be associated with an excitatory-inhibitory imbalance, it remains unclear how this may contribute to accelerated visual search performance in individuals with ASD. To investigate this, 21 children with ASD and 20 typically developing children participated in a visual search task and a magnetic resonance spectroscopy study to detect neurochemical concentrations, including GABA. Region-specific neurochemicals were examined in the right frontal eye fields, right temporal-parietal junction (rTPJ), and bilateral visual cortex (VIS). GABA concentrations did not differ between groups; however, in children with ASD, greater GABA concentration in the VIS was related to more efficient search. Additionally, lower VIS GABA levels were also associated with increased social impairment. Finally, we found reduced N-acetyl aspartate, total creatine, glutamate and glutamine (Glx), GABA/Glx in the rTPJ, suggestive of neuronal dysfunction in a critical network hub. Our results show that GABA concentrations in the VIS are related to efficient search in ASD, thus providing further evidence of enhanced discrimination in ASD. Autism Res 2020, 13: 550-562. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often perform better than their non-ASD peers on visual search tasks; however, it is unclear how they achieve this superior performance. Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure neurochemicals in the brain, we found that the level of one, gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the visual cortex was directly related to search abilities in children with ASD. These results suggest that faster search may relate to enhanced perceptual functioning in children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Edmondson
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Imaging Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Pingyu Xia
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Rebecca McNally Keehn
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Ulrike Dydak
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Brandon Keehn
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.,Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
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23
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Port RG, Oberman LM, Roberts TPL. Revisiting the excitation/inhibition imbalance hypothesis of ASD through a clinical lens. Br J Radiol 2019; 92:20180944. [PMID: 31124710 PMCID: PMC6732925 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20180944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) currently affects 1 in 59 children, although the aetiology of this disorder remains unknown. Faced with multiple seemingly disparate and noncontiguous neurobiological alterations, Rubenstein and Merzenich hypothesized that imbalances between excitatory and inhibitory neurosignaling (E/I imbalance) underlie ASD. Since this initial statement, there has been a major focus examining this exact topic spanning both clinical and preclinical realms. The purpose of this article is to review the clinical neuroimaging literature surrounding E/I imbalance as an aetiology of ASD. Evidence for E/I imbalance is presented from several complementary clinical techniques including magnetic resonance spectroscopy, magnetoencephalography and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Additionally, two GABAergic potential interventions for ASD, which explicitly attempt to remediate E/I imbalance, are reviewed. The current literature suggests E/I imbalance as a useful framework for discussing the neurobiological etiology of ASD in at least a subset of affected individuals. While not constituting a completely unifying aetiology, E/I imbalance may be relevant as one of several underlying neuropathophysiologies that differentially affect individuals with ASD. Such statements do not diminish the value of the E/I imbalance concept-instead they suggest a possible role for the characterization of E/I imbalance, as well as other underlying neuropathophysiologies, in the biologically-based subtyping of individuals with ASD for potential applications including clinical trial enrichment as well as treatment triage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lindsay M Oberman
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Timothy PL Roberts
- Department of Radiology, Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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24
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Durrani H. A Case for Art Therapy as a Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder. ART THERAPY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/07421656.2019.1609326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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25
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Ajram LA, Pereira AC, Durieux AMS, Velthius HE, Petrinovic MM, McAlonan GM. The contribution of [1H] magnetic resonance spectroscopy to the study of excitation-inhibition in autism. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 89:236-244. [PMID: 30248378 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects over 1:100 of the population and costs the UK more than £32bn and the USA more than $175bn (£104bn) annually. Its core symptoms are social and communication difficulties, repetitive behaviours and sensory hyper- or hypo-sensitivities. A highly diverse phenotypic presentation likely reflects its etiological heterogeneity and makes finding treatment targets for ASD challenging. In addition, there are no means to identify biologically responsive individuals who may benefit from specific interventions. There is hope however, and in this review we consolidate how findings from magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) add to the evidence that differences in the brain's excitatory glutamate and inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) balance may be both a key biomarker and a tractable treatment target in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Ajram
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK; Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Andreia C Pereira
