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Prem S, Dev B, Peng C, Mehta M, Alibutud R, Connacher RJ, St Thomas M, Zhou X, Matteson P, Xing J, Millonig JH, DiCicco-Bloom E. Dysregulation of mTOR signaling mediates common neurite and migration defects in both idiopathic and 16p11.2 deletion autism neural precursor cells. eLife 2024; 13:e82809. [PMID: 38525876 PMCID: PMC11003747 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82809] [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: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by common behavioral characteristics, raising the possibility of shared pathogenic mechanisms. Yet, vast clinical and etiological heterogeneity suggests personalized phenotypes. Surprisingly, our iPSC studies find that six individuals from two distinct ASD subtypes, idiopathic and 16p11.2 deletion, have common reductions in neural precursor cell (NPC) neurite outgrowth and migration even though whole genome sequencing demonstrates no genetic overlap between the datasets. To identify signaling differences that may contribute to these developmental defects, an unbiased phospho-(p)-proteome screen was performed. Surprisingly despite the genetic heterogeneity, hundreds of shared p-peptides were identified between autism subtypes including the mTOR pathway. mTOR signaling alterations were confirmed in all NPCs across both ASD subtypes, and mTOR modulation rescued ASD phenotypes and reproduced autism NPC-associated phenotypes in control NPCs. Thus, our studies demonstrate that genetically distinct ASD subtypes have common defects in neurite outgrowth and migration which are driven by the shared pathogenic mechanism of mTOR signaling dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smrithi Prem
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Bharati Dev
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Cynthia Peng
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Monal Mehta
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Rohan Alibutud
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Robert J Connacher
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Madeline St Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Xiaofeng Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Paul Matteson
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Jinchuan Xing
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
| | - James H Millonig
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolNew BrunswickUnited States
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Petrill SA, Klamer BG, Buyske S, Willcutt EG, Gruen JR, Francis DJ, Flax JF, Brzustowicz LM, Bartlett CW. The Rosetta Phenotype Harmonization Method Facilitates Finding a Relationship Quantitative Trait Locus for a Complex Cognitive Trait. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1748. [PMID: 37761888 PMCID: PMC10531321 DOI: 10.3390/genes14091748] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetics researchers increasingly combine data across many sources to increase power and to conduct analyses that cross multiple individual studies. However, there is often a lack of alignment on outcome measures when the same constructs are examined across studies. This inhibits comparison across individual studies and may impact the findings from meta-analysis. Using a well-characterized genotypic (brain-derived neurotrophic factor: BDNF) and phenotypic constructs (working memory and reading comprehension), we employ an approach called Rosetta, which allows for the simultaneous examination of primary studies that employ related but incompletely overlapping data. We examined four studies of BDNF, working memory, and reading comprehension with a combined sample size of 1711 participants. Although the correlation between working memory and reading comprehension over all participants was high, as expected (ρ = 0.45), the correlation between working memory and reading comprehension was attenuated in the BDNF Met/Met genotype group (ρ = 0.18, n.s.) but not in the Val/Val (ρ = 0.44) or Val/Met (ρ = 0.41) groups. These findings indicate that Met/Met carriers may be a unique and robustly defined subgroup in terms of memory and reading comprehension. This study demonstrates the utility of the Rosetta method when examining complex phenotypes across multiple studies, including psychiatric genetic studies, as shown here, and also for the mega-analysis of cohorts generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A. Petrill
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Brett G. Klamer
- Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Steven Buyske
- Department of Statistics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA;
| | - Erik G. Willcutt
- Department of Psychology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA;
| | - Jeffrey R. Gruen
- Departments of Pediatrics and of Genetics, Yale Medical School, New Haven, CT 06511, USA;
| | - David J. Francis
- Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004, USA;
| | - Judy F. Flax
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Linda M. Brzustowicz
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Christopher W. Bartlett
- The Steve & Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
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3
