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Wegiel J, Chadman K, London E, Wisniewski T, Wegiel J. Contribution of the serotonergic system to developmental brain abnormalities in autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2024; 17:1300-1321. [PMID: 38500252 PMCID: PMC11272444 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
This review highlights a key role of the serotonergic system in brain development and in distortions of normal brain development in early stages of fetal life resulting in cascades of abnormalities, including defects of neurogenesis, neuronal migration, neuronal growth, differentiation, and arborization, as well as defective neuronal circuit formation in the cortex, subcortical structures, brainstem, and cerebellum of autistic subjects. In autism, defects in regulation of neuronal growth are the most frequent and ubiquitous developmental changes associated with impaired neuron differentiation, smaller size, distorted shape, loss of spatial orientation, and distortion of cortex organization. Common developmental defects of the brain in autism include multiregional focal dysplastic changes contributing to local neuronal circuit distortion, epileptogenic activity, and epilepsy. There is a discrepancy between more than 500 reports demonstrating the contribution of the serotonergic system to autism's behavioral anomalies, highlighted by lack of studies of autistic subjects' brainstem raphe nuclei, the center of brain serotonergic innervation, and of the contribution of the serotonergic system to the diagnostic features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Discovery of severe fetal brainstem auditory system neuronal deficits and other anomalies leading to a spectrum of hearing deficits contributing to a cascade of behavioral alterations, including deficits of social and verbal communication in individuals with autism, is another argument to intensify postmortem studies of the type and topography of, and the severity of developmental defects in raphe nuclei and their contribution to abnormal brain development and to the broad spectrum of functional deficits and comorbid conditions in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarek Wegiel
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA
| | - Kathryn Chadman
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA
| | - Eric London
- Department of Psychology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA
| | - Thomas Wisniewski
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA
- Center for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurology, Pathology and Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jerzy Wegiel
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA
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2
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Sun M, Xue W, Meng H, Sun X, Lu T, Yue W, Wang L, Zhang D, Li J. Dentate Gyrus Morphogenesis is Regulated by an Autism Risk Gene Trio Function in Granule Cells. Neurosci Bull 2024:10.1007/s12264-024-01241-y. [PMID: 38907786 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01241-y] [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: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are reported as a group of neurodevelopmental disorders. The structural changes of brain regions including the hippocampus were widely reported in autistic patients and mouse models with dysfunction of ASD risk genes, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we report that deletion of Trio, a high-susceptibility gene of ASDs, causes a postnatal dentate gyrus (DG) hypoplasia with a zigzagged suprapyramidal blade, and the Trio-deficient mice display autism-like behaviors. The impaired morphogenesis of DG is mainly caused by disturbing the postnatal distribution of postmitotic granule cells (GCs), which further results in a migration deficit of neural progenitors. Furthermore, we reveal that Trio plays different roles in various excitatory neural cells by spatial transcriptomic sequencing, especially the role of regulating the migration of postmitotic GCs. In summary, our findings provide evidence of cellular mechanisms that Trio is involved in postnatal DG morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengwen Sun
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Key laboratory of Mental Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100083, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | | | - Hu Meng
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Key laboratory of Mental Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Sun
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Key laboratory of Mental Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Tianlan Lu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Key laboratory of Mental Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Weihua Yue
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Key laboratory of Mental Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100083, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Lifang Wang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Key laboratory of Mental Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Dai Zhang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Key laboratory of Mental Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100083, China
- Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation (IBRR), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing, 102299, China
| | - Jun Li
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Key laboratory of Mental Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100083, China.
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing, 102299, China.