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK; Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK; CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, Faculty of Medicine, ICNAS - Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Polo 3, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alice M S Durieux
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK; Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Hester E Velthius
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Marija M Petrinovic
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK; Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
| | - Grainne M McAlonan
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK; Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
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26
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Masuda F, Nakajima S, Miyazaki T, Yoshida K, Tsugawa S, Wada M, Ogyu K, Croarkin PE, Blumberger DM, Daskalakis ZJ, Mimura M, Noda Y. Motor cortex excitability and inhibitory imbalance in autism spectrum disorder assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation: a systematic review. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:110. [PMID: 30846682 PMCID: PMC6405856 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0444-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cortical excitation/inhibition (E/I) imbalances contribute to various clinical symptoms observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the detailed pathophysiologic underpinning of E/I imbalance remains uncertain. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) motor-evoked potentials (MEP) are a non-invasive tool for examining cortical inhibition in ASD. Here, we conducted a systematic review on TMS neurophysiology in motor cortex (M1) such as MEPs and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) between individuals with ASD and controls. Out of 538 initial records, we identified six articles. Five studies measured MEP, where four studies measured SICI. There were no differences in MEP amplitudes between the two groups, whereas SICI was likely to be reduced in individuals with ASD compared with controls. Notably, SICI largely reflects GABA(A) receptor-mediated function. Conversely, other magnetic resonance spectroscopy and postmortem methodologies assess GABA levels. The present review demonstrated that there may be neurophysiological deficits in GABA receptor-mediated function in ASD. In conclusion, reduced GABAergic function in the neural circuits could underlie the E/I imbalance in ASD, which may be related to the pathophysiology of clinical symptoms of ASD. Therefore, a novel treatment that targets the neural circuits related to GABA(A) receptor-mediated function in regions involved in the pathophysiology of ASD may be promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumi Masuda
- 0000 0004 1936 9959grid.26091.3cDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan ,0000 0000 9747 6806grid.410827.8Department of Psychiatry, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Nakajima
- 0000 0004 1936 9959grid.26091.3cDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan ,0000 0001 2157 2938grid.17063.33Multimodal Imaging Group, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Takahiro Miyazaki
- 0000 0004 1936 9959grid.26091.3cDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazunari Yoshida
- 0000 0004 0459 167Xgrid.66875.3aDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN USA
| | - Sakiko Tsugawa
- 0000 0004 1936 9959grid.26091.3cDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masataka Wada
- 0000 0004 1936 9959grid.26091.3cDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kamiyu Ogyu
- 0000 0004 1936 9959grid.26091.3cDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Paul E. Croarkin
- 0000 0000 8793 5925grid.155956.bPharmacogenetics Research Clinic, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Daniel M. Blumberger
- 0000 0001 2157 2938grid.17063.33Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Zafiris J. Daskalakis
- 0000 0001 2157 2938grid.17063.33Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Masaru Mimura
- 0000 0004 1936 9959grid.26091.3cDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Noda
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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Liu Y, Lu J, Li K, Zhao H, Feng Y, Zhang Z, Hu L, Li G, Shao Y, Wang Y. A multimodal imaging features of the brain in adult-onset neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease. Neurol Sci 2019; 40:1495-1497. [PMID: 30726521 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-019-03742-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Liu
- Department of Neurology, Foshan Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, No. 81, Lingnan North Road, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiancong Lu
- Department of Neurology, Foshan Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, No. 81, Lingnan North Road, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
| | - Hai Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Foshan Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, No. 81, Lingnan North Road, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanyun Feng
- Department of Neurology, Foshan Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, No. 81, Lingnan North Road, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China
| | - Zaiqiang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
| | - Lang Hu
- Department of Neurology, Foshan Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, No. 81, Lingnan North Road, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China
| | - Guode Li
- Department of Neurology, Foshan Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, No. 81, Lingnan North Road, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Shao
- Department of Neurology, Foshan Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, No. 81, Lingnan North Road, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yukai Wang
- Department of Neurology, Foshan Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, No. 81, Lingnan North Road, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China.