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Alibutud R, Hansali S, Cao X, Zhou A, Mahaganapathy V, Azaro M, Gwin C, Wilson S, Buyske S, Bartlett CW, Flax JF, Brzustowicz LM, Xing J. Structural Variations Contribute to the Genetic Etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Language Impairments. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13248. [PMID: 37686052 PMCID: PMC10487745 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by restrictive interests and/or repetitive behaviors and deficits in social interaction and communication. ASD is a multifactorial disease with a complex polygenic genetic architecture. Its genetic contributing factors are not yet fully understood, especially large structural variations (SVs). In this study, we aimed to assess the contribution of SVs, including copy number variants (CNVs), insertions, deletions, duplications, and mobile element insertions, to ASD and related language impairments in the New Jersey Language and Autism Genetics Study (NJLAGS) cohort. Within the cohort, ~77% of the families contain SVs that followed expected segregation or de novo patterns and passed our filtering criteria. These SVs affected 344 brain-expressed genes and can potentially contribute to the genetic etiology of the disorders. Gene Ontology and protein-protein interaction network analysis suggested several clusters of genes in different functional categories, such as neuronal development and histone modification machinery. Genes and biological processes identified in this study contribute to the understanding of ASD and related neurodevelopment disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Alibutud
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (R.A.); (S.H.); (X.C.); (A.Z.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Sammy Hansali
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (R.A.); (S.H.); (X.C.); (A.Z.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Xiaolong Cao
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (R.A.); (S.H.); (X.C.); (A.Z.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Anbo Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (R.A.); (S.H.); (X.C.); (A.Z.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Vaidhyanathan Mahaganapathy
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (R.A.); (S.H.); (X.C.); (A.Z.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Marco Azaro
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (R.A.); (S.H.); (X.C.); (A.Z.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Christine Gwin
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (R.A.); (S.H.); (X.C.); (A.Z.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Sherri Wilson
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (R.A.); (S.H.); (X.C.); (A.Z.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Steven Buyske
- Department of Statistics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA;
| | - Christopher W. Bartlett
- The Steve Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Judy F. Flax
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (R.A.); (S.H.); (X.C.); (A.Z.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Linda M. Brzustowicz
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (R.A.); (S.H.); (X.C.); (A.Z.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
- The Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Jinchuan Xing
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (R.A.); (S.H.); (X.C.); (A.Z.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
- The Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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4
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Piazza C, Dondena C, Riboldi EM, Riva V, Cantiani C. Baseline EEG in the first year of life: Preliminary insights into the development of autism spectrum disorder and language impairments. iScience 2023; 26:106987. [PMID: 37534149 PMCID: PMC10391601 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Early identification of neurodevelopmental disorders is important to ensure a prompt and effective intervention, thus improving the later outcome. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and language learning impairment (LLI) are among the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, and they share overlapping symptoms. This study aims to characterize baseline electroencephalography (EEG) spectral power in 6- and 12-month-old infants at higher likelihood of developing ASD and LLI, compared to typically developing infants, and to preliminarily verify if spectral power components associated with the risk status are also linked with the later ASD or LLI diagnosis. We found risk status for ASD to be associated with reduced power in the low-frequency bands and risk status for LLI with increased power in the high-frequency bands. Interestingly, later diagnosis shared similar associations, thus supporting the potential role of EEG spectral power as a biomarker useful for understanding pathophysiology and classifying diagnostic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Piazza
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bioengineering Lab, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Chiara Dondena
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Child Psychopathology Unit, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Elena Maria Riboldi
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Child Psychopathology Unit, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Valentina Riva
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Child Psychopathology Unit, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Chiara Cantiani
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Child Psychopathology Unit, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
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5
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Wong KHY, Lee KYS, Tsze SCY, Yu WS, Ng IHY, Tong MCF, Law T. Comparing Early Pragmatics in Typically Developing Children and Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 2022; 52:3825-3839. [PMID: 34480668 PMCID: PMC8418285 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05261-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the early pragmatic language skills in typically developing (TD) preschool-age children, children with language impairment (LI) and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Two hundred and sixty-two TD children, 73 children with LI, and 16 children with ASD were compared on early pragmatics through direct assessment (DA). Post hoc analysis revealed that children in two clinical groups displayed significant pragmatic language deficits. Children in the ASD group who were older exhibited comparable degree of impairments as their LI peers, suggesting a relatively stagnant development of pragmatic language skills in children with ASD. Findings also supported the use of DA in identifying pragmatic language deficits, which have implications for the adoption of this assessment approach in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay H Y Wong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Institute of Human Communicative Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Kathy Y S Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Human Communicative Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sharon C Y Tsze
