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Di Mento B, John JR, Diaz AM, Lin PI, Masi A, Grove R, Eapen V. Sex Differences in the Broad Autism Phenotype: Insights from the Australian Biobank. J Autism Dev Disord 2024:10.1007/s10803-024-06466-4. [PMID: 39023802 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06466-4] [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: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Examining sub-threshold autistic traits in non-autistic first-degree relatives of individuals on the autism spectrum, known as the Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP), could provide new insights into the associations and familial aggregation of autistic traits. This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study of parents (n = 1008), probands with autism (n = 613), and unaffected siblings (n = 221) of probands with autism. BAP traits were examined by the BAP Questionnaire and Communication Checklist-Adult in parents, Autism Developmental Observation Scale-Second edition in probands, and Social Responsiveness Scale in siblings. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to investigate the associations of parental BAP traits on autistic traits in probands and unaffected sibling BAP traits. Fathers showed significantly increased aloofness, pragmatic language difficulties, and social engagement problems compared to mothers. Female siblings showed increased difficulties with social cognition compared to male siblings. Adjusted models of the regression analyses showed that all BAP traits in fathers were significantly associated with BAP trait expression in probands with autism. Additionally, all of mother's BAP traits were significantly associated with unaffected siblings' BAP trait expression while only fathers' aloofness and rigidity traits were inversely associated with siblings' BAP trait expression. Finally, there were significant inverse interactions noted between parent's BAP traits and their children's BAP trait expression. This study demonstrated differences in how males and females express BAP traits and also identified differences in parent-child associations by sex, with fathers having a greater effect on their proband children's expression of BAP traits than mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaise Di Mento
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - James Rufus John
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Antonio Mendoza Diaz
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- Tasmanian Centre for Mental Health Service Innovation, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Ping-I Lin
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Anne Masi
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- Autism CRC, Long Pocket, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Rachel Grove
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Valsamma Eapen
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
- Autism CRC, Long Pocket, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- Academic Unit of Infant Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services (AUCS), South Western Sydney Local Health District, ICAMHS, L1 MHC, Liverpool Hospital, Elizabeth Street, Liverpool, 2170, NSW, Australia.
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Pua EPK, Desai T, Green C, Trevis K, Brown N, Delatycki M, Scheffer I, Wilson S. Endophenotyping social cognition in the broader autism phenotype. Autism Res 2024; 17:1365-1380. [PMID: 38037242 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Relatives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may display milder social traits of the broader autism phenotype (BAP) providing potential endophenotypic markers of genetic risk for ASD. We performed a case-control comparison to quantify social cognition and pragmatic language difficulties in the BAP (n = 25 cases; n = 33 controls) using the Faux Pas test (FPT) and the Goldman-Eisler Cartoon task. Using deep phenotyping we then examined patterns of inheritance of social cognition in two large multiplex families and the spectrum of performance in 32 additional families (159 members; n = 51 ASD, n = 87 BAP, n = 21 unaffected). BAP individuals showed significantly poorer FPT performance and reduced verbal fluency with the absence of a compression effect in social discourse compared to controls. In multiplex families, we observed reduced FPT performance in 89% of autistic family members, 63% of BAP relatives and 50% of unaffected relatives. Across all affected families, there was a graded spectrum of difficulties, with ASD individuals showing the most severe FPT difficulties, followed by the BAP and unaffected relatives compared to community controls. We conclude that relatives of probands show an inherited pattern of graded difficulties in social cognition with atypical faux pas detection in social discourse providing a novel candidate endophenotype for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Peng Kiat Pua
- Department of Medicine and Radiology, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tarishi Desai
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cherie Green
- Department of Psychology, Counselling & Therapy, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Krysta Trevis
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natasha Brown
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Service, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Martin Delatycki
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Service, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Bruce Lefroy Centre, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ingrid Scheffer
- Department of Medicine and Radiology, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah Wilson
- Department of Medicine and Radiology, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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3
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Kundu S, Sair H, Sherr EH, Mukherjee P, Rohde GK. Discovering the gene-brain-behavior link in autism via generative machine learning. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl5307. [PMID: 38865470 PMCID: PMC11168471 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl5307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Autism is traditionally diagnosed behaviorally but has a strong genetic basis. A genetics-first approach could transform understanding and treatment of autism. However, isolating the gene-brain-behavior relationship from confounding sources of variability is a challenge. We demonstrate a novel technique, 3D transport-based morphometry (TBM), to extract the structural brain changes linked to genetic copy number variation (CNV) at the 16p11.2 region. We identified two distinct endophenotypes. In data from the Simons Variation in Individuals Project, detection of these endophenotypes enabled 89 to 95% test accuracy in predicting 16p11.2 CNV from brain images alone. Then, TBM enabled direct visualization of the endophenotypes driving accurate prediction, revealing dose-dependent brain changes among deletion and duplication carriers. These endophenotypes are sensitive to articulation disorders and explain a portion of the intelligence quotient variability. Genetic stratification combined with TBM could reveal new brain endophenotypes in many neurodevelopmental disorders, accelerating precision medicine, and understanding of human neurodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinjini Kundu
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Haris Sair
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Elliott H. Sherr
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Pratik Mukherjee
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Gustavo K. Rohde
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA
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Denisova K. Neurobiology of cognitive abilities in early childhood autism. JCPP ADVANCES 2024; 4:e12214. [PMID: 38827984 PMCID: PMC11143961 DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
This perspective considers complexities in the relationship between impaired cognitive abilities and autism from a maturational, developmental perspective, and aims to serve as a helpful guide for the complex and growing investigation of cognitive abilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Low Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and ASD are frequently co-occurring. About 37% of 8-year old children and 48% of 4-year old children diagnosed with ASD also have Intellectual Disability, with IQ below 70. And, low IQ in early infancy, including below 1 year of age, carries a 40% greater chance of receiving ASD diagnosis in early childhood. We consider the evidence that may explain this co-occurrence, including the possibility that high IQ may "rescue" the social communication issues, as well as the possible role of critical periods during growth and development. We consider how early low IQ may subsume a part of a subgroup of individuals with ASD, in particular, those diagnosed with autism in very early childhood, and we provide neurobiological evidence in support of this subtype. Moreover, we distinguish the concept of early low IQ from the delay in speech onset in preschool and school-aged children, based on (i) age and (ii) impairments in both verbal and non-verbal domains. The etiology of these early-diagnosed, early low IQ ASD cases is different from later-diagnosed, average or higher-IQ cases, and from children with speech delay onset. Given recent interest in formulating new subtypes of autism, rather than continuing to conceive of ASD as a spectrum, as well as new subtypes that vary in the degree of severity along the spectrum, we identify gaps in knowledge and directions for future work in this complex and growing area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Denisova
- Division of Math and Natural SciencesDepartment of PsychologyAutism Origins LabCity University of New YorkQueens College and Graduate CenterQueensNew YorkUSA
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Bicks LK, Geschwind DH. Functional neurogenomics in autism spectrum disorders: A decade of progress. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2024; 86:102858. [PMID: 38547564 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2024.102858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Advances in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) genetics have identified many genetic causes, reflecting remarkable progress while at the same time identifying challenges such as heterogeneity and pleiotropy, which complicate attempts to connect genetic risk to mechanisms. High-throughput functional genomic approaches have yielded progress by defining a molecular pathology in the brain of individuals with ASD and in identifying convergent biological pathways through which risk genes are predicted to act. These studies indicate that ASD genetic risk converges in early brain development, primarily during the period of cortical neurogenesis. Over development, genetic perturbations in turn lead to broad neuronal signaling dysregulation, most prominent in glutamatergic cortical-cortical projecting neurons and somatostatin positive interneurons, which is accompanied by glial dyshomeostasis throughout the cerebral cortex. Connecting these developmental perturbations to disrupted neuronal and glial function in the postnatal brain is an important direction in current research. Coupling functional genomic approaches with advances in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural organoid development provides a promising avenue for connecting brain pathology to developmental mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy K Bicks
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 695 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. https://twitter.com/Bickslucy
| | - D H Geschwind
- Program in Neurobehavioral Genetics, Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 695 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 695 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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6
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Gotoh S, Kawabori M, Fujimura M. Intranasal administration of stem cell-derived exosomes for central nervous system diseases. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1249-1255. [PMID: 37905871 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.385875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Exosomes, lipid bilayer-enclosed small cellular vesicles, are actively secreted by various cells and play crucial roles in intercellular communication. These nanosized vesicles transport internalized proteins, mRNA, miRNA, and other bioactive molecules. Recent findings have provided compelling evidence that exosomes derived from stem cells hold great promise as a therapeutic modality for central nervous system disorders. These exosomes exhibit multifaceted properties including anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, neurogenic, and vasculogenic effects. Furthermore, exosomes offer several advantages over stem cell therapy, such as high preservation capacity, low immunogenicity, the ability to traverse the blood-brain barrier, and the potential for drug encapsulation. Consequently, researchers have turned their attention to exosomes as a novel therapeutic avenue. Nonetheless, akin to the limitations of stem cell treatment, the limited accumulation of exosomes in the injured brain poses a challenge to their clinical application. To overcome this hurdle, intranasal administration has emerged as a non-invasive and efficacious route for delivering drugs to the central nervous system. By exploiting the olfactory and trigeminal nerve axons, this approach enables the direct transport of therapeutics to the brain while bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Notably, exosomes, owing to their small size, can readily access the nerve pathways using this method. As a result, intranasal administration has gained increasing recognition as an optimal therapeutic strategy for exosome-based treatments. In this comprehensive review, we aim to provide an overview of both basic and clinical research studies investigating the intranasal administration of exosomes for the treatment of central nervous system diseases. Furthermore, we elucidate the underlying therapeutic mechanisms and offer insights into the prospect of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuho Gotoh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido, Japan
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Göksoy ŞÇ, Tanır Y, Soylu N, Baki AM, Vural P, Karayağmurlu A. The Role of Sertoli Cell Hormones in Male Preponderance Observed in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Noro Psikiyatr Ars 2024; 61:141-147. [PMID: 38868849 PMCID: PMC11165613 DOI: 10.29399/npa.28378] [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: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction There is a significant, but poorly understood, male preponderance in prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between male preponderance in ASD and Inhibin B (InhB) and Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels and the 2D/4D finger ratio associated with fetal androgen exposure. Methods 42 patients with ASD and 42 neurotypical controls between the ages of 5 and 10 were included. ASD diagnosis and severity were determined using K-SADS PL (Kiddie-SADS - Present and Life Time) Version 2016 and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Serum InhB and AMH were measured. The 2D/4D finger length ratio was also calculated for hand anthropometric measurements. Results Serum InhB levels were higher in children diagnosed with ASD compared to the neurotypical controls (p=0.003). Serum AMH levels were similar in both groups. Positive correlation was determined between AMH and CARS scores (r=0.315, p=0.05). 2D/4D finger ratios in the ASD group were significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion The study findings suggest that InhB, AMH, and fetal testosterone may be associated with male preponderance in ASD. More research is now required for a better understanding of this subject.