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Drozd HP, Karathanasis SF, Molosh AI, Lukkes JL, Clapp DW, Shekhar A. From bedside to bench and back: Translating ASD models. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2018; 241:113-158. [PMID: 30447753 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) represent a heterogeneous group of disorders defined by deficits in social interaction/communication and restricted interests, behaviors, or activities. Models of ASD, developed based on clinical data and observations, are used in basic science, the "bench," to better understand the pathophysiology of ASD and provide therapeutic options for patients in the clinic, the "bedside." Translational medicine creates a bridge between the bench and bedside that allows for clinical and basic science discoveries to challenge one another to improve the opportunities to bring novel therapies to patients. From the clinical side, biomarker work is expanding our understanding of possible mechanisms of ASD through measures of behavior, genetics, imaging modalities, and serum markers. These biomarkers could help to subclassify patients with ASD in order to better target treatments to a more homogeneous groups of patients most likely to respond to a candidate therapy. In turn, basic science has been responding to developments in clinical evaluation by improving bench models to mechanistically and phenotypically recapitulate the ASD phenotypes observed in clinic. While genetic models are identifying novel therapeutics targets at the bench, the clinical efforts are making progress by defining better outcome measures that are most representative of meaningful patient responses. In this review, we discuss some of these challenges in translational research in ASD and strategies for the bench and bedside to bridge the gap to achieve better benefits to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley P Drozd
- Program in Medical Neurobiology, Stark Neurosciences Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Sotirios F Karathanasis
- Program in Medical Neurobiology, Stark Neurosciences Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Andrei I Molosh
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Jodi L Lukkes
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - D Wade Clapp
- Department of Pediatrics, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Anantha Shekhar
- Program in Medical Neurobiology, Stark Neurosciences Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Indiana Clinical and Translation Sciences Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
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Cerebro-Cerebellar Functional Connectivity is Associated with Cerebellar Excitation–Inhibition Balance in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 48:3460-3473. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3613-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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30
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Abstract
The pupillary light reflex (PLR) describes the constriction and subsequent dilation of the pupil in response to light as a result of the antagonistic actions of the iris sphincter and dilator muscles. Since these muscles are innervated by the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, respectively, different parameters of the PLR can be used as indicators for either sympathetic or parasympathetic modulation. Thus, the PLR provides an important metric of autonomic nervous system function that has been exploited for a wide range of clinical applications. Measurement of the PLR using dynamic pupillometry is now an established quantitative, non-invasive tool in assessment of traumatic head injuries. This review examines the more recent application of dynamic pupillometry as a diagnostic tool for a wide range of clinical conditions, varying from neurodegenerative disease to exposure to toxic chemicals, as well as its potential in the non-invasive diagnosis of infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte A Hall
- Research Centre for Topical Drug Delivery and Toxicology, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield SP10 1JX, UK.
| | - Robert P Chilcott
- Research Centre for Topical Drug Delivery and Toxicology, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield SP10 1JX, UK.
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Naaijen J, Zwiers MP, Forde NJ, Williams SC, Durston S, Brandeis D, Glennon JC, The Tactics Consortium, Franke B, Lythgoe DJ, Buitelaar JK. Striatal structure and its association with N-Acetylaspartate and glutamate in autism spectrum disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 28:118-129. [PMID: 29169826 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2017.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are often comorbid and are associated with changes in striatal volumes and N-Acetylaspartate (NAA) and glutamate levels. Here, we investigated the relation between dorsal striatal volume and NAA and glutamate levels. We additionally compared striatal volume and shape between ASD, OCD and controls. T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images, proton spectra (1H-MRS) in the left striatum, and phenotypic information were collected from 54 children with ASD, 32 with OCD, and 56 controls (aged 8-13 years) in a four-site study. Dorsal striatal volume and shape were determined using the FMRIB integrated registration and segmentation tool (FIRST). Spectra were processed with Linear Combination Model. The relationship of left striatal volume with NAA and glutamate was investigated, and group comparisons were performed for NAA levels and for bilateral striatal volume and shape. NAA levels were lower in subjects with ASD compared with controls (t=2.86, p=0.005) and were associated with striatal volume (β=0.37, t=2.78, p=0.008). Glutamate levels were also associated with volume in the ASD group (β=0.38, t=2.46, p=0.018). No group differences were found for striatal volume or shape, but a post-hoc diagnosis-by-hemisphere interaction (F(2,129)=3.86, p=0.024) revealed greater asymmetry (right>left) in striatal volume for the disorder-groups compared with controls. Our findings show involvement of NAA and glutamate in striatal volume in ASD and suggest greater asymmetry in paediatric ASD and OCD compared with controls, pointing to overlapping subcortical abnormalities. The lower NAA in ASD reflects reduced neuronal integrity or impaired neuronal functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jilly Naaijen
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Marcel P Zwiers
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Natalie J Forde