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wilson S Yu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Iris H-Y Ng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Human Communicative Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Michael C F Tong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Human Communicative Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Thomas Law
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Human Communicative Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
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6
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Wong A, Zhou A, Cao X, Mahaganapathy V, Azaro M, Gwin C, Wilson S, Buyske S, Bartlett CW, Flax JF, Brzustowicz LM, Xing J. MicroRNA and MicroRNA-Target Variants Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Related Disorders. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1329. [PMID: 35893067 PMCID: PMC9329941 DOI: 10.3390/genes13081329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a childhood neurodevelopmental disorder with a complex and heterogeneous genetic etiology. MicroRNA (miRNA), a class of small non-coding RNAs, could regulate ASD risk genes post-transcriptionally and affect broad molecular pathways related to ASD and associated disorders. Using whole-genome sequencing, we analyzed 272 samples in 73 families in the New Jersey Language and Autism Genetics Study (NJLAGS) cohort. Families with at least one ASD patient were recruited and were further assessed for language impairment, reading impairment, and other associated phenotypes. A total of 5104 miRNA variants and 1,181,148 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) variants were identified in the dataset. After applying several filtering criteria, including population allele frequency, brain expression, miRNA functional regions, and inheritance patterns, we identified high-confidence variants in five brain-expressed miRNAs (targeting 326 genes) and 3' UTR miRNA target regions of 152 genes. Some genes, such as SCP2 and UCGC, were identified in multiple families. Using Gene Ontology overrepresentation analysis and protein-protein interaction network analysis, we identified clusters of genes and pathways that are important for neurodevelopment. The miRNAs and miRNA target genes identified in this study are potentially involved in neurodevelopmental disorders and should be considered for further functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Wong
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (A.W.); (A.Z.); (X.C.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Anbo Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (A.W.); (A.Z.); (X.C.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Xiaolong Cao
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (A.W.); (A.Z.); (X.C.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Vaidhyanathan Mahaganapathy
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (A.W.); (A.Z.); (X.C.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Marco Azaro
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (A.W.); (A.Z.); (X.C.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Christine Gwin
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (A.W.); (A.Z.); (X.C.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Sherri Wilson
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (A.W.); (A.Z.); (X.C.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Steven Buyske
- Department of Statistics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA;
| | - Christopher W. Bartlett
- The Steve & Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Battelle Center for Computational Biology, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43215, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Judy F. Flax
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (A.W.); (A.Z.); (X.C.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Linda M. Brzustowicz
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (A.W.); (A.Z.); (X.C.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
- Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Jinchuan Xing
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (A.W.); (A.Z.); (X.C.); (V.M.); (M.A.); (C.G.); (S.W.); (J.F.F.); (L.M.B.)
- Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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7
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Connacher R, Williams M, Prem S, Yeung PL, Matteson P, Mehta M, Markov A, Peng C, Zhou X, McDermott CR, Pang ZP, Flax J, Brzustowicz L, Lu CW, Millonig JH, DiCicco-Bloom E. Autism NPCs from both idiopathic and CNV 16p11.2 deletion patients exhibit dysregulation of proliferation and mitogenic responses. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1380-1394. [PMID: 35623351 PMCID: PMC9214070 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural precursor cell (NPC) dysfunction has been consistently implicated in autism. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived NPCs from two autism groups (three idiopathic [I-ASD] and two 16p11.2 deletion [16pDel]) were used to investigate if proliferation is commonly disrupted. All five individuals display defects, with all three macrocephalic individuals (two 16pDel, one I-ASD) exhibiting hyperproliferation and the other two I-ASD subjects displaying hypoproliferation. NPCs were challenged with bFGF, and all hyperproliferative NPCs displayed blunted responses, while responses were increased in hypoproliferative cells. mRNA expression studies suggest that different pathways can result in similar proliferation phenotypes. Since 16pDel deletes MAPK3, P-ERK was measured. P-ERK is decreased in hyperproliferative but increased in hypoproliferative NPCs. While these P-ERK changes are not responsible for the phenotypes, P-ERK and bFGF response are inversely correlated with the defects. Finally, we analyzed iPSCs and discovered that 16pDel displays hyperproliferation, while idiopathic iPSCs were normal. These data suggest that NPC proliferation defects are common in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Connacher