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Affiliation(s)
- Şeyda Çelik Göksoy
- Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yaşar Tanır
- Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nusret Soylu
- Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Adile Merve Baki
- Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Biochemistry, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pervin Vural
- Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Biochemistry, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ali Karayağmurlu
- Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Istanbul, Turkey
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Esposito D, Cruciani G, Zaccaro L, Di Carlo E, Spitoni GF, Manti F, Carducci C, Fiori E, Leuzzi V, Pascucci T. A Systematic Review on Autism and Hyperserotonemia: State-of-the-Art, Limitations, and Future Directions. Brain Sci 2024; 14:481. [PMID: 38790459 PMCID: PMC11119126 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14050481] [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: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Hyperserotonemia is one of the most studied endophenotypes in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but there are still no unequivocal results about its causes or biological and behavioral outcomes. This systematic review summarizes the studies investigating the relationship between blood serotonin (5-HT) levels and ASD, comparing diagnostic tools, analytical methods, and clinical outcomes. A literature search on peripheral 5-HT levels and ASD was conducted. In total, 1104 publications were screened, of which 113 entered the present systematic review. Of these, 59 articles reported hyperserotonemia in subjects with ASD, and 26 presented correlations between 5-HT levels and ASD-core clinical outcomes. The 5-HT levels are increased in about half, and correlations between hyperserotonemia and clinical outcomes are detected in a quarter of the studies. The present research highlights a large amount of heterogeneity in this field, ranging from the characterization of ASD and control groups to diagnostic and clinical assessments, from blood sampling procedures to analytical methods, allowing us to delineate critical topics for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Esposito
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sabelli 108, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.E.); (F.M.)
| | - Gianluca Cruciani
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (G.F.S.)
| | - Laura Zaccaro
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.Z.); (T.P.)
| | - Emanuele Di Carlo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.D.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Grazia Fernanda Spitoni
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (G.F.S.)
- Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306-354, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Manti
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sabelli 108, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.E.); (F.M.)
| | - Claudia Carducci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.D.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Elena Fiori
- Rome Technopole Foundation, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Leuzzi
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sabelli 108, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.E.); (F.M.)
| | - Tiziana Pascucci
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.Z.); (T.P.)
- Centro “Daniel Bovet”, Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Santa Lucia Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
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Ronconi L, Cantiani C, Riva V, Franchin L, Bettoni R, Gori S, Bulf H, Valenza E, Facoetti A. Infants' reorienting efficiency depends on parental autistic traits and predicts future socio-communicative behaviors. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:40-49. [PMID: 38696607 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae089] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Attentional reorienting is dysfunctional not only in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but also in infants who will develop ASD, thus constituting a potential causal factor of future social interaction and communication abilities. Following the research domain criteria framework, we hypothesized that the presence of subclinical autistic traits in parents should lead to atypical infants' attentional reorienting, which in turn should impact on their future socio-communication behavior in toddlerhood. During an attentional cueing task, we measured the saccadic latencies in a large sample (total enrolled n = 89; final sample n = 71) of 8-month-old infants from the general population as a proxy for their stimulus-driven attention. Infants were grouped in a high parental traits (HPT; n = 23) or in a low parental traits (LPT; n = 48) group, according to the degree of autistic traits self-reported by their parents. Infants (n = 33) were then longitudinally followed to test their socio-communicative behaviors at 21 months. Results show a sluggish reorienting system, which was a longitudinal predictor of future socio-communicative skills at 21 months. Our combined transgenerational and longitudinal findings suggest that the early functionality of the stimulus-driven attentional network-redirecting attention from one event to another-could be directly connected to future social and communication development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Ronconi
- School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina, 58, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Cantiani
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Via Don Luigi Monza, 20, 23842 Lecco, Italy
| | - Valentina Riva
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Via Don Luigi Monza, 20, 23842 Lecco, Italy
| | - Laura Franchin
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Corso Bettini, 84, 38068 Rovereto, Italy
| | - Roberta Bettoni
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo, 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Simone Gori
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Piazzale Sant'Agostino, 2, 24129 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Herman Bulf
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo, 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Eloisa Valenza
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Via Venezia 8, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Facoetti
- Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of General Psychology, Via Venezia 8, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
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Baizer JS. Neuroanatomy of autism: what is the role of the cerebellum? Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:94-103. [PMID: 38696597 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae050] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism (or autism spectrum disorder) was initially defined as a psychiatric disorder, with the likely cause maternal behavior (the very destructive "refrigerator mother" theory). It took several decades for research into brain mechanisms to become established. Both neuropathological and imaging studies found differences in the cerebellum in autism spectrum disorder, the most widely documented being a decreased density of Purkinje cells in the cerebellar cortex. The popular interpretation of these results is that cerebellar neuropathology is a critical cause of autism spectrum disorder. We challenge that view by arguing that if fewer Purkinje cells are critical for autism spectrum disorder, then any condition that causes the loss of Purkinje cells should also cause autism spectrum disorder. We will review data on damage to the cerebellum from cerebellar lesions, tumors, and several syndromes (Joubert syndrome, Fragile X, and tuberous sclerosis). Collectively, these studies raise the question of whether the cerebellum really has a role in autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder is now recognized as a genetically caused developmental disorder. A better understanding of the genes that underlie the differences in brain development that result in autism spectrum disorder is likely to show that these genes affect the development of the cerebellum in parallel with the development of the structures that do underlie autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan S Baizer
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, 123 Sherman Hall, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, United States
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11
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Carter S, Lin JC, Chow T, Martinez MP, Qiu C, Feldman RK, McConnell R, Xiang AH. Preeclampsia Onset, Days to Delivery, and Autism Spectrum Disorders in Offspring: Clinical Birth Cohort Study. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2024; 10:e47396. [PMID: 38630528 PMCID: PMC11063875 DOI: 10.2196/47396] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal preeclampsia is associated with a risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in offspring. However, it is unknown whether the increased ASD risk associated with preeclampsia is due to preeclampsia onset or clinical management of preeclampsia after onset, as clinical expectant management of preeclampsia allows pregnant women with this complication to remain pregnant for potentially weeks depending on the onset and severity. Identifying the risk associated with preeclampsia onset and exposure provides evidence to support the care of high-risk pregnancies and reduce adverse effects on offspring. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to fill the knowledge gap by assessing the ASD risk in children associated with the gestational age of preeclampsia onset and the number of days from preeclampsia onset to delivery. METHODS This retrospective population-based clinical cohort study included 364,588 mother-child pairs of singleton births between 2001 and 2014 in a large integrated health care system in Southern California. Maternal social demographic and pregnancy health data, as well as ASD diagnosis in children by the age of 5 years, were extracted from electronic medical records. Cox regression models were used to assess hazard ratios (HRs) of ASD risk in children associated with gestational age of the first occurrence of preeclampsia and the number of days from first occurrence to delivery. RESULTS Preeclampsia occurred in 16,205 (4.4%) out of 364,588 pregnancies; among the 16,205 pregnancies, 2727 (16.8%) first occurred at <34 weeks gestation, 4466 (27.6%) first occurred between 34 and 37 weeks, and 9012 (55.6%) first occurred at ≥37 weeks. Median days from preeclampsia onset to delivery were 4 (IQR 2,16) days, 1 (IQR 1,3) day, and 1 (IQR 0,1) day for those first occurring at <34, 34-37, and ≥37 weeks, respectively. Early preeclampsia onset was associated with greater ASD risk (P=.003); HRs were 1.62 (95% CI 1.33-1.98), 1.43 (95% CI 1.20-1.69), and 1.23 (95% CI 1.08-1.41), respectively, for onset at <34, 34-37, and ≥37 weeks, relative to the unexposed group. Within the preeclampsia group, the number of days from preeclampsia onset to delivery was not associated with ASD risk in children; the HR was 0.995 (95% CI 0.986-1.004) after adjusting for gestational age of preeclampsia onset. CONCLUSIONS Preeclampsia during pregnancy was associated with ASD risk in children, and the risk was greater with earlier onset. However, the number of days from first preeclampsia onset to delivery was not associated with ASD risk in children. Our study suggests that ASD risk in children associated with preeclampsia is not increased by expectant management of preeclampsia in standard clinical practice. Our results emphasize the need to identify effective approaches to preventing the onset of preeclampsia, especially during early pregnancy. Further research is needed to confirm if this finding applies across different populations and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Carter
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Jane C Lin
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Ting Chow
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Mayra P Martinez
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Chunyuan Qiu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Baldwin Park Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Baldwin Park, CA, United States
| | - R Klara Feldman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baldwin Park Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Baldwin Park, CA, United States
| | - Rob McConnell
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Anny H Xiang
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, United States
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12
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Tangviriyapaiboon D, Permsuwan U, Pavasuthipaisit C, Sriminipun A, Dilokthornsakul P. Economic Evaluation of the Thai Diagnostic Autism Scale for Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis in Children Aged 1-5 Years Old. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:782. [PMID: 38610204 PMCID: PMC11012028 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12070782] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The Thai Diagnostic Autism Scale (TDAS) was developed for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis in Thai children aged 1-5 years. Previous studies have indicated its good performance; however, additional health resources and healthcare providers are necessary for evaluation. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of TDAS compared to clinical diagnosis (ClinDx) for ASD diagnosis in Thai children aged 1-5 years from a societal perspective. The analysis employed a hybrid model consisting of a decision tree model for a diagnostic phase with a state transition model for a follow-up phase. A literature review was conducted to determine TDAS performance and the relative risk of death in patients with ASD. Direct medical costs were assessed through a retrospective medical records review, and a cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine direct nonmedical costs, ASD severities, and utility values. The cost of TDAS was derived from a healthcare provider interview (n = 10). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) compared the total lifetime cost and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) between TDAS and ClinDx. We found that TDAS could improve QALY by 1.96 but increased total lifetime cost by 5577 USD, resulting in an ICER of 2852 USD/QALY. Sensitivity analysis indicated an 81.16% chance that TDAS is cost-effective. The probabilities of different ASD severities were key influencing factors of the findings. In conclusion, TDAS is the cost-effective option for ASD diagnosis in Thai children aged 1-5 years compared to ClinDx, despite some uncertainties around inputs. Further monitoring and evaluation are warranted if TDAS is to be implemented nationwide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Unchalee Permsuwan
- Center for Medical and Health Technology Assessment (CM-HTA), Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
| | - Chosita Pavasuthipaisit
- Rajanagarindra Institute of Child Development, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand; (D.T.); (C.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Athithan Sriminipun
- Rajanagarindra Institute of Child Development, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand; (D.T.); (C.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Piyameth Dilokthornsakul
- Center for Medical and Health Technology Assessment (CM-HTA), Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
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13
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Carter SA, Lin JC, Chow T, Martinez MP, Alves JM, Feldman KR, Qiu C, Page KA, McConnell R, Xiang AH. Maternal obesity and diabetes during pregnancy and early autism screening score at well-child visits in standard clinical practice. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024; 28:975-984. [PMID: 37646431 PMCID: PMC10902177 DOI: 10.1177/13623613231188876] [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] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Early intervention and treatment can help reduce disability in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Screening for autism spectrum disorder in young children identifies those at increased likelihood of diagnosis who may need further support. Previous research has reported that exposure to maternal obesity and diabetes during pregnancy is associated with higher likelihood of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in children. However, little is known about whether these maternal conditions are associated with how very young children score on autism spectrum disorder screening tools. This study examined associations between exposure to maternal obesity and diabetes during pregnancy and offspring scores on the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, an autism spectrum disorder screening questionnaire administered between 18-24 months at well-child visits. A higher score on the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers suggests a higher likelihood of autism spectrum disorder; children with scores 3 or greater are referred to developmental pediatricians for evaluation. Our study found that children of mothers with obesity or diabetes during pregnancy had higher scores than children whose mothers did not have these conditions. Associations with maternal obesity and gestational diabetes diagnosed at or before 26 weeks of pregnancy were also present in children who did not have later autism spectrum disorder diagnoses, suggesting that exposure to these conditions during early pregnancy may be associated with a broad range of social and behavioral abilities. Identifying associations between maternal health conditions and early Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers screening scores could influence future screening and provision of support for children of mothers with these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Carter