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Psychiatry, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Steven Cr Williams
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Neuroimaging, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Durston
- NICHE Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Brandeis
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty, Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jeffrey C Glennon
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - The Tactics Consortium
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Psychiatry, Groningen, The Netherlands; King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Neuroimaging, London, United Kingdom; NICHE Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty, Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Departments of Human Genetics and Psychiatry, Donders Institute of Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Franke
- Departments of Human Genetics and Psychiatry, Donders Institute of Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - David J Lythgoe
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Neuroimaging, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jan K Buitelaar
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Medial Frontal Lobe Neurochemistry in Autism Spectrum Disorder is Marked by Reduced N-Acetylaspartate and Unchanged Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid and Glutamate + Glutamine Levels. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 48:1467-1482. [PMID: 29177616 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3406-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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33
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Wong S, Giulivi C. Autism, Mitochondria and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Exposure. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS 2017; 15:614-23. [PMID: 27071785 DOI: 10.2174/1871527315666160413122624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Revised: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a growing concern with more than 1 in every 68 children affected in the United States by age 8. Limited scientific advances have been made regarding the etiology of autism, with general agreement that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to this disorder. OBJECTIVE To explore the link between exposure to PBDE, mitochondrial dysfunction and autism risk. RESULTS Perinatal exposures to PBDEs may contribute to the etiology or morbidity of ASD including mitochondrial dysfunction based on (i) their increased environmental abundance and human exposures, (ii) their activity towards implicated in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity including mitochondria, and (iii) their bioaccumulation in mitochondria. CONCLUSION In this review, we propose that PBDE, and possibly other environmental exposures, during child development can induce or compound mitochondrial dysfunction, which in conjunction with a dysregulated antioxidant response, increase a child's susceptibility of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cecilia Giulivi
- University of California, Department of Molecular Biosciences, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr., 3009 VetMed3B, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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34
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Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and its Clinical Applications: A Review. J Med Imaging Radiat Sci 2017; 48:233-253. [PMID: 31047406 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmir.2017.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In vivo NMR spectroscopy is known as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). MRS has been applied as both a research and a clinical tool in order to detect visible or nonvisible abnormalities. The adaptability of MRS allows a technique that can probe a wide variety of metabolic uses across different tissues. Although MRS is mostly applied for brain tissue, it can be used for detection, localization, staging, tumour aggressiveness evaluation, and tumour response assessment of breast, prostate, hepatic, and other cancers. In this article, the medical applications of MRS in the brain, including tumours, neural and psychiatric disorder studies, breast, prostate, hepatic, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary investigations have been reviewed.
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35
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Evidence of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Autism: Biochemical Links, Genetic-Based Associations, and Non-Energy-Related Mechanisms. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2017. [PMID: 28630658 PMCID: PMC5467355 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4314025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States, represents a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction and communication as well as restricted and repetitive behavior. The underlying cause of autism is unknown and therapy is currently limited to targeting behavioral abnormalities. Emerging studies suggest a link between mitochondrial dysfunction and ASD. Here, we review the evidence demonstrating this potential connection. We focus specifically on biochemical links, genetic-based associations, non-energy related mechanisms, and novel therapeutic strategies.
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36
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Candidate Biomarkers in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of MRI Studies. Neurosci Bull 2017; 33:219-237. [PMID: 28283808 PMCID: PMC5360855 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-017-0118-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Searching for effective biomarkers is one of the most challenging tasks in the research field of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a non-invasive and powerful tool for investigating changes in the structure, function, maturation, connectivity, and metabolism of the brain of children with ASD. Here, we review the more recent MRI studies in young children with ASD, aiming to provide candidate biomarkers for the diagnosis of childhood ASD. The review covers structural imaging methods, diffusion tensor imaging, resting-state functional MRI, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Future advances in neuroimaging techniques, as well as cross-disciplinary studies and large-scale collaborations will be needed for an integrated approach linking neuroimaging, genetics, and phenotypic data to allow the discovery of new, effective biomarkers.