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Madeline Williams
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Smrithi Prem
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Percy L Yeung
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Paul Matteson
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Monal Mehta
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Anna Markov
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Cynthia Peng
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Courtney R McDermott
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Zhiping P Pang
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Judy Flax
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | | | - Che-Wei Lu
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - James H Millonig
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
| | - Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
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8
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Hare-Harris AE, Mitchel MW, Myers SM, Mitchel AD, King BR, Ruocco BG, Martin CL, Flax JF, Brzustowicz LM. Within-task variability on standardized language tests predicts autism spectrum disorder: a pilot study of the Response Dispersion Index. J Neurodev Disord 2019; 11:21. [PMID: 31519145 PMCID: PMC6744656 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-019-9283-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Qualitatively atypical language development characterized by non-sequential skill acquisition within a developmental domain, which has been called developmental deviance or difference, is a common characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We developed the Response Dispersion Index (RDI), a measure of this phenomenon based on intra-subtest scatter of item responses on standardized psychometric assessments, to assess the within-task variability among individuals with language impairment (LI) and/or ASD. Methods Standard clinical assessments of language were administered to 502 individuals from the New Jersey Language and Autism Genetics Study (NJLAGS) cohort. Participants were divided into four diagnostic groups: unaffected, ASD-only, LI-only, and ASD + LI. For each language measure, RDI was defined as the product of the total number of test items and the sum of the weight (based on item difficulty) of test items missed. Group differences in RDI were assessed, and the relationship between RDI and ASD diagnosis among individuals with LI was investigated for each language assessment. Results Although standard scores were unable to distinguish the LI-only and ASD/ASD + LI groups, the ASD/ASD + LI groups had higher RDI scores compared to LI-only group across all measures of expressive, pragmatic, and metalinguistic language. RDI was positively correlated with quantitative ASD traits across all subgroups and was an effective predictor of ASD diagnosis among individuals with LI. Conclusions The RDI is an effective quantitative metric of developmental deviance/difference that correlates with ASD traits, supporting previous associations between ASD and non-sequential skill acquisition. The RDI can be adapted to other clinical measures to investigate the degree of difference that is not captured by standard performance summary scores. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s11689-019-9283-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abby E Hare-Harris
- Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences, Hartline Science Center, Bloomsburg University, 400 East Second St, Bloomsburg, PA, 17815, USA.
| | - Marissa W Mitchel
- Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, Geisinger Health System, 120 Hamm Drive, Suite 2A, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, USA
| | - Scott M Myers
- Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, Geisinger Health System, 120 Hamm Drive, Suite 2A, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, USA
| | - Aaron D Mitchel
- Psychology Department, O'Leary Center, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, USA
| | - Brian R King
- Computer Science Department, Breakiron Building, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, USA
| | - Brittany G Ruocco
- Genetics Department, Life Sciences Building, Rutgers University, 145 Bevier Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Christa Lese Martin
- Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, Geisinger Health System, 120 Hamm Drive, Suite 2A, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, USA
| | - Judy F Flax
- Genetics Department, Life Sciences Building, Rutgers University, 145 Bevier Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Linda M Brzustowicz
- Genetics Department, Life Sciences Building, Rutgers University, 145 Bevier Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
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9