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Jane C. Lin
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Ting Chow
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Mayra P. Martinez
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Jasmin M. Alves
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033
- Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033
| | - Klara R. Feldman
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Baldwin Park, CA
| | - Chunyuan Qiu
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Baldwin Park, CA
| | - Kathleen A. Page
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033
| | - Rob McConnell
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anny H. Xiang
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA
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14
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Gambini D, Ferrero S, Bulfamante G, Pisani L, Corbo M, Kuhn E. Cerebellar phenotypes in germline PTEN mutation carriers. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2024; 50:e12970. [PMID: 38504418 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12970] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome (PHTS) comprises different hereditary conditions caused by germline PTEN mutations, predisposing to the development of multiple hamartomas in many body tissues and also increasing the risk of some types of cancer. Cerebellar involvement in PHTS patients has been long known due to the development of a pathognomonic cerebellar hamartoma (known as dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum or Lhermitte-Duclos disease). Recently, a crucial role of the cerebellum has been highlighted in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders, now recognised as a phenotype expressed in a variable percentage of PHTS children. In addition, rare PTEN variants are indeed identified in medulloblastoma as well, even if they are less frequent than other germline gene mutations. The importance of PTEN and its downstream signalling enzymatic pathways, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, has been studied at different levels in both human clinical settings and animal models, not only leading to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of different disorders but, most importantly, to identify potential targets for specific therapies. In particular, PTEN integrity makes an important contribution to the normal development of tissue architecture in the nervous system, including the cerebellum. Thus, in patients with PTEN germline mutations, the cerebellum is an affected organ that is increasingly recognised in different disorders, whereas, in animal models, cerebellar Pten loss causes a variety of functional and histological alterations. In this review, we summarise the range of cerebellar involvement observed in PHTS and its relationships with germline PTEN mutations, along with the phenotypes expressed by murine models with PTEN deficiency in cerebellar tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Gambini
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di Cura Igea, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Ferrero
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Pathology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Gaetano Bulfamante
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Human Pathology and Molecular Pathology Unit, TOMA Advanced Biomedical Assays, Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Luigi Pisani
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di Cura Igea, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Corbo
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di Cura Igea, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Kuhn
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Pathology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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15
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Olson L, Bishop S, Thurm A. Differential Diagnosis of Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Pediatr Clin North Am 2024; 71:157-177. [PMID: 38423714 PMCID: PMC10904885 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
This article discusses the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as other neurodevelopmental disorders that may be confused with or co-occur with ASD. Practitioners involved in diagnostic assessment of ASD must be well versed in the features that differentiate ASD from other conditions and be familiar with how co-occurring conditions may manifest in the context of ASD. ASD symptoms present differently across development, underscoring the need for training about typical developmental expectations for youth. Periodic reevaluations throughout development are also important because support needs for individuals with autism change over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Olson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, 675 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Somer Bishop
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, 675 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Audrey Thurm
- Intramural Research Program, Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Phenotyping Service, National Institute of Mental Health, 10 Center Drive, Room 1C250, MSC 1255, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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16
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He BH, Yang YH, Hsiao BW, Lin WT, Chuang YF, Chen SY, Liu FC. Foxp2 Is Required for Nucleus Accumbens-mediated Multifaceted Limbic Function. Neuroscience 2024; 542:33-46. [PMID: 38354901 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.02.004] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The forkhead box protein P2 (Foxp2), initially identified for its role in speech and language development, plays an important role in neural development. Previous studies investigated the function of the Foxp2 gene by deleting or mutating Foxp2 from developmental stages. Little is known about its physiological function in adult brains. Although Foxp2 has been well studied in the dorsal striatum, its function in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of the ventral striatum remains elusive. Here, we examine the physiological function of Foxp2 in NAc of mouse brains. We conditionally knocked out Foxp2 by microinjections of AAV-EGFP-Cre viruses into the medial shell of NAc of Foxp2 floxed (cKO) mice. Immunostaining showed increased c-Fos positive cells in cKO NAc at basal levels, suggesting an abnormality in Foxp2-deficient NAc cells. Unbiased behavioral profiling of Foxp2 cKO mice showed abnormalities in limbic-associated function. Foxp2 cKO mice exhibited abnormal social novelty without preference for interaction with strangers and familiar mice. In appetitive reward learning, Foxp2 cKO mice failed to learn the time expectancy of food delivery. In fear learning, Foxp2 cKO mice exhibited abnormal increases in freezing levels in response to tone paired with foot shock during fear conditioning. The extinction of the fear response was also altered in Foxp2 cKO mice. In contrast, conditional knockout of Foxp2 in NAc did not affect locomotion, motor coordination, thermal pain sensation, anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Collectively, our study suggests that Foxp2 has a multifaceted physiological role in NAc in the regulation of limbic function in the adult brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Han He
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Hui Yang
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Bo-Wen Hsiao
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ting Lin
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Fang Chuang
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Yun Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Chin Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan.
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17
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Yu ACL, McAllister R, Mularoni N, To CKS. Brief Report: Atypical Temporal Sensitivity in Coarticulation in Autism: Evidence from Sibilant-Vowel Interaction in Cantonese. J Autism Dev Disord 2024:10.1007/s10803-024-06258-w. [PMID: 38431693 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06258-w] [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] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Atypicalities in the prosodic aspects of speech are commonly considered in clinical assessments of autism. While there is an increasing number of studies using objective measures to assess prosodic deficits, such studies have primarily focused on the intonational and rhythmic aspects of prosody. Little is known about prosodic deficits that are reflected at the segmental level, despite the strong connection between prosody and segmental realization. This study examines the nature of sibilant-vowel coarticulation among male adult native speakers of Cantonese with autism and those without. METHODS Fifteen Cantonese-speaking autistic (ASD) adults (mean age = 25 years) and 23 neuro-typical (NT) adults (mean age = 20 years) participated. Each participant read aloud 42 syllables with a sibilant onset in carrier phrase. Spectral means and variance, skewness and kurtosis were measured, and regressed by vocalic rounding (rounded vs. unrounded), cohort (ASD vs. NT), sibilant duration, and articulation rate. RESULTS While neurotypical participants exhibit sibilant-vowel coarticulation that are sensitive to variation in sibilant duration, autistic participants show no sensitivity to segmental temporal changes. CONCLUSION These findings point to the potential for atypicalities in prosody-segment interaction as an important characteristic of autistic speech.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Carol K S To
- The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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18
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Li Q, Li W, Hu K, Wang Y, Li Y, Xu J. A de novo variant in RERE causes autistic behavior by disrupting related genes and signaling pathway. Clin Genet 2024; 105:273-282. [PMID: 38018232 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14461] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly variable neurodevelopmental disorder that typically manifests childhood, characterized by a triad of symptoms: impaired social interaction, communication difficulties, and restricted interests with repetitive behaviors. De novo variants in related genes can cause ASD. We present the case of a 6-year-old Chinese boy with autistic behavior, including language communication impairments, intellectual disabilities, stunted development, and irritability in social interactions. Using Sanger sequencing, we confirmed a pathogenic in the RERE gene (NM_012102.4) (c.3732delC, p.Tyr1245Thrfs*12; EX21; Het). Subsequently, we generated an RERE point mutation cell line (ReMut) using CRISPR/Cas9 Targeted Genome Editing. Immunofluorescence was conducted to determine the location of the mutant RERE. RNA-sequencing and mass spectrometry analyses were performed to elucidate the ASD-related genes and signaling pathways disrupted by this variant in RERE. We identified 3790 differentially expressed genes and 684 differentially expressed proteins. The SHH signaling pathway was found to be downregulated, and the Hippo pathway was upregulated in ReMut. Genes implicated in autism, such as CNTNAP2, STX1A, FARP2, and GPC1, were significantly downregulated. Simultaneously, we noted alterations in HDAC1 and HDAC2, which are members of the WHHERE complex, suggesting their role in the pathogenesis of this patient. In conclusion, we report a de novo variant in RERE associated with autistic behavior. The finding that ASD is associated with RERE variants underscore the role of genetic factors in ASD and provides insights regarding the mechanisms underlying RERE variants in disease onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Institute of Reproductive Health, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Wenbo Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Institute of Reproductive Health, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Kaiyue Hu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Institute of Reproductive Health, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yaqian Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Institute of Reproductive Health, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yang Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Institute of Reproductive Health, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jiawei Xu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Institute of Reproductive Health, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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19
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Acharya P, Choi NY, Shrestha S, Jeong S, Lee MY. Brain organoids: A revolutionary tool for modeling neurological disorders and development of therapeutics. Biotechnol Bioeng 2024; 121:489-506. [PMID: 38013504 PMCID: PMC10842775 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Brain organoids are self-organized, three-dimensional (3D) aggregates derived from pluripotent stem cells that have cell types and cellular architectures resembling those of the developing human brain. The current understanding of human brain developmental processes and neurological disorders has advanced significantly with the introduction of this in vitro model. Brain organoids serve as a translational link between two-dimensional (2D) cultures and in vivo models which imitate the neural tube formation at the early and late stages and the differentiation of neuroepithelium with whole-brain regionalization. In addition, the generation of region-specific brain organoids made it possible to investigate the pathogenic and etiological aspects of acquired and inherited brain disease along with drug discovery and drug toxicity testing. In this review article, we first summarize an overview of the existing methods and platforms used for generating brain organoids and their limitations and then discuss the recent advancement in brain organoid technology. In addition, we discuss how brain organoids have been used to model aspects of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Rett syndrome, Zika virus-related microcephaly, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabha Acharya
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Na Young Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
- Department of Healthcare Information Technology, Inje University, Gimhae, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunil Shrestha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Sehoon Jeong
- Department of Healthcare Information Technology, Inje University, Gimhae, Republic of Korea
| | - Moo-Yeal Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
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20
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Denisova
- Division of Math and Natural Sciences, Department of Psychology, Autism Origins Lab, City University of New York, Queens College and Graduate Center, Queens, NY, USA
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21
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Bosetti C, Ferrini L, Ferrari AR, Bartolini E, Calderoni S. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Abnormalities of Clinical EEG: A Qualitative Review. J Clin Med 2024; 13:279. [PMID: 38202286 PMCID: PMC10779511 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13010279] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, the comorbidity between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and epilepsy has been widely demonstrated, and many hypotheses regarding the common neurobiological bases of these disorders have been put forward. A variable, but significant, prevalence of abnormalities on electroencephalogram (EEG) has been documented in non-epileptic children with ASD; therefore, several scientific studies have recently tried to demonstrate the role of these abnormalities as a possible biomarker of altered neural connectivity in ASD individuals. This narrative review intends to summarize the main findings of the recent scientific literature regarding abnormalities detected with standard EEG in children/adolescents with idiopathic ASD. Research using three different databases (PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar) was conducted, resulting in the selection of 10 original articles. Despite an important lack of studies on preschoolers and a deep heterogeneity in results, some authors speculated on a possible association between EEG abnormalities and ASD characteristics, in particular, the severity of symptoms. Although this correlation needs to be more strongly elucidated, these findings may encourage future studies aimed at demonstrating the role of electrical brain abnormalities as an early biomarker of neural circuit alterations in ASD, highlighting the potential diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic value of EEG in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Bosetti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (C.B.); (L.F.); (A.R.F.); (S.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Ferrini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (C.B.); (L.F.); (A.R.F.); (S.C.)