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37
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Guo X, Chen H, Long Z, Duan X, Zhang Y, Chen H. Atypical developmental trajectory of local spontaneous brain activity in autism spectrum disorder. Sci Rep 2017; 7:39822. [PMID: 28057930 PMCID: PMC5216408 DOI: 10.1038/srep39822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is marked by atypical trajectory of brain maturation, yet the developmental abnormalities in brain function remain unclear. The current study examined the effect of age on amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) in ASD and typical controls (TC) using a cross-sectional design. We classified all the participants into three age cohorts: child (<11 years, 18ASD/20TC), adolescent (11-18 years, 28ASD/26TC) and adult (≥18 years, 18ASD/18TC). Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to ascertain main effects and interaction effects on whole brain ALFF maps. Results exhibited significant main effect of diagnosis in ASD with decreased ALFF in the right precuneus and left middle occipital gyrus during all developmental stages. Significant diagnosis-by-age interaction was observed in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) with ALFF lowered in autistic children but highered in autistic adolescents and adults. Specifically, remarkable quadratic change of ALFF with increasing age in mPFC presented in TC group was absent in ASD. Additionally, abnormal ALFF values in diagnosis-related brain regions predicted the social deficits in ASD. Our findings indicated aberrant developmental patterns of spontaneous brain activity associated with social deficits in ASD and highlight the crucial role of the default mode network in the development of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Guo
- Center for Information in BioMedicine, Key laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Heng Chen
- Center for Information in BioMedicine, Key laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Zhiliang Long
- Center for Information in BioMedicine, Key laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Xujun Duan
- Center for Information in BioMedicine, Key laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Youxue Zhang
- Center for Information in BioMedicine, Key laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Huafu Chen
- Center for Information in BioMedicine, Key laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
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38
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Dickinson A, Jones M, Milne E. Measuring neural excitation and inhibition in autism: Different approaches, different findings and different interpretations. Brain Res 2016; 1648:277-289. [PMID: 27421181 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The balance of neural excitation and inhibition (E/I balance) is often hypothesised to be altered in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). One widely held view is that excitation levels are elevated relative to inhibition in ASD. Understanding whether, and how, E/I balance may be altered in ASD is important given the recent interest in trialling pharmacological interventions for ASD which target inhibitory neurotransmitter function. Here we provide a critical review of evidence for E/I balance in ASD. We conclude that data from a number of domains provides support for alteration in excitation and inhibitory neurotransmission in ASD, but when considered collectively, the available literature provide little evidence to support claims for either a net increase in excitation or a net increase in inhibition. Strengths and limitations of available techniques are considered, and directions for future research discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Dickinson
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TP, UK.
| | - Myles Jones
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TP, UK
| | - Elizabeth Milne
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TP, UK.
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39
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Hardan AY, Fung LK, Frazier T, Berquist SW, Minshew NJ, Keshavan MS, Stanley JA. A proton spectroscopy study of white matter in children with autism. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2016; 66:48-53. [PMID: 26593330 PMCID: PMC4728039 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Revised: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/14/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
White matter abnormalities have been described in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with mounting evidence implicating these alterations in the pathophysiology of the aberrant connectivity reported in this disorder. The goal of this investigation is to further examine white matter structure in ASD using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS). Multi-voxel, short echo-time in vivo(1)H MRS data were collected from 17 male children with ASD and 17 healthy age- and gender-matched controls. Key (1)H MRS metabolite ratios relative to phosphocreatine plus creatine were obtained from four different right and left white matter regions. Significantly lower N-acetylaspartate/creatine ratios were found in the anterior white matter regions of the ASD group when compared to controls. These findings reflect impairment in neuroaxonal white matter tissue and shed light on the neurobiologic underpinnings of white matter abnormalities in ASD by implicating an alteration in myelin and/or axonal development in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Y. Hardan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
,Corresponding Author: 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA 94305, Phone: 1-650-724-8919, Fax: 1-650-724-7389,
| | - Lawrence K. Fung
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Thomas Frazier
- Center for Autism and Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health, Pediatric Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sean W. Berquist
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nancy J. Minshew
- Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Matcheri S. Keshavan
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel and Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey A. Stanley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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40
