The effects of different combinations of perceptual-motor exercises, music, and vitamin D supplementation on the nerve growth factor in children with high-functioning autism

The relationships among executive functions, self-regulation, and physical exercise in children with autism spectrum disorder

LAY ABSTRACT

This study examined the impacts of two types of physical exercises (two-wheel cycling vs stationary cycling) on cognition and self-regulation among 64 children with autism spectrum disorder. It also explored the role of social, emotional, and physical needs of an individual in the relationship between exercise, cognition, and self-regulation. Results showed that participants in the two-wheel cycling group showed significant improvements in their cognition and that the two exercise groups also enhanced their self-regulation. Moreover, this study also revealed that the social need is crucial in mediating the relationship between exercise and self-regulation. This study strengthens the notion that cognitively engaging exercise is more beneficial than the non-cognitively engaging exercise in enhancing cognition in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Effectiveness of physical activity interventions for core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

In this paper, systematic review and meta-analysis were used to demonstrate the effectiveness of physical activity intervention on core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Physical activity intervention for core symptoms of ASD were retrieved by computer from the PubMed Cochrane Library, Web of Science, APA PsycNet, and CNKI database during December 1, 2022. Two researchers evaluated the quality of the included literature and extracted the data. Sixteen studies were eventually included, with a total of 587 patients with ASD. Meta-analysis showed that the core symptoms of ASD patients decreased after physical activity intervention, ES(g) = 0.681(95% CI: 0.380-0.982, p = 0.000), specifically, physical activity improved the reduction of social disorder ES(g) = 0.749(95% CI: 0.524-0.973) and repeated rigid behavior ES(g) = 0.553 (95% CI: -0.079 to 1.186). Subgroup analysis showed that preschool children with ASD who were 3-6 years old, exercised for more than 12 weeks, more than 3 times a week, and exercised for more than 90 min per session had better improvement in core symptoms after participating in physical activity. The conclusion of this paper is that physical activity intervention can improve the core symptoms of ASD, especially the reduction of social disorders and repetitive behaviors.

Behavioral Training of High-Functioning Autistic Children by Music Education of Occupational Therapy

Autistic children, also known as "children from the stars", have been discovered for more than half a century, but there is still no unified conclusion on the diagnosis, causes, manifestations, and education of autism. The current theory and practice suggest that there is a need to improve the treatment and education of these children. According to existing theories and practices, most autistic children show a special interest in music, and music is very effective in the treatment of autistic children, and through musical activities, children with autism can improve their language, social and emotional, cognitive, and sensorimotor development. In this paper, we record and observe the music classes of children with autism. We select two classes with a total of seven children with autism as the observation subjects in the music classes, record the changes in various aspects and behavioral performance of these seven children with autism in the music activities, and analyze and summarize them. The main purpose of this study is to analyze and summarize how the three major music teaching methods are implemented in the music classroom for autistic children and how they can help autistic children with different characteristics. In the end, we summarize the main problems of music teaching for autistic children found in practice and try to make some suggestions, hoping to provide reference for scholars who study music education for autistic children. The music teaching activities were effective in improving the children's joint attention, movement imitation, rhythm imitation, and cooperation ability, and all three children improved to varying degrees, fulfilling the goals of the teaching activities. The behavioral analysis of the three children during the teaching activities showed that the three children improved their ability to sit comfortably, awareness, musical ability, and rule awareness and reduced inappropriate behaviors and bad emotions, which proved that music education could improve the social and cognitive skills of the children.

A Systematic Review of Scientific Studies on the Effects of Music in People with or at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is globally increasing, and the current available interventions show variable success. Thus, there is a growing interest in additional interventions such as music therapy (MT). Therefore, we aimed to provide a comprehensive and systematic review of music and people with, or at risk of, ASD. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and used PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science as databases, with “music”, “music therapy”, “autism spectrum disorder”, and “ASD” as search terms. Among the identified and screened articles, 81 out of 621 qualified as scientific studies involving a total of 43,353 participants. These studies investigated the peculiarities of music perception in people with ASD, as well as the effects of music and MT in this patient group. Most of the music-based interventions were beneficial in improving social, emotional, and behavioural problems. However, the availability of studies utilizing a rigorous randomized controlled trial (RCT) design was scarce. Most of the studies had a small sample size, and the applied therapeutic and scientific research methods were heterogeneous.

The Role of Vitamin D Supplementation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Narrative Review

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present with persistent deficits in both social communication and interactions, along with the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors, resulting in significant impairment in significant areas of functioning. Children with ASD consistently reported significantly lower vitamin D levels than typically developing children. Moreover, vitamin D deficiency was found to be strongly correlated with ASD severity. Theoretically, vitamin D can affect neurodevelopment in children with ASD through its anti-inflammatory properties, stimulating the production of neurotrophins, decreasing the risk of seizures, and regulating glutathione and serotonin levels. A Title/Abstract specific search for publications on Vitamin D supplementation trials up to June 2021 was performed using two databases: PubMed and Cochrane Library. Twelve experimental studies were included in the synthesis of this review. Children with ASD reported a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. In general, it was observed that improved vitamin D status significantly reduced the ASD severity, however, this effect was not consistently different between the treatment and control groups. The variations in vitamin D dose protocols and the presence of concurrent interventions might provide an explanation for the variability of results. The age of the child for introducing vitamin D intervention was identified as a possible factor determining the effectiveness of the treatment. Common limitations included a small number of participants and a short duration of follow-ups in the selected studies. Long-term, well-designed randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm the effect of vitamin D on severity in children with ASD.

