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Mazza JADS, Ferreira LS, Martins-Vieira ADF, Beserra DDL, Rodrigues VA, Malcher-Lopes R, Caixeta FV. Clinical and Family Implications of Cannabidiol (CBD)-Dominant Full-Spectrum Phytocannabinoid Extract in Children and Adolescents with Moderate to Severe Non-Syndromic Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): An Observational Study on Neurobehavioral Management. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:686. [PMID: 38931353 PMCID: PMC11206937 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses a wide range of neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication and behavior. Current pharmacological options are limited and feature significant side effects. In this study, we conducted a retrospective, observational, and cross-sectional cohort study to evaluate the effects of Cannabidiol (CBD)-dominant, full-spectrum cannabis extract, containing Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a ratio of 33:1 (CBD:THC), on non-syndromic children and adolescents (5-18 years old) with moderate to severe ASD. Thirty volunteers were recruited, underwent neuropsychological evaluations and were treated with individualized doses of CBD-dominant extract. Clinical assessments were conducted by the designated clinician. Additionally, parents or caregivers were independently interviewed to assess perceived treatment effects. We found significant improvements in various symptomatic and non-symptomatic aspects of ASD, with minimal untoward effects, as reported by both clinical assessments and parental perceptions. The observed improvements included increased communicative skills, attention, learning, eye contact, diminished aggression and irritability, and an overall increase in both the patient's and family's quality of life. Despite its limitations, our findings suggest that treatment with full-spectrum CBD-dominant extract may be a safe and effective option for core and comorbid symptoms of ASD, and it may also increase overall quality of life for individuals with ASD and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Alves de Souza Mazza
- University Hospital of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia 70840-901, Brazil; (J.A.d.S.M.); (L.S.F.); (D.D.L.B.); (V.A.R.)
| | - Lisiane Seguti Ferreira
- University Hospital of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia 70840-901, Brazil; (J.A.d.S.M.); (L.S.F.); (D.D.L.B.); (V.A.R.)
| | - Alice de Faria Martins-Vieira
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (A.d.F.M.-V.); (R.M.-L.)
| | - Doris Day Lopes Beserra
- University Hospital of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia 70840-901, Brazil; (J.A.d.S.M.); (L.S.F.); (D.D.L.B.); (V.A.R.)
| | - Victor Alves Rodrigues
- University Hospital of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia 70840-901, Brazil; (J.A.d.S.M.); (L.S.F.); (D.D.L.B.); (V.A.R.)
| | - Renato Malcher-Lopes
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (A.d.F.M.-V.); (R.M.-L.)
| | - Fabio V. Caixeta
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (A.d.F.M.-V.); (R.M.-L.)
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Rao S, Sadybekov A, DeWitt DC, Lipka J, Katritch V, Herring BE. Detection of autism spectrum disorder-related pathogenic trio variants by a novel structure-based approach. Mol Autism 2024; 15:12. [PMID: 38566250 PMCID: PMC10988830 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-024-00590-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glutamatergic synapse dysfunction is believed to underlie the development of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual Disability (ID) in many individuals. However, identification of genetic markers that contribute to synaptic dysfunction in these individuals is notoriously difficult. Based on genomic analysis, structural modeling, and functional data, we recently established the involvement of the TRIO-RAC1 pathway in ASD and ID. Furthermore, we identified a pathological de novo missense mutation hotspot in TRIO's GEF1 domain. ASD/ID-related missense mutations within this domain compromise glutamatergic synapse function and likely contribute to the development of ASD/ID. The number of ASD/ID cases with mutations identified within TRIO's GEF1 domain is increasing. However, tools for accurately predicting whether such mutations are detrimental to protein function are lacking. METHODS Here we deployed advanced protein structural modeling techniques to predict potential de novo pathogenic and benign mutations within TRIO's GEF1 domain. Mutant TRIO-9 constructs were generated and expressed in CA1 pyramidal neurons of organotypic cultured hippocampal slices. AMPA receptor-mediated postsynaptic currents were examined in these neurons using dual whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology. We also validated these findings using orthogonal co-immunoprecipitation and fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM-FRET) experiments to assay TRIO mutant overexpression effects on TRIO-RAC1 binding and on RAC1 activity in HEK293/T cells. RESULTS Missense mutations in TRIO's GEF1 domain that were predicted to disrupt TRIO-RAC1 binding or stability were tested experimentally and found to greatly impair TRIO-9's influence on glutamatergic synapse function. In contrast, missense mutations in TRIO's GEF1 domain that were predicted to have minimal effect on TRIO-RAC1 binding or stability did not impair TRIO-9's influence on glutamatergic synapse function in our experimental assays. In orthogonal assays, we find most of the mutations predicted to disrupt binding display loss of function but mutants predicted to disrupt stability do not reflect our results from neuronal electrophysiological data. LIMITATIONS We present a method to predict missense mutations in TRIO's GEF1 domain that may compromise TRIO function and test for effects in a limited number of assays. Possible limitations arising from the model systems employed here can be addressed in future studies. Our method does not provide evidence for whether these mutations confer ASD/ID risk or the likelihood that such mutations will result in the development of ASD/ID. CONCLUSIONS Here we show that a combination of structure-based computational predictions and experimental validation can be employed to reliably predict whether missense mutations in the human TRIO gene impede TRIO protein function and compromise TRIO's role in glutamatergic synapse regulation. With the growing accessibility of genome sequencing, the use of such tools in the accurate identification of pathological mutations will be instrumental in diagnostics of ASD/ID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadhna Rao
- Department of Biological Sciences, Neurobiology Section, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
| | - Anastasiia Sadybekov
- Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - David C DeWitt
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Joanna Lipka
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Vsevolod Katritch
- Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
| | - Bruce E Herring
- Department of Biological Sciences, Neurobiology Section, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
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Khattab NA, El-Kadem AH, Elblehi SS, Ahmed El-Mahdy N, El-Shitany NA. The emerging role of α7nAChRs/caspase-3/Nrf-2 signaling pathway in citicoline improved autistic behavior induced by thimerosal in mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 130:111736. [PMID: 38401462 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a global concern,affecting around 75 million individuals.Various factors contribute to ASD,including mercury-containing preservatives like thimerosal (Thim) found in some vaccines.This study explored whether citicoline could be a therapeutic option for Thim-induced neuronal damage in a mouse model of ASD.Additionally,the study investigated the effects of citicoline on the α7nAChRs/Akt/Nrf2/caspase-3 pathway,which may be involved in the development of ASD. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study separated newborn mice into four groups.The control group received saline injections,while the Thim group received intramuscular injections of 3000 μg Hg/kg Thim on days 7,9,11,and 15 after birth.The two citicoline groups were administered Thim followed by intraperitoneal injections of 250 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg citicoline for three weeks.Afterward,various parameters were assessed, including growth,behavior,brain histopathology,oxidative stress,apoptotic,and inflammatory markers. KEY FINDINGS Untreated Thim-exposed mice exhibited significant brain damage,which was substantially alleviated by citicoline treatment.This beneficial effect was associated with increased expressions and concentrations of brain α7nAChRs and Akt, increased brain content of Nrf2, and the hippocampus contents of acetylcholine. Citicoline treatment decreased the brain levels of oxidative stress markers (MDA and NO),the apoptotic marker caspase-3,and pro-inflammatory markers (NF-κB,TNF-α,and IL-1β). The drug also increased the brain GPx activity. SIGNIFICANCE Based on the results of this study,the α7nAChRs pathway appears to be essential for the therapeutic effectiveness of citicoline in treating Thim-induced ASD in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nourhan A Khattab
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt.
| | - Aya H El-Kadem
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Samar S Elblehi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 22758, Egypt
| | - Nageh Ahmed El-Mahdy
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Nagla A El-Shitany
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
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Bui HTP, Huy Do D, Ly HTT, Tran KT, Le HTT, Nguyen KT, Pham LTD, Le HD, Le VS, Mukhopadhyay A, Nguyen LT. De novo copy number variations in candidate genomic regions in patients of severe autism spectrum disorder in Vietnam. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0290936. [PMID: 38451970 PMCID: PMC10919600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder with a prevalence of around 1% children worldwide and characterized by patient behaviour (communication, social interaction, and personal development). Data on the efficacy of diagnostic tests using copy number variations (CNVs) in candidate genes in ASD is currently around 10% but it is overrepresented by patients of Caucasian background. We report here that the diagnostic success of de novo candidate CNVs in Vietnamese ASD patients is around 6%. We recruited one hundred trios (both parents and a child) where the child was clinically diagnosed with ASD while the parents were not affected. We performed genetic screening to exclude RETT syndrome and Fragile X syndrome and performed genome-wide DNA microarray (aCGH) on all probands and their parents to analyse for de novo CNVs. We detected 1708 non-redundant CNVs in 100 patients and 118 (7%) of them were de novo. Using the filter for known CNVs from the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) database, we identified six CNVs (one gain and five loss CNVs) in six patients (3 males and 3 females). Notably, 3 of our patients had a deletion involving the SHANK3 gene-which is the highest compared to previous reports. This is the first report of candidate CNVs in ASD patients from Vietnam and provides the framework for building a CNV based test as the first tier screening for clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoa Thi Phuong Bui
- High Technology Center, Vinmec Health Care System, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi, Vietnam
- Translational Medicine Laboratory, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom
| | - Duong Huy Do
- High Technology Center, Vinmec Health Care System, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi, Vietnam
| | - Ha Thi Thanh Ly
- High Technology Center, Vinmec Health Care System, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi, Vietnam
| | - Kien Trung Tran
- Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, Vinmec Health Care System, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi, Vietnam
| | - Huong Thi Thanh Le
- Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, Vinmec Health Care System, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi, Vietnam
| | - Kien Trung Nguyen
- Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, Vinmec Health Care System, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi, Vietnam
| | - Linh Thi Dieu Pham
- Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, Vinmec Health Care System, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi, Vietnam
| | - Hau Duc Le
- Big Data Institute, Vinmec Health Care System, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi, Vietnam
| | - Vinh Sy Le
- Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, Vinmec Health Care System, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi, Vietnam
- University of Engineering and Technology, Vietnam National University Hanoi, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Arijit Mukhopadhyay
- Translational Medicine Laboratory, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom
| | - Liem Thanh Nguyen
- Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, Vinmec Health Care System, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi, Vietnam