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Kalkan Z, Durasi İM, Sezerman U, Atasever-Arslan B. Potential of GRID2 receptor gene for preventing TNF-induced neurodegeneration in autism. Neurosci Lett 2016; 620:62-9. [PMID: 27019035 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Autism is one of the most common subtypes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent studies suggested a relationship between immune-dependent coding genes and ASD, indicating that long term neuroimmunological anomalies affect brain development and synaptic transmission among neural networks. Furthermore, various studies focused on biomarker potential of TNF-α in autism. Ionotropic receptors are also studied as potential marker for autism since altered gene expression levels are observed in autistic patients. GRID2 is a candidate ionotropic receptor which is involved glutamate transfer. In this study, to propose TNF-α dependent cellular processes involved in autism aetiology in relation to GRID2 we performed a bioinformatic network analysis and identified potential pathways and genes that are involved in TNF-α induced changes at GRID2 receptor levels. As a result, we ascertained the GRID2 receptor gene as a candidate gene and further studied the association between GRID2 expression levels and TNF-induced neurodegeneration. Our bioinformatic analyses and experimental results revealed that TNF-α regulates GRID2 gene expression by activating Cdc42 and GOPC genes. Moreover, increased TNF-α levels leads to increase of caspase-3 protein levels triggering neuronal apoptosis leading to neuronal deficiency, which is one of the major symptoms of autism. The study is the first to show the role of TNF-α in regulation of GRID2 gene expression and its signalling pathway. As a result, GRID2 gene can be a suppressor in TNF-induced neurodegeneration which may help to understand the main factors leading to autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Kalkan
- Neuroscience Program, Health Sciences Institute, Uskudar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - İlknur Melis Durasi
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine, Acıbadem University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ugur Sezerman
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine, Acıbadem University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Belkis Atasever-Arslan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Üsküdar University, Istanbul, Turkey.
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41
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Ford TC, Crewther DP. A Comprehensive Review of the (1)H-MRS Metabolite Spectrum in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:14. [PMID: 27013964 PMCID: PMC4783404 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroimaging studies of neuropsychiatric behavior biomarkers across spectrum disorders are typically based on diagnosis, thus failing to account for the heterogeneity of multi-dimensional spectrum disorders such as autism (ASD). Control group trait phenotypes are also seldom reported. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) measures the abundance of neurochemicals such as neurotransmitters and metabolites and hence can probe disorder phenotypes at clinical and sub-clinical levels. This detailed review summarizes and critiques the current 1H-MRS research in ASD. The literature reports reduced N-acetylaspartate (NAA), glutamate and glutamine (Glx), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), creatine and choline, and increased glutamate for children with ASD. Adult studies are few and results are inconclusive. Overall, the literature has several limitations arising from differences in 1H-MRS methodology and sample demographics. We argue that more consistent methods and greater emphasis on phenotype studies will advance understanding of underlying cortical metabolite disturbance in ASD, and the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of ASD and other multi-dimensional psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talitha C Ford
- Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David P Crewther
- Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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42
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Young AMH, Chakrabarti B, Roberts D, Lai MC, Suckling J, Baron-Cohen S. From molecules to neural morphology: understanding neuroinflammation in autism spectrum condition. Mol Autism 2016; 7:9. [PMID: 26793298 PMCID: PMC4719563 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-016-0068-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence points toward a critical role for early (prenatal) atypical neurodevelopmental processes in the aetiology of autism spectrum condition (ASC). One such process that could impact early neural development is inflammation. We review the evidence for atypical expression of molecular markers in the amniotic fluid, serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and the brain parenchyma that suggest a role for inflammation in the emergence of ASC. This is complemented with a number of neuroimaging and neuropathological studies describing microglial activation. Implications for treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam M H Young
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge, UK ; School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrookes Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Bhismadev Chakrabarti
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge, UK ; Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics, School of Psychology and Clinical Language Science, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - David Roberts
- School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrookes Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Meng-Chuan Lai
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge, UK ; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada ; Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - John Suckling
- Brain Mapping Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK ; Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge, UK ; CLASS Clinic, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
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43