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Ferrari
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (C.B.); (L.F.); (A.R.F.); (S.C.)
| | - Emanuele Bartolini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (C.B.); (L.F.); (A.R.F.); (S.C.)
- Tuscany PhD Programme in Neurosciences, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (C.B.); (L.F.); (A.R.F.); (S.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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22
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Abbott PW, Hardie JB, Walsh KP, Nessler AJ, Farley SJ, Freeman JH, Wemmie JA, Wendt L, Kim YC, Sowers LP, Parker KL. Knockdown of the Non-canonical Wnt Gene Prickle2 Leads to Cerebellar Purkinje Cell Abnormalities While Cerebellar-Mediated Behaviors Remain Intact. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024:10.1007/s12311-023-01648-9. [PMID: 38165577 PMCID: PMC11217148 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01648-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) involve brain wide abnormalities that contribute to a constellation of symptoms including behavioral inflexibility, cognitive dysfunction, learning impairments, altered social interactions, and perceptive time difficulties. Although a single genetic variation does not cause ASD, genetic variations such as one involving a non-canonical Wnt signaling gene, Prickle2, has been found in individuals with ASD. Previous work looking into phenotypes of Prickle2 knock-out (Prickle2-/-) and heterozygous mice (Prickle2-/+) suggest patterns of behavior similar to individuals with ASD including altered social interaction and behavioral inflexibility. Growing evidence implicates the cerebellum in ASD. As Prickle2 is expressed in the cerebellum, this animal model presents a unique opportunity to investigate the cerebellar contribution to autism-like phenotypes. Here, we explore cerebellar structural and physiological abnormalities in animals with Prickle2 knockdown using immunohistochemistry, whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology, and several cerebellar-associated motor and timing tasks, including interval timing and eyeblink conditioning. Histologically, Prickle2-/- mice have significantly more empty spaces or gaps between Purkinje cells in the posterior lobules and a decreased propensity for Purkinje cells to fire action potentials. These structural cerebellar abnormalities did not impair cerebellar-associated behaviors as eyeblink conditioning and interval timing remained intact. Therefore, although Prickle-/- mice show classic phenotypes of ASD, they do not recapitulate the involvement of the adult cerebellum and may not represent the pathophysiological heterogeneity of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parker W Abbott
- Department of Psychiatry, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52245, USA
| | - Jason B Hardie
- Department of Psychiatry, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52245, USA
| | - Kyle P Walsh
- Department of Psychiatry, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52245, USA
| | - Aaron J Nessler
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52245, USA
| | | | - John H Freeman
- Department of Psychiatry, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52245, USA
| | - John A Wemmie
- Department of Psychiatry, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52245, USA
| | - Linder Wendt
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52245, USA
| | - Young-Cho Kim
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52245, USA
- Department of Neurology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52245, USA
| | - Levi P Sowers
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52245, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52245, USA
| | - Krystal L Parker
- Department of Psychiatry, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52245, USA.
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23
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Idei H, Yamashita Y. Elucidating multifinal and equifinal pathways to developmental disorders by constructing real-world neurorobotic models. Neural Netw 2024; 169:57-74. [PMID: 37857173 DOI: 10.1016/j.neunet.2023.10.005] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Vigorous research has been conducted to accumulate biological and theoretical knowledge about neurodevelopmental disorders, including molecular, neural, computational, and behavioral characteristics; however, these findings remain fragmentary and do not elucidate integrated mechanisms. An obstacle is the heterogeneity of developmental pathways causing clinical phenotypes. Additionally, in symptom formations, the primary causes and consequences of developmental learning processes are often indistinguishable. Herein, we review developmental neurorobotic experiments tackling problems related to the dynamic and complex properties of neurodevelopmental disorders. Specifically, we focus on neurorobotic models under predictive processing lens for the study of developmental disorders. By constructing neurorobotic models with predictive processing mechanisms of learning, perception, and action, we can simulate formations of integrated causal relationships among neurodynamical, computational, and behavioral characteristics in the robot agents while considering developmental learning processes. This framework has the potential to bind neurobiological hypotheses (excitation-inhibition imbalance and functional disconnection), computational accounts (unusual encoding of uncertainty), and clinical symptoms. Developmental neurorobotic approaches may serve as a complementary research framework for integrating fragmented knowledge and overcoming the heterogeneity of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayato Idei
- Department of Information Medicine, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Yuichi Yamashita
- Department of Information Medicine, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan.
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24
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Park BY, Benkarim O, Weber CF, Kebets V, Fett S, Yoo S, Martino AD, Milham MP, Misic B, Valk SL, Hong SJ, Bernhardt BC. Connectome-wide structure-function coupling models implicate polysynaptic alterations in autism. Neuroimage 2024; 285:120481. [PMID: 38043839 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120481] [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: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental diagnoses. Although incompletely understood, structural and functional network alterations are increasingly recognized to be at the core of the condition. We utilized multimodal imaging and connectivity modeling to study structure-function coupling in ASD and probed mono- and polysynaptic mechanisms on structurally-governed network function. We examined multimodal magnetic resonance imaging data in 80 ASD and 61 neurotypical controls from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) II initiative. We predicted intrinsic functional connectivity from structural connectivity data in each participant using a Riemannian optimization procedure that varies the times that simulated signals can unfold along tractography-derived personalized connectomes. In both ASD and neurotypical controls, we observed improved structure-function prediction at longer diffusion time scales, indicating better modeling of brain function when polysynaptic mechanisms are accounted for. Prediction accuracy differences (∆prediction accuracy) were marked in transmodal association systems, such as the default mode network, in both neurotypical controls and ASD. Differences were, however, lower in ASD in a polysynaptic regime at higher simulated diffusion times. We compared regional differences in ∆prediction accuracy between both groups to assess the impact of polysynaptic communication on structure-function coupling. This analysis revealed that between-group differences in ∆prediction accuracy followed a sensory-to-transmodal cortical hierarchy, with an increased gap between controls and ASD in transmodal compared to sensory/motor systems. Multivariate associative techniques revealed that structure-function differences reflected inter-individual differences in autistic symptoms and verbal as well as non-verbal intelligence. Our network modeling approach sheds light on atypical structure-function coupling in autism, and suggests that polysynaptic network mechanisms are implicated in the condition and that these can help explain its wide range of associated symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Yong Park
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Data Science, Inha University, Incheon, South Korea; Department of Statistics and Data Science, Inha University, Incheon, South Korea; Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Institute for Basic Science, Suwon, South Korea.
| | - Oualid Benkarim
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Clara F Weber
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Valeria Kebets
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Serena Fett
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Seulki Yoo
- Convergence Research Institute, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Adriana Di Martino
- Center for the Developing Brain, Child Mind Institute, New York, United States
| | - Michael P Milham
- Center for the Developing Brain, Child Mind Institute, New York, United States
| | - Bratislav Misic
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sofie L Valk
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Seok-Jun Hong
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Institute for Basic Science, Suwon, South Korea; Center for the Developing Brain, Child Mind Institute, New York, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Boris C Bernhardt
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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25
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Baris RO, Sahin N, Bilgic AD, Ozdemir C, Edgunlu TG. Molecular and in silico analyses of SYN III gene variants in autism spectrum disorder. Ir J Med Sci 2023; 192:2887-2895. [PMID: 37166614 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-023-03402-w] [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: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Defects in neurotransmission and synaptogenesis are noteworthy in the pathogenesis of ASD. Synapsin III (SYN III) is defined as a synaptic vesicle protein that plays an important role in synaptogenesis and regulation of neurotransmitter release and neurite outgrowth. Therefore, SYN III may associate with many neurodevelopmental diseases, including ASD. AIM The aim of this study was to investigate whether the SYN III gene -631 C > G (rs133946) and -196 G > A (rs133945) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to ASD. METHODS SYN III variants and the risk of ASD were investigated in 26 healthy children and 24 ASD children. SYN III gene variants were genotyped by PCR-RFLP methods. The differences in genotype and allele frequencies between the ASD and control groups were calculated using the chi-square (χ2). We analysed the SYN III gene using web-based tools. RESULTS Our results suggest that the presence of the AA genotype of the SYN III -196 G > A (rs133945) polymorphism affects the characteristics and development of ASD in children (p = 0.012). SYN III -631 C > G (rs133946) polymorphism was not associated with ASD (p = 0.524). We have shown the prediction of gene-gene interaction that SYN III is co-expressed with 17 genes, physical interaction with 3 genes, and co-localization with 12 genes. The importance of different genes (SYN I, II, III, GABRD, NOS1AP, GNAO1) for ASD pathogenesis was revealed by GO analysis. CONCLUSION Considering the role of SYN III and related genes, especially in the synaptic vesicle pathway and neurotransmission, its effect on ASD can be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remzi Oguz Baris
- Faculty of Medicine, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Mugla, Turkey
| | - Nilfer Sahin
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Diseases School of Medicine, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Mugla, Turkey
| | - Ayşegül Demirtas Bilgic
- Department of Medical Biology, Health Sciences Institution, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Mugla, Turkey
| | - Cilem Ozdemir
- Department of Medical Biology, Health Sciences Institution, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Mugla, Turkey.
| | - Tuba Gokdogan Edgunlu
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Mugla, 48000, Turkey
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26
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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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27
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Chen L, Xiong XY, Yao TT, Gui LN, Luo F, Du Y, Cheng Y. Blood exosome sensing via neuronal insulin-like growth factor-1 regulates autism-related phenotypes. Pharmacol Res 2023; 197:106965. [PMID: 37852341 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The development and progression of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by multiple complex molecular events, highlighting the importance of the prefrontal brain regions in this process. Exosomes are nanovesicles that play a critical role in intercellular communication. Peripheral systems influence brain function under both physiological and pathological conditions. We investigated whether this influence was mediated by the direct sensing of peripheral blood exosomes by brain cells. Administration of serum exosomes from rats with valproic acid-induced ASD resulted in ASD-related phenotypes in mice, whereas exosomes from normal rats did not exhibit such effects. RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis suggested that negative regulation of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) by exosome-derived miR-29b-3p may contribute to these ASD-associated effects. Further evidence showed that miR-29b-3p-enriched exosomes crossed the blood-brain barrier to reach the mPFC, subsequently inducing the suppression of IGF-1 expression in neurons. Optogenetic activation of excitatory neurons in the mPFC improved behavioral abnormalities in exosome-treated mice. The addition of exogenous IGF-1 or inhibition of miR-29b-3p expression in the mPFC also rescued the ASD-related phenotypes in mice. Importantly, administration of miR-29b-3p-enriched serum exosomes from human donors with ASD into the mouse medial prefrontal cortex was sufficient to induce hallmark ASD behaviors. Together, our findings indicate that blood-brain cross-talk is crucial for ASD pathophysiology and that the brain may sense peripheral system changes through exosomes, which could serve as the basis for future neurological therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Xi-Yue Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Research, Prevention and Treatment, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Tong-Tong Yao
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Lue-Ning Gui
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Luo
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Du
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.
| | - Yong Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China; College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China; Institute of National Security, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.