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Marrus N, Hall LP, Paterson SJ, Elison JT, Wolff JJ, Swanson MR, Parish-Morris J, Eggebrecht AT, Pruett JR, Hazlett HC, Zwaigenbaum L, Dager S, Estes AM, Schultz RT, Botteron KN, Piven J, Constantino JN. Language delay aggregates in toddler siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder. J Neurodev Disord 2018; 10:29. [PMID: 30348077 PMCID: PMC6198516 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-018-9247-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Language delay is extremely common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet it is unclear whether measurable variation in early language is associated with genetic liability for ASD. Assessment of language development in unaffected siblings of children with ASD can inform whether decreased early language ability aggregates with inherited risk for ASD and serves as an ASD endophenotype. METHODS We implemented two approaches: (1) a meta-analysis of studies comparing language delay, a categorical indicator of language function, and language scores, a continuous metric, in unaffected toddlers at high and low familial risk for ASD, and (2) a parallel analysis of 350 unaffected 24-month-olds in the Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS), a prospective study of infants at high and low familial risk for ASD. An advantage of the former was its detection of group differences from pooled data across unique samples; an advantage of the latter was its sensitivity in quantifying early manifestations of language delay while accounting for covariates within a single large sample. RESULTS Meta-analysis showed that high-risk siblings without ASD (HR-noASD) were three to four times more likely to exhibit language delay versus low-risk siblings without ASD (LR-noASD) and had lower mean receptive and expressive language scores. Analyses of IBIS data corroborated that language delay, specifically receptive language delay, was more frequent in the HR-noASD (n = 235) versus LR-noASD group (n = 115). IBIS language scores were continuously and unimodally distributed, with a pathological shift towards decreased language function in HR-noASD siblings. The elevated inherited risk for ASD was associated with lower receptive and expressive language scores when controlling for sociodemographic factors. For receptive but not expressive language, the effect of risk group remained significant even when controlling for nonverbal cognition. CONCLUSIONS Greater frequency of language delay and a lower distribution of language scores in high-risk, unaffected toddler-aged siblings support decreased early language ability as an endophenotype for ASD, with a more pronounced effect for receptive versus expressive language. Further characterization of language development is warranted to refine genetic investigations of ASD and to elucidate factors influencing the progression of core autistic traits and related symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Marrus
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8504, St Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - L P Hall
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 740, Memphis, TN 38105 USA
| | - S J Paterson
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, 1801 N. Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19122 USA
| | - J T Elison
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, 51 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - J J Wolff
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, 56 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - M R Swanson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 101 Manning Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 USA
| | - J Parish-Morris
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - A T Eggebrecht
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, St Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - J R Pruett
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8504, St Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - H C Hazlett
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 101 Manning Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 USA
| | - L Zwaigenbaum
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, 1E1 Walter Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre (WMC), 8440 112 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7 Canada
| | - S Dager
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, 1410 NE Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - A M Estes
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, 1701 NE Columbia Rd, Seattle, WA 98195-7920 USA
| | - R T Schultz
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - K N Botteron
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8504, St Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - J Piven
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 101 Manning Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 USA
| | - J N Constantino
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8504, St Louis, MO 63110 USA
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10
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Distinct ERP profiles for auditory processing in infants at-risk for autism and language impairment. Sci Rep 2018; 8:715. [PMID: 29335488 PMCID: PMC5768787 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-19009-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Early identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is crucial for the formulation of effective intervention programs. Language deficits may be a hallmark feature of ASD and language delay observed in ASD shows striking similarities to that observed in children with language impairment (LI). Auditory processing deficits are seen in both LI and ASD, however, they have not previously been compared directly using Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) in the two at-risk populations. This study aims to characterize infants at-risk for ASD (HR-ASD) at the electrophysiological level and to compare them with infants at-risk for LI (HR-LI) and controls, to find specific markers with predictive value. At 12-month-old, auditory processing in HR-ASD, HR-LI and controls was characterized via ERP oddball paradigm. All infants were then evaluated at 20 months, to investigate the associations between auditory processing and language/ASD-related outcomes. In both HR-ASD and HR-LI, mismatch response latency was delayed compared to controls, whereas only HR-ASD showed overall larger P3 amplitude compared to controls. Interestingly, these ERP measures correlated with later expressive vocabulary and M-CHAT critical items in the whole sample. These results may support the use of objective measurement of auditory processing to delineate pathophysiological mechanisms in ASD, as compared to LI.
