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Thomson AR, Pasanta D, Arichi T, Puts NA. Neurometabolite differences in Autism as assessed with Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 162:105728. [PMID: 38796123 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105728] [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: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive technique that can be used to quantify the concentrations of metabolites in the brain in vivo. MRS findings in the context of autism are inconsistent and conflicting. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of MRS studies measuring glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), as well as brain metabolites involved in energy metabolism (glutamine, creatine), neural and glial integrity (e.g. n-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline, myo-inositol) and oxidative stress (glutathione) in autism cohorts. Data were extracted and grouped by metabolite, brain region and several other factors before calculation of standardised effect sizes. Overall, we find significantly lower concentrations of GABA and NAA in autism, indicative of disruptions to the balance between excitation/inhibition within brain circuits, as well as neural integrity. Further analysis found these alterations are most pronounced in autistic children and in limbic brain regions relevant to autism phenotypes. Additionally, we show how study outcome varies due to demographic and methodological factors , emphasising the importance of conforming with standardised consensus study designs and transparent reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice R Thomson
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King's College London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK; Centre for the Developing Brain, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Duanghathai Pasanta
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King's College London, UK
| | - Tomoki Arichi
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK; Centre for the Developing Brain, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nicolaas A Puts
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King's College London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK.
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2
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Wang M, Xu D, Zhang L, Jiang H. Application of Multimodal MRI in the Early Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3027. [PMID: 37835770 PMCID: PMC10571992 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13193027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in children. Early diagnosis and intervention can remodel the neural structure of the brain and improve quality of life but may be inaccurate if based solely on clinical symptoms and assessment scales. Therefore, we aimed to analyze multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from the existing literature and review the abnormal changes in brain structural-functional networks, perfusion, neuronal metabolism, and the glymphatic system in children with ASD, which could help in early diagnosis and precise intervention. Structural MRI revealed morphological differences, abnormal developmental trajectories, and network connectivity changes in the brain at different ages. Functional MRI revealed disruption of functional networks, abnormal perfusion, and neurovascular decoupling associated with core ASD symptoms. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed abnormal changes in the neuronal metabolites during different periods. Decreased diffusion tensor imaging signals along the perivascular space index reflected impaired glymphatic system function in children with ASD. Differences in age, subtype, degree of brain damage, and remodeling in children with ASD led to heterogeneity in research results. Multimodal MRI is expected to further assist in early and accurate clinical diagnosis of ASD through deep learning combined with genomics and artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaoyan Wang
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Children’s Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214000, China; (M.W.); (D.X.)
| | - Dandan Xu
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Children’s Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214000, China; (M.W.); (D.X.)
| | - Lili Zhang
- Department of Child Health Care, Affiliated Children’s Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214000, China
| | - Haoxiang Jiang
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Children’s Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214000, China; (M.W.); (D.X.)
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3
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Du Y, Chen L, Yan MC, Wang YL, Zhong XL, Xv CX, Li YB, Cheng Y. Neurometabolite levels in the brains of patients with autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies (N = 1501). Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3092-3103. [PMID: 37117459 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02079-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that neurometabolite alterations may be involved in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We performed a meta-analysis of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) studies to examine the neurometabolite levels in the brains of patients with ASD. A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science identified 54 studies for the meta-analysis. A random-effects meta-analysis demonstrated that compared with the healthy controls, patients with ASD had lower N-acetyl-aspartate-containing compound (NAA) and choline-containing compound (Cho) levels and NAA/(creatine-containing compound) Cr ratios in the gray matter and lower NAA and glutamate + glutamine (Glx) levels in the white matter. Furthermore, NAA and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels, NAA/Cr ratios, and GABA/Cr ratios were significantly decreased in the frontal cortex of patients with ASD, whereas glutamate (Glu) levels were increased in the prefrontal cortex. Additionally, low NAA levels and GABA/Cr ratios in the temporal cortex, low NAA levels and NAA/Cr ratios in the parietal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices, and low NAA levels in the cerebellum and occipital cortex were observed in patients with ASD. Meta-regression analysis revealed that age was positively associated with effect size in studies analyzing the levels of gray matter NAA and white matter Glx. Taken together, these results provide strong clinical evidence that neurometabolite alterations in specific brain regions are associated with ASD and age is a confounding factor for certain neurometabolite levels in patients with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Du
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Mei-Chen Yan
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Li Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Chen-Xi Xv
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yao-Bo Li
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.
- Institute of National Security, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Research, Prevention, and Treatment (Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health-Care Hospital), Changsha, Hunan, China.