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28
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Qin Y, Zhang XY, Liu Y, Ma Z, Tao S, Li Y, Peng R, Wang F, Wang J, Feng J, Qiu Z, Jin L, Wang H, Gong X. Downregulation of mGluR1-mediated signaling underlying autistic-like core symptoms in Shank1 P1812L-knock-in mice. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:329. [PMID: 37880287 PMCID: PMC10600164 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02626-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by core symptoms that consist of social deficits and repetitive behaviors. Unfortunately, no effective medication is available thus far to target the core symptoms of ASD, since the pathogenesis remains largely unknown. To investigate the pathogenesis of the core symptoms in ASD, we constructed Shank1 P1812L-knock-in (KI) mice corresponding to a recurrent ASD-related mutation, SHANK1 P1806L, to achieve construct validity and face validity. Shank1 P1812L-KI heterozygous (HET) mice presented with social deficits and repetitive behaviors without the presence of confounding comorbidities. HET mice also exhibited downregulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR1) and associated signals, along with structural abnormalities in the dendritic spines and postsynaptic densities. Combined with findings from Shank1 R882H-KI mice, our study confirms that mGluR1-mediated signaling dysfunction is a pivotal mechanism underlying the core symptoms of ASD. Interestingly, Shank1 P1812L-KI homozygous (HOM) mice manifested behavioral signs of impaired long-term memory rather than autistic-like core traits; thus, their phenotype was markedly different from that of Shank1 P1812L-KI HET mice. Correspondingly, at the molecular level, Shank1 P1812L-KI HOM displayed upregulation of AMPA receptor (GluA2)-related signals. The different patterns of protein changes in HOM and HET mice may explain the differences in behaviors. Our study emphasizes the universality of mGluR1-signaling hypofunction in the pathogenesis of the core symptoms in ASD, providing a potential target for therapeutic drugs. The precise correspondence between genotype and phenotype, as shown in HOM and HET mice, indicates the importance of reproducing disease-related genotypes in mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Yong Zhang
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanyan Liu
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Zehan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuo Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Early Intervention Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Functional Brain Imaging Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiucun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianfeng Feng
- MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Zilong Qiu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaohong Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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29
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Wilczyński KM, Auguściak-Duma A, Stasik A, Cichoń L, Kawalec A, Janas-Kozik M. Association of OXTR, AVPR1a, LNPEP, and CD38 Genes' Expression with the Clinical Presentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:8359-8371. [PMID: 37886970 PMCID: PMC10604998 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45100527] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interactions, communication, and behavior. Although the predominant genetic predisposition to ASD seems beyond doubt, its exact nature remains unclear. In the context of social cognition disorders and the basis of ASD, the oxytocinergic and vasopresynergic systems arouse great interest among researchers. The aim of the present study was to analyze gene expression levels for oxytocin and vasopressin receptors, as well as CD38 protein and oxytocinase, in the context of the clinical picture of autism spectrum disorders. The study included 90 people, of whom 63 were diagnosed with ASD based on anamnesis, mental status testing, and the ADOS-2 protocol. The results obtained in the presented study indicate that the balance between the levels of expression of the CD38 gene and the oxytocinase gene plays a key role in the risk and clinical presentation of ASD. In a hypothetical scenario, an imbalance in the expression of CD38 and LNPEP could potentially lead to alterations in the concentrations of oxytocin and vasopressin. At the same time, the most frequently studied genes-AVPR1a and OXTR-seem to be at best of marginal importance for the risk of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Maria Wilczyński
- Department of Developmental Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, 40-061 Katowice, Poland
- John Paul II Children’s and Family Health Center in Sosnowiec sp. z o.o., Gabrieli Zapolskiej 3, 41-218 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Auguściak-Duma
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Medical University of Silesia, 40-061 Katowice, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Stasik
- John Paul II Children’s and Family Health Center in Sosnowiec sp. z o.o., Gabrieli Zapolskiej 3, 41-218 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Lena Cichoń
- Department of Developmental Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, 40-061 Katowice, Poland
- John Paul II Children’s and Family Health Center in Sosnowiec sp. z o.o., Gabrieli Zapolskiej 3, 41-218 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Alicja Kawalec
- Department of Developmental Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, 40-061 Katowice, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Janas-Kozik
- Department of Developmental Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, 40-061 Katowice, Poland
- John Paul II Children’s and Family Health Center in Sosnowiec sp. z o.o., Gabrieli Zapolskiej 3, 41-218 Sosnowiec, Poland
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30
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Morales-Marín ME, Castro Martínez XH, Centeno Cruz F, Barajas-Olmos F, Náfate López O, Gómez Cotero AG, Orozco L, Nicolini Sánchez H. Differential DNA Methylation from Autistic Children Enriches Evidence for Genes Associated with ASD and New Candidate Genes. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1420. [PMID: 37891789 PMCID: PMC10605446 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101420] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a result of the interaction between genes and the environment. The study of epigenetic factors that affect gene expression, such as DNA methylation, has become an important area of research in ASD. In recent years, there has been an increasing body of evidence pointing to epigenetic mechanisms that influence brain development, as in the case of ASD, when gene methylation dysregulation is present. Our analysis revealed 853 differentially methylated CpG in ASD patients, affecting 509 genes across the genome. Enrichment analysis showed five related diseases, including autistic disorder and mental disorders, which are particularly significant. In this work, we identified 64 genes that were previously reported in the SFARI gene database, classified according to their impact index. Additionally, we identified new genes that have not been previously reported as candidates with differences in the methylation patterns of Mexican children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Edith Morales-Marín
- Laboratorio de Genómica de Enfermedades Psiquiátricas y Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (X.H.C.M.); (H.N.S.)
| | - Xochitl Helga Castro Martínez
- Laboratorio de Genómica de Enfermedades Psiquiátricas y Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (X.H.C.M.); (H.N.S.)
| | - Federico Centeno Cruz
- Laboratorio de Inmunogenómica y Enfermedades Metabólicas, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (F.C.C.); (F.B.-O.); (L.O.)
| | - Francisco Barajas-Olmos
- Laboratorio de Inmunogenómica y Enfermedades Metabólicas, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (F.C.C.); (F.B.-O.); (L.O.)
| | - Omar Náfate López
- Hospital de Especialidades Pediátricas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez 29045, Mexico;
| | - Amalia Guadalupe Gómez Cotero
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud, Unidad Santo Tomás, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico;
| | - Lorena Orozco
- Laboratorio de Inmunogenómica y Enfermedades Metabólicas, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (F.C.C.); (F.B.-O.); (L.O.)
| | - Humberto Nicolini Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Genómica de Enfermedades Psiquiátricas y Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (X.H.C.M.); (H.N.S.)
- Grupo Médico Carracci, Mexico City 03740, Mexico
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31
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Berg LM, Gurr C, Leyhausen J, Seelemeyer H, Bletsch A, Schaefer T, Pretzsch CM, Oakley B, Loth E, Floris DL, Buitelaar JK, Beckmann CF, Banaschewski T, Charman T, Jones EJH, Tillmann J, Chatham CH, Bourgeron T, Murphy DG, Ecker C. The neuroanatomical substrates of autism and ADHD and their link to putative genomic underpinnings. Mol Autism 2023; 14:36. [PMID: 37794485 PMCID: PMC10552404 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00568-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental conditions accompanied by differences in brain development. Neuroanatomical differences in autism are variable across individuals and likely underpin distinct clinical phenotypes. To parse heterogeneity, it is essential to establish how the neurobiology of ASD is modulated by differences associated with co-occurring conditions, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to (1) investigate between-group differences in autistic individuals with and without co-occurring ADHD, and to (2) link these variances to putative genomic underpinnings. METHODS We examined differences in cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA) and their genomic associations in a sample of 533 individuals from the Longitudinal European Autism Project. Using a general linear model including main effects of autism and ADHD, and an ASD-by-ADHD interaction, we examined to which degree ADHD modulates the autism-related neuroanatomy. Further, leveraging the spatial gene expression data of the Allen Human Brain Atlas, we identified genes whose spatial expression patterns resemble our neuroimaging findings. RESULTS In addition to significant main effects for ASD and ADHD in fronto-temporal, limbic, and occipital regions, we observed a significant ASD-by-ADHD interaction in the left precentral gyrus and the right frontal gyrus for measures of CT and SA, respectively. Moreover, individuals with ASD + ADHD differed in CT to those without. Both main effects and the interaction were enriched for ASD-but not for ADHD-related genes. LIMITATIONS Although we employed a multicenter design to overcome single-site recruitment limitations, our sample size of N = 25 individuals in the ADHD only group is relatively small compared to the other subgroups, which limits the generalizability of the results. Also, we assigned subjects into ADHD positive groupings according to the DSM-5 rating scale. While this is sufficient for obtaining a research diagnosis of ADHD, our approach did not take into account for how long the symptoms have been present, which is typically considered when assessing ADHD in the clinical setting. CONCLUSION Thus, our findings suggest that the neuroanatomy of ASD is significantly modulated by ADHD, and that autistic individuals with co-occurring ADHD may have specific neuroanatomical underpinnings potentially mediated by atypical gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Berg
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital, Goethe University, Deutschordenstrasse 50, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Brain Imaging Center, Goethe University, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Department of Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Caroline Gurr
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital, Goethe University, Deutschordenstrasse 50, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Brain Imaging Center, Goethe University, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Johanna Leyhausen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital, Goethe University, Deutschordenstrasse 50, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Brain Imaging Center, Goethe University, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Hanna Seelemeyer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital, Goethe University, Deutschordenstrasse 50, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Brain Imaging Center, Goethe University, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anke Bletsch
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital, Goethe University, Deutschordenstrasse 50, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Brain Imaging Center, Goethe University, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tim Schaefer
- Fries Lab, Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience in Cooperation with Max Planck Society, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Charlotte M Pretzsch
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Bethany Oakley
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Eva Loth
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Dorothea L Floris
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan K Buitelaar
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Christian F Beckmann
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tobias Banaschewski
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Tony Charman
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Emily J H Jones
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7JL, UK
| | - Julian Tillmann
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Chris H Chatham
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Bourgeron
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Declan G Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Christine Ecker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital, Goethe University, Deutschordenstrasse 50, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Brain Imaging Center, Goethe University, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, SE5 8AF, UK