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Yenkoyan K, Mkhitaryan M, Bjørklund G. Environmental Risk Factors in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Narrative Review. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:2345-2360. [PMID: 38204225 DOI: 10.2174/0109298673252471231121045529] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Existing evidence indicates that environmental factors might contribute up to 50% of the variance in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk. This structured narrative review offers a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on environmental risk factors in ASD, including evaluation of conflicting evidence, exploration of underlying mechanisms, and suggestions for future research directions. Analysis of diverse epidemiological investigations indicates that certain environmental factors, including advanced parental age, preterm birth, delivery complications, and exposure to toxic metals, drugs, air pollutants, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, are linked to an increased ASD risk through various mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, hypoxia, and its consequences, changes in neurotransmitters, disruption of signaling pathways and some others. On the other hand, pregnancy-related factors such as maternal diabetes, maternal obesity, and caesarian section show a weaker association with ASD risk. At the same time, other environmental factors, such as vaccination, maternal smoking, or alcohol consumption, are not linked to the risk of ASD. Regarding nutritional elements data are inconclusive. These findings highlight the significance of environmental factors in ASD etiology and emphasize that more focused research is needed to target the risk factors of ASD. Environmental interventions targeting modifiable risk factors might offer promising avenues for ASD prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meri Mkhitaryan
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Cobrain Center, YSMU, Yerevan, 0025, Armenia
| | - Geir Bjørklund
- Department of Research, Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway
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Neubauer J, Kaiser A, Hohmann S. [Gut Microbiota and Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview of Correlations and Potential Implications for Therapeutic Interventions]. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR KINDER- UND JUGENDPSYCHIATRIE UND PSYCHOTHERAPIE 2023; 52:151-165. [PMID: 38098430 DOI: 10.1024/1422-4917/a000962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Gut Microbiota and Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview of Correlations and Potential Implications for Therapeutic Interventions Abstract: At the beginning of research on microbiota, researchers focused mainly on the role of microbiota dysbiosis in the development of gastrointestinal diseases. However, over the last years, researchers have also identified correlations with other physical processes and neuropsychiatric diseases such as autism spectrum disorder. These correlations are believed to be at least partly mediated through the brain-gut-microbiome axis. An altered composition of microbiota in patients with autism spectrum disorder was detected compared to healthy controls. Today, the discussion centers around a possible systemic impact of the metabolites of some microbiota or microbiota-induced chronic inflammatory processes on the brain (mediated through the brain-gut-microbiome axis) as an underlying mechanism. Still, the specific underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown, so conclusions on therapeutic implications are difficult to determine. Here, we describe some promising approaches to improving autistic behavior through dietary changes, the use of prebiotics and probiotics, stool transplantation from healthy controls, and restricted absorbance of certain metabolites. We need further clinical studies of high quality to fully understand the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder and to improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Neubauer
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, -psychiotherapie und -psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - Anna Kaiser
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, -psychiotherapie und -psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Deutschland
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim der Universität Heidelberg, Mannheim, Deutschland
| | - Sarah Hohmann
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, -psychiotherapie und -psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Deutschland
- AG Neurophysiologie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim der Universität Heidelberg, Mannheim, Deutschland
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Rahim F, Toguzbaeva K, Qasim NH, Dzhusupov KO, Zhumagaliuly A, Khozhamkul R. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics for patients with autism spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis and umbrella review. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1294089. [PMID: 38148790 PMCID: PMC10750421 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1294089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objective The potential impact of gut health on general physical and mental well-being, particularly in relation to brain function, has led to a growing interest in the potential health advantages of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics for the management of ASD. A comprehensive meta-analysis and systematic review was conducted in order to evaluate the effectiveness and protection of many drugs targeted at manipulating the microbiota in the treatment of ASD. Methods The present study employed a comprehensive examination of various electronic databases yielded a total of 3,393 records that were deemed possibly pertinent to the study. RCTs encompassed a total of 720 individuals between the ages of 2 and 17, as well as 112 adults and participants ranging from 5 to 55 years old, all of whom had received a diagnosis of ASD. Results Overall, 10 studies reported Autism-Related Behavioral Symptoms (ARBS). Regarding the enhancement of autism-related behavioral symptoms, there wasn't a statistically significant difference between the intervention groups (combined standardized mean difference = -0.07, 95% confidence interval: -0.39 to 0.24, Z = 0.46, p = 0.65). We observed that in the patients with ASD treated with probiotic frontopolar's power decreased significantly from baseline to endpoints in beta band (Baseline: 13.09 ± 3.46, vs. endpoint: 10.75 ± 2.42, p = 0.043, respectively) and gamma band (Baseline: 5.80 ± 2.42, vs. endpoint: 4.63 ± 1.39, p = 0.033, respectively). Among all tested biochemical measures, a significant negative correlation was found between frontopolar coherence in the gamma band and TNF-α (r = -0.30, p = 0.04). Conclusion The existing body of research provides a comprehensive analysis of the developing evidence that indicates the potential of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics as therapeutic therapies for ASD. Our findings revealed that those there was no significant effect of such therapy on autism-related behavioral symptoms, it has significant effect on the brain connectivity through frontopolar power in beta and gamma bands mediated by chemicals and cytokines, such as TNF-α. The psychobiotics showed no serious side-effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fakher Rahim
- College of Health Sciences, Cihan University Sulaimaniya, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Karlygash Toguzbaeva
- School of Public Health, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Nameer Hashim Qasim
- Cihan University Sulaimaniya Research Center (CUSRC), Cihan University – Sulaimaniya, Kurdistan Region, Suleymania, Iraq
| | - Kenesh O. Dzhusupov
- Head of Public Health Department, International Higher School of Medicine, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
| | - Abzal Zhumagaliuly
- School of Public Health, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Rabiga Khozhamkul
- Department of Biostatistics and Basics of Research, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
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O’Hora KP, Kushan-Wells L, Schleifer CH, Cruz S, Hoftman GD, Jalbrzikowski M, Gur RE, Gur RC, Bearden CE. Distinct neurocognitive profiles and clinical phenotypes associated with copy number variation at the 22q11.2 locus. Autism Res 2023; 16:2247-2262. [PMID: 37997544 PMCID: PMC10872774 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3049] [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: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Rare genetic variants that confer large effects on neurodevelopment and behavioral phenotypes can reveal novel gene-brain-behavior relationships relevant to autism. Copy number variation at the 22q11.2 locus offer one compelling example, as both the 22q11.2 deletion (22qDel) and duplication (22qDup) confer increased likelihood of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and cognitive deficits, but only 22qDel confers increased psychosis risk. Here, we used the Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (Penn-CNB) to characterized neurocognitive profiles of 126 individuals: 55 22qDel carriers (MAge = 19.2 years, 49.1% male), 30 22qDup carriers (MAge = 17.3 years, 53.3% male), and 41 typically developing (TD) subjects (MAge = 17.3 years, 39.0% male). We performed linear mixed models to assess group differences in overall neurocognitive profiles, domain scores, and individual test scores. We found all three groups exhibited distinct overall neurocognitive profiles. 22qDel and 22qDup carriers showed significant accuracy deficits across all domains relative to controls (episodic memory, executive function, complex cognition, social cognition, and sensorimotor speed), with 22qDel carriers exhibiting more severe accuracy deficits, particularly in episodic memory. However, 22qDup carriers generally showed greater slowing than 22qDel carriers. Notably, slower social cognition speed was uniquely associated with increased global psychopathology and poorer psychosocial functioning in 22qDup. Compared to TD, 22q11.2 copy number variants (CNV) carriers failed to show age-associated improvements in multiple cognitive domains. Exploratory analyses revealed 22q11.2 CNV carriers with ASD exhibited differential neurocognitive profiles, based on 22q11.2 copy number. These results suggest that there are distinct neurocognitive profiles associated with either a loss or gain of genomic material at the 22q11.2 locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen P. O’Hora
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Leila Kushan-Wells
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Charles H. Schleifer
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shayne Cruz
- College of Natural and Agricultural Science, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Gil D. Hoftman
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Maria Jalbrzikowski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Raquel E. Gur
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania and the Penn-CHOP Lifespan and Brain Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ruben C. Gur
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania and the Penn-CHOP Lifespan and Brain Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Carrie E. Bearden
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Sandoval-Talamantes AK, Tenorio-Castaño JA, Santos-Simarro F, Adán C, Fernández-Elvira M, García-Fernández L, Muñoz Y, Lapunzina P, Nevado J. NGS Custom Panel Implementation in Patients with Non-Syndromic Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Clinical Routine of a Tertiary Hospital. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2091. [PMID: 38003033 PMCID: PMC10671584 DOI: 10.3390/genes14112091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a set of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficiencies in communication, social interaction, and repetitive and restrictive behaviors. The discovery of genetic involvement in the etiology of ASD has made this condition a strong candidate for genome-based diagnostic tests. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is useful for the detection of variants in the sequence of different genes in ASD patients. Herein, we present the implementation of a personalized NGS panel for autism (AutismSeq) for patients with essential ASD over a prospective period of four years in the clinical routine of a tertiary hospital. The cohort is composed of 48 individuals, older than 3 years, who met the DSM-5 (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) diagnostic criteria for ASD. The NGS customized panel (AutismSeq) turned out to be a tool with good diagnostic efficacy in routine clinical care, where we detected 12 "pathogenic" (including pathogenic, likely pathogenic, and VUS (variant of uncertain significance) possibly pathogenic variations) in 11 individuals, and 11 VUS in 10 individuals, which had previously been negative for chromosomal microarray analysis and other previous genetic studies, such as karyotype, fragile-X, or MLPA/FISH (Multiplex Ligation dependent Probe Amplification/Fluorescence in situ hybridization) analysis. Our results demonstrate the high genetic and clinical heterogeneity of individuals with ASD and the current difficulty of molecular diagnosis. Our study also shows that an NGS-customized panel might be useful for diagnosing patients with essential/primary autism and that it is cost-effective for most genetic laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Karen Sandoval-Talamantes
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
| | - Jair Antonio Tenorio-Castaño
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
- ITHACA, European Research Network, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- CIBERER (Network for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Santos-Simarro
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
- ITHACA, European Research Network, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- CIBERER (Network for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Adán
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
| | - María Fernández-Elvira
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
| | - Laura García-Fernández
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
| | - Yolanda Muñoz
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
| | - Pablo Lapunzina
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
- ITHACA, European Research Network, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- CIBERER (Network for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Julián Nevado
- INGEMM (Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics), La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.K.S.-T.); (J.A.T.-C.); (F.S.-S.); (C.A.); (M.F.-E.); (L.G.-F.); (Y.M.); (P.L.)