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4
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Li B, Zhao H, Tu Z, Yang W, Han R, Wang L, Luo X, Pan M, Chen X, Zhang J, Xu H, Guo X, Yan S, Yin P, Zhao Z, Liu J, Luo Y, Li Y, Yang Z, Zhang B, Tan Z, Xu H, Jiang T, Jiang YH, Li S, Zhang YQ, Li XJ. CHD8 mutations increase gliogenesis to enlarge brain size in the nonhuman primate. Cell Discov 2023; 9:27. [PMID: 36878905 PMCID: PMC9988832 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-023-00525-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects social interaction and behavior. Mutations in the gene encoding chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 8 (CHD8) lead to autism symptoms and macrocephaly by a haploinsufficiency mechanism. However, studies of small animal models showed inconsistent findings about the mechanisms for CHD8 deficiency-mediated autism symptoms and macrocephaly. Using the nonhuman primate as a model system, we found that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated CHD8 mutations in the embryos of cynomolgus monkeys led to increased gliogenesis to cause macrocephaly in cynomolgus monkeys. Disrupting CHD8 in the fetal monkey brain prior to gliogenesis increased the number of glial cells in newborn monkeys. Moreover, knocking down CHD8 via CRISPR/Cas9 in organotypic monkey brain slices from newborn monkeys also enhanced the proliferation of glial cells. Our findings suggest that gliogenesis is critical for brain size in primates and that abnormal gliogenesis may contribute to ASD.
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Grants
- UL1 TR001863 NCATS NIH HHS
- This work was supported by Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province (2021ZT09Y007; 2020B121201006, 2018B030337001, X.J. Li), Guangzhou Key Research Program on Brain Science (202007030008, X.J. Li)the National Science Foundation of China to X.J. Li (81830032, 31872779).
- the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Fund (2019018, B. Li), the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China (2019M653275, B. Li)
- the National Science Foundation of China to H. Zhao (32100783)
- the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (21619104, L. Wang)
- the Strategic Priority Research Program B of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDBS1020100 to Y.Q. Zhang), the National Key Research and Development Program (2019YFA0707100 and 2021ZD0203901 to Y.Q. Zhang),the National Science Foundation of China to Y.Q. Zhang (31830036 and 31921002).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bang Li
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuchi Tu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weili Yang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Rui Han
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT-MRI Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University & Institute of Molecular and Functional Imaging, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaopeng Luo
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingtian Pan
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiusheng Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiawei Zhang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huijuan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangyu Guo
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Sen Yan
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Peng Yin
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiguang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianrong Liu
- Yuanxi Biotech Inc., Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yafeng Luo
- Yuanxi Biotech Inc., Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuefeng Li
- Guangdong Landau Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhengyi Yang
- Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Baogui Zhang
- Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqiang Tan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT-MRI Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University & Institute of Molecular and Functional Imaging, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT-MRI Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University & Institute of Molecular and Functional Imaging, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tianzi Jiang
- Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Hui Jiang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shihua Li
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Q Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiao-Jiang Li
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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5
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Bhalla S, Mehan S. 4-hydroxyisoleucine mediated IGF-1/GLP-1 signalling activation prevents propionic acid-induced autism-like behavioural phenotypes and neurochemical defects in experimental rats. Neuropeptides 2022; 96:102296. [PMID: 36307249 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2022.102296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Autism is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by a neurotransmitter imbalance that impairs neurodevelopment processes. Autism development is marked by communication difficulties, poor socio-emotional health, and cognitive impairment. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and glucagon-like growth factor-1 (GLP-1) are responsible for regular neuronal growth and homeostasis. Autism progression has been linked to dysregulation of IGF-1/GLP-1 signalling. 4-hydroxyisoleucine (HI), a pharmacologically active amino acid produced from Trigonella foenum graecum, works as an insulin mimic and has neuroprotective properties. The GLP-1 analogue liraglutide (LRG) was employed in our investigation to compare the efficacy of 4-HI in autism prevention. The current study explores the protective effects of 4-HI 50 and 100 mg/kg orally on IGF-1/GLP-1 signalling activation in a PPA-induced experimental model of autism. Propionic acid (PPA) injections to rats by intracerebroventricular (ICV) route for the first 11 days of the experiment resulted in autism-like neurobehavioral, neurochemical, gross morphological, and histopathological abnormalities. In addition, we investigated the dose-dependent neuroprotective effects of 4-HI on the levels of several neurotransmitters and neuroinflammatory cytokines in rat brain homogenate and blood plasma. Neuronal apoptotic and anti-oxidant cellular markers were also studied in blood plasma and brain homogenate samples. Furthermore, the luxol fast blue (LFB) staining results demonstrated significant demyelination in the brains of PPA-induced rats reversed by 4-HI treatment. Rats were assessed for spontaneous locomotor impairments, neuromuscular coordination, stress-like behaviour, learning, and memory to assess neurobehavioral abnormalities. The administration of 4-HI and LRG significantly reversed the behavioural, gross and histological abnormalities in the PPA-treated rat brains. After treatment with 4-HI and LRG, LFB-stained photomicrographs of PPA-treated rats' brains demonstrated the recovery of white matter loss. Our findings indicate that 4-HI protects neurons in rats with autism by enhancing the IGF-1 and GLP-1 protein levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonalika Bhalla
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Sidharth Mehan
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India.