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3
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Buerki SE, Haas C, Neubauer J. Exome analysis focusing on epilepsy-related genes in children and adults with sudden unexplained death. Seizure 2023; 113:66-75. [PMID: 37995443 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Genetic studies in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and sudden unexplained death (SUD) cohorts have indicated that cardiovascular diseases might have contributed to sudden unexpected death in 20-35 % of autopsy-negative cases. Sudden unexpected death can also occur in people with epilepsy, termed as sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The pathophysiological mechanisms of SUDEP are not well understood, but are likely multifactorial, including seizure-induced hypoventilation and arrhythmias as well as genetic risk factors. The sudden death of some of the SIDS/SUD victims might also be explained by genetic epilepsy, therefore this study aimed to expand the post-mortem genetic analysis of SIDS/SUD cases to epilepsy-related genes. METHODS Existing whole-exome sequencing data from our 155 SIDS and 45 SUD cases were analyzed, with a focus on 365 epilepsy-related genes. Nine of the SUD victims had a known medical history of epilepsy, seizures or other underlying neurological conditions and were therefore classified as SUDEP cases. RESULTS In our SIDS and SUD cohorts, we found epilepsy-related pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in the genes OPA1, RAI1, SCN3A, SCN5A and TSC2. CONCLUSION Post-mortem analysis of epilepsy-related genes identified potentially disease-causing variants that might have contributed to the sudden death events in our SIDS/SUD cases. However, the interpretation of identified variants remains challenging and often changes over time as more data is gathered. Overall, this study contributes insight in potentially pathophysiological epilepsy-related mechanisms in SIDS, SUD and SUDEP victims and underlines the importance of sensible counselling on the risk and preventive measures in genetic epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Buerki
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cordula Haas
- Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
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4
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Whitney R, Sharma S, Jones KC, RamachandranNair R. Genetics and SUDEP: Challenges and Future Directions. Seizure 2023; 110:188-193. [PMID: 37413779 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.07.002] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the leading cause of epilepsy-related deaths in children and adults with epilepsy. The incidence of SUDEP in children and adults is equal, approximately 1.2 per 1000-person years. Although inroads have been made in our understanding of SUDEP, its pathophysiology remains unknown. The most important risk factor for SUDEP is the presence of tonic-clonic seizures. Recently there has been growing interest in the contribution of genetic risk factors to SUDEP deaths. Pathogenic variants in epilepsy-related and cardiac genes have been found in some cases of SUDEP post-mortem. Pleiotropy may occur in which a single gene when altered may cause multiple phenotypes (i.e., epilepsy and cardiac arrhythmia). Recently it has been shown that some developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) may also be at heightened risk of SUDEP. In addition, polygenic risk has been postulated to effect SUDEP risk with current models evaluating the additive effect of variants in multiple genes. However, the mechanisms underpinning polygenic risk in SUDEP are likely more complex than this. Some preliminary studies also highlight the feasibility of detecting genetic variants in brain tissue post-mortem. Despite the advances in the field of SUDEP genetics, the use of molecular autopsy remains underutilized in SUDEP cases. Several challenges exist concerning genetic testing post-mortem in SUDEP cases, such as interpretation, cost of testing, and availability. In this focused review, we highlight the current landscape of genetic testing in SUDEP cases, its challenges, and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn Whitney
- Division of Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Suvasini Sharma
- Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Lady Hardinge Medical College and associated Kalawati Saran Children Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Kevin C Jones
- Division of Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rajesh RamachandranNair
- Division of Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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5
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Frackowiak J, Mazur-Kolecka B. Intraneuronal accumulation of amyloid-β peptides as the pathomechanism linking autism and its co-morbidities: epilepsy and self-injurious behavior - the hypothesis. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1160967. [PMID: 37305553 PMCID: PMC10250631 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1160967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with enhanced processing of amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) by secretase-α, higher blood levels of sAPPα and intraneuronal accumulation of N-terminally truncated Aβ peptides in the brain cortex - mainly in the GABAergic neurons expressing parvalbumin - and subcortical structures. Brain Aβ accumulation has been also described in epilepsy-the frequent ASD co-morbidity. Furthermore, Aβ peptides have been shown to induce electroconvulsive episodes. Enhanced production and altered processing of APP, as well as accumulation of Aβ in the brain are also frequent consequences of traumatic brain injuries which result from self-injurious behaviors, another ASD co-morbidity. We discuss distinct consequences of accumulation of Aβ in the neurons and synapses depending on the Aβ species, their posttranslational modifications, concentration, level of aggregation and oligomerization, as well as brain structures, cell types and subcellular structures where it occurs. The biological effects of Aβ species which are discussed in the context of the pathomechanisms of ASD, epilepsy, and self-injurious behavior include modulation of transcription-both activation and repression; induction of oxidative stress; activation and alteration of membrane receptors' signaling; formation of calcium channels causing hyper-activation of neurons; reduction of GABAergic signaling - all of which lead to disruption of functions of synapses and neuronal networks. We conclude that ASD, epilepsy, and self-injurious behaviors all contribute to the enhanced production and accumulation of Aβ peptides which in turn cause and enhance dysfunctions of the neuronal networks that manifest as autism clinical symptoms, epilepsy, and self-injurious behaviors.