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11
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Bruni M, Flax JF, Buyske S, Shindhelm AD, Witton C, Brzustowicz LM, Bartlett CW. Behavioral and Molecular Genetics of Reading-Related AM and FM Detection Thresholds. Behav Genet 2017; 47:193-201. [PMID: 27826669 PMCID: PMC5305590 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-016-9821-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Auditory detection thresholds for certain frequencies of both amplitude modulated (AM) and frequency modulated (FM) dynamic auditory stimuli are associated with reading in typically developing and dyslexic readers. We present the first behavioral and molecular genetic characterization of these two auditory traits. Two extant extended family datasets were given reading tasks and psychoacoustic tasks to determine FM 2 Hz and AM 20 Hz sensitivity thresholds. Univariate heritabilities were significant for both AM (h 2 = 0.20) and FM (h 2 = 0.29). Bayesian posterior probability of linkage (PPL) analysis found loci for AM (12q, PPL = 81 %) and FM (10p, PPL = 32 %; 20q, PPL = 65 %). Bivariate heritability analyses revealed that FM is genetically correlated with reading, while AM was not. Bivariate PPL analysis indicates that FM loci (10p, 20q) are not also associated with reading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Bruni
- The Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Judy F Flax
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Steven Buyske
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Department of Statistics, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Amber D Shindhelm
- The Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Caroline Witton
- Aston Brain Centre, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Linda M Brzustowicz
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Christopher W Bartlett
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital & The Ohio State University, 575 Children's Crossroad, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.
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12
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Obeid R, Brooks PJ, Powers KL, Gillespie-Lynch K, Lum JAG. Statistical Learning in Specific Language Impairment and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis. Front Psychol 2016; 7:1245. [PMID: 27602006 PMCID: PMC4993848 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Impairments in statistical learning might be a common deficit among individuals with Specific Language Impairment (SLI) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Using meta-analysis, we examined statistical learning in SLI (14 studies, 15 comparisons) and ASD (13 studies, 20 comparisons) to evaluate this hypothesis. Effect sizes were examined as a function of diagnosis across multiple statistical learning tasks (Serial Reaction Time, Contextual Cueing, Artificial Grammar Learning, Speech Stream, Observational Learning, and Probabilistic Classification). Individuals with SLI showed deficits in statistical learning relative to age-matched controls. In contrast, statistical learning was intact in individuals with ASD relative to controls. Effect sizes did not vary as a function of task modality or participant age. Our findings inform debates about overlapping social-communicative difficulties in children with SLI and ASD by suggesting distinct underlying mechanisms. In line with the procedural deficit hypothesis (Ullman and Pierpont, 2005), impaired statistical learning may account for phonological and syntactic difficulties associated with SLI. In contrast, impaired statistical learning fails to account for the social-pragmatic difficulties associated with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Obeid
- Department of Psychology, The College of Staten Island and The Graduate Center, City University of New York New York, NY, USA
| | - Patricia J Brooks
- Department of Psychology, The College of Staten Island and The Graduate Center, City University of New York New York, NY, USA
| | - Kasey L Powers
- Department of Psychology, The College of Staten Island and The Graduate Center, City University of New York New York, NY, USA
| | - Kristen Gillespie-Lynch
- Department of Psychology, The College of Staten Island and The Graduate Center, City University of New York New York, NY, USA
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13
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Eicher JD, Gruen JR. Language impairment and dyslexia genes influence language skills in children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism Res 2014; 8:229-34. [PMID: 25448322 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Language and communication development is a complex process influenced by numerous environmental and genetic factors. Many neurodevelopment disorders include deficits in language and communication skills in their diagnostic criteria, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), language impairment (LI), and dyslexia. These disorders are polygenic and complex with a significant genetic component contributing to each. The similarity of language phenotypes and comorbidity of these disorders suggest that they may share genetic contributors. To test this, we examined the association of genes previously implicated in dyslexia, LI, and/or language-related traits with language skills in children with ASD. We used genetic and language data collected in the Autism Genome Research Exchange (AGRE) and Simons Simplex Collection (SSC) cohorts to perform a meta-analysis on performance on a receptive vocabulary task. There were associations with LI risk gene ATP2C2 and dyslexia risk gene MRPL19. Additionally, we found suggestive evidence of association with CMIP, GCFC2, KIAA0319L, the DYX2 locus (ACOT13, GPLD1, and FAM65B), and DRD2. Our results show that LI and dyslexia genes also contribute to language traits in children with ASD. These associations add to the growing literature of generalist genes that contribute to multiple related neurobehavioral traits. Future studies should examine whether other genetic contributors may be shared among these disorders and how risk variants interact with each other and the environment to modify clinical presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Eicher