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6
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Zhang J, Guan M, Zhou X, Berry K, He X, Lu QR. Long Noncoding RNAs in CNS Myelination and Disease. Neuroscientist 2022; 29:287-301. [PMID: 35373640 DOI: 10.1177/10738584221083919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Myelination by oligodendrocytes is crucial for neuronal survival and function, and defects in myelination or failure in myelin repair can lead to axonal degeneration and various neurological diseases. At present, the factors that promote myelination and overcome the remyelination block in demyelinating diseases are poorly defined. Although the roles of protein-coding genes in oligodendrocyte differentiation have been extensively studied, the majority of the mammalian genome is transcribed into noncoding RNAs, and the functions of these molecules in myelination are poorly characterized. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate transcription at multiple levels, providing spatiotemporal control and robustness for cell type-specific gene expression and physiological functions. lncRNAs have been shown to regulate neural cell-type specification, differentiation, and maintenance of cell identity, and dysregulation of lncRNA function has been shown to contribute to neurological diseases. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the functions of lncRNAs in oligodendrocyte development and myelination as well their roles in neurological diseases and brain tumorigenesis. A more systematic characterization of lncRNA functional networks will be instrumental for a better understanding of CNS myelination, myelin disorders, and myelin repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Laboratory of Nervous System Injuries and Diseases, Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children at Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China.,Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Menglong Guan
- Laboratory of Nervous System Injuries and Diseases, Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children at Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Xianyao Zhou
- Laboratory of Nervous System Injuries and Diseases, Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children at Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Kalen Berry
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Xuelian He
- Laboratory of Nervous System Injuries and Diseases, Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children at Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Q Richard Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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7
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Kang QQ, Li X, Tong GL, Fan YL, Shi L. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy features of the thalamus and the cerebellum and their association with clinical features in children with autism spectrum disorder: a prospective study. ZHONGGUO DANG DAI ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PEDIATRICS 2021; 23:1250-1255. [PMID: 34911608 PMCID: PMC8690718 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2108137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To study the changes in biochemical metabolites in the thalamus and the cerebellum and their association with clinical features in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS In this prospective study, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) with point-resolved spatial selection was used to analyze the thalamus and the cerebellum at both sides in 50 children with ASD aged 2-6 years. Creatine (Cr) was as the internal standard to measure the relative values of N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/Cr, choline (Cho)/Cr, myoinositol (MI)/Cr, and glutamine and glutamate complex (Glx)/Cr, and the differences in metabolites and their association with clinical symptoms were compared. RESULTS In the children with ASD, NAA/Cr in the left thalamus was positively correlated with the scores of hearing-language and hand-eye coordination in the Griffiths Development Scales-Chinese (P<0.05). Cho/Cr in the right cerebellum was positively correlated with the scores of personal-social competence, hearing-language, and hand-eye coordination (P<0.05). NAA/Cr and Glx/Cr in the left thalamus were positively correlated with those in the left cerebellum (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in metabolites between the left and right sides of the thalamus and the cerebellum in the children with ASD (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS There are metabolic disorders in the cerebellum and the thalamus in children with ASD, and there is a correlation between the changes of metabolites in the left cerebellum and the left thalamus. Some metabolic indexes are related to the clinical symptoms of ASD. MRS may reveal the pathological basis of ASD and provide a basis for diagnosis and prognosis assessment of ASD as a noninvasive and quantitative detection method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Qian Kang
- Anhui Hospital Affiliated to Children's Hospital of Fudan University/Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Xu Li
- Anhui Hospital Affiliated to Children's Hospital of Fudan University/Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Guang-Lei Tong
- Anhui Hospital Affiliated to Children's Hospital of Fudan University/Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Ya-Lan Fan
- Anhui Hospital Affiliated to Children's Hospital of Fudan University/Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Anhui Hospital Affiliated to Children's Hospital of Fudan University/Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei 230022, China