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Theriault JE, Shaffer C, Dienel GA, Sander CY, Hooker JM, Dickerson BC, Barrett LF, Quigley KS. A functional account of stimulation-based aerobic glycolysis and its role in interpreting BOLD signal intensity increases in neuroimaging experiments. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105373. [PMID: 37634556 PMCID: PMC10591873 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
In aerobic glycolysis, oxygen is abundant, and yet cells metabolize glucose without using it, decreasing their ATP per glucose yield by 15-fold. During task-based stimulation, aerobic glycolysis occurs in localized brain regions, presenting a puzzle: why produce ATP inefficiently when, all else being equal, evolution should favor the efficient use of metabolic resources? The answer is that all else is not equal. We propose that a tradeoff exists between efficient ATP production and the efficiency with which ATP is spent to transmit information. Aerobic glycolysis, despite yielding little ATP per glucose, may support neuronal signaling in thin (< 0.5 µm), information-efficient axons. We call this the efficiency tradeoff hypothesis. This tradeoff has potential implications for interpretations of task-related BOLD "activation" observed in fMRI. We hypothesize that BOLD "activation" may index local increases in aerobic glycolysis, which support signaling in thin axons carrying "bottom-up" information, or "prediction error"-i.e., the BIAPEM (BOLD increases approximate prediction error metabolism) hypothesis. Finally, we explore implications of our hypotheses for human brain evolution, social behavior, and mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan E Theriault
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
| | - Clare Shaffer
- Northeastern University, Department of Psychology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gerald A Dienel
- Department of Neurology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Christin Y Sander
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Jacob M Hooker
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Bradford C Dickerson
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Lisa Feldman Barrett
- Northeastern University, Department of Psychology, Boston, MA, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Karen S Quigley
- Northeastern University, Department of Psychology, Boston, MA, USA; VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
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Lewis SA, Bakhtiari S, Forstrom J, Bayat A, Bilan F, Le Guyader G, Alkhunaizi E, Vernon H, Padilla-Lopez SR, Kruer MC. AGAP1-associated endolysosomal trafficking abnormalities link gene-environment interactions in neurodevelopmental disorders. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm049838. [PMID: 37470098 PMCID: PMC10548112 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
AGAP1 is an Arf1 GTPase-activating protein that regulates endolysosomal trafficking. Damaging variants have been linked to cerebral palsy and autism. We report three new cases in which individuals had microdeletion variants in AGAP1. The affected individuals had intellectual disability (3/3), autism (3/3), dystonia with axial hypotonia (1/3), abnormalities of brain maturation (1/3), growth impairment (2/3) and facial dysmorphism (2/3). We investigated mechanisms potentially underlying AGAP1 variant-mediated neurodevelopmental impairments using the Drosophila ortholog CenG1a. We discovered reduced axon terminal size, increased neuronal endosome abundance and elevated autophagy compared to those in controls. Given potential incomplete penetrance, we assessed gene-environment interactions. We found basal elevation in the phosphorylation of the integrated stress-response protein eIF2α (or eIF2A) and inability to further increase eIF2α phosphorylation with subsequent cytotoxic stressors. CenG1a-mutant flies had increased lethality from exposure to environmental insults. We propose a model wherein disruption of AGAP1 function impairs endolysosomal trafficking, chronically activating the integrated stress response and leaving AGAP1-deficient cells susceptible to a variety of second-hit cytotoxic stressors. This model may have broader applicability beyond AGAP1 in instances where both genetic and environmental insults co-occur in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara A. Lewis
- Pediatric Movement Disorders Program, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
- Departments of Child Health, Neurology, Genetics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Somayeh Bakhtiari
- Pediatric Movement Disorders Program, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
- Departments of Child Health, Neurology, Genetics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Jacob Forstrom
- Pediatric Movement Disorders Program, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
- Departments of Child Health, Neurology, Genetics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Allan Bayat
- Institute for Regional Health Services, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, 4293 Dianalund, Denmark
| | - Frédéric Bilan
- Service de Génétique, CHU de Poitiers, 86000 Poitiers, France
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Experimentales et Cliniques, INSERM U1084, 86000 Poitiers, France
| | - Gwenaël Le Guyader
- Service de Génétique, CHU de Poitiers, 86000 Poitiers, France
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Experimentales et Cliniques, INSERM U1084, 86000 Poitiers, France
| | - Ebba Alkhunaizi
- Department of Medical Genetics, North York General Hospital, Toronto, ON M3J0K2, Canada
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M3J0K2, Canada
| | - Hilary Vernon
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sergio R. Padilla-Lopez
- Pediatric Movement Disorders Program, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
- Departments of Child Health, Neurology, Genetics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Michael C. Kruer
- Pediatric Movement Disorders Program, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
- Departments of Child Health, Neurology, Genetics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
- Programs in Neuroscience, Molecular & Cellular Biology, and Biomedical Informatics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
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Hickman AR, Selee B, Pauly R, Husain B, Hang Y, Feltus FA. Discovery of eQTL Alleles Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case-Control Study. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:3595-3612. [PMID: 35739433 PMCID: PMC10465380 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05631-x] [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] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges in social communication as well as repetitive or restrictive behaviors. Many genetic associations with ASD have been identified, but most associations occur in a fraction of the ASD population. Here, we searched for eQTL-associated DNA variants with significantly different allele distributions between ASD-affected and control. Thirty significant DNA variants associated with 174 tissue-specific eQTLs from ASD individuals in the SPARK project were identified. Several significant variants fell within brain-specific regulatory regions or had been associated with a significant change in gene expression in the brain. These eQTLs are a new class of biomarkers that could control the myriad of brain and non-brain phenotypic traits seen in ASD-affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison R. Hickman
- Genetics and Biochemistry Department, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634 USA
| | - Bradley Selee
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634 USA
| | - Rini Pauly
- Biomedical Data Science & Informatics Program, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634 USA
| | - Benafsh Husain
- Biomedical Data Science & Informatics Program, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634 USA
| | - Yuqing Hang
- Genetics and Biochemistry Department, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634 USA
| | - Frank Alex Feltus
- Genetics and Biochemistry Department, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634 USA
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634 USA
- Center for Human Genetics, Clemson University, Greenwood, SC 29646 USA
- Biosystems Research Complex, 302C, 105 Collings St, Clemson, SC 29634 USA
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35
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Carter SA, Rahman MM, Lin JC, Chow T, Yu X, Martinez MP, Levitt P, Chen Z, Chen JC, Eckel SP, Schwartz J, Lurmann FW, Kleeman MJ, McConnell R, Xiang AH. Maternal exposure to aircraft emitted ultrafine particles during pregnancy and likelihood of ASD in children. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 178:108061. [PMID: 37454628 PMCID: PMC10472925 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is increasing evidence for adverse health effects associated with aircraft-emitted particulate matter (PM) exposures, which are largely in the ultrafine (PM0.1) size fraction, but no previous study has examined neurodevelopmental outcomes. OBJECTIVE To assess associations between maternal exposure to aircraft ultrafine particles (UFP) during pregnancy and offspring autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. METHODS This large, representative cohort study included 370,723 singletons born in a single healthcare system. Demographic data, maternal health information, and child's ASD diagnosis by age 5 were extracted from electronic medical records. Aircraft exposure estimates for PM0.1 were generated by the University of California Davis/California Institute of Technology Source Oriented Chemical Transport model. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess associations between maternal exposure to aircraft PM0·1 in pregnancy and ASD diagnosis, controlling for covariates. RESULTS Over the course of follow-up, 4,554 children (1.4 %) were diagnosed with ASD. Increased risk of ASD was associated with maternal exposure to aircraft PM0.1 [hazard ratio, HR: 1.02, (95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.03) per IQR = 0.02 µg/m3 increase during pregnancy. Associations were robust to adjustment for total PM0.1 and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), near-roadway air pollution, and other covariates. Noise adjustment modestly attenuated estimates of UFP effects, which remained statistically significant. DISCUSSION The results strengthen the emerging evidence that maternal particulate matter exposure during pregnancy is associated with offspring ASD diagnosis and identify aircraft-derived PM0.1 as novel targets for further study and potential regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Carter
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Md Mostafijur Rahman
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jane C Lin
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Ting Chow
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Xin Yu
- Spatial Science Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mayra P Martinez
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Department of Pediatrics and Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Keck School of Medicine, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Zhanghua Chen
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jiu-Chiuan Chen
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sandrah P Eckel
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Michael J Kleeman
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Rob McConnell
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anny H Xiang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Chubick A, Wang E, Au C, Grody WW, Ophoff RA. Large-Scale Whole Genome Sequence Analysis of >22,000 Subjects Provides no Evidence of FMR1 Premutation Allele Involvement in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1518. [PMID: 37628570 PMCID: PMC10454383 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081518] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Expansion of a CGG repeat in the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene on the X chromosome is the cause of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). The repeat length of unaffected individuals varies between 5-40 repeats, whereas >200 repeats are observed in cases of FXS. The intermediate range between 55-200 repeats is considered the premutation range and is observed in roughly 1:300 females and 1:900 males in the general population. With the availability of large-scale whole genome sequence (WGS) data and the development of computational tools to detect repeat expansions, we systematically examined the role of FMR1 premutation alleles in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) susceptibility, assess the prevalence, and consider the allelic stability between parents and offspring. We analyzed the WGS data of 22,053 subjects, including 32 FXS positive controls, 1359 population controls, and 5467 ASD families. We observed no FMR1 full mutation range repeats among the ASD parent-offspring families but identified 180 family members with premutation range alleles, which represents a higher prevalence compared to the independent WGS control sample and previous reports in the literature. A sex-specific analysis between probands and unaffected siblings did not reveal a significant increase in the burden of premutation alleles in either males or females with ASD. PCR validation, however, suggests an overestimation of the frequency of FMR1 premutation range alleles through computational analysis of WGS data. Overall, we show the utility of large-scale repeat expansion screening in WGS data and conclude that there is no apparent evidence of FMR1 premutation alleles contributing to ASD susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Chubick
- Department of Human Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (W.W.G.)
| | - Evan Wang
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior Los Angeles, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA;
| | - Cora Au
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA;
| | - Wayne W. Grody
- Department of Human Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (W.W.G.)
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Roel A. Ophoff
- Department of Human Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (W.W.G.)