Peripheral blood neurotrophic factor levels in children with autism spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis

Increasing evidence suggests that abnormal regulation of neurotrophic factors is involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, clinical data on neurotrophic factor levels in children with ASD were inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a systematic review of peripheral blood neurotrophic factors levels in children with ASD, and quantitatively summarized the clinical data of peripheral blood neurotrophic factors in ASD children and healthy controls. A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science identified 31 studies with 2627 ASD children and 4418 healthy controls to be included in the meta-analysis. The results of random effect meta-analysis showed that the peripheral blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Hedges’ g = 0.302; 95% CI = 0.014 to 0.591; P = 0.040) , nerve growth factor (Hedges’ g = 0.395; 95% CI = 0.104 to 0.686; P = 0.008) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (Hedges’ g = 0.097; 95% CI = 0.018 to 0.175; P = 0.016) in children with ASD were significantly higher than that of healthy controls, whereas blood neurotrophin-3 (Hedges’ g =  − 0.795; 95% CI =  − 1.723 to 0.134; P = 0.093) and neurotrophin-4 (Hedges’ g = 0.182; 95% CI =  − 0.285 to 0.650; P = 0.445) levels did not show significant differences between cases and controls. Taken together, these results clarified circulating neurotrophic factor profile in children with ASD, strengthening clinical evidence of neurotrophic factor aberrations in children with ASD.

The association between serum vitamin D and obstructive sleep apnea: an updated meta-analysis

Background

The objective was to determine whether OSA patients have a low serum vitamin D level by systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

This study searched the following electronic bibliographic databases: Embase, Medline, Web of Science, PubMed, VIP, Wanfang, CNKI and SinoMed. All data were searched between January 2000 and August 2020. The quality of the included studies was estimated by two researchers according to the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. All qualified studies and statistical analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.2.

Results

Twenty-nine eligible studies compromising 6717 participants met the inclusion criteria of the meta-analysis. The results revealed that the serum 25(OH)D level was significantly lower in OSA patients than the controls. According to the severity of the disease, subgroup analysis was performed; the results demonstrated that the serum 25(OH)D level was not decreased in mild OSA patients compared with the controls, while the serum 25(OH)D level in moderate and severe OSA patients was lower than that in the controls. Furthermore, based on ethnicity, BMI, PSG type, study quality and latitude, the subjects were divided into different subgroups for meta-analysis. The results revealed that the serum 25(OH)D level in all OSA subgroups was decreased compared with that in the control group.

Conclusions

The present meta-analysis shows that the serum vitamin D level was different between OSA patients and healthy people. OSA patients could have a low serum vitamin D level.

The effect of vitamin D supplement on negative emotions: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The several meta-analyses of the effect of vitamin D on depression have produced inconsistent results and studies dealing with anxiety were not incorporated. There has been no comprehensive analysis of how results are affected by the nature of the sample or the dosage and duration of supplementation. The study is aimed to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation reduces negative emotions and to analyze the possible influence of sample and regimen.

METHOD

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of vitamin D and placebo on negative emotion. Databases were searched for relevant articles published before February 2019.

RESULTS

The analysis covered 25 trials with a total of 7,534 participants and revealed an effect of vitamin D on negative emotion (Hedges' g = -0.4990, 95% CI [-0.8453, -0.1528], p = .0047, I²  = 97.7%). Subgroup analysis showed that vitamin D had an effect on patients with major depressive disorder and on subjects with serum 25(OH)D levels ≤50 nmol/L. The pooled data from trials of vitamin D supplementation lasting ≥8 weeks and dosage ≤4,000 IU/day indicated that vitamin D had an effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support the hypothesis that vitamin D supplementation can reduce negative emotions. Patients with major depressive disorder and individuals with vitamin D deficiency are most likely to benefit from supplementation. But to interpret the results with high heterogeneity should still be cautious.

Vitamin D Supplementation is Beneficial for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis

Objective

We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to explore whether vitamin D supplementation is beneficial for symptom improvement in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Methods

We systematically searched the PubMed database, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Sino-Med, Wanfang Data, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure mainly up to September 2019. Using a fixed effects model, we calculated the standard mean difference with 95% confidence interval. Furthermore, we analyzed baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and outcome scores including the Social Responsiveness Scale and Child Autism Rating Scale scores after vitamin D supplementation.