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8
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Bordeleau M, Fernández de Cossío L, Lacabanne C, Savage JC, Vernoux N, Chakravarty M, Tremblay MÈ. Maternal high-fat diet modifies myelin organization, microglial interactions, and results in social memory and sensorimotor gating deficits in adolescent mouse offspring. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 15:100281. [PMID: 34589781 PMCID: PMC8474164 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to maternal high-fat diet (mHFD) acts as a risk factor for various neurodevelopmental alterations in the progeny. Recent studies in mice revealed that mHFD results in both neuroinflammation and hypomyelination in the exposed offspring. Microglia, the brain-resident macrophages, play crucial roles during brain development, notably by modulating oligodendrocyte populations and performing phagocytosis of myelin sheaths. Previously, we reported that mHFD modifies microglial phenotype (i.e., morphology, interactions with their microenvironment, transcripts) in the hippocampus of male and female offspring. In the current study, we further explored whether mHFD may induce myelination changes among the hippocampal-corpus callosum-prefrontal cortex pathway, and result in behavioral outcomes in adolescent offspring of the two sexes. To this end, female mice were fed with control chow or HFD for 4 weeks before mating, during gestation, and until weaning of their litter. Histological and ultrastructural analyses revealed an increased density of myelin associated with a reduced area of cytosolic myelin channels in the corpus callosum of mHFD-exposed male compared to female offspring. Transcripts of myelination-associated genes including Igf1 -a growth factor released by microglia- were also lower, specifically in the hippocampus (without changes in the prefrontal cortex) of adolescent male mouse offspring. These changes in myelin were not related to an altered density, distribution, or maturation of oligodendrocytes, instead we found that microglia within the corpus callosum of mHFD-exposed offspring showed reduced numbers of mature lysosomes and increased synaptic contacts, suggesting microglial implication in the modified myelination. At the behavioral level, both male and female mHFD-exposed adolescent offspring presented loss of social memory and sensorimotor gating deficits. These results together highlight the importance of studying oligodendrocyte-microglia crosstalk and its involvement in the long-term brain alterations that result from prenatal mHFD in offspring across sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maude Bordeleau
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | | | - Chloé Lacabanne
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Julie C Savage
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Nathalie Vernoux
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Mallar Chakravarty
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Cerebral Imaging Center, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Biological and Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Colombia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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9
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Hoffmann A, Spengler D. Single-Cell Transcriptomics Supports a Role of CHD8 in Autism. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3261. [PMID: 33806835 PMCID: PMC8004931 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromodomain helicase domain 8 (CHD8) is one of the most frequently mutated and most penetrant genes in the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Individuals with CHD8 mutations show leading symptoms of autism, macrocephaly, and facial dysmorphisms. The molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning the early onset and development of these symptoms are still poorly understood and prevent timely and more efficient therapies of patients. Progress in this area will require an understanding of "when, why and how cells deviate from their normal trajectories". High-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (sc-RNAseq) directly quantifies information-bearing RNA molecules that enact each cell's biological identity. Here, we discuss recent insights from sc-RNAseq of CRISPR/Cas9-editing of Chd8/CHD8 during mouse neocorticogenesis and human cerebral organoids. Given that the deregulation of the balance between excitation and inhibition (E/I balance) in cortical and subcortical circuits is thought to represent a major etiopathogenetic mechanism in ASD, we focus on the question of whether, and to what degree, results from current sc-RNAseq studies support this hypothesis. Beyond that, we discuss the pros and cons of these approaches and further steps to be taken to harvest the full potential of these transformative techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dietmar Spengler
- Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany;
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10
