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Alhazmi S, Alharthi M, Alzahrani M, Alrofaidi A, Basingab F, Almuhammadi A, Alkhatabi H, Ashi A, Chaudhary A, Elaimi A. Copy number variations in autistic children. Biomed Rep 2024; 21:107. [PMID: 38868529 PMCID: PMC11168027 DOI: 10.3892/br.2024.1795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) manifests as a neurodevelopmental condition marked by challenges in social communication, interaction and the performing of repetitive behaviors. The prevalence of autism increases markedly on an annual basis; however, the etiology remains incompletely understood. Cytogenetically visible chromosomal abnormalities, including copy number variations (CNVs), have been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of ASD. More than 1% of ASD conditions can be explained based on a known genetic locus, whereas CNVs account for 5-10% of cases. However, there are no studies on the Saudi Arabian population for the detection of CNVs linked to ASD, to the best of our knowledge. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence of CNVs in autistic Saudi Arabian children. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 14 autistic children along with four healthy control children and then array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) was used to detect CNVs. Bioinformatics analysis of the aCGH results showed the presence of recurrent and non-recurrent deletion/duplication CNVs in several regions of the genome of autistic children. The most frequent CNVs were 1q21.2, 3p26.3, 4q13.2, 6p25.3, 6q24.2, 7p21.1, 7q34, 7q11.1, 8p23.2, 13q32.3, 14q11.1-q11.2 and 15q11.1-q11.2. In the present study, CNVs in autistic Saudi Arabian children were identified to improve the understanding of the etiology of autism and facilitate its diagnosis. Additionally, the present study identified certain possible pathogenic genes in the CNV region associated with several developmental and neurogenetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safiah Alhazmi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Immunology Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Neuroscience and Geroscience Research Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Central Laboratory of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maram Alharthi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maryam Alzahrani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha Alrofaidi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatemah Basingab
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Immunology Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asma Almuhammadi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Heba Alkhatabi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Hematology Research Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abrar Ashi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adeel Chaudhary
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha Elaimi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
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Lo Barco T, De Gaetano L, Santangelo E, Bravi T, Proietti J, Cantalupo G, Brambilla I, Darra F. SYNGAP1-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy: The impact on daily life. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 127:108500. [PMID: 34954508 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
SYNGAP1-developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (SYNGAP1-DEE) has been recently featured as a distinct genetic disease characterized by global psychomotor delay mainly involving language, moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment, autism spectrum disorder, and a generalized epilepsy with spontaneous and reflex seizures. The severity and variability of function impairment and the impact on patients' and caregivers' daily life are still poorly acknowledged. The SYNGAP1 Italian Family Association developed a survey, shared online with caregivers, exploring several issues, including: epilepsy outcome, comorbidities, daily-living skills, hospitalizations, rehabilitation treatments, economic burden, and COVID-19 pandemic impact. Caregivers of 13 children and adolescents participated in the survey. They most often show a fine and gross-motor impairment and a drug-resistant epilepsy with possibility to experience pluridaily absence seizures that may lead to periods of psychomotor regressions. Eating and sleep problems are reported in the majority. Most parents are concerned about language impairment, behavioral issues and lack of autonomy in daily-living activities. Specific neuropsychological evaluations for autism should be early considered in order to identify intervention strategies involving alternative communication strategies, which can positively affect behavior and quality of life. Rehabilitation treatment should aim to the acquisition and consolidation of personal autonomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Lo Barco
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; Research Center for Pediatric Epilepsies Verona, IT, Verona, Italy; PhD Program in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
| | - Luciana De Gaetano
- Associazione Famiglie SYNGAP1, Italy; Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Santangelo
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Jacopo Proietti
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; Research Center for Pediatric Epilepsies Verona, IT, Verona, Italy
| | - Gaetano Cantalupo
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; Research Center for Pediatric Epilepsies Verona, IT, Verona, Italy
| | - Isabella Brambilla
- Research Center for Pediatric Epilepsies Verona, IT, Verona, Italy; Dravet Italia Onlus, Italy; Rare Epilepsies Alliance, Italy; ERN EpiCare (Epag), Italy
| | - Francesca Darra
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; Research Center for Pediatric Epilepsies Verona, IT, Verona, Italy
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Gill PS, Clothier JL, Veerapandiyan A, Dweep H, Porter-Gill PA, Schaefer GB. Molecular Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Pers Med 2021; 11:848. [PMID: 34575625 PMCID: PMC8466026 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11090848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) comprises a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders with a strong heritable genetic component. At present, ASD is diagnosed solely by behavioral criteria. Advances in genomic analysis have contributed to numerous candidate genes for the risk of ASD, where rare mutations and s common variants contribute to its susceptibility. Moreover, studies show rare de novo variants, copy number variation and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) also impact neurodevelopment signaling. Exploration of rare and common variants involved in common dysregulated pathways can provide new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for ASD. Contributions of current innovative molecular strategies to understand etiology of ASD will be explored which are focused on whole exome sequencing (WES), whole genome sequencing (WGS), microRNA, long non-coding RNAs and CRISPR/Cas9 models. Some promising areas of pharmacogenomic and endophenotype directed therapies as novel personalized treatment and prevention will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pritmohinder S. Gill
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA;
- Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, 13 Children’s Way, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA;
| | - Jeffery L. Clothier
- Psychiatric Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - Aravindhan Veerapandiyan
- Pediatric Neurology, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, 1 Children’s Way, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA;
| | - Harsh Dweep
- The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | | | - G. Bradley Schaefer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA;
- Genetics and Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA
- Arkansas Children’s Hospital NW, Springdale, AR 72762, USA
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Bolbocean C, Andújar FN, McCormack M, Suter B, Holder JL. Health-Related Quality of Life in Pediatric Patients with Syndromic Autism and their Caregivers. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:1334-1345. [PMID: 33937973 PMCID: PMC8854255 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05030-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Children with autism have a significantly lower quality of life compared with their neurotypical peers. While multiple studies have quantified the impact of autism on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) through standardized surveys such as the PedsQL, none have specifically investigated the impact of syndromic autism. Here we evaluate HRQoL in children diagnosed with three genetic disorders that strongly predispose to syndromic autism: Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMD), Rett syndrome (RTT), and SYNGAP1-related intellectual disability (SYNGAP1-ID). We find the most severely impacted dimension is physical functioning. Strikingly, syndromic autism results in worse quality of life than other chronic disorders including idiopathic autism. This study demonstrates the utility of caregiver surveys in prioritizing phenotypes, which may be targeted as clinical endpoints for genetically defined ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corneliu Bolbocean
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.,The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford University, Radcliffe Primary Care Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Rd, Oxford, OX2 6GG, USA
| | - Fabiola N Andújar
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund St. Suite 925, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Division of Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maria McCormack
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund St. Suite 925, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Division of Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bernhard Suter
- Division of Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - J Lloyd Holder
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund St. Suite 925, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Division of Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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