- ITHACA, European Research Network, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- CIBERER (Network for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), 28046 Madrid, Spain
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10
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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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11
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Milutinovic L, Grujicic R, Mandic Maravic V, Joksic I, Ljubomirovic N, Pejovic Milovancevic M. Autism spectrum disorder and Coffin-Siris syndrome-Case report. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1199710. [PMID: 37692302 PMCID: PMC10483805 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1199710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disorders characterized by deficits in social communicative skills and the occurrence of repetitive and/or stereotyped behaviors. Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS) is classically characterized by aplasia or hypoplasia of the distal phalanx or nail of the fifth and additional digits, developmental or cognitive delay of varying degrees, distinctive facial features, hypotonia, hirsutism/hypertrichosis, and sparse scalp hair. In this study, we present a detailed description of autistic traits in a boy diagnosed with CSS and further discuss their genetic backgrounds. Case description An 8-year-old boy with ASD, congenital anomalies, and neurological problems had been diagnosed with Coffin-Siris syndrome after genetic testing. Genetic testing revealed a heterozygous de novo pathogenic variant (class 5) c.1638_1647del in the ARID1B gene that is causative of Coffin-Siris syndrome but also other intellectual disability (ID)-related disorders, including autism. Tests that preceded the diagnoses, as well as congenital anomalies and developmental issues, were further described in an attempt to better present his phenotype. Conclusion Both autism and ARID1B-related disorders are on a spectrum. This report points out the importance and necessity of further research regarding the genetic backgrounds of these disorders to understand their complex etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luka Milutinovic
- Clinical Department for Children and Adolescents, Institute of Mental Health, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Roberto Grujicic
- Clinical Department for Children and Adolescents, Institute of Mental Health, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vanja Mandic Maravic
- Day Hospital for Psychotic Disorders, Institute of Mental Health, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivana Joksic
- Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics “Narodni Front”, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Natasa Ljubomirovic
- Clinical Department for Children and Adolescents, Institute of Mental Health, Belgrade, Serbia
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12
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Cucinotta F, Lintas C, Tomaiuolo P, Baccarin M, Picinelli C, Castronovo P, Sacco R, Piras IS, Turriziani L, Ricciardello A, Scattoni ML, Persico AM. Diagnostic yield and clinical impact of chromosomal microarray analysis in autism spectrum disorder. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2023; 11:e2182. [PMID: 37186221 PMCID: PMC10422062 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.2182] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by high heritability estimates and recurrence rates; its genetic underpinnings are very heterogeneous and include variable combinations of common and rare variants. Array-comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) offers significant sensitivity for the identification of copy number variants (CNVs), which can act as susceptibility or causal factors for ASD. METHODS The aim of this study was to evaluate both diagnostic yield and clinical impact of aCGH in 329 ASD patients of Italian descent. RESULTS Pathogenic/likely pathogenic CNVs were identified in 50/329 (15.2%) patients, whereas 89/329 (27.1%) carry variants of uncertain significance. The 10 most enriched gene sets identified by Gene Ontology Enrichment Analysis are primarily involved in neuronal function and synaptic connectivity. In 13/50 (26.0%) patients with pathogenic/likely pathogenic CNVs, the outcome of array-CGH led to the request of 25 additional medical exams which would not have otherwise been prescribed, mainly including brain MRI, EEG, EKG, and/or cardiac ultrasound. A positive outcome was obtained in 12/25 (48.0%) of these additional tests. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the satisfactory diagnostic yield of aCGH, underscoring its potential for better, more in-depth care of children with autism when genetic results are analyzed also with a focus on patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cucinotta
- Interdepartmental Program "Autism 0‐90", "G. Martino" University Hospital of MessinaMessinaItaly
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino Pulejo”MessinaItaly
| | - Carla Lintas
- Service for Neurodevelopmental Disorders & Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and NeurogeneticsUniversity “Campus Bio‐Medico”RomeItaly
| | - Pasquale Tomaiuolo
- Interdepartmental Program "Autism 0‐90", "G. Martino" University Hospital of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Marco Baccarin
- Mafalda Luce Center for Pervasive Developmental DisordersMilanItaly
- Synlab GeneticsBioggioSwitzerland
| | - Chiara Picinelli
- Mafalda Luce Center for Pervasive Developmental DisordersMilanItaly
| | - Paola Castronovo
- Mafalda Luce Center for Pervasive Developmental DisordersMilanItaly
| | - Roberto Sacco
- Service for Neurodevelopmental Disorders & Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and NeurogeneticsUniversity “Campus Bio‐Medico”RomeItaly
| | - Ignazio Stefano Piras
- Service for Neurodevelopmental Disorders & Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and NeurogeneticsUniversity “Campus Bio‐Medico”RomeItaly
- Neurogenomics DivisionThe Translational Genomics Research InstitutePhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Laura Turriziani
- Interdepartmental Program "Autism 0‐90", "G. Martino" University Hospital of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Arianna Ricciardello
- Interdepartmental Program "Autism 0‐90", "G. Martino" University Hospital of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | | | - Antonio M. Persico
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Program, Modena University Hospital & Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural SciencesUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
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Spirito G, Filosi M, Domenici E, Mangoni D, Gustincich S, Sanges R. Exploratory analysis of L1 retrotransposons expression in autism. Mol Autism 2023; 14:22. [PMID: 37381037 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00554-5] [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: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a set of highly heterogeneous neurodevelopmental diseases whose genetic etiology is not completely understood. Several investigations have relied on transcriptome analysis from peripheral tissues to dissect ASD into homogenous molecular phenotypes. Recently, analysis of changes in gene expression from postmortem brain tissues has identified sets of genes that are involved in pathways previously associated with ASD etiology. In addition to protein-coding transcripts, the human transcriptome is composed by a large set of non-coding RNAs and transposable elements (TEs). Advancements in sequencing technologies have proven that TEs can be transcribed in a regulated fashion, and their dysregulation might have a role in brain diseases. METHODS We exploited published datasets comprising RNA-seq data from (1) postmortem brain of ASD subjects, (2) in vitro cell cultures where ten different ASD-relevant genes were knocked out and (3) blood of discordant siblings. We measured the expression levels of evolutionarily young full-length transposable L1 elements and characterized the genomic location of deregulated L1s assessing their potential impact on the transcription of ASD-relevant genes. We analyzed every sample independently, avoiding to pool together the disease subjects to unmask the heterogeneity of the molecular phenotypes. RESULTS We detected a strong upregulation of intronic full-length L1s in a subset of postmortem brain samples and in in vitro differentiated neurons from iPSC knocked out for ATRX. L1 upregulation correlated with an high number of deregulated genes and retained introns. In the anterior cingulate cortex of one subject, a small number of significantly upregulated L1s overlapped with ASD-relevant genes that were significantly downregulated, suggesting the possible existence of a negative effect of L1 transcription on host transcripts. LIMITATIONS Our analyses must be considered exploratory and will need to be validated in bigger cohorts. The main limitation is given by the small sample size and by the lack of replicates for postmortem brain samples. Measuring the transcription of locus-specific TEs is complicated by the repetitive nature of their sequence, which reduces the accuracy in mapping sequencing reads to the correct genomic locus. CONCLUSIONS L1 upregulation in ASD appears to be limited to a subset of subjects that are also characterized by a general deregulation of the expression of canonical genes and an increase in intron retention. In some samples from the anterior cingulate cortex, L1s upregulation seems to directly impair the expression of some ASD-relevant genes by a still unknown mechanism. L1s upregulation may therefore identify a group of ASD subjects with common molecular features and helps stratifying individuals for novel strategies of therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Spirito
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Area of Neuroscience, Via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT, Via Enrico Melen 83, Building B, 16152, Genoa, Italy
- CMP3vda, Via Lavoratori Vittime del Col Du Mont 28, Aosta, Italy
| | - Michele Filosi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, TN, Italy
- Eurac Research, Institute for Biomedicine, Bolzano, BZ, Italy
| | - Enrico Domenici
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, TN, Italy
- Fondazione The Microsoft Research - University of Trento Centre for Computational and Systems Biology (COSBI), Rovereto, TN, Italy
| | - Damiano Mangoni
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT, Via Enrico Melen 83, Building B, 16152, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefano Gustincich
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT, Via Enrico Melen 83, Building B, 16152, Genoa, Italy.
- CMP3vda, Via Lavoratori Vittime del Col Du Mont 28, Aosta, Italy.
| | - Remo Sanges
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Area of Neuroscience, Via Bonomea 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy.
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT, Via Enrico Melen 83, Building B, 16152, Genoa, Italy.
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14
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Molloy CJ, Cooke J, Gatford NJF, Rivera-Olvera A, Avazzadeh S, Homberg JR, Grandjean J, Fernandes C, Shen S, Loth E, Srivastava DP, Gallagher L. Bridging the translational gap: what can synaptopathies tell us about autism? Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1191323. [PMID: 37441676 PMCID: PMC10333541 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1191323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple molecular pathways and cellular processes have been implicated in the neurobiology of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. There is a current focus on synaptic gene conditions, or synaptopathies, which refer to clinical conditions associated with rare genetic variants disrupting genes involved in synaptic biology. Synaptopathies are commonly associated with autism and developmental delay and may be associated with a range of other neuropsychiatric outcomes. Altered synaptic biology is suggested by both preclinical and clinical studies in autism based on evidence of differences in early brain structural development and altered glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission potentially perturbing excitatory and inhibitory balance. This review focusses on the NRXN-NLGN-SHANK pathway, which is implicated in the synaptic assembly, trans-synaptic signalling, and synaptic functioning. We provide an overview of the insights from preclinical molecular studies of the pathway. Concentrating on NRXN1 deletion and SHANK3 mutations, we discuss emerging understanding of cellular processes and electrophysiology from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) models derived from individuals with synaptopathies, neuroimaging and behavioural findings in animal models of Nrxn1 and Shank3 synaptic gene conditions, and key findings regarding autism features, brain and behavioural phenotypes from human clinical studies of synaptopathies. The identification of molecular-based biomarkers from preclinical models aims to advance the development of targeted therapeutic treatments. However, it remains challenging to translate preclinical animal models and iPSC studies to interpret human brain development and autism features. We discuss the existing challenges in preclinical and clinical synaptopathy research, and potential solutions to align methodologies across preclinical and clinical research. Bridging the translational gap between preclinical and clinical studies will be necessary to understand biological mechanisms, to identify targeted therapies, and ultimately to progress towards personalised approaches for complex neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciara J. Molloy
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jennifer Cooke
- Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J. F. Gatford
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Medical Sciences Division, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alejandro Rivera-Olvera
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Sahar Avazzadeh
- Physiology and Cellular Physiology Research Laboratory, CÚRAM SFI Centre for Research in Medical Devices, School of Medicine, Human Biology Building, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Judith R. Homberg
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Joanes Grandjean
- Physiology and Cellular Physiology Research Laboratory, CÚRAM SFI Centre for Research in Medical Devices, School of Medicine, Human Biology Building, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Medical Imaging, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Cathy Fernandes
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sanbing Shen
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- FutureNeuro, The SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eva Loth
- Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Deepak P. Srivastava
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Gallagher
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- The Hospital for SickKids, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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15
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Donnelly N, Cunningham A, Salas SM, Bracher-Smith M, Chawner S, Stochl J, Ford T, Raymond FL, Escott-Price V, van den Bree MBM. Identifying the neurodevelopmental and psychiatric signatures of genomic disorders associated with intellectual disability: a machine learning approach. Mol Autism 2023; 14:19. [PMID: 37221545 PMCID: PMC10207854 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00549-2] [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: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genomic conditions can be associated with developmental delay, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, and physical and mental health symptoms. They are individually rare and highly variable in presentation, which limits the use of standard clinical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. A simple screening tool to identify young people with genomic conditions associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (ND-GCs) who could benefit from further support would be of considerable value. We used machine learning approaches to address this question. METHOD A total of 493 individuals were included: 389 with a ND-GC, mean age = 9.01, 66% male) and 104 siblings without known genomic conditions (controls, mean age = 10.23, 53% male). Primary carers completed assessments of behavioural, neurodevelopmental and psychiatric symptoms and physical health and development. Machine learning techniques (penalised logistic regression, random forests, support vector machines and artificial neural networks) were used to develop classifiers of ND-GC status and identified limited sets of variables that gave the best classification performance. Exploratory graph analysis was used to understand associations within the final variable set. RESULTS All machine learning methods identified variable sets giving high classification accuracy (AUROC between 0.883 and 0.915). We identified a subset of 30 variables best discriminating between individuals with ND-GCs and controls which formed 5 dimensions: conduct, separation anxiety, situational anxiety, communication and motor development. LIMITATIONS This study used cross-sectional data from a cohort study which was imbalanced with respect to ND-GC status. Our model requires validation in independent datasets and with longitudinal follow-up data for validation before clinical application. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we developed models that identified a compact set of psychiatric and physical health measures that differentiate individuals with a ND-GC from controls and highlight higher-order structure within these measures. This work is a step towards developing a screening instrument to identify young people with ND-GCs who might benefit from further specialist assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Donnelly
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Adam Cunningham
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Sergio Marco Salas
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Matthew Bracher-Smith
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Samuel Chawner
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Jan Stochl
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Kinanthropology, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Tamsin Ford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - F Lucy Raymond
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Valentina Escott-Price
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Marianne B M van den Bree
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.