Results

There was no significant difference in baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels among 203 children included from three studies in the meta-analysis. After vitamin D supplementation, the outcome scores in the experimental group were dramatically elevated compared with those in the control group (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Vitamin D supplementation improves the typical symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, as indicated by reduced Social Responsiveness Scale and Child Autism Rating Scale scores; thus, it is beneficial for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Nutritional and environmental contributions to Autism Spectrum Disorders: Focus on nutrigenomics as complementary therapy

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has risen sharply in the last 30 years, posing a major public health concern and a big emotional and financial challenge for families. While the underlying causes remain to be fully elucidated, evidence shows moderate genetic heritability contribution, but heavy environmental influence. Over the last decades, modern lifestyle has deeply changed our eating, rest, and exercise habits, while exposure to air, water, and food chemical pollution has increased due to indiscriminate use of pesticides, food additives, adjuvants, and antibiotics. The result is a drastic change in the quality of our energy source input, and an overload for antioxidant and detoxification pathways that compromises normal metabolism and homeostasis. Current research shows high prevalence of food selectivity and/or food allergy among children with autism, resulting in essential micronutrient deficits that may trigger or aggravate physical and cognitive symptoms. Nutrigenomics is an emerging discipline that focuses on genotype-micronutrient interaction, and a useful approach to tailor low risk, personalized interventions through diet and micronutrient supplementation. Here, we review available literature addressing the role of micronutrients in the symptomatology of ASD, the metabolic pathways involved, and their therapeutic relevance. Personalized and supervised supplementation according to individual needs is suggested as a complement of traditional therapies to improve outcome both for children with autism and their families.

Vitamin D Deficiency During Pregnancy and Autism Spectrum Disorders Development

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by reduced social interactions, impaired communications, and stereotypic and repetitive behavior with different degrees of severity. The etiology of autism spectrum disorder is unknown, although the interaction of genetic and environmental factors is believed to play a fundamental role in the process. The main aim of this narrative review is to discuss the current knowledge about the interrelationships between vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder development. Literature analysis showed that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy plays a role in conditioning the development and function of the nervous system. Studies carried out in vitro and in experimental animals have shown that vitamin D deficiency can be associated with structural and functional abnormalities of the nervous system that can be observed in autism spectrum disorder patients. Moreover, it has been reported that vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy could be a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder development in the offspring, that children with autism spectrum disorder have significantly lower serum levels of vitamin D than normal children and that supplementation of vitamin D in autism spectrum disorder children is associated with a reduction in psychiatric manifestations. However, the data currently available do not adequately support the hypothesis that vitamin D may be a factor which contribute to the etiology of autism spectrum disorder. The effects of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy should be better studied to establish whether and when fetal vulnerability is highest and if vitamin D supplementation is able to reduce the risk of structural and functional alterations of the nervous system and autism spectrum disorder development. The role of vitamin D after birth must be better defined to evaluate if vitamin D administration is potentially effective in reducing autism spectrum disorder manifestations.

Updated overview on interplay between physical exercise, neurotrophins, and cognitive function in humans

The many important benefits of physical exercise also encompass maintenance or improvement of cognitive functions. Among the various mechanisms underlying the association between physical exercise and brain health, recent evidence attests that neurotrophin receptor signaling may have an important role, because the activation of this pathway leads to growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses, supports axonal and dendritic growth, fosters synaptic plasticity, and preserves survival of existing neurons. In this review of published evidence, we highlight that a positive relationship exists between physical exercise and circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and that the postexercise variation of this molecule is associated with improvement of neurocognitive functioning. Less clear evidence has instead been published for other neurotrophins, such as nerve growth factor, neurotrophin-3, and neurotrophin-4. Overall, promotion of adequate volumes and intensities of physical exercise (i.e., approximately 3 months of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, with 2-3 sessions/week lasting not less than 30 min) may hence be regarded as an inexpensive and safe strategy for boosting brain-derived neurotrophic factor release, thus preserving or restoring cognitive functions.

Pharmacological, non-pharmacological and stem cell therapies for the management of autism spectrum disorders: A focus on human studies

In the last decade, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has dramatically escalated worldwide. Currently available drugs mainly target some co-occurring symptoms of ASD, but are not effective on the core symptoms, namely impairments in communication and social interaction, and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors. On the other hand, transplantation of hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells in ASD children has been shown promising to stimulate the recruitment, proliferation, and differentiation of tissue-residing native stem cells, reducing inflammation, and improving some ASD symptoms. Moreover, several comorbidities have also been associated with ASD, such as immune dysregulation, gastrointestinal issues and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Non-pharmacological approaches, such as dietary supplementations with certain vitamins, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, probiotics, some phytochemicals (e.g., luteolin and sulforaphane), or overall diet interventions (e.g., gluten free and casein free diets) have been considered for the reduction of such comorbidities and the management of ASD. Here, interventional studies describing pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments in ASD children and adolescents, along with stem cell-based therapies, are reviewed.