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Hoffmann A, Spengler D. Chromatin Remodeler CHD8 in Autism and Brain Development. J Clin Med 2021; 10:366. [PMID: 33477995 PMCID: PMC7835889 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10020366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromodomain Helicase DNA-binding 8 (CHD8) is a high confidence risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and the genetic cause of a distinct neurodevelopmental syndrome with the core symptoms of autism, macrocephaly, and facial dysmorphism. The role of CHD8 is well-characterized at the structural, biochemical, and transcriptional level. By contrast, much less is understood regarding how mutations in CHD8 underpin altered brain function and mental disease. Studies on various model organisms have been proven critical to tackle this challenge. Here, we scrutinize recent advances in this field with a focus on phenotypes in transgenic animal models and highlight key findings on neurodevelopment, neuronal connectivity, neurotransmission, synaptic and homeostatic plasticity, and habituation. Against this backdrop, we further discuss how to improve future animal studies, both in terms of technical issues and with respect to the sex-specific effects of Chd8 mutations for neuronal and higher-systems level function. We also consider outstanding questions in the field including 'humanized' mice models, therapeutic interventions, and how the use of pluripotent stem cell-derived cerebral organoids might help to address differences in neurodevelopment trajectories between model organisms and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dietmar Spengler
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany;
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11
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Wang J, Yang L, Dong C, Wang J, Xu L, Qiu Y, Weng Q, Zhao C, Xin M, Lu QR. EED-mediated histone methylation is critical for CNS myelination and remyelination by inhibiting WNT, BMP, and senescence pathways. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz6477. [PMID: 32851157 PMCID: PMC7423366 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz6477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) can cause Weaver-like syndrome, wherein a patient cohort exhibits abnormal white matter; however, PRC2 functions in CNS myelination and regeneration remain elusive. We show here that H3K27me3, the PRC2 catalytic product, increases during oligodendrocyte maturation. Depletion of embryonic ectoderm development (EED), a core PRC2 subunit, reduces differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitors (OPCs), and causes an OPC-to-astrocyte fate switch in a region-specific manner. Although dispensable for myelin maintenance, EED is critical for oligodendrocyte remyelination. Genomic occupancy and transcriptomic analyses indicate that EED establishes a chromatin landscape that selectively represses inhibitory WNT and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, and senescence-associated programs. Blocking WNT or BMP pathways partially restores differentiation defects in EED-deficient OPCs. Thus, our findings reveal that EED/PRC2 is a crucial epigenetic programmer of CNS myelination and repair, while demonstrating a spatiotemporal-specific role of PRC2-mediated chromatin silencing in shaping oligodendrocyte identity and lineage plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Brain Tumor Center, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Lijun Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Brain Tumor Center, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Chen Dong
- Department of Pediatrics, Brain Tumor Center, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Jincheng Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Brain Tumor Center, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Lingli Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Brain Tumor Center, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Yueping Qiu
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qinjie Weng
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chuntao Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, Brain Tumor Center, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Mei Xin
- Department of Pediatrics, Brain Tumor Center, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Q. Richard Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Brain Tumor Center, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Corresponding author.
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12
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Elevated serum neurofilament light chain in children autism spectrum disorder: A case control study. Neurotoxicology 2020; 80:87-92. [PMID: 32592719 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to assess serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to investigate whether they are related to the severity of disease. METHODS The cohorts consisted of 166 children aged 3-8 (83 children diagnosed with ASD and 83 children with typically-developing). sNfL were analyzed using Single Molecule Array (Simoa) technology. ASD symptom severity was assessed according to the Chinese version of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) score. RESULTS The mean age of those included ASD was 5.1 years (standard deviations [S.D.]: 1.7) and 78.3 % were boys. The mean (SD) sNfL concentrations were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in ASD than in TP children (10.2[5.0] pg/mL and 7.1[3.2]pg/mL). For each 1 pg/mL increase of sNfL, the risk of ASD would increase by 19 % (with the OR unadjusted of 1.19 [95 % CI 1.10-1.29], P < 0.001) and 11 % (with the OR adjusted of 1.11 [1.03-1.23], P < 0.001), respectively. sNfL concentrations in children with severe ASD were higher than in those children with mild-to-moderate ASD (12.4[5.1] pg/mL vs. 8.3[4.2]pg/mL; P < 0.001). Among ASD cases, each 1 pg/mL increase of sNfL is associated with 20 % higher unadjusted or 11 % higher adjusted odds, respectively, of severe (vs. mild-to-moderate) ASD. CONCLUSIONS The data showed that sNfL was elevated in ASD and related to symptom severity, suggesting that sNfL may play a role in ASD progression.