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16
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O’Hora KP, Kushan-Wells L, Hoftman GD, Jalbrzikowski M, Gur RC, Gur R, Bearden CE. Distinct Neurocognitive Profiles and Clinical Phenotypes Associated with Copy Number Variation at the 22q11.2 Locus. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.05.12.23289905. [PMID: 37292882 PMCID: PMC10246073 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.12.23289905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Rare genetic variants that confer large effects on neurodevelopment and behavioral phenotypes can reveal novel gene-brain-behavior relationships relevant to autism. Copy number variation at the 22q11.2 locus offer one compelling example, as both the 22q11.2 deletion (22qDel) and duplication (22qDup) confer increased likelihood of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and cognitive deficits, but only 22qDel confers increased psychosis risk. Here, we used the Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (Penn-CNB) to characterized neurocognitive profiles of 126 individuals: 55 22qDel carriers (MAge=19.2 years, 49.1% male), 30 22qDup carriers (MAge=17.3 years, 53.3 % male), and 41 typically developing (TD) subjects (MAge=17.3 years, 39.0 % male). We performed linear mixed models to assess group differences in overall neurocognitive profiles, domain scores, and individual test scores. We found all three groups exhibited distinct overall neurocognitive profiles. 22qDel and 22qDup carriers showed significant accuracy deficits across all domains relative to controls (Episodic Memory, Executive Function, Complex Cognition, Social Cognition, and Sensorimotor Speed), with 22qDel carriers exhibiting more severe accuracy deficits, particularly in Episodic Memory. However, 22qDup carriers generally showed greater slowing than 22qDel carriers. Notably, slower social cognition speed was uniquely associated with increased global psychopathology and poorer psychosocial functioning in 22qDup. Compared to TD, 22q11.2 CNV carriers failed to show age-associated improvements in multiple cognitive domains. Exploratory analyses revealed 22q11.2 CNV carriers with ASD exhibited differential neurocognitive profiles, based on 22q11.2 copy number. These results suggest that there are distinct neurocognitive profiles associated with either a loss or gain of genomic material at the 22q11.2 locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen P. O’Hora
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Leila Kushan-Wells
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gil D. Hoftman
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Maria Jalbrzikowski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Raquel C. Gur
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania and the Penn-CHOP Lifespan and Brain Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ruben Gur
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania and the Penn-CHOP Lifespan and Brain Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Carrie E. Bearden
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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17
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Fu C, Ngo J, Zhang S, Lu L, Miron A, Schafer S, Gage FH, Jin F, Schumacher FR, Wynshaw-Boris A. Novel correlative analysis identifies multiple genomic variations impacting ASD with macrocephaly. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:1589-1606. [PMID: 36519762 PMCID: PMC10162433 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) display both phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity, impeding the understanding of ASD and development of effective means of diagnosis and potential treatments. Genes affected by genomic variations for ASD converge in dozens of gene ontologies (GOs), but the relationship between the variations at the GO level have not been well elucidated. In the current study, multiple types of genomic variations were mapped to GOs and correlations among GOs were measured in ASD and control samples. Several ASD-unique GO correlations were found, suggesting the importance of co-occurrence of genomic variations in genes from different functional categories in ASD etiology. Combined with experimental data, several variations related to WNT signaling, neuron development, synapse morphology/function and organ morphogenesis were found to be important for ASD with macrocephaly, and novel co-occurrence patterns of them in ASD patients were found. Furthermore, we applied this gene ontology correlation analysis method to find genomic variations that contribute to ASD etiology in combination with changes in gene expression and transcription factor binding, providing novel insights into ASD with macrocephaly and a new methodology for the analysis of genomic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Fu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Justine Ngo
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Leina Lu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Alexander Miron
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Simon Schafer
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Fred H Gage
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Fulai Jin
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Fredrick R Schumacher
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Anthony Wynshaw-Boris
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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18
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Sandoval-Talamantes AK, Mori MÁ, Santos-Simarro F, García-Miñaur S, Mansilla E, Tenorio JA, Peña C, Adan C, Fernández-Elvira M, Rueda I, Lapunzina P, Nevado J. Chromosomal Microarray in Patients with Non-Syndromic Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Clinical Routine of a Tertiary Hospital. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14040820. [PMID: 37107578 PMCID: PMC10137620 DOI: 10.3390/genes14040820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise a group of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) characterized by deficits in communication and social interaction, as well as repetitive and restrictive behaviors, etc. The genetic implications of ASD have been widely documented, and numerous genes have been associated with it. The use of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) has proven to be a rapid and effective method for detecting both small and large deletions and duplications associated with ASD. In this article, we present the implementation of CMA as a first-tier test in our clinical laboratory for patients with primary ASD over a prospective period of four years. The cohort was composed of 212 individuals over 3 years of age, who met DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ASD. The use of a customized array-CGH (comparative genomic hybridization) design (KaryoArray®) found 99 individuals (45.20%) with copy number variants (CNVs); 34 of them carried deletions (34.34%) and 65 duplications (65.65%). A total of 28 of 212 patients had pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNVs, representing approximately 13% of the cohort. In turn, 28 out of 212 (approximately 12%) had variants of uncertain clinical significance (VUS). Our findings involve clinically significant CNVs, known to cause ASD (syndromic and non-syndromic), and other CNVs previously related to other comorbidities such as epilepsy or intellectual disability (ID). Lastly, we observed new rearrangements that will enhance the information available and the collection of genes associated with this disorder. Our data also highlight that CMA could be very useful in diagnosing patients with essential/primary autism, and demonstrate the existence of substantial genetic and clinical heterogeneity in non-syndromic ASD individuals, underscoring the continued challenge for genetic laboratories in terms of its molecular diagnosis.
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19
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He X, Liu W, Tang F, Chen X, Song G. Effects of Probiotics on Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15061415. [PMID: 36986145 PMCID: PMC10054498 DOI: 10.3390/nu15061415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Many studies have explored the efficacy of probiotics on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, but there is no consensus on the curative effect. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively investigate whether probiotics could improve behavioral symptoms in children with ASD. A systematic database search was conducted and a total of seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. We found a nonsignificant overall effect size of probiotics on behavioral symptoms in children with ASD (SMD = −0.24, 95% CI: −0.60 to 0.11, p = 0.18). However, a significant overall effect size was found in the subgroup of the probiotic blend (SMD = −0.42, 95% CI: −0.83 to −0.02, p = 0.04). Additionally, these studies provided limited evidence for the efficacy of probiotics due to their small sample sizes, a shorter intervention duration, different probiotics used, different scales used, and poor research quality. Thus, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled studies following strict trial guidelines are needed to precisely demonstrate the therapeutic effects of probiotics on ASD in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao He
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 South Road, Lvshun District, Dalian 116044, China; (X.H.); (W.L.); (F.T.)
| | - Wenxi Liu
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 South Road, Lvshun District, Dalian 116044, China; (X.H.); (W.L.); (F.T.)
| | - Fengrao Tang
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 South Road, Lvshun District, Dalian 116044, China; (X.H.); (W.L.); (F.T.)
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 South Road, Lvshun District, Dalian 116044, China;
| | - Guirong Song
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 South Road, Lvshun District, Dalian 116044, China; (X.H.); (W.L.); (F.T.)
- Correspondence:
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20
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The Autism Spectrum: Behavioral, Psychiatric and Genetic Associations. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030677. [PMID: 36980949 PMCID: PMC10048473 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) consists of a group of heterogeneous genetic neurobehavioral disorders associated with developmental impairments in social communication skills and stereotypic, rigid or repetitive behaviors. We review common behavioral, psychiatric and genetic associations related to ASD. Autism affects about 2% of children with 4:1 male-to-female ratio and a heritability estimate between 70 and 90%. The etiology of ASD involves a complex interplay between inheritance and environmental factors influenced by epigenetics. Over 800 genes and dozens of genetic syndromes are associated with ASD. Novel gene–protein interactions with pathway and molecular function analyses have identified at least three functional pathways including chromatin modeling, Wnt, Notch and other signaling pathways and metabolic disturbances involving neuronal growth and dendritic spine profiles. An estimated 50% of individuals with ASD are diagnosed with chromosome deletions or duplications (e.g., 15q11.2, BP1-BP2, 16p11.2 and 15q13.3), identified syndromes (e.g., Williams, Phelan-McDermid and Shprintzen velocardiofacial) or single gene disorders. Behavioral and psychiatric conditions in autism impacted by genetics influence clinical evaluations, counseling, diagnoses, therapeutic interventions and treatment approaches. Pharmacogenetics testing is now possible to help guide the selection of psychotropic medications to treat challenging behaviors or co-occurring psychiatric conditions commonly seen in ASD. In this review of the autism spectrum disorder, behavioral, psychiatric and genetic observations and associations relevant to the evaluation and treatment of individuals with ASD are discussed.
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21
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López-López D, Roldán G, Fernández-Rueda JL, Bostelmann G, Carmona R, Aquino V, Perez-Florido J, Ortuño F, Pita G, Núñez-Torres R, González-Neira A, Peña-Chilet M, Dopazo J. A crowdsourcing database for the copy-number variation of the Spanish population. Hum Genomics 2023; 17:20. [PMID: 36894999 PMCID: PMC9997023 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-023-00466-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite being a very common type of genetic variation, the distribution of copy-number variations (CNVs) in the population is still poorly understood. The knowledge of the genetic variability, especially at the level of the local population, is a critical factor for distinguishing pathogenic from non-pathogenic variation in the discovery of new disease variants. RESULTS Here, we present the SPAnish Copy Number Alterations Collaborative Server (SPACNACS), which currently contains copy number variation profiles obtained from more than 400 genomes and exomes of unrelated Spanish individuals. By means of a collaborative crowdsourcing effort whole genome and whole exome sequencing data, produced by local genomic projects and for other purposes, is continuously collected. Once checked both, the Spanish ancestry and the lack of kinship with other individuals in the SPACNACS, the CNVs are inferred for these sequences and they are used to populate the database. A web interface allows querying the database with different filters that include ICD10 upper categories. This allows discarding samples from the disease under study and obtaining pseudo-control CNV profiles from the local population. We also show here additional studies on the local impact of CNVs in some phenotypes and on pharmacogenomic variants. SPACNACS can be accessed at: http://csvs.clinbioinfosspa.es/spacnacs/ . CONCLUSION SPACNACS facilitates disease gene discovery by providing detailed information of the local variability of the population and exemplifies how to reuse genomic data produced for other purposes to build a local reference database.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel López-López
- Computational Medicine Platform, Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health-FPS, 41013, Seville, Spain.,Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, IBiS, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, Seville, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Roldán
- Computational Medicine Platform, Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health-FPS, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Jose L Fernández-Rueda
- Computational Medicine Platform, Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health-FPS, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Gerrit Bostelmann
- Computational Medicine Platform, Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health-FPS, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Rosario Carmona
- Computational Medicine Platform, Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health-FPS, 41013, Seville, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Virginia Aquino
- Computational Medicine Platform, Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health-FPS, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Javier Perez-Florido
- Computational Medicine Platform, Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health-FPS, 41013, Seville, Spain.,Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, IBiS, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Francisco Ortuño
- Computational Medicine Platform, Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health-FPS, 41013, Seville, Spain.,Department of Computer Architecture and Computer Technology, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Guillermo Pita
- Human Genotyping Unit-CeGen, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocío Núñez-Torres
- Human Genotyping Unit-CeGen, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna González-Neira
- Human Genotyping Unit-CeGen, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - María Peña-Chilet
- Computational Medicine Platform, Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health-FPS, 41013, Seville, Spain.,Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, IBiS, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, Seville, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquin Dopazo
- Computational Medicine Platform, Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health-FPS, 41013, Seville, Spain. .,Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, IBiS, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, Seville, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain. .,FPS/ELIXIR-ES, Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health-FPS, 41013, Seville, Spain.