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Meng H, Li Q, Wang J, Yue W, Zhang D, Sun X, Wang L, Li J. The expansion of newborn neurons in hippocampus improves social recognition deficit in a mouse model of autism. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1162179. [PMID: 37215664 PMCID: PMC10196005 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1162179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by core symptoms of impaired social interaction and communication. The pathological mechanism and treatment are not clear and need further study. Our previous study found that the deletion of high-risk gene Autism Susceptibility 2 (AUTS2) in mice led to dentate gyrus (DG) hypoplasia that highly associated with impaired social novelty recognition. Here we aim to improve the social deficit through increasing the neurogenesis in the subgranular zone (SGZ) and expanding the newborn granule neurons in DG. Methods Three approaches including repeated oxytocin administration, feeding in enriched environment and overexpression of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4)-CyclinD1 complex in DG neural stem cells (NSCs) at the post-weaning stage were conducted. Results We found that the number of EdU labeled proliferative NSCs or retrovirus labeled newborn neurons was significantly increased after manipulations. The social recognition deficit was also significantly improved. Discussion Our findings suggested a possible strategy to restore the social deficit through expansion of newborn neurons in hippocampus, which might provide a new insight into the treatment of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Meng
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Qiongwei Li
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Jinxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Weihua Yue
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Dai Zhang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation (IBRR), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Sun
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Lifang Wang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Jun Li
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
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7
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Case Report: Autism Risk Within the Context of Two Chromosome 15 Syndromes. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:503-513. [PMID: 34997429 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05422-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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8
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Punt AM, Judson MC, Sidorov MS, Williams BN, Johnson NS, Belder S, den Hertog D, Davis CR, Feygin MS, Lang PF, Jolfaei MA, Curran PJ, van IJcken WF, Elgersma Y, Philpot BD. Molecular and behavioral consequences of Ube3a gene overdosage in mice. JCI Insight 2022; 7:158953. [PMID: 36134658 PMCID: PMC9675564 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.158953] [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: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosome 15q11.2-q13.1 duplication syndrome (Dup15q syndrome) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability, impaired motor coordination, and autism spectrum disorder. Chromosomal multiplication of the UBE3A gene is presumed to be the primary driver of Dup15q pathophysiology, given that UBE3A exhibits maternal monoallelic expression in neurons and that maternal duplications typically yield far more severe neurodevelopmental outcomes than paternal duplications. However, studies into the pathogenic effects of UBE3A overexpression in mice have yielded conflicting results. Here, we investigated the neurodevelopmental impact of Ube3a gene overdosage using bacterial artificial chromosome-based transgenic mouse models (Ube3aOE) that recapitulate the increases in Ube3a copy number most often observed in Dup15q. In contrast to previously published Ube3a overexpression models, Ube3aOE mice were indistinguishable from wild-type controls on a number of molecular and behavioral measures, despite suffering increased mortality when challenged with seizures, a phenotype reminiscent of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Collectively, our data support a model wherein pathogenic synergy between UBE3A and other overexpressed 15q11.2-q13.1 genes is required for full penetrance of Dup15q syndrome phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Mattijs Punt
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience and
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Matthew C. Judson
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and
| | - Michael S. Sidorov
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and
| | - Brittany N. Williams
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and
| | - Naomi S. Johnson
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and
| | - Sabine Belder
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience and