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Libero LE, Reid MA, White DM, Salibi N, Lahti AC, Kana RK. Biochemistry of the cingulate cortex in autism: An MR spectroscopy study. Autism Res 2015; 9:643-57. [PMID: 26526126 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neuroimaging studies have uncovered structural and functional alterations in the cingulate cortex in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Such abnormalities may underlie neurochemical imbalance. In order to characterize the neurochemical profile, the current study examined the concentration of brain metabolites in dorsal ACC (dACC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) in high-functioning adults with ASD. Twenty high-functioning adults with ASD and 20 age-and-IQ-matched typically developing (TD) peers participated in this Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) study. LCModel was used in analyzing the spectra to measure the levels of N-Acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), and glutamate/glutamine (Glx) in dACC and PCC. Groups were compared using means for the ratio of each metabolite to their respective Cr levels as well as on absolute internal-water-referenced measures of each metabolite. There was a significant increase in Cho in PCC for ASD adults, with a marginal increase in dACC. A reduction in NAA/Cr in dACC was found in ASD participants, compared to their TD peers. No significant differences in Glx/Cr or Cho/Cr were found in dACC. There were no statistically significant group differences in the absolute concentration of NAA, Cr, Glx, or NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, and Glx/Cr in the PCC. Differences in the metabolic properties of dACC compared to PCC were also found. Results of this study provide evidence for possible cellular and metabolic differences in the dACC and PCC in adults with ASD. This may suggest neuronal dysfunction in these regions and may contribute to the neuropathology of ASD. Autism Res 2016, 9: 643-657. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Libero
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | | | - David M White
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Nouha Salibi
- MR R&D, Siemens Healthcare, Malvern, Pennsylvania
| | - Adrienne C Lahti
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Rajesh K Kana
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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44
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Żurawicz E, Kałużna-Czaplińska J. Analysis of amino acids in autism spectrum disorders. Trends Analyt Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2015.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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45
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Puig-Alcaraz C, Fuentes-Albero M, Calderón J, Garrote D, Cauli O. Increased homocysteine levels correlate with the communication deficit in children with autism spectrum disorder. Psychiatry Res 2015; 229:1031-7. [PMID: 26070768 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Revised: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The clinical significance of high levels of homocysteine in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is unknown. An experimental study was conducted in order to evaluate the concentration of homocysteine in children with ASD and typically developing children and to analyse any relationships with the severity of core symptoms of ASD and other clinical features (drugs, co-morbidities, gender, age, diet). Core symptoms of autism were evaluated by DSM-IV criteria. Homocysteine, glutathione, methionine, 3-nitrotyrosine were measured in urine. The increase in homocysteine concentration was significantly and directly correlated with the severity of the deficit in communication skills, but was unrelated to deficit in socialisation or repetitive/restricted behaviour. Urinary homocysteine concentration may be a possible biomarker for communication deficits in ASD and a potential diagnostic tool useful to evaluate new treatment options since no treatment for core symptoms of ASD are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Puig-Alcaraz
- Area of Mental Health and Psychiatry, Hospital of Sagunto, Sagunto, Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Omar Cauli
- Department of Nursing, University of Valencia, c/Jaume Roig s/n, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
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46
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Brix MK, Ersland L, Hugdahl K, Grüner R, Posserud MB, Hammar Å, Craven AR, Noeske R, Evans CJ, Walker HB, Midtvedt T, Beyer MK. "Brain MR spectroscopy in autism spectrum disorder-the GABA excitatory/inhibitory imbalance theory revisited". Front Hum Neurosci 2015; 9:365. [PMID: 26157380 PMCID: PMC4475903 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) from voxels placed in the left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) was measured from 14 boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and 24 gender and age-matched typically developing (TD) control group. Our main aims were to compare the concentration of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) between the two groups, and to investigate the relationship between brain metabolites and autism symptom severity in the ASD group. We did find a significant negative correlation in the ASD group between Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) and GABA+/Cr, which may imply that severity of symptoms in ASD is associated with differences in the level of GABA in the brain, supporting the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) imbalance theory. However we did not find a significant difference between the two groups in GABA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiken K. Brix
- Department of Radiology, Haukeland University HospitalBergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine (K1), University of BergenBergen, Norway
| | - Lars Ersland
- Department of Clinical Engineering, Haukeland University HospitalBergen, Norway
- NORMENT – KG Jebsen Center for Mental Disorders Research, University of BergenBergen, Norway
| | - Kenneth Hugdahl
- Department of Radiology, Haukeland University HospitalBergen, Norway
- NORMENT – KG Jebsen Center for Mental Disorders Research, University of BergenBergen, Norway
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of BergenBergen, Norway
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University HospitalBergen, Norway