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Pacheva I, Ivanov I. Targeted Biomedical Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 25:4430-4453. [PMID: 31801452 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666191205091312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) represents presentations with impairment in communication and behaviour that vary considerably in their clinical manifestations and etiology as well as in their likely pathophysiology. A growing body of data indicates that the deleterious effect of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation, as well as their interconnections are important aspects of the pathophysiology of ASD. Glutathione deficiency decreases the mitochondrial protection against oxidants and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; immune dysregulation and inflammation inhibit mitochondrial function through TNF-α; autoantibodies against the folate receptors underpin cerebral folate deficiency, resulting in disturbed methylation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Such pathophysiological processes can arise from environmental and epigenetic factors as well as their combined interactions, such as environmental toxicant exposures in individuals with (epi)genetically impaired detoxification. The emerging evidence on biochemical alterations in ASD is forming the basis for treatments aimed to target its biological underpinnings, which is of some importance, given the uncertain and slow effects of the various educational interventions most commonly used. METHODS Literature-based review of the biomedical treatment options for ASD that are derived from established pathophysiological processes. RESULTS Most proposed biomedical treatments show significant clinical utility only in ASD subgroups, with specified pre-treatment biomarkers that are ameliorated by the specified treatment. For example, folinic acid supplementation has positive effects in ASD patients with identified folate receptor autoantibodies, whilst the clinical utility of methylcobalamine is apparent in ASD patients with impaired methylation capacity. Mitochondrial modulating cofactors should be considered when mitochondrial dysfunction is evident, although further research is required to identify the most appropriate single or combined treatment. Multivitamins/multiminerals formulas, as well as biotin, seem appropriate following the identification of metabolic abnormalities, with doses tapered to individual requirements. A promising area, requiring further investigations, is the utilization of antipurinergic therapies, such as low dose suramin. CONCLUSION The assessment and identification of relevant physiological alterations and targeted intervention are more likely to produce positive treatment outcomes. As such, current evidence indicates the utility of an approach based on personalized and evidence-based medicine, rather than treatment targeted to all that may not always be beneficial (primum non nocere).
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Affiliation(s)
- Iliyana Pacheva
- Department of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics, Medical University - Plovdiv, Plovdiv 4002, Bulgaria
| | - Ivan Ivanov
- Department of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics, Medical University - Plovdiv, Plovdiv 4002, Bulgaria
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14
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Berry K, Wang J, Lu QR. Epigenetic regulation of oligodendrocyte myelination in developmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. F1000Res 2020; 9:F1000 Faculty Rev-105. [PMID: 32089836 PMCID: PMC7014579 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.20904.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes are the critical cell types giving rise to the myelin nerve sheath enabling efficient nerve transmission in the central nervous system (CNS). Oligodendrocyte precursor cells differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes and are maintained throughout life. Deficits in the generation, proliferation, or differentiation of these cells or their maintenance have been linked to neurological disorders ranging from developmental disorders to neurodegenerative diseases and limit repair after CNS injury. Understanding the regulation of these processes is critical for achieving proper myelination during development, preventing disease, or recovering from injury. Many of the key factors underlying these processes are epigenetic regulators that enable the fine tuning or reprogramming of gene expression during development and regeneration in response to changes in the local microenvironment. These include chromatin remodelers, histone-modifying enzymes, covalent modifiers of DNA methylation, and RNA modification-mediated mechanisms. In this review, we will discuss the key components in each of these classes which are responsible for generating and maintaining oligodendrocyte myelination as well as potential targeted approaches to stimulate the regenerative program in developmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalen Berry
- Department of Pediatrics, Brain Tumor Center, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Jiajia Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Brain Tumor Center, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Q. Richard Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Brain Tumor Center, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
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15
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O'Neill J, Bansal R, Goh S, Rodie M, Sawardekar S, Peterson BS. Parsing the Heterogeneity of Brain Metabolic Disturbances in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 87:174-184. [PMID: 31427037 PMCID: PMC6925333 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), its brain bases remain uncertain. Abnormal levels of N-acetyl compounds, glutamate+glutamine, creatine+phosphocreatine, or choline compounds measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy suggest that neuron or glial density, mitochondrial energetic metabolism, and/or inflammation contribute to ASD neuropathology. The neuroanatomic distribution of these metabolites could help evaluate leading theories of ASD. However, most prior magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies had small samples (all <60, most <20), interrogated only a small fraction of the brain, and avoided assessing effects of age, sex, and IQ. METHODS We acquired near-whole-brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy of N-acetyl compounds, glutamate+glutamine, creatine+phosphocreatine, and choline compounds in 78 children and adults with ASD and 96 typically developing children and adults, rigorously evaluating effects of diagnosis and severity on metabolites, as moderated by age, sex, and IQ. RESULTS Effects of ASD and its severity included reduced levels of multiple metabolites in white matter and the perisylvian cortex and elevated levels in the posterior cingulate, consistent with white matter and social-brain theories of ASD. Regionally, both slower and faster decreases of metabolites with age were observed in ASD versus TD. Male-female metabolite differences were widely smaller in ASD than typically developing children and adults. ASD-specific decreases in metabolites with decreasing IQ occurred in several brain areas. CONCLUSIONS Results support multifocal abnormal neuron or glial density, mitochondrial energetics, or neuroinflammation in ASD, alongside widespread starkly atypical moderating effects of age, sex, and IQ. These findings help parse the neurometabolic signature for ASD by phenotypic heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph O'Neill