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior Los Angeles, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Wei R, Yehia L, Ni Y, Eng C. The mitochondrial genome as a modifier of autism versus cancer phenotypes in PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome. HGG ADVANCES 2023; 4:100199. [PMID: 37216009 PMCID: PMC10193119 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2023.100199] [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: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer and autism spectrum disorder/developmental delay (ASD/DD) are two common clinical phenotypes in individuals with germline PTEN variants (PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome, PHTS). Burgeoning studies have shown that genomic and metabolomic factors may act as modifiers of ASD/DD versus cancer in PHTS. Recently, we showed copy number variations to be associated with ASD/DD versus cancer in these PHTS individuals. We also found that mitochondrial complex II variants occurring in 10% of PHTS individuals modify breast cancer risk and thyroid cancer histology. These studies suggest that mitochondrial pathways could act as important factors in PHTS phenotype development. However, the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) has never been systematically studied in PHTS. We therefore investigated the mtDNA landscape extracted from whole-genome sequencing data from 498 PHTS individuals, including 164 with ASD/DD (PHTS-onlyASD/DD), 184 with cancer (PHTS-onlyCancer), 132 with neither ASD/DD nor cancer (PHTS-neither), and 18 with both ASD/DD and cancer (PHTS-ASDCancer). We demonstrate that PHTS-onlyASD/DD has significantly higher mtDNA copy number than PHTS-onlyCancer group (p = 9.2 × 10-3 in all samples; p = 4.2 × 10-3 in the H haplogroup). PHTS-neither group has significantly higher mtDNA variant burden than PHTS-ASDCancer group (p = 4.6 × 10-2); the PHTS-noCancer group (PHTS-onlyASD/DD and PHTS-neither groups) also shows higher variant burden than the PHTS-Cancer group (PHTS-onlyCancer and PHTS-ASD/Cancer groups; p = 3.3 × 10-2). Our study implicates the mtDNA as a modifier of ASD/DD versus cancer phenotype development in PHTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruipeng Wei
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Lamis Yehia
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Ying Ni
- Center for Immunotherapy & Precision Immuno-Oncology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Charis Eng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Germline High Risk Cancer Focus Group, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Strathearn L, Momany A, Kovács EH, Guiler W, Ladd-Acosta C. The intersection of genome, epigenome and social experience in autism spectrum disorder: Exploring modifiable pathways for intervention. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023; 202:107761. [PMID: 37121464 PMCID: PMC10330448 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107761] [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: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased substantially over the past two decades. Current research suggests that both genetic and environmental risk factors are involved in the etiology of ASD. The goal of this paper is to examine how one specific environmental factor, early social experience, may be correlated with DNA methylation (DNAm) changes in genes associated with ASD. We present an innovative model which proposes that polygenic risk and changes in DNAm due to social experience may both contribute to the symptoms of ASD. Previous research on genetic and environmental factors implicated in the etiology of ASD will be reviewed, with an emphasis on the oxytocin receptor gene, which may be epigenetically altered by early social experience, and which plays a crucial role in social and cognitive development. Identifying an environmental risk factor for ASD (e.g., social experience) that could be modified via early intervention and which results in epigenetic (DNAm) changes, could transform our understanding of this condition, facilitate earlier identification of ASD, and guide early intervention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lane Strathearn
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, 51 Newton Road 2-471 Bowen Science Building, Iowa City, IA 52241, USA; Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, 356 Medical Research Center, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Center for Disabilities and Development, University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, 100 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Hawkeye Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (Hawk-IDDRC), University of Iowa, 100 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
| | - Allison Momany
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Hawkeye Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (Hawk-IDDRC), University of Iowa, 100 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
| | - Emese Hc Kovács
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, 51 Newton Road 2-471 Bowen Science Building, Iowa City, IA 52241, USA.
| | - William Guiler
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, 356 Medical Research Center, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
| | - Christine Ladd-Acosta
- Department of Epidemiology and the Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Chuang TM, Chien YL, Lin SH, Su YK, Liu HH, Chiu YN, Tsai WC, Tseng YL. Social Brain Activation and Connectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Electroencephalogram Study of Jigsaw Puzzle Solving. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2023; 2023:1-4. [PMID: 38083724 DOI: 10.1109/embc40787.2023.10341166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder requires early detection and treatment. Thus, we developed a method to obtain reliable neurophysiological biomarkers to assist in diagnosing autism. This method includes a simple but typical jigsaw puzzle that allows participants to play and interact with each other. While playing this game, brain signals of the participants were observed and analyzed. The patients with autism were found to have differences in the time range of some event-related potential, such as P300 and N400. Altered patterns of function connectivity were also found in delta frequency bands in the patients while interacting with other people. Working around patients' capabilities, the jigsaw puzzle game was designed as easy to complete; this caused fewer mismatch conditions. The result suggested that these patterns are promising neurophysiological biomarker to assist doctors in social cognitive assessment in autism.Clinical Relevance-This study demonstrated the possibility of using hyperscanning technique for social cognitive assessment of autism spectrum disorder.
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Salim S, Hussain S, Banu A, Gowda SBM, Ahammad F, Alwa A, Pasha M, Mohammad F. The ortholog of human ssDNA-binding protein SSBP3 influences neurodevelopment and autism-like behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002210. [PMID: 37486945 PMCID: PMC10399856 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002210] [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: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
1p32.3 microdeletion/duplication is implicated in many neurodevelopmental disorders-like phenotypes such as developmental delay, intellectual disability, autism, macro/microcephaly, and dysmorphic features. The 1p32.3 chromosomal region harbors several genes critical for development; however, their validation and characterization remain inadequate. One such gene is the single-stranded DNA-binding protein 3 (SSBP3) and its Drosophila melanogaster ortholog is called sequence-specific single-stranded DNA-binding protein (Ssdp). Here, we investigated consequences of Ssdp manipulations on neurodevelopment, gene expression, physiological function, and autism-associated behaviors using Drosophila models. We found that SSBP3 and Ssdp are expressed in excitatory neurons in the brain. Ssdp overexpression caused morphological alterations in Drosophila wing, mechanosensory bristles, and head. Ssdp manipulations also affected the neuropil brain volume and glial cell number in larvae and adult flies. Moreover, Ssdp overexpression led to differential changes in synaptic density in specific brain regions. We observed decreased levels of armadillo in the heads of Ssdp overexpressing flies, as well as a decrease in armadillo and wingless expression in the larval wing discs, implicating the involvement of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway in Ssdp functionality. RNA sequencing revealed perturbation of oxidative stress-related pathways in heads of Ssdp overexpressing flies. Furthermore, Ssdp overexpressing brains showed enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS), altered neuronal mitochondrial morphology, and up-regulated fission and fusion genes. Flies with elevated levels of Ssdp exhibited heightened anxiety-like behavior, altered decisiveness, defective sensory perception and habituation, abnormal social interaction, and feeding defects, which were phenocopied in the pan-neuronal Ssdp knockdown flies, suggesting that Ssdp is dosage sensitive. Partial rescue of behavioral defects was observed upon normalization of Ssdp levels. Notably, Ssdp knockdown exclusively in adult flies did not produce behavioral and functional defects. Finally, we show that optogenetic manipulation of Ssdp-expressing neurons altered autism-associated behaviors. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that Ssdp, a dosage-sensitive gene in the 1p32.3 chromosomal region, is associated with various anatomical, physiological, and behavioral defects, which may be relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism. Our study proposes SSBP3 as a critical gene in the 1p32.3 microdeletion/duplication genomic region and sheds light on the functional role of Ssdp in neurodevelopmental processes in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safa Salim
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), College of Health & Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Sadam Hussain
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), College of Health & Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Ayesha Banu
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), College of Health & Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Swetha B. M. Gowda
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), College of Health & Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Foysal Ahammad
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), College of Health & Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Amira Alwa
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), College of Health & Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Mujaheed Pasha
- HBKU Core Labs, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU): Doha, Qatar
| | - Farhan Mohammad
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), College of Health & Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
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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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Rukh S, Meechan DW, Maynard TM, Lamantia AS. Out of Line or Altered States? Neural Progenitors as a Target in a Polygenic Neurodevelopmental Disorder. Dev Neurosci 2023; 46:1-21. [PMID: 37231803 DOI: 10.1159/000530898] [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: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The genesis of a mature complement of neurons is thought to require, at least in part, precursor cell lineages in which neural progenitors have distinct identities recognized by exclusive expression of one or a few molecular markers. Nevertheless, limited progenitor types distinguished by specific markers and lineal progression through such subclasses cannot easily yield the magnitude of neuronal diversity in most regions of the nervous system. The late Verne Caviness, to whom this edition of Developmental Neuroscience is dedicated, recognized this mismatch. In his pioneering work on the histogenesis of the cerebral cortex, he acknowledged the additional flexibility required to generate multiple classes of cortical projection and interneurons. This flexibility may be accomplished by establishing cell states in which levels rather than binary expression or repression of individual genes vary across each progenitor's shared transcriptome. Such states may reflect local, stochastic signaling via soluble factors or coincidence of cell surface ligand/receptor pairs in subsets of neighboring progenitors. This probabilistic, rather than determined, signaling could modify transcription levels via multiple pathways within an apparently uniform population of progenitors. Progenitor states, therefore, rather than lineal relationships between types may underlie the generation of neuronal diversity in most regions of the nervous system. Moreover, mechanisms that influence variation required for flexible progenitor states may be targets for pathological changes in a broad range of neurodevelopmental disorders, especially those with polygenic origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shah Rukh
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Daniel W Meechan
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Thomas M Maynard
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Anthony-Samuel Lamantia
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
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Lin CW, Ellegood J, Tamada K, Miura I, Konda M, Takeshita K, Atarashi K, Lerch JP, Wakana S, McHugh TJ, Takumi T. An old model with new insights: endogenous retroviruses drive the evolvement toward ASD susceptibility and hijack transcription machinery during development. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:1932-1945. [PMID: 36882500 PMCID: PMC10575786 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-01999-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
The BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR/J) strain is one of the most valid models of idiopathic autism, serving as a potent forward genetics tool to dissect the complexity of autism. We found that a sister strain with an intact corpus callosum, BTBR TF/ArtRbrc (BTBR/R), showed more prominent autism core symptoms but moderate ultrasonic communication/normal hippocampus-dependent memory, which may mimic autism in the high functioning spectrum. Intriguingly, disturbed epigenetic silencing mechanism leads to hyperactive endogenous retrovirus (ERV), a mobile genetic element of ancient retroviral infection, which increases de novo copy number variation (CNV) formation in the two BTBR strains. This feature makes the BTBR strain a still evolving multiple-loci model toward higher ASD susceptibility. Furthermore, active ERV, analogous to virus infection, evades the integrated stress response (ISR) of host defense and hijacks the transcriptional machinery during embryonic development in the BTBR strains. These results suggest dual roles of ERV in the pathogenesis of ASD, driving host genome evolution at a long-term scale and managing cellular pathways in response to viral infection, which has immediate effects on embryonic development. The wild-type Draxin expression in BTBR/R also makes this substrain a more precise model to investigate the core etiology of autism without the interference of impaired forebrain bundles as in BTBR/J.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Wen Lin
- Laboratory for Mental Biology, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, 351-0198, Saitama, Japan
- Laboratory for Circuit and Behavioral Physiology, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, 351-0198, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, 650-0017, Kobe, Japan
| | - Jacob Ellegood
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3H7, Canada
| | - Kota Tamada
- Laboratory for Mental Biology, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, 351-0198, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, 650-0017, Kobe, Japan
| | - Ikuo Miura
- Technology and Development Team for Mouse Phenotype Analysis, Japan Mouse Clinic, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0074, Japan
| | - Mikiko Konda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, 160-8582, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kozue Takeshita
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, 160-8582, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Atarashi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, 160-8582, Tokyo, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Tsurumi, 230-0045, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3H7, Canada
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX39DU, UK
| | - Shigeharu Wakana
- Technology and Development Team for Mouse Phenotype Analysis, Japan Mouse Clinic, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0074, Japan
| | - Thomas J McHugh
- Laboratory for Circuit and Behavioral Physiology, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, 351-0198, Saitama, Japan
| | - Toru Takumi
- Laboratory for Mental Biology, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, 351-0198, Saitama, Japan.
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, 650-0017, Kobe, Japan.
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Chuo, 650-0047, Kobe, Japan.