| | - Renate Grüner
- Department of Radiology, Haukeland University HospitalBergen, Norway
- NORMENT – KG Jebsen Center for Mental Disorders Research, University of BergenBergen, Norway
- Department of Physics and Technology, University of BergenBergen, Norway
| | - Maj-Britt Posserud
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Haukeland University HospitalBergen, Norway
| | - Åsa Hammar
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of BergenBergen, Norway
| | - Alexander R. Craven
- NORMENT – KG Jebsen Center for Mental Disorders Research, University of BergenBergen, Norway
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of BergenBergen, Norway
| | - Ralph Noeske
- MR Applications and Workflow Development, GE HealthcareBerlin, Germany
| | - C. John Evans
- CUBRIC, School of Psychology/Ysgol Seicoleg, Cardiff University/Prifysgol Caerdydd WalesCardiff, UK
| | - Hanne B. Walker
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of OsloOslo, Norway
| | - Tore Midtvedt
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska InstituteStockholm, Sweden
| | - Mona K. Beyer
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University HospitalOslo, Norway
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Life Sciences and Health, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied SciencesOslo, Norway
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47
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Naaijen J, Lythgoe DJ, Amiri H, Buitelaar JK, Glennon JC. Fronto-striatal glutamatergic compounds in compulsive and impulsive syndromes: A review of magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015; 52:74-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2014] [Revised: 12/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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48
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Cochran DM, Sikoglu EM, Hodge SM, Edden RA, Foley A, Kennedy DN, Moore CM, Frazier JA. Relationship among Glutamine, γ-Aminobutyric Acid, and Social Cognition in Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2015; 25:314-22. [PMID: 25919578 PMCID: PMC4442578 DOI: 10.1089/cap.2014.0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE An imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been proposed. We compared glutamate (Glu), glutamine (Gln), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of 13 males with ASD and 14 typically developing (TD) males (ages 13-17), and correlated these levels with intelligence quotient (IQ) and measures of social cognition. METHODS Social cognition was evaluated by administration of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). We acquired proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) data from the bilateral ACC using the single voxel point resolved spectroscopy sequence (PRESS) to quantify Glu and Gln, and Mescher-Garwood point-resolved spectroscopy sequence (MEGA-PRESS) to quantify GABA levels referenced to creatine (Cr). RESULTS There were higher Gln levels (p=0.04), and lower GABA/Cre levels (p=0.09) in the ASD group than in the TD group. There was no difference in Glu levels between groups. Gln was negatively correlated with RMET score (rho=-0.62, p=0.001) and IQ (rho=-0.56, p=0.003), and positively correlated with SRS scores (rho=0.53, p=0.007). GABA/Cre levels were positively correlated with RMET score (rho=0.34, p=0.09) and IQ (rho=0.36, p=0.07), and negatively correlated with SRS score (rho=-0.34, p=0.09). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest an imbalance between glutamatergic neurotransmission and GABA-ergic neurotransmission in ASD. Higher Gln levels and lower GABA/Cre levels were associated with lower IQ and greater impairments in social cognition across groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M. Cochran
- Child and Adolescent NeuroDevelopment Initiative, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Elif M. Sikoglu
- Child and Adolescent NeuroDevelopment Initiative, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Center for Comparative NeuroImaging, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Steven M. Hodge
- Child and Adolescent NeuroDevelopment Initiative, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Richard A.E. Edden
- The John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ann Foley
- Child and Adolescent NeuroDevelopment Initiative, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - David N. Kennedy
- Child and Adolescent NeuroDevelopment Initiative, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Constance M. Moore
- Child and Adolescent NeuroDevelopment Initiative, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Center for Comparative NeuroImaging, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Jean A. Frazier
- Child and Adolescent NeuroDevelopment Initiative, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
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49
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Chmielewski WX, Beste C. Action control processes in autism spectrum disorder – Insights from a neurobiological and neuroanatomical perspective. Prog Neurobiol 2015; 124:49-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Revised: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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50
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Vahabzadeh A, Landino SM, Finger BC, Carlezon WA, McDougle CJ. Neural targets in the study and treatment of social cognition in autism spectrum disorder. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2015; 228:309-334. [PMID: 25977088 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-16522-6_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to present results from recent research on social cognition in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The clinical phenomenology and neuroanatomical circuitry of ASD are first briefly described. The neuropharmacology of social cognition in animal models of ASD and humans is then addressed. Next, preclinical and clinical research on the neurohormone oxytocin is reviewed. This is followed by a presentation of results from preclinical and clinical studies on the excitatory amino acid glutamate. Finally, the role of neuroinflammation in ASD is addressed from the perspectives of preclinical neuroscience and research involving humans with ASD.
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