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Ravi Bansal
- Institute for the Developing Mind, the Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Suzanne Goh
- Division of Child Neurology, Rady Children's Hospital, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Martina Rodie
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Siddhant Sawardekar
- Institute for the Developing Mind, the Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Bradley S Peterson
- Institute for the Developing Mind, the Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Psychiatry, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
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16
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Microglia along sex lines: From brain colonization, maturation and function, to implication in neurodevelopmental disorders. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2019; 94:152-163. [PMID: 31201858 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In addition to their traditional role as immune sentinels, recent discoveries over the last decade have shown that microglial functions now include regulation of neuronal/glial cell migration, differentiation and maturation, as well as neuronal network formation. It was thus proposed that disruption of these microglial roles, during critical periods of brain development, could lead to the pathological onset of several neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder. The prevalence of these disorders exhibits a clear distinction along sex lines with very little known about the mechanisms underlying this difference. One of the fundamental discoveries that arose from recent research into the physiological roles of microglia in neurodevelopment is their sexual dimorphism, raising the intriguing possibility that sex differences in microglial colonization, maturation and/or function in the developing brain could underlie the emergence of various neurodevelopmental disorders. This review discusses the physiological roles of microglia across neurodevelopment, these roles in the two sexes, and the recent evidence that microglial sexually dimorphic nature may contribute, at least partially, to neurodevelopmental disorders.
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17
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Dual Requirement of CHD8 for Chromatin Landscape Establishment and Histone Methyltransferase Recruitment to Promote CNS Myelination and Repair. Dev Cell 2018; 45:753-768.e8. [PMID: 29920279 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Disruptive mutations in chromatin remodeler CHD8 cause autism spectrum disorders, exhibiting widespread white matter abnormalities; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We show that cell-type specific Chd8 deletion in oligodendrocyte progenitors, but not in neurons, results in myelination defects, revealing a cell-intrinsic dependence on CHD8 for oligodendrocyte lineage development, myelination and post-injury remyelination. CHD8 activates expression of BRG1-associated SWI/SNF complexes that in turn activate CHD7, thus initiating a successive chromatin remodeling cascade that orchestrates oligodendrocyte lineage progression. Genomic occupancy analyses reveal that CHD8 establishes an accessible chromatin landscape, and recruits MLL/KMT2 histone methyltransferase complexes distinctively around proximal promoters to promote oligodendrocyte differentiation. Inhibition of histone demethylase activity partially rescues myelination defects of CHD8-deficient mutants. Our data indicate that CHD8 exhibits a dual function through inducing a cascade of chromatin reprogramming and recruiting H3K4 histone methyltransferases to establish oligodendrocyte identity, suggesting potential strategies of therapeutic intervention for CHD8-associated white matter defects.
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18
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Gregath A, Lu QR. Epigenetic modifications-insight into oligodendrocyte lineage progression, regeneration, and disease. FEBS Lett 2018; 592:1063-1078. [PMID: 29427507 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Myelination by oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system permits high-fidelity saltatory conduction from neuronal cell bodies to axon terminals. Dysmyelinating and demyelinating disorders impair normal nervous system functions. Consequently, an understanding of oligodendrocyte differentiation that moves beyond the genetic code into the field of epigenetics is essential. Chromatin reprogramming is critical for steering stage-specific differentiation processes during oligodendrocyte development. Fine temporal control of chromatin remodeling through ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers and sequential histone modifiers shapes a chromatin regulatory landscape conducive to oligodendrocyte fate specification, lineage differentiation, and maintenance of cell identity. In this Review, we will focus on the biological functions of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers and histone deacetylases in myelinating oligodendrocyte development and implications for myelin regeneration in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Gregath
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH, USA
| | - Qing Richard Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH, USA
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19