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Jiang M, Lu T, Yang K, Li X, Zhao L, Zhang D, Li J, Wang L. Autism spectrum disorder research: knowledge mapping of progress and focus between 2011 and 2022. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1096769. [PMID: 37181872 PMCID: PMC10168184 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1096769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, a large number of studies have focused on autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study used bibliometric analysis to describe the state of ASD research over the past decade and identify its trends and research fronts. Methods Studies on ASD published from 2011 to 2022 were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). Bibliometrix, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer were used for bibliometric analysis. Results A total of 57,108 studies were included in the systematic search, and articles were published in more than 6,000 journals. The number of publications increased by 181.7% (2,623 in 2011 and 7,390 in 2021). The articles in the field of genetics are widely cited in immunology, clinical research, and psychological research. Keywords co-occurrence analysis revealed that "causative mechanisms," "clinical features," and "intervention features" were the three main clusters of ASD research. Over the past decade, genetic variants associated with ASD have gained increasing attention, and immune dysbiosis and gut microbiota are the new development frontiers after 2015. Conclusion This study uses a bibliometric approach to visualize and quantitatively describe autism research over the last decade. Neuroscience, genetics, brain imaging studies, and gut microbiome studies improve our understanding of autism. In addition, the microbe-gut-brain axis may be an exciting research direction for ASD in the future. Therefore, through visual analysis of autism literature, this paper shows the development process, research hotspots, and cutting-edge trends in this field to provide theoretical reference for the development of autism in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Jiang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Tianlan Lu
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Kang Yang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Xianjing Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Liyang Zhao
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Dai Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
- Translational Medicine Center of Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation (IBRR), South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Lifang Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
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Mitsuhashi T, Hattori S, Fujimura K, Shibata S, Miyakawa T, Takahashi T. In utero Exposure to Valproic Acid throughout Pregnancy Causes Phenotypes of Autism in Offspring Mice. Dev Neurosci 2023; 45:223-233. [PMID: 37044070 DOI: 10.1159/000530452] [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: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug that inhibits the epileptic activity of neurons mainly by inhibiting sodium channels and GABA transaminase. VPA is also known to inhibit histone deacetylases, which epigenetically modify the cell proliferation/differentiation characteristics of stem/progenitor cells within developing tissues. Recent clinical studies in humans have indicated that VPA exposure in utero increases the risk of autistic features and intellectual disabilities in offspring; we have previously reported that low-dose VPA exposure in utero throughout pregnancy increases the production of projection neurons from neuronal stem/progenitor cells that are distributed in the superficial neocortical layers of the fetal brain. In the present study, we found that in utero VPA-exposed mice exhibited abnormal social interaction, changes in cognitive function, hypersensitivity to pain/heat, and impaired locomotor activity, all of which are characteristic symptoms of autism spectrum disorder in humans. Taken together, our findings indicate that VPA exposure in utero throughout pregnancy alters higher brain function and predisposes individuals to phenotypes that resemble autism and intellectual disability. Furthermore, these symptoms are likely to be due to neocortical dysgenesis that was caused by an increased number of projection neurons in specific layers of the neocortex.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Satoko Hattori
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Center for Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kimino Fujimura
- Departments of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Shibata
- Departments of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Microscopic Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Miyakawa
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Center for Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Takao Takahashi
- Departments of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Gandhi T, Liu CC, Adeyelu TT, Canepa CR, Lee CC. Behavioral regulation by perineuronal nets in the prefrontal cortex of the CNTNAP2 mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1114789. [PMID: 36998537 PMCID: PMC10043266 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1114789] [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: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) arise from altered development of the central nervous system, and manifest behaviorally as social interaction deficits and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Alterations to parvalbumin (PV) expressing interneurons have been implicated in the neuropathological and behavioral deficits in autism. In addition, perineuronal nets (PNNs), specialized extracellular matrix structures that enwrap the PV-expressing neurons, also may be altered, which compromises neuronal function and susceptibility to oxidative stress. In particular, the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which regulates several core autistic traits, relies on the normal organization of PNNs and PV-expressing cells, as well as other neural circuit elements. Consequently, we investigated whether PNNs and PV-expressing cells were altered in the PFC of the CNTNAP2 knockout mouse model of ASD and whether these contributed to core autistic-like behaviors in this model system. We observed an overexpression of PNNs, PV-expressing cells, and PNNs enwrapping PV-expressing cells in adult CNTNAP2 mice. Transient digestion of PNNs from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) by injection of chondroitinase ABC in CNTNAP2 mutant mice rescued some of the social interaction deficits, but not the restricted and repetitive behaviors. These findings suggest that the neurobiological regulation of PNNs and PVs in the PFC contribute to social interaction behaviors in neurological disorders including autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Gandhi
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Chin-Chi Liu
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Tolulope T. Adeyelu
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Cade R. Canepa
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Charles C. Lee
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
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47
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Pintacuda G, Hsu YHH, Tsafou K, Li KW, Martín JM, Riseman J, Biagini JC, Ching JK, Mena D, Gonzalez-Lozano MA, Egri SB, Jaffe J, Smit AB, Fornelos N, Eggan KC, Lage K. Protein interaction studies in human induced neurons indicate convergent biology underlying autism spectrum disorders. CELL GENOMICS 2023; 3:100250. [PMID: 36950384 PMCID: PMC10025425 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2022.100250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have been linked to genes with enriched expression in the brain, but it is unclear how these genes converge into cell-type-specific networks. We built a protein-protein interaction network for 13 ASD-associated genes in human excitatory neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The network contains newly reported interactions and is enriched for genetic and transcriptional perturbations observed in individuals with ASDs. We leveraged the network data to show that the ASD-linked brain-specific isoform of ANK2 is important for its interactions with synaptic proteins and to characterize a PTEN-AKAP8L interaction that influences neuronal growth. The IGF2BP1-3 complex emerged as a convergent point in the network that may regulate a transcriptional circuit of ASD-associated genes. Our findings showcase cell-type-specific interactomes as a framework to complement genetic and transcriptomic data and illustrate how both individual and convergent interactions can lead to biological insights into ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Pintacuda
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Yu-Han H. Hsu
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Kalliopi Tsafou
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ka Wan Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, CNCR, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline M. Martín
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Jackson Riseman
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Julia C. Biagini
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Joshua K.T. Ching
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Daya Mena
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Miguel A. Gonzalez-Lozano
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, CNCR, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Shawn B. Egri
- Proteomics Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jake Jaffe
- Proteomics Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - August B. Smit
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, CNCR, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nadine Fornelos
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Kevin C. Eggan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Kasper Lage
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Sct. Hans, Mental Health Services Copenhagen, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
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Apte M, Kumar A. Correlation of Mutated gene and Signalling pathways in ASD. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2023; 14:384-392. [PMID: 37101819 PMCID: PMC10123338 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism is a complicated spectrum of neurodevelopmental illnesses characterized by repetitive and constrained behaviors and interests, as well as social interaction and communication difficulties that are first shown in infancy. More than 18 million Indians, according to the National Health Portal of India, and 1 in 160 children worldwide, according to the WHO, are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. This review aims to discuss the complex genetic architecture that underlies autism and summarizes the role of proteins likely to play in the development of autism. We also consider how genetic mutations can affect convergent signaling pathways and hinder the development of brain circuitry and the role of cognition development and theory of mind with Cognition-behavior therapy benefits in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhavi Apte
- Quality Assurance and Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, SVKM’s Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Vile Parle, 400056 Mumbai, India
- Correspondence to: SVKM’s Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mithibai Campus, V.M. Road, Vile Parle West, 400056 Mumbai, India.
| | - Aayush Kumar
- Quality Assurance, SVKM’s Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Vile Parle, 400056 Mumbai, India
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Rahmati-Holasoo H, Salek Maghsoudi A, Akbarzade M, Gholami M, Shadboorestan A, Vakhshiteh F, Armandeh M, Hassani S. Oxytocin protective effects on zebrafish larvae models of autism-like spectrum disorder. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2023; 26:316-325. [PMID: 36865037 PMCID: PMC9922369 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2023.68165.14889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Autism is a complicated neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social interaction deficiencies, hyperactivity, anxiety, communication disorders, and a limited range of interests. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a social vertebrate used as a biomedical research model to understand social behavior mechanisms. Materials and Methods After spawning, the eggs were exposed to sodium valproate for 48 hr, after which the eggs were divided into eight groups. Except for the positive and control groups, there were six treatment groups based on oxytocin concentration (25, 50, and 100 μM) and time point (24 and 48 hr). Treatment was performed on days 6 and 7, examined by labeling oxytocin with fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate (FITC) and imaging with confocal microscopy and the expression levels of potential genes associated with the qPCR technique. Behavioral studies, including light-dark background preference test, shoaling behavior, mirror test, and social preference, were performed on 10, 11, 12, and 13 days post fertilization (dpf), respectively. Results The results showed that the most significant effect of oxytocin was at the concentration of 50 μM and the time point of 48 hr. Increased expression of shank3a, shank3b, and oxytocin receptor genes was also significant at this oxytocin concentration. Light-dark background preference results showed that oxytocin in the concentration of 50 µM significantly increased the number of crosses between dark and light areas compared with valproic acid (positive group). Also, oxytocin showed an increase in the frequency and time of contact between the two larvae. We showed a decrease in the distance in the larval group and an increase in time spent at a distance of one centimeter from the mirror. Conclusion Our findings showed that the increased gene expression of shank3a, shank3b, and oxytocin receptors improved autistic behavior. Based on this study some indications showed that oxytocin administration in the larval stage could significantly improve the autism-like spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hooman Rahmati-Holasoo
- Department of Aquatic Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, Center of Excellence for Warm Water Fish Health and Disease, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran,These authors contributed eqully to this work
| | - Armin Salek Maghsoudi
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran,These authors contributed eqully to this work
| | - Milad Akbarzade
- Department of Aquatic Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Gholami
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Shadboorestan
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faezeh Vakhshiteh
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Armandeh
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Shokoufeh Hassani
- Toxicology and Diseases Group (TDG), Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran,Corresponding author: Shokoufeh Hassani, Toxicology and Diseases Group (TDG), Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
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50
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Yasuda Y, Matsumoto J, Miura K, Hasegawa N, Hashimoto R. Genetics of autism spectrum disorders and future direction. J Hum Genet 2023; 68:193-197. [PMID: 36038624 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-022-01076-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have been increasing in prevalence. ASD is a complex human genetic disorder with high heredity and involves interactions between genes and the environment. A significant inheritance pattern in ASD involves a rare genetic mutation; common copy number variants refer to duplication or deletion of stretches of chromosomal loci or protein-disrupting single-nucleotide variants. Haploinsufficiency is one of the more common single-gene causes of ASD, explaining at least 0.5% of cases. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, act at an interface of genetic and environmental risk and protective factors. Advances in genome-wide sequencing have broadened the view of the human methylome and have revealed the organization of the human genome into large-scale methylation domains with a footprint over neurologically important genes involved in embryonic development. Psychiatric disorders, including ASD, are expected to be diagnosed based on their genetically regulated pathophysiology and to be linked to their treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Yasuda
- Life Grow Blliliant Mental Clinic, Medical Corporation Foster, Osaka, Japan.
- Department of Pathology of Mental Diseases, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan.
| | - Junya Matsumoto
- Department of Pathology of Mental Diseases, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Miura
- Department of Pathology of Mental Diseases, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Naomi Hasegawa
- Department of Pathology of Mental Diseases, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Ryota Hashimoto
- Department of Pathology of Mental Diseases, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
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