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
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14
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Swineford LB, Thurm A, Baird G, Wetherby AM, Swedo S. Social (pragmatic) communication disorder: a research review of this new DSM-5 diagnostic category. J Neurodev Disord 2014; 6:41. [PMID: 25484991 PMCID: PMC4258293 DOI: 10.1186/1866-1955-6-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Social (pragmatic) communication disorder (SCD) is a new diagnostic category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). The purpose of this review is to describe and synthesize the relevant literature from language and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research relating to pragmatic language impairment and other previously used terms that relate to SCD. The long-standing debate regarding how social communication/pragmatic impairments overlap and/or differ from language impairments, ASD, and other neurodevelopmental disorders is examined. The possible impact of the addition of SCD diagnostic category and directions for future research are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren B Swineford
- />Pediatrics and Developmental Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 10 Center Drive MSC 1255, Building 10, Room 1C250, Bethesda, MD 20892-1255 USA
| | - Audrey Thurm
- />Pediatrics and Developmental Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 10 Center Drive MSC 1255, Building 10, Room 1C250, Bethesda, MD 20892-1255 USA
| | - Gillian Baird
- />Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s Health Partners Paediatric Neurosciences St Thomas Hospital, London, SE1 5HE UK
| | - Amy M Wetherby
- />Department of Clinical Science, Florida State University, 1940 North Monroe Street, Suite 72, Tallahassee, FL 32303 USA
| | - Susan Swedo
- />Pediatrics and Developmental Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 10 Center Drive MSC 1255, Building 10, Room 1C250, Bethesda, MD 20892-1255 USA
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15
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Xing J, Wang C, Kimura H, Takasaki Y, Kunimoto S, Yoshimi A, Nakamura Y, Koide T, Banno M, Kushima I, Uno Y, Okada T, Aleksic B, Ikeda M, Iwata N, Ozaki N. Resequencing and association analysis of PTPRA, a possible susceptibility gene for schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112531. [PMID: 25393624 PMCID: PMC4231042 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The PTPRA gene, which encodes the protein RPTP-α, is critical to neurodevelopment. Previous linkage studies, genome-wide association studies, controlled expression analyses and animal models support an association with both schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders, both of which share a substantial portion of genetic risks. Methods We sequenced the protein-encoding areas of the PTPRA gene for single nucleotide polymorphisms or small insertions/deletions (InDel) in 382 schizophrenia patients. To validate their association with the disorders, rare (minor allele frequency <1%), missense mutations as well as one InDel in the 3′UTR region were then genotyped in another independent sample set comprising 944 schizophrenia patients, 336 autism spectrum disorders patients, and 912 healthy controls. Results Eight rare mutations, including 3 novel variants, were identified during the mutation-screening phase. In the following association analysis, L59P, one of the two missense mutations, was only observed among patients of schizophrenia. Additionally, a novel duplication in the 3′UTR region, 174620_174623dupTGAT, was predicted to be located within a Musashi Binding Element. Major Conclusions No evidence was seen for the association of rare, missense mutations in the PTPRA gene with schizophrenia or autism spectrum disorders; however, we did find some rare variants with possibly damaging effects that may increase the susceptibility of carriers to the disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingrui Xing
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Chenyao Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kimura
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuto Takasaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shohko Kunimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akira Yoshimi
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yukako Nakamura
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Koide
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahiro Banno
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Itaru Kushima
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yota Uno
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takashi Okada
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Branko Aleksic
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Masashi Ikeda
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
| | - Nakao Iwata
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
| | - Norio Ozaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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16