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Margari L, De Giacomo A, Craig F, Palumbi R, Peschechera A, Margari M, Picardi F, Caldarola M, Maghenzani MA, Dicuonzo F. Frontal lobe metabolic alterations in autism spectrum disorder: a 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2018; 14:1871-1876. [PMID: 30050301 PMCID: PMC6055909 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s165375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Recently, neuroimaging studies were performed using 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), revealing a quantitative alteration of neurochemicals (such as neurotransmitters and metabolites) in several brain regions of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The involvement of the frontal lobe in the neurobiology of ASD has long been documented in the literature. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the alterations of N-acetylaspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr) and choline/Cr (Cho/Cr) ratios in the frontal lobe subcortical white matter (WM) in ASD patients, in order to reveal any alteration of metabolites that might be the expression of specific clinical features of the disorder. PATIENTS AND METHODS An 1H-MRS study of the frontal lobe subcortical WM was performed in 75 children with ASD and in 50 age-matched controls to evaluate the functional activity of this brain region. RESULTS NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios were significantly altered in ASD, compared to control subjects. Moreover, in the ASD group, NAA/Cr was significantly lower in patients with a cognitive impairment. CONCLUSION Results from this study confirm the existence of brain metabolites' alterations in frontal lobe WM in children with ASD, supporting the relevance of this brain region in the clinical expressions of this disorder, including its role in the cognitive impairment. Further 1H-MRS investigations will allow to comprehensively explain the relationship between metabolic alteration in a specific brain region and specific clinical features of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Margari
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy,
| | - Andrea De Giacomo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy,
| | - Francesco Craig
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Developmental Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Roberto Palumbi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy,
| | - Antonia Peschechera
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy,
| | - Mariella Margari
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy,
| | - Francesca Picardi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, Neuroradiology Unit, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Marina Caldarola
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, Neuroradiology Unit, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Marilena Anna Maghenzani
- Emergency Department, Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Franca Dicuonzo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, Neuroradiology Unit, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition with onset in early childhood characterized by marked deficits in interpersonal interactions and communication and by a restricted and repetitive range of interests and activities. This review points out key recent findings utilizing molecular imaging including magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and nuclear neuroimaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). MRS indicates an excitatory/inhibitory imbalance in high-functioning autism. Dysfunction of neurotransmitter and glucose metabolism has been demonstrated by PET and SPECT. Levels of serotonin synthesis in typically developing children are approximately twice those of adults; after the age of 5 years, levels decrease to those of adults. In contrast, levels of serotonin synthesis of children with ASD increase between ages 2 and 15 to 1.5-times adult values. The dopamine transporter is increased in the orbitofrontal cortex of men with ASD. The serotonin transporter is reduced in the brains of children, adolescents, and adults with ASD. Reduced serotonin receptors in the thalamus of adults with ASD are associated with communication difficulties. Glucose metabolism is reduced in the brains of people with ASD. Molecular imaging will provide the preliminary data for promising therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Jaeho Hwang
- a Department of Neuroscience , Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Mona Adel Mohamed
- b Division of Neuroradiology, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science School of Medicine , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - James Robert Brašić
- c Section of High Resolution Brain Positron Emission Tomography Imaging, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science , School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA
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21
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Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and its Clinical Applications: A Review. J Med Imaging Radiat Sci 2017; 48:233-253. [PMID: 31047406 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmir.2017.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In vivo NMR spectroscopy is known as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). MRS has been applied as both a research and a clinical tool in order to detect visible or nonvisible abnormalities. The adaptability of MRS allows a technique that can probe a wide variety of metabolic uses across different tissues. Although MRS is mostly applied for brain tissue, it can be used for detection, localization, staging, tumour aggressiveness evaluation, and tumour response assessment of breast, prostate, hepatic, and other cancers. In this article, the medical applications of MRS in the brain, including tumours, neural and psychiatric disorder studies, breast, prostate, hepatic, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary investigations have been reviewed.
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22
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Siddiqui MF, Elwell C, Johnson MH. Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders. AUTISM-OPEN ACCESS 2016; 6:1000190. [PMID: 27928515 PMCID: PMC5137782 DOI: 10.4172/2165-7890.1000190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are classified as neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by diminished social communication and interaction. Recently, evidence has accrued that a significant proportion of individuals with autism have concomitant diseases such as mitochondrial disease and abnormalities of energy generation. This has therefore led to the hypothesis that autism may be linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. We review such studies reporting decreased activity of mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complexes and reduced gene expression of mitochondrial genes, in particular genes of respiratory chain complexes, in individuals with autism. Overall, the findings support the hypothesis that there is an association of ASD with impaired mitochondrial function; however, many of the studies have small sample sizes and there is variability in the techniques utilised. There is therefore a vital need to utilise novel imaging techniques, such as near-infrared spectroscopy, that will allow non-invasive measurement of metabolic markers for neuronal activity such as cytochrome c oxidase, in order to better establish the link between autism and mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maheen F Siddiqui
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck College, London, UK
| | - Clare Elwell
- Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mark H Johnson
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck College, London, UK
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