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22
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Annunziata S, Bulgheroni S, D'Arrigo S, Esposito S, Taddei M, Saletti V, Alfei E, Sciacca FL, Rizzo A, Pantaleoni C, Riva D. CGH Findings in Children with Complex and Essential Autistic Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:615-623. [PMID: 33394245 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04833-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition with a strong genetic basis. We accurately assessed 209 ASD subjects, categorized in complex (47) and essential (162), and performed array comparative genomic hybridization to identify pathogenic and recurrent Copy Number Variants (CNVs). We found 117 CNVs in 75 patients, 11 classified as pathogenic. The complex ASD subjects have higher frequency of pathogenic CNVs with a diagnostic yield of 12.8%. Familiality, cognitive and verbal abilities, severity of autistic symptoms, neuroimaging and neurophysiological findings are not related to genetic data. This study identifies loci of interest for ASD and highlights the importance of a careful phenotypic characterization, as complex ASD is related to higher rate of pathogenic CNVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Annunziata
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Brain and Behavioral Sciences Department, University of Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Sara Bulgheroni
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano D'Arrigo
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Esposito
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Matilde Taddei
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Saletti
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Alfei
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Pediatric Neurology Unit, "Vittore Buzzi" Children's Hospital ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, 20100, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Luisa Sciacca
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology and Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Ambra Rizzo
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology and Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Pantaleoni
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Daria Riva
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
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23
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Azzarà A, Rumore R, Brugnoletti F, Tabolacci E, Bottillo I, Sangiorgi E, Gurrieri F. RADX Gene Variant May Predispose to Familial Asperger Syndrome. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:301. [PMID: 36833228 PMCID: PMC9957148 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Asperger syndrome (AS) is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by general impairment in socialization, stereotypical behavior, defective adaptation to the social context usually without intellectual disability, and some high functioning areas related to memory and mathematics. Clinical criteria are not well defined and the etiology is heterogeneous and mostly unknown. Like in typical autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the genetic background plays a crucial role in AS, and often an almost mendelian segregation can be observed in some families. We performed a whole exome sequencing (WES) in three relatives of a family with vertical transmission of AS-ASD to identify variants in candidate genes segregating with the phenotype. Variant p.(Cys834Ser) in the RADX gene was the only one segregating among all the affected family members. This gene encodes a single-strand DNA binding factor, which mediates the recruitment of genome maintenance proteins to sites of replication stress. Replication stress and genome instability have been reported recently in neural progenitor cells derived from ASD patients, leading to a disruption of long neural genes involved in cell-cell adhesion and migration. We propose RADX as a new gene that when mutated could represent a predisposing factor to AS-ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Azzarà
- Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Rumore
- Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS—Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Fulvia Brugnoletti
- Oncogenetics Unit, Service of Oncology, University Hospital of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elisabetta Tabolacci
- Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS—Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Irene Bottillo
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Experimental Medicine, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Sapienza University, 00152 Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Sangiorgi
- Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS—Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Fiorella Gurrieri
- Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Operative Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
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24
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Faheem M, Deneault E, Alexandrova R, Rodrigues DC, Pellecchia G, Shum C, Zarrei M, Piekna A, Wei W, Howe JL, Thiruvahindrapuram B, Lamoureux S, Ross PJ, Bradley CA, Ellis J, Scherer SW. Disruption of DDX53 coding sequence has limited impact on iPSC-derived human NGN2 neurons. BMC Med Genomics 2023; 16:5. [PMID: 36635662 PMCID: PMC9837974 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-022-01425-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The X-linked PTCHD1 locus is strongly associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Males who carry chromosome microdeletions of PTCHD1 antisense long non-coding RNA (PTCHD1-AS)/DEAD-box helicase 53 (DDX53) have ASD, or a sub-clinical form called Broader Autism Phenotype. If the deletion extends beyond PTCHD1-AS/DDX53 to the next gene, PTCHD1, which is protein-coding, the individuals typically have ASD and intellectual disability (ID). Three male siblings with a 90 kb deletion that affects only PTCHD1-AS (and not including DDX53) have ASD. We performed a functional analysis of DDX53 to examine its role in NGN2 neurons. METHODS We used the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) gene editing strategy to knock out DDX53 protein by inserting 3 termination codons (3TCs) into two different induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines. DDX53 CRISPR-edited iPSCs were differentiated into cortical excitatory neurons by Neurogenin 2 (NGN-2) directed differentiation. The functional differences of DDX53-3TC neurons compared to isogenic control neurons with molecular and electrophysiological approaches were assessed. RESULTS Isogenic iPSC-derived control neurons exhibited low levels of DDX53 transcripts. Transcriptional analysis revealed the generation of excitatory cortical neurons and DDX53 protein was not detected in iPSC-derived control neurons by western blot. Control lines and DDX53-3TC neurons were active in the multi-electrode array, but no overt electrophysiological phenotype in either isogenic line was observed. CONCLUSION DDX53-3TC mutation does not alter NGN2 neuronal function in these experiments, suggesting that synaptic deficits causing ASD are unlikely in this cell type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Faheem
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Genetics & Genome Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646The Centre for Applied Genomics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Eric Deneault
- grid.57544.370000 0001 2110 2143Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research; Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON Canada
| | - Roumiana Alexandrova
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Genetics & Genome Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646The Centre for Applied Genomics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Deivid C. Rodrigues
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Giovanna Pellecchia
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Genetics & Genome Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646The Centre for Applied Genomics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Carole Shum
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Genetics & Genome Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646The Centre for Applied Genomics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Mehdi Zarrei
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Genetics & Genome Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646The Centre for Applied Genomics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Alina Piekna
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Wei Wei
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Jennifer L. Howe
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Genetics & Genome Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646The Centre for Applied Genomics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Bhooma Thiruvahindrapuram
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Genetics & Genome Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646The Centre for Applied Genomics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Sylvia Lamoureux
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Genetics & Genome Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646The Centre for Applied Genomics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - P. Joel Ross
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.139596.10000 0001 2167 8433Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE Canada
| | - Clarrisa A. Bradley
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Genetics & Genome Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646The Centre for Applied Genomics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Neurosciences & Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - James Ellis
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Stephen W. Scherer
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Genetics & Genome Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646The Centre for Applied Genomics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938McLaughlin Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
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25
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Autism and ADHD in the Era of Big Data; An Overview of Digital Resources for Patient, Genetic and Clinical Trials Information. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13091551. [PMID: 36140719 PMCID: PMC9498424 DOI: 10.3390/genes13091551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Even in the era of information “prosperity” in the form of databases and registries that compile a wealth of data, information about ASD and ADHD remains scattered and disconnected. These data systems are powerful tools that can inform decision-making and policy creation, as well as advancing and disseminating knowledge. Here, we review three types of data systems (patient registries, clinical trial registries and genetic databases) that are concerned with ASD or ADHD and discuss their features, advantages and limitations. We noticed the lack of ethnic diversity in the data, as the majority of their content is curated from European and (to a lesser extent) Asian populations. Acutely aware of this knowledge gap, we introduce here the framework of the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Database (NDDB). This registry was designed to serve as a model for the national repository for collecting data from Saudi Arabia on neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly ASD and ADHD, across diverse domains.
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Bodunova N, Vorontsova M, Khatkov I, Baranova E, Bykova S, Degterev D, Litvinova M, Bilyalov A, Makarova M, Sagaydak O, Danishevich A. A Unique Observation of a Patient with Vulto-van Silfhout-de Vries Syndrome. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12081887. [PMID: 36010237 PMCID: PMC9406734 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12081887] [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: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Vulto-van Silfhout-de Vries Syndrome (VSVS; OMIM#615828) is a rare hereditary disease associated with impaired intellectual development and speech, delayed psychomotor development, and behavioral anomalies, including autistic behavioral traits and poor eye contact. To date, 27 patients with VSVS have been reported in the literature. Materials and Methods: We describe a 23-year-old male patient with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who was admitted to the gastroenterological hospital with signs of pseudomembranous colitis. ASD was first noted in the patient at the age of 2.5 years. Later, he developed epileptic seizures and important growth retardation. Prior to the hospitalization, chromosomal aberrations, Fragile X syndrome, and aminoacidopathies/aminoacidurias associated with ASD were excluded. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was prescribed to the patient at 23 years old. Results: The patient had a heterozygous carrier of “de novo” variant c.662C > T (p.S221L) in exon 4 of the DEAF1 gene. c.662C > T had not been previously described in genomic databases. According to the ACMG criteria, this missense variant was considered to be pathogenic. VSVS was diagnosed in the patient. Conclusions: The phenotype of the patient is very similar to the data presented in the world literature. However, growth retardation and cachexia, which have not been described previously in the articles, are of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Bodunova
- The Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, 111123 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Vorontsova
- National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology, 117292 Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor Khatkov
- The Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, 111123 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena Baranova
- LLC Evogen, 115191 Moscow, Russia
- Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, 125445 Moscow, Russia
| | - Svetlana Bykova
- The Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, 111123 Moscow, Russia
| | - Daniil Degterev
- The Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, 111123 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Litvinova
- The Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, 111123 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Medical Genetics, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048 Moscow, Russia
| | - Airat Bilyalov
- The Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, 111123 Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-962-560-38-02
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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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Implications of Genetic Factors and Modifiers in Autism Spectrum Disorders: a Systematic Review. REVIEW JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40489-022-00333-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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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: 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: 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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Willsey HR, Willsey AJ, Wang B, State MW. Genomics, convergent neuroscience and progress in understanding autism spectrum disorder. Nat Rev Neurosci 2022; 23:323-341. [PMID: 35440779 PMCID: PMC10693992 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00576-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
More than a hundred genes have been identified that, when disrupted, impart large risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Current knowledge about the encoded proteins - although incomplete - points to a very wide range of developmentally dynamic and diverse biological processes. Moreover, the core symptoms of ASD involve distinctly human characteristics, presenting challenges to interpreting evolutionarily distant model systems. Indeed, despite a decade of striking progress in gene discovery, an actionable understanding of pathobiology remains elusive. Increasingly, convergent neuroscience approaches have been recognized as an important complement to traditional uses of genetics to illuminate the biology of human disorders. These methods seek to identify intersection among molecular-level, cellular-level and circuit-level functions across multiple risk genes and have highlighted developing excitatory neurons in the human mid-gestational prefrontal cortex as an important pathobiological nexus in ASD. In addition, neurogenesis, chromatin modification and synaptic function have emerged as key potential mediators of genetic vulnerability. The continued expansion of foundational 'omics' data sets, the application of higher-throughput model systems and incorporating developmental trajectories and sex differences into future analyses will refine and extend these results. Ultimately, a systems-level understanding of ASD genetic risk holds promise for clarifying pathobiology and advancing therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Rankin Willsey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - A Jeremy Willsey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Belinda Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matthew W State
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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31
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Mignogna ML, Ficarella R, Gelmini S, Marzulli L, Ponzi E, Gabellone A, Peschechera A, Alessio M, Margari L, Gentile M, D’Adamo P. Clinical characterization of a novel RAB39B nonstop mutation in a family with ASD and severe ID causing RAB39B downregulation and study of a Rab39b knock down mouse model. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:1389-1406. [PMID: 34761259 PMCID: PMC9071400 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) often exist together in patients. The RAB39B gene has been reported to be mutated in ID patients with additional clinical features ranging from ASD, macrocephaly, seizures and/or early-onset parkinsonism. Here, we describe a novel RAB39B nonstop mutation [Xq28; c.640 T > C; p.(*214Glnext*21)] in a family with ASD, severe ID and poor motor coordination, and we assessed the pathogenicity of the mutation. A heterologous cell system and a Rab39b knockdown (KD) murine model, which mimic the nonstop mutation, were used to validate the deleterious effect of the RAB39B mutation. The mutation led to RAB39B protein instability, resulting in its increased degradation and consequent downregulation. Using a Rab39b KD mouse model, we demonstrated that the downregulation of RAB39B led to increased GluA2 lacking Ca2+-permeable AMPAR composition at the hippocampal neuronal surface and increased dendritic spine density that remained in an immature filopodia-like state. These phenotypes affected behavioural performance in a disease-specific manner. Rab39b KD mice revealed impaired social behaviour but intact social recognition. They also showed normal anxiety-like, exploratory and motivational behaviours but impaired working and associative memories. In conclusion, we found a novel RAB39B nonstop variant that segregated in a family with a clinical phenotype including ID, ASD and poor motor coordination. The pathogenicity of mutations causing the downregulation of RAB39B proteins, impacting AMPAR trafficking and dendritic spine morphogenesis, reinforced the idea that AMPAR modulation and dendritic spine assets could be considered hallmarks of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lidia Mignogna
- Molecular Genetics of Intellectual Disability, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Romina Ficarella
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Reproductive Medicine, ASL Bari, 70132, Bari, Italy
| | - Susanna Gelmini
- Molecular Genetics of Intellectual Disability, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Marzulli
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Emanuela Ponzi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Reproductive Medicine, ASL Bari, 70132, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gabellone
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonia Peschechera
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Massino Alessio
- Proteome Biochemistry, Center for Omics Sciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Margari
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Mattia Gentile
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Reproductive Medicine, ASL Bari, 70132, Bari, Italy
| | - Patrizia D’Adamo
- Molecular Genetics of Intellectual Disability, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
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Mapelli L, Soda T, D’Angelo E, Prestori F. The Cerebellar Involvement in Autism Spectrum Disorders: From the Social Brain to Mouse Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073894. [PMID: 35409253 PMCID: PMC8998980 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders that include a variety of forms and clinical phenotypes. This heterogeneity complicates the clinical and experimental approaches to ASD etiology and pathophysiology. To date, a unifying theory of these diseases is still missing. Nevertheless, the intense work of researchers and clinicians in the last decades has identified some ASD hallmarks and the primary brain areas involved. Not surprisingly, the areas that are part of the so-called “social brain”, and those strictly connected to them, were found to be crucial, such as the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, limbic system, and dopaminergic pathways. With the recent acknowledgment of the cerebellar contribution to cognitive functions and the social brain, its involvement in ASD has become unmistakable, though its extent is still to be elucidated. In most cases, significant advances were made possible by recent technological developments in structural/functional assessment of the human brain and by using mouse models of ASD. Mouse models are an invaluable tool to get insights into the molecular and cellular counterparts of the disease, acting on the specific genetic background generating ASD-like phenotype. Given the multifaceted nature of ASD and related studies, it is often difficult to navigate the literature and limit the huge content to specific questions. This review fulfills the need for an organized, clear, and state-of-the-art perspective on cerebellar involvement in ASD, from its connections to the social brain areas (which are the primary sites of ASD impairments) to the use of monogenic mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Mapelli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (T.S.); (E.D.)