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Zhao Y, Xiong N, Liu Y, Zhou Y, Li N, Qing H, Lin Z. Human dopamine transporter gene: differential regulation of 18-kb haplotypes. Pharmacogenomics 2014; 14:1481-94. [PMID: 24024899 DOI: 10.2217/pgs.13.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Since previous functional studies of short haplotypes and polymorphic sites of SLC6A3 have shown variant-dependent and drug-sensitive promoter activity, this study aimed to understand whether a large SLC6A3 regulatory region, containing these small haplotypes and polymorphic sites, can display haplotype-dependent promoter activity in a drug-sensitive and pathway-related manner. MATERIALS & METHODS By creating and using a single copy number luciferase-reporter vector, we examined regulation of two different SLC6A3 haplotypes (A and B) of the 5´ 18-kb promoter and two known downstream regulatory variable number tandem repeats by 17 drugs in four different cellular models. RESULTS The two regulatory haplotypes displayed up to 3.2-fold difference in promoter activity. The regulations were drug selective (37.5% of the drugs showed effects), and both haplotype and cell type dependent. Pathway analysis revealed at least 13 main signaling hubs targeting SLC6A3, including histone deacetylation, AKT, PKC and CK2 α-chains. CONCLUSION SLC6A3 may be regulated via either its promoter or the variable number tandem repeats independently by specific signaling pathways and in a haplotype-dependent manner. Furthermore, we have developed the first pathway map for SLC6A3 regulation. These findings provide a framework for understanding complex and variant-dependent regulations of SLC6A3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School & Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurogenomics, Division of Alcohol & Drug Abuse, McLean Hospital, Mailstop 318, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
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17
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Bartlett CW, Hou L, Flax JF, Hare A, Cheong SY, Fermano Z, Zimmerman-Bier B, Cartwright C, Azaro MA, Buyske S, Brzustowicz LM. A genome scan for loci shared by autism spectrum disorder and language impairment. Am J Psychiatry 2014; 171:72-81. [PMID: 24170272 PMCID: PMC4431698 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.12081103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The authors conducted a genetic linkage study of families that have both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and language-impaired probands to find common communication impairment loci. The hypothesis was that these families have a high genetic loading for impairments in language ability, thus influencing the language and communication deficits of the family members with ASD. Comprehensive behavioral phenotyping of the families also enabled linkage analysis of quantitative measures, including normal, subclinical, and disordered variation in all family members for the three general autism symptom domains: social, communication, and compulsive behaviors. METHOD The primary linkage analysis coded persons with either ASD or specific language impairment as "affected." The secondary linkage analysis consisted of quantitative metrics of autism-associated behaviors capturing normal to clinically severe variation, measured in all family members. RESULTS Linkage to language phenotypes was established at two novel chromosomal loci, 15q23-26 and 16p12. The secondary analysis of normal and disordered quantitative variation in social and compulsive behaviors established linkage to two loci for social behaviors (at 14q and 15q) and one locus for repetitive behaviors (at 13q). CONCLUSION These data indicate shared etiology of ASD and specific language impairment at two novel loci. Additionally, nonlanguage phenotypes based on social aloofness and rigid personality traits showed compelling evidence for linkage in this study group. Further genetic mapping is warranted at these loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W. Bartlett
- The Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Liping Hou
- The Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Judy F. Flax
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
| | - Abby Hare
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
| | - Soo Yeon Cheong
- The Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Zena Fermano
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
| | - Barbie Zimmerman-Bier
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ,Department of Pediatrics, Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Charles Cartwright
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
| | - Marco A. Azaro
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
| | - Steven Buyske
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ,Department of Statistics and Biostatistics, Rutgers University, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
| | - Linda M. Brzustowicz
- Department of Genetics and the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ,Corresponding Author:
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18
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Ellis Weismer S. Developmental language disorders: challenges and implications of cross-group comparisons. Folia Phoniatr Logop 2013; 65:68-77. [PMID: 23942044 PMCID: PMC4004334 DOI: 10.1159/000353896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, specific language impairment (SLI) and language deficits associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been viewed as distinct developmental language disorders. However, over the last decade or so, a considerable amount of research has explored general similarities or specific areas of overlap between children with SLI and ASD based on language and cognitive profiles, neuroimaging findings, and genetic research. The clinical classification schemes that are used to identify the children necessarily influence the extent to which SLI and ASD are viewed as overlapping or distinct conditions. Yet, the criteria used to diagnose these two populations vary across countries and even across investigators within a given country. This necessarily impacts the findings from comparative investigations of these groups. With these challenges in mind, clinical implications of evidence for similarities and distinctions between children with SLI and ASD will be discussed with respect to differential diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Ellis Weismer
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders/Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisc., USA
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