- Correspondence: (L.M.); (F.P.)
| | - Teresa Soda
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (T.S.); (E.D.)
| | - Egidio D’Angelo
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (T.S.); (E.D.)
- Brain Connectivity Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Prestori
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (T.S.); (E.D.)
- Correspondence: (L.M.); (F.P.)
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Passos-Bueno MR, Costa CIS, Zatz M. Dystrophin genetic variants and autism. DISCOVER MENTAL HEALTH 2022; 2:4. [PMID: 37861890 PMCID: PMC10501027 DOI: 10.1007/s44192-022-00008-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Loss-of-function variants in the dystrophin gene, a well-known cause of muscular dystrophies, have emerged as a mutational risk mechanism for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which in turn is a highly prevalent (~ 1%) genetically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder. Although the association of intellectual disability with the dystrophinopathies Duchenne (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) has been long established, their association with ASD is more recent, and the dystrophin genotype-ASD phenotype correlation is unclear. We therefore present a review of the literature focused on the ASD prevalence among dystrophinopathies, the relevance of the dystrophin isoforms, and most particularly the relevance of the genetic background to the etiology of ASD in these patients. Four families with ASD-DMD/BMD patients are also reported here for the first time. These include a single ASD individual, ASD-discordant and ASD-concordant monozygotic twins, and non-identical ASD triplets. Notably, two unrelated individuals, which were first ascertained because of the ASD phenotype at ages 15 and 5 years respectively, present rare dystrophin variants still poorly characterized, suggesting that some dystrophin variants may compromise the brain more prominently. Whole exome sequencing in these ASD-DMD/BMD individuals together with the literature suggest, although based on preliminary data, a complex and heterogeneous genetic architecture underlying ASD in dystrophinopathies, that include rare variants of large and medium effect. The need for the establishment of a consortia for genomic investigation of ASD-DMD/BMD patients, which may shed light on the genetic architecture of ASD, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rita Passos-Bueno
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células-Tronco, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Claudia Ismania Samogy Costa
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células-Tronco, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mayana Zatz
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células-Tronco, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Rowland ME, Jajarmi JM, Osborne TSM, Ciernia AV. Insights Into the Emerging Role of Baf53b in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:805158. [PMID: 35185468 PMCID: PMC8852769 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.805158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate and precise regulation of gene expression is necessary to ensure proper brain development and plasticity across the lifespan. As an ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complex, the BAF (Brg1 Associated Factor) complex can alter histone-DNA interactions, facilitating dynamic changes in gene expression by controlling DNA accessibility to the transcriptional machinery. Mutations in 12 of the potential 29 subunit genes that compose the BAF nucleosome remodeling complex have been identified in several developmental disorders including Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disability. A novel, neuronal version of BAF (nBAF) has emerged as promising candidate in the development of ASD as its expression is tied to neuron differentiation and it’s hypothesized to coordinate expression of synaptic genes across brain development. Recently, mutations in BAF53B, one of the neuron specific subunits of the nBAF complex, have been identified in patients with ASD and Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy-76 (DEE76), indicating BAF53B is essential for proper brain development. Recent work in cultured neurons derived from patients with BAF53B mutations suggests links between loss of nBAF function and neuronal dendritic spine formation. Deletion of one or both copies of mouse Baf53b disrupts dendritic spine development, alters actin dynamics and results in fewer synapses in vitro. In the mouse, heterozygous loss of Baf53b severely impacts synaptic plasticity and long-term memory that is reversible with reintroduction of Baf53b or manipulations of the synaptic plasticity machinery. Furthermore, surviving Baf53b-null mice display ASD-related behaviors, including social impairments and repetitive behaviors. This review summarizes the emerging evidence linking deleterious variants of BAF53B identified in human neurodevelopmental disorders to abnormal transcriptional regulation that produces aberrant synapse development and behavior.
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Lybaek H, Robson M, de Leeuw N, Hehir-Kwa JY, Jeffries A, Haukanes BI, Berland S, de Bruijn D, Mundlos S, Spielmann M, Houge G. LRFN5 locus structure is associated with autism and influenced by the sex of the individual and locus conversions. Autism Res 2022; 15:421-433. [PMID: 35088940 PMCID: PMC9305582 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
LRFN5 is a regulator of synaptic development and the only gene in a 5.4 Mb mammalian‐specific conserved topologically associating domain (TAD); the LRFN5 locus. An association between locus structural changes and developmental delay (DD) and/or autism was suggested by several cases in DECIPHER and own records. More significantly, we found that maternal inheritance of a specific LRFN5 locus haplotype segregated with an identical type of autism in distantly related males. This autism‐susceptibility haplotype had a specific TAD pattern. We also found a male/female quantitative difference in the amount histone‐3‐lysine‐9‐associated chromatin around the LRFN5 gene itself (p < 0.01), possibly related to the male‐restricted autism susceptibility. To better understand locus behavior, the prevalence of a 60 kb deletion polymorphism was investigated. Surprisingly, in three cohorts of individuals with DD (n = 8757), the number of deletion heterozygotes was 20%–26% lower than expected from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. This suggests allelic interaction, also because the conversions from heterozygosity to wild‐type or deletion homozygosity were of equal magnitudes. Remarkably, in a control group of medical students (n = 1416), such conversions were three times more common (p = 0.00001), suggesting a regulatory role of this allelic interaction. Taken together, LRFN5 regulation appears unusually complex, and LRFN5 dysregulation could be an epigenetic cause of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helle Lybaek
- Department of Medical Genetics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Michael Robson
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicole de Leeuw
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Bjørn Ivar Haukanes
- Department of Medical Genetics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Siren Berland
- Department of Medical Genetics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Diederik de Bruijn
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Stefan Mundlos
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Gunnar Houge
- Department of Medical Genetics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine K2, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Honorary Chair of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Dichter GS, Rodriguez-Romaguera J. Anhedonia and Hyperhedonia in Autism and Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2022; 58:237-254. [PMID: 35397066 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by impaired social communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests, ASD is also characterized by impaired motivational processes. The "social motivation theory of autism" describes how social motivation disruptions in ASD in early childhood may impede the drive to engage in reciprocal social behaviors and ultimately interfere with the development of neural networks critical for social communication (Chevallier et al., Trends Cogn Sci 16:231-239, 2012b). Importantly, clinical studies and preclinical research using model organisms for ASD indicate that motivational impairments in ASD are not constrained to social rewards but are evident in response to a range of nonsocial rewards as well. Additionally, translational studies on certain genetically defined neurodevelopmental disorders associated with ASD indicate that these syndromic forms of ASD are also characterized by motivational deficits and mesolimbic dopamine impairments. In this chapter we summarize clinical and preclinical research relevant to reward processing impairments in ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders. We also propose a nosology to describe reward processing impairments in these disorders that uses a three-axes model. In this triaxial nosology, the first axis defines the direction of the reward response (i.e., anhedonic, hyperhedonic); the second axis defines the construct of the reward process (e.g., reward liking, reward wanting); and the third axis defines the context of the reward response (e.g., social, nonsocial). A more precise nosology for describing reward processing impairments in ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders will aid in the translation of preclinical research to clinical investigations which will ultimately help to speed up the development of interventions that target motivational systems for ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel S Dichter
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Jose Rodriguez-Romaguera
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Chen S, Xiong J, Chen B, Zhang C, Deng X, He F, Yang L, Chen C, Peng J, Yin F. Autism spectrum disorder and comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders (ASD-NDDs): Clinical and genetic profile of a pediatric cohort. Clin Chim Acta 2022; 524:179-186. [PMID: 34800434 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2021.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder, is featured by impaired social communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests. ASD and comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders (ASD-NDDs), especially epilepsy and intellectual disability (ID)/global developmental delay (GDD) are frequently presented in genetic disorders. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical and genetic profile of ASD in combination with epilepsy or ID/GDD. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics, and genetic spectrum of pediatric patients presenting ASD-NDDs with proven genetic etiology. The pathogenicity of variants was conducted by molecular geneticists and clinicians complied with the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). RESULTS Among 154 patients with ASD-NDDs, 79 (51.3%) patients gained a genetic diagnosis. Most patients (78/79, 98.7%) had comorbid ID or GDD, and 49 (49/79, 62.0%) had comorbid epilepsy. The clinical characteristics of those 79 patients were varied. 87 genetic variants were found among the 79 pedigrees. Most of the involved genes have roles in gene expression regulation (GER) and neuronal communication (NC). Most genes have been proven to be ASD-related genes, and some of them were not reported to contribute to ASD previously. CONCLUSION We summarized the genetic and clinical profile of 79 ASD-NDDs patients with proven genetic etiology. The genetic spectrum of ASD was expanded, and we highlighted a novel possible ASD candidate gene PRTG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimeng Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Juan Xiong
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Baiyu Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Ciliu Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaolu Deng
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Fang He
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Lifen Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Peng
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Fei Yin
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China.
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Tal-Ben Ishay R, Shil A, Solomon S, Sadigurschi N, Abu-Kaf H, Meiri G, Flusser H, Michaelovski A, Dinstein I, Golan H, Davidovitch N, Menashe I. Diagnostic Yield and Economic Implications of Whole-Exome Sequencing for ASD Diagnosis in Israel. Genes (Basel) 2021; 13:genes13010036. [PMID: 35052376 PMCID: PMC8774872 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole-exome sequencing (WES) is an effective approach to identify the susceptibility of genetic variants of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Israel Ministry of Health supports WES as an adjunct tool for ASD diagnosis, despite its unclear diagnostic yield and cost effectiveness. To address this knowledge gap, we applied WES to a population-based sample of 182 Bedouin and Jewish children with ASD from southern Israel, and assessed its yield in a gene panel of 205 genes robustly associated with ASD. We then compared the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for an ASD diagnosis by WES, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), and CMA + WES. Overall, 32 ASD candidate variants were detected in 28 children, corresponding to an overall WES diagnostic yield of 15.4%. Interestingly, the diagnostic yield was significantly higher for the Bedouin children than for the Jewish children, i.e., 27.6% vs. 11.1% (p = 0.036). The most cost-effective means for genetic testing was the CMA alone, followed closely by the CMA + WES strategy (ICER = USD 117 and USD 124.8 per child). Yet, WES alone could become more cost effective than the other two approaches if there was to be a 25% increase in its yield or a 50% decrease in its cost. These findings suggest that WES should be recommended to facilitate ASD diagnosis in Israel, especially for highly consanguineous populations, such as the Bedouin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rotem Tal-Ben Ishay
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel; (R.T.-B.I.); (A.S.)
- Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel; (S.S.); (N.S.); (H.A.-K.); (G.M.); (H.F.); (A.M.); (I.D.); (H.G.)
| | - Apurba Shil
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel; (R.T.-B.I.); (A.S.)
- Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel; (S.S.); (N.S.); (H.A.-K.); (G.M.); (H.F.); (A.M.); (I.D.); (H.G.)
- Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel
| | - Shirley Solomon
- Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel; (S.S.); (N.S.); (H.A.-K.); (G.M.); (H.F.); (A.M.); (I.D.); (H.G.)
| | - Noa Sadigurschi
- Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel; (S.S.); (N.S.); (H.A.-K.); (G.M.); (H.F.); (A.M.); (I.D.); (H.G.)
- Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel
| | - Hadeel Abu-Kaf
- Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel; (S.S.); (N.S.); (H.A.-K.); (G.M.); (H.F.); (A.M.); (I.D.); (H.G.)
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel
| | - Gal Meiri
- Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel; (S.S.); (N.S.); (H.A.-K.); (G.M.); (H.F.); (A.M.); (I.D.); (H.G.)
- Preschool Psychiatric Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel
| | - Hagit Flusser
- Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel; (S.S.); (N.S.); (H.A.-K.); (G.M.); (H.F.); (A.M.); (I.D.); (H.G.)
- Child Development Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel
| | - Analya Michaelovski
- Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel; (S.S.); (N.S.); (H.A.-K.); (G.M.); (H.F.); (A.M.); (I.D.); (H.G.)
- Child Development Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel
| | - Ilan Dinstein
- Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel; (S.S.); (N.S.); (H.A.-K.); (G.M.); (H.F.); (A.M.); (I.D.); (H.G.)
- Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel
- Psychology Department, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel
| | - Hava Golan
- Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel; (S.S.); (N.S.); (H.A.-K.); (G.M.); (H.F.); (A.M.); (I.D.); (H.G.)
- Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel
| | - Nadav Davidovitch
- Department of Health Systems Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel;
| | - Idan Menashe
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel; (R.T.-B.I.); (A.S.)
- Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel; (S.S.); (N.S.); (H.A.-K.); (G.M.); (H.F.); (A.M.); (I.D.); (H.G.)
- Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84100, Israel
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-8-6477456
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Current knowledge, challenges, new perspectives of the study, and treatments of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 106:82-93. [PMID: 34695561 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 70 years, the understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) improved greatly and is characterized as a heterogeneous neuropsychiatric syndrome. ASD is characterized by difficulties in social communication, restricted and repetitive behavior, interests, or activities. And it is often described as a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. There are many treatments and approaches to ASD, including pharmacological therapies with antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood regulators, stimulants, and behavioral ones. However, no treatment is capable of reverting ASD. This review provides an overview of animal models of autism. We summarized genetic and environmental models and then valproic acid treatment as a useful model for ASD. As well as the main therapies and approaches used in the treatment, relating them to the neurochemical pathways altered in ASD, emphasizing the pharmacological potential of peptides and bioinspired compounds found in animal venoms as a possible future treatment for ASD.
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Comparative analysis of the autism‑related variants between different autistic children in a family pedigree. Mol Med Rep 2021; 24:697. [PMID: 34368859 PMCID: PMC8365409 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12336] [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: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to provide evidence for the genetic heterogeneity of familial autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which might help to improve our understanding of the complex polygenic basis of this disease. Whole‑exome sequencing (WES) was performed on two autistic children in a family pedigree, and reasonable conditions were set for preliminarily screening variant annotations. Sanger sequencing was used to verify the preliminarily screened variants and to determine the possible sources. In addition, autism‑related genes were screened according to autism databases, and their variants were compared between two autistic children. The results showed that there were 21 genes respectively for autistic children Ⅳ2 and Ⅳ4, preliminarily screened from all variants based on the harmfulness (high) and quality (high or medium) of the variants, as well as the association between mutant genes and autism in human gene mutation database. Furthermore, candidate autism‑related genes were screened according to the evidence score of >4 in the Autism KnowledgeBase (AutismKB) database or ≥3 in the AutDB database. A total of 11 and 10 candidate autism‑related genes were identified in the autistic children Ⅳ2 and Ⅳ4, respectively. Candidate genes with an evidence score of >16 in AutismKB were credible autism‑related genes, which included LAMC3, JMJD1C and CACNA1H in child Ⅳ2, as well as SCN1A, SETD5, CHD7 and KCNMA1 in child Ⅳ4. Other than the c.G1499A mutation of SCN1A, which is known to be associated with Dravet syndrome, the specific missense variant loci of other six highly credible putative autism‑related genes were reported for the first time, to the best of the authors' knowledge, in the present study. These credible autism‑related variants were inherited not only from immediate family members but also from extended family members. In summary, the present study established a reasonable and feasible method for screening credible autism‑related genes from WES results, which by be worth extending into clinical practice. The different credible autism‑related genes between the two autistic children indicated a complex polygenic architecture of ASD, which may assist in the early diagnosis of this disease.
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Amini F, Yee KW, Soh SC, Alhadeethi A, Amini R, Ng ESC. Awareness and perception of medical genetic services among Malaysian parents of autism spectrum disorders children: the lessons to be learned. ADVANCES IN AUTISM 2021. [DOI: 10.1108/aia-08-2020-0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders with uncertain etiology. Evidence shows that genetic testing can explain about 20% of cases. This study aims to assess the level of awareness and perception of medical genetic services among Malaysian parents with ASD children.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey using an interviewer-administered questionnaire was done among 111 parents of children with ASD from August 2017 to September 2019 in two clinics in Malaysia.
Findings
A majority of children with ASD (80.20%) were male and diagnosed at the age of 3–4 years old (47.80%). When the autistic child was born, most mothers and fathers were aged 26–30 (40.50%) and 31–35 years old (42.30%), respectively. Another child with ASD in nuclear and extended families was reported for 11.70% and 13.50%, respectively. Only 24.30% have seen a professional genetic consultant, and 19.8% have done genetic testing for affected children. The mean score of awareness of genetic services for ASD was 2.48 ± 3.30. Having medical insurance and another child with ASD in the nuclear family was significantly associated with a higher level of awareness (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). Most of the participants have a positive perception of these services.
Originality/value
Regardless of demographic factors, participants have poor awareness of genetic services for ASD, likely because the primary physician did not recommend it upon diagnosis. Increasing health-care providers’ knowledge about the current potential of genetic testing for ASD and educational campaigns for the public are critical components of using available genetic tests to improve ASD management.
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Choi L, An JY. Genetic architecture of autism spectrum disorder: Lessons from large-scale genomic studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 128:244-257. [PMID: 34166716 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic component. Recently developed genomic technologies, including microarray and next-generation sequencing (NGS), have enabled researchers to genetic analyses aimed at identifying genetic variations associated with ASD and to elucidate the genetic architecture of the disorder. Large-scale microarray, exome sequencing analyses, and robust statistical methods have resulted in successful gene discovery and identification of high-confidence ASD genes from among de novo and inherited variants. Efforts have been made to understand the genetic architecture of ASD using whole-genome sequencing and genome-wide association studies aimed at identifying noncoding mutations and common variants associated with ASD. In addition, the development of systems biology approaches has resulted in the integration of genetic findings with functional genomic datasets, thereby providing a unique insight into the functional convergence of ASD risk genes and their neurobiology. In this review, we summarize the latest findings of ASD genetic studies involving large cohorts and discuss their implications in ASD neurobiology and in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leejee Choi
- School of Biosystem and Biomedical Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea; Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Science, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Yong An
- School of Biosystem and Biomedical Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea; Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Science, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea; Transdisciplinary Major in Learning Health Systems, Department of Healthcare Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea; BK21FOUR R&E Center for Learning Health Systems, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
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Freitag CM, Chiocchetti AG, Haslinger D, Yousaf A, Waltes R. [Genetic risk factors and their influence on neural development in autism spectrum disorders]. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR KINDER-UND JUGENDPSYCHIATRIE UND PSYCHOTHERAPIE 2021; 50:187-202. [PMID: 34128703 DOI: 10.1024/1422-4917/a000803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Genetic risk factors and their influence on neural development in autism spectrum disorders Abstract. Abstract. Autism spectrum disorders are etiologically based on genetic and specific gene x biologically relevant environmental risk factors. They are diagnosed based on behavioral characteristics, such as impaired social communication and stereotyped, repetitive behavior and sensory as well as special interests. The genetic background is heterogeneous, i. e., it comprises diverse genetic risk factors across the disorder and high interindividual differences of specific genetic risk factors. Nevertheless, risk factors converge regarding underlying biological mechanisms and shared pathways, which likely cause the autism-specific behavioral characteristics. The current selective literature review summarizes differential genetic risk factors and focuses particularly on mechanisms and pathways currently being discussed by international research. In conclusion, clinically relevant aspects and open translational research questions are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M Freitag
- Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main
| | - Andreas G Chiocchetti
- Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main
| | - Denise Haslinger
- Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main
| | - Afsheen Yousaf
- Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main
| | - Regina Waltes
- Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main
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Duvall S, Armstrong K, Shahabuddin A, Grantz C, Fein D, Lord C. A road map for identifying autism spectrum disorder: recognizing and evaluating characteristics that should raise red or "pink" flags to guide accurate differential diagnosis. Clin Neuropsychol 2021; 36:1172-1207. [PMID: 34121610 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2021.1921276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Given the high population prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and overlapping symptoms with medically complex groups, ASD is a common rule out diagnosis for neuropsychologists even when not identified in the referral or initial presenting concerns. This paper presents practical guidance to support neuropsychologists in their ability to accurately assess, diagnose, and/or rule out ASD, especially in patients with more subtle presentations. Method: This paper combines clinical experience and empirical literature to highlight important assessment measures and related considerations, differential diagnostic considerations, common misconceptions about ASD and person/family characteristics, as well as variability in presentation and comorbidities that can obscure the diagnosis. Characteristics that may be considered "red flags" (clearly diagnostic, classic symptoms) and "pink flags" (associated features and symptoms that are suggestive of ASD but not quite definitive and that may overlap with symptoms seen in other neurodevelopmental or psychiatric diagnoses) will be discussed. Conclusions: Neuropsychologists in all clinical settings should be able to effectively screen for and/or diagnose ASD, even when its presentation is more subtle and/or when symptoms are masked by patient strengths in a way that makes their clinical presentation less obvious. Practical strategies for communicating the diagnosis and next steps/recommendations for interventions are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Duvall
- Department of Pediatrics & Psychiatry, Institute on Development and Disability, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Ambreen Shahabuddin
- Department of Pediatrics & Psychiatry, Institute on Development and Disability, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Caroline Grantz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Deborah Fein
- Departments of Psychological Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Catherine Lord
- Department of Psychiatry and Education, Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Jaini R, Wolf MR, Yu Q, King AT, Frazier TW, Eng C. Maternal genetics influences fetal neurodevelopment and postnatal autism spectrum disorder-like phenotype by modulating in-utero immunosuppression. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:348. [PMID: 34091589 PMCID: PMC8179926 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01472-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic studies in ASD have mostly focused on the proband, with no clear understanding of parental genetic contributions to fetal neurodevelopment. Among parental etiological factors, perinatal maternal inflammation secondary to autoimmunity, infections, and toxins is associated with ASD. However, the inherent impact of maternal genetics on in-utero inflammation and fetal neurodevelopment in the absence of strong external inflammatory exposures is not known. We used the PtenWT/m3m4 mouse model for ASD to demonstrate the impact of maternal genetics on the penetrance of ASD-like phenotypes in the offspring. PtenWT/m3m4 (Momm3m4) or PtenWT/WT (MomWT) females, their offspring, and placental interface were analyzed for inflammatory markers, gene expression, and cellular phenotypes at E17.5. Postnatal behavior was tested by comparing pups from Momm3m4 vs. MomWT. Mothers of the PtenWT/m3m4 genotype (Momm3m4) showed inadequate induction of IL-10 mediated immunosuppression during pregnancy. Low IL-10 in the mother was directly correlated with decreased complement expression in the fetal liver. Fetuses from Momm3m4 had increased breakdown of the blood-brain-barrier, neuronal loss, and lack of glial cell maturation during in-utero stages. This impact of maternal genotype translated to a postnatal increase in the risk of newborn mortality, visible macrocephaly and ASD-like repetitive and social behaviors. Depending on maternal genotype, non-predisposed (wildtype) offspring showed ASD-like phenotypes, and phenotypic penetrance was decreased in predisposed pups from MomWT. Our study introduces the concept that maternal genetics alone, without any added external inflammatory insults, can modulate fetal neurodevelopment and ASD-related phenotypes in the offspring via alteration of IL-10 mediated materno-fetal immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritika Jaini
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Matthew R Wolf
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Qi Yu
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Alexander T King
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Thomas W Frazier
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
- Department of Psychology, John Carroll University, University Heights, Cleveland, OH, 44118, USA
- Autism Speaks, Cleveland, OH, 44131, USA
| | - Charis Eng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
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Mullegama SV, Klein SD, Williams SR, Innis JW, Probst FJ, Haldeman-Englert C, Martinez-Agosto JA, Yang Y, Tian Y, Elsea SH, Ezashi T. Transcriptome analysis of MBD5-associated neurodevelopmental disorder (MAND) neural progenitor cells reveals dysregulation of autism-associated genes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11295. [PMID: 34050248 PMCID: PMC8163803 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90798-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
MBD5-associated neurodevelopmental disorder (MAND) is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) characterized by intellectual disability, motor delay, speech impairment and behavioral problems; however, the biological role of methyl-CpG-binding domain 5, MBD5, in neurodevelopment and ASD remains largely undefined. Hence, we created neural progenitor cells (NPC) derived from individuals with chromosome 2q23.1 deletion and conducted RNA-seq to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the biological processes and pathways altered in MAND. Primary skin fibroblasts from three unrelated individuals with MAND and four unrelated controls were converted into induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines, followed by directed differentiation of iPSC to NPC. Transcriptome analysis of MAND NPC revealed 468 DEGs (q < 0.05), including 20 ASD-associated genes. Comparison of DEGs in MAND with SFARI syndromic autism genes revealed a striking significant overlap in biological processes commonly altered in neurodevelopmental phenotypes, with TGFβ, Hippo signaling, DNA replication, and cell cycle among the top enriched pathways. Overall, these transcriptome deviations provide potential connections to the overlapping neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric phenotypes associated with key high-risk ASD genes, including chromatin modifiers and epigenetic modulators, that play significant roles in these disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sureni V Mullegama
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Sam Houston State University, Conroe, TX, 77304, USA
| | - Steven D Klein
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Medical Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey W Innis
- Departments of Human Genetics, Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Frank J Probst
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | - Julian A Martinez-Agosto
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Yuchen Tian
- Division of Animal Sciences and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Sarah H Elsea
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Toshihiko Ezashi
- Division of Animal Sciences and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
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Kennedy-Williams P, Care H, Dalton L, Horton J, Kearney A, Rooney N, Hotton M, Pinckston M, Huggons E, Culshaw L, Kilcoyne S, Johnson D, Wilkie AOM, Wall S. Neurodevelopmental, Cognitive, and Psychosocial Outcomes for Individuals With Pathogenic Variants in the TCF12 Gene and Associated Craniosynostosis. J Craniofac Surg 2021; 32:1263-1268. [PMID: 33904513 DOI: 10.1097/scs.0000000000007535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Heterozygous mutations in the TCF12 gene were discovered in 2013 as a cause of craniosynostosis (CS). However, limited information regarding the behavioral phenotypic profile is available. Here the authors provide the first detailed study of the neurodevelopmental, cognitive, and psychosocial outcomes for patients with a pathogenic TCF12 variant and associated CS.A clinical casenote audit was conducted at the 4 UK highly specialized craniofacial centers. A total of 35 patients aged 18 months to 10 years with an identified TCF12 pathogenic variant and CS (bicoronal CS = 45.7%, unicoronal CS = 40.0%, multisuture = 14.3%) were included. Standardized screening and/or assessment of full-scale intelligence quotient, social communication, development, behavior, and self-concept were conducted.In the majority of cases, outcomes were consistent with age-related expectations. About 75% of patients demonstrated no delay across any early developmental domain, while 84.6% demonstrated full-scale intelligence quotient scores within 1 standard deviation of the population mean. Significant behavioral difficulties were demonstrated by parent reporters in 26.3% to 42.1% of cases (dependent upon domain). Clinically elevated social communication profiles were present in (41.7%) of parent-reported cases. Levels of self-concept (at age 10) were consistent with age-related normative data.Most patients with a TCF12 pathogenic variant had a mild behavioral and cognitive phenotype, although they may be at a slightly increased risk of social communication difficulties and psychosocial issues. Although not measured statistically, there were no clear associations between surgical history and cognitive, behavioral, or psychosocial outcomes. This paper highlights the need for robust integrated developmental assessment of all CS patients, particularly those with an identified syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen Care
- Oxford Craniofacial Unit, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
| | - Louise Dalton
- Oxford Craniofacial Unit, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
| | - Jo Horton
- Birmingham Children's Hospital Craniofacial Unit, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital, Birmingham
| | - Anna Kearney
- Alder Hey Craniofacial Unit, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool
| | - Natasha Rooney
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children Craniofacial Unit, Great Ormond Street NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Hotton
- Oxford Craniofacial Unit, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
| | - Molly Pinckston
- Oxford Craniofacial Unit, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
| | - Esme Huggons
- Oxford Craniofacial Unit, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
| | - Laura Culshaw
- Alder Hey Craniofacial Unit, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool
| | - Sarah Kilcoyne
- Oxford Craniofacial Unit, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
| | - David Johnson
- Oxford Craniofacial Unit, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
| | - Andrew O M Wilkie
- Oxford Craniofacial Unit, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford
| | - Steven Wall
- Oxford Craniofacial Unit, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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48
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Indumathy J, Pruitt A, Gautier NM, Crane K, Glasscock E. Kv1.1 deficiency alters repetitive and social behaviors in mice and rescues autistic-like behaviors due to Scn2a haploinsufficiency. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e02041. [PMID: 33484493 PMCID: PMC8035482 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy are highly comorbid, suggesting potential overlap in genetic etiology, pathophysiology, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities; however, the nature of this relationship remains unclear. This work investigated how two ion channel mutations, one associated with autism (Scn2a-null) and one with epilepsy (Kcna1-null), interact to modify genotype-phenotype relationships in the context of autism. Previous studies have shown that Scn2a+/- ameliorates epilepsy in Kcna1-/- mice, improving survival, seizure characteristics, and brain-heart dynamics. Here, we tested the converse, whether Kcna1 deletion modifies ASD-like repetitive and social behaviors in Scn2a+/- mice. METHODS Mice were bred with various combinations of Kcna1 and Scn2a knockout alleles. Animals were assessed for repetitive behaviors using marble burying, grooming, and nestlet shredding tests and for social behaviors using sociability and social novelty preference tests. RESULTS Behavioral testing revealed drastic reductions in all repetitive behaviors in epileptic Kcna1-/- mice, but relatively normal social interactions. In contrast, mice with partial Kcna1 deletion (Kcna1+/- ) exhibited increased self-grooming and decreased sociability suggestive of ASD-like features similar to those observed in Scn2a+/- mice. In double-mutant Scn2a+/- ; Kcna1+/- mice, the two mutations interacted to partially normalize ASD-like behaviors associated with each mutation independently. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these findings suggest that Kv1.1 subunits are important in pathways and neural networks underlying ASD and that Kcna1 may be a therapeutic target for treatment of Scn2a-associated ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagadeeswaran Indumathy
- Department of Cellular Biology and AnatomyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterShreveportLAUSA
- Present address:
Department of Biological SciencesSouthern Methodist UniversityDallasTXUSA
| | - April Pruitt
- Department of Cellular Biology and AnatomyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterShreveportLAUSA
| | - Nicole M. Gautier
- Department of Cellular Biology and AnatomyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterShreveportLAUSA
| | - Kaitlin Crane
- Department of Cellular Biology and AnatomyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterShreveportLAUSA
| | - Edward Glasscock
- Department of Cellular Biology and AnatomyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterShreveportLAUSA
- Present address:
Department of Biological SciencesSouthern Methodist UniversityDallasTXUSA
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49
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Zhao S, Chen WJ, Kwok OM, Dhar SU, Eble TN, Tseng TS, Chen LS. Psychometric Properties of the POAGTS: A Tool for Understanding Parents' Perceptions Regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder Genetic Testing. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:3323. [PMID: 33807035 PMCID: PMC8004979 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18063323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Due to the increased prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), more children with ASD may be referred for genetic testing. It is important to develop a tool to help parents consider the benefits and drawbacks of genetic testing for ASD before pursuing genetic testing for children with ASD. We developed the first theory-based survey-Perceptions of ASD Genetic Testing Survey (POAGTS), as a tool to assist healthcare providers to better understand parents' perceptions and concerns regarding ASD genetic testing. The psychometric properties of POAGTS were first pre-tested and then formally tested with 308 parents of children with ASD who had not decided whether to pursue genetic testing for their children diagnosed with ASD. Findings suggest that the eight scales of the POAGTS were psychometrically sound, and had acceptable data reliability and validity. Additional research with various samples, such as parents of children with ASD who belong to diverse racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups, is warranted in the future to determine whether the POAGTS is applicable to these particular groups. Condensing and refining this tool to a shorter, more user-friendly version is also recommended for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixi Zhao
- Department of Health, Exercise & Sports Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
| | - Wei-Ju Chen
- Department of Psychology, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Odessa, TX 79762, USA;
| | - Oi-Man Kwok
- Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Shweta U. Dhar
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (S.U.D.); (T.N.E.)
| | - Tanya N. Eble
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (S.U.D.); (T.N.E.)
| | - Tung-Sung Tseng
- Behavioral and Community Health Sciences Program, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Public Health, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Lei-Shih Chen
- Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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50
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Levy G, Barak B. Postnatal therapeutic approaches in genetic neurodevelopmental disorders. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:414-422. [PMID: 32985459 PMCID: PMC7996025 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.293133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic neurodevelopmental disorders are characterized by abnormal neurophysiological and behavioral phenotypes, affecting individuals worldwide. While the subject has been heavily researched, current treatment options relate mostly to alleviating symptoms, rather than targeting the altered genome itself. In this review, we address the neurogenetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders, genetic tools that are enabling precision research of these disorders in animal models, and postnatal gene-therapy approaches for neurodevelopmental disorders derived from preclinical studies in the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilad Levy
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Boaz Barak
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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