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Dion den Hertog
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience and
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Courtney R. Davis
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and
| | - Maximillian S. Feygin
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and
| | - Patrick F. Lang
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and
| | - Mehrnoush Aghadavoud Jolfaei
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience and
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Patrick J. Curran
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Ype Elgersma
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience and
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Benjamin D. Philpot
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and
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9
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Li J, Sun X, You Y, Li Q, Wei C, Zhao L, Sun M, Meng H, Zhang T, Yue W, Wang L, Zhang D. Auts2 deletion involves in DG hypoplasia and social recognition deficit: The developmental and neural circuit mechanisms. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabk1238. [PMID: 35235353 PMCID: PMC8890717 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abk1238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The involvement of genetic risk and the underlying developmental and neural circuit mechanisms in autism-related social deficit are largely unclear. Here, we report that deletion of AUTS2, a high-susceptibility gene of ASDs, caused postnatal dentate gyrus (DG) hypoplasia, which was closely relevant to social recognition deficit. Furthermore, a previously unknown mechanism for neural cell migration in postnatal DG development was identified, in which Auts2-related signaling played a vital role as the transcription repressor. Moreover, the supramammillary nucleus (SuM)-DG-CA3 neural circuit was found to be involved in social recognition and affected in Auts2-deleted mice due to DG hypoplasia. Correction of DG-CA3 synaptic transmission by using a pharmacological approach or chemo/optogenetic activation of the SuM-DG circuit restored the social recognition deficit in Auts2-deleted mice. Our findings demonstrated the vital role of Auts2 in postnatal DG development, and this role was critical for SuM-DG-CA3 neural circuit-mediated social recognition behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Sun
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Yang You
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Qiongwei Li
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Chengwen Wei
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Linnan Zhao
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Mengwen Sun
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hu Meng
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Tian Zhang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Weihua Yue
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lifang Wang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Dai Zhang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation (IBRR), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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10
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Judson MC, Shyng C, Simon JM, Davis CR, Punt AM, Salmon MT, Miller NW, Ritola KD, Elgersma Y, Amaral DG, Gray SJ, Philpot BD. Dual-isoform hUBE3A gene transfer improves behavioral and seizure outcomes in Angelman syndrome model mice. JCI Insight 2021; 6:144712. [PMID: 34676830 PMCID: PMC8564914 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.144712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of the maternal UBE3A allele causes Angelman syndrome (AS), a debilitating neurodevelopmental disorder. Here, we devised an AS treatment strategy based on reinstating dual-isoform expression of human UBE3A (hUBE3A) in the developing brain. Kozak sequence engineering of our codon-optimized vector (hUBE3Aopt) enabled translation of both short and long hUBE3A protein isoforms at a near-endogenous 3:1 (short/long) ratio, a feature that could help to support optimal therapeutic outcomes. To model widespread brain delivery and early postnatal onset of hUBE3A expression, we packaged the hUBE3Aopt vector into PHP.B capsids and performed intracerebroventricular injections in neonates. This treatment significantly improved motor learning and innate behaviors in AS mice, and it rendered them resilient to epileptogenesis and associated hippocampal neuropathologies induced by seizure kindling. hUBE3A overexpression occurred frequently in the hippocampus but was uncommon in the neocortex and other major brain structures; furthermore, it did not correlate with behavioral performance. Our results demonstrate the feasibility, tolerability, and therapeutic potential for dual-isoform hUBE3A gene transfer in the treatment of AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Judson
- Neuroscience Center.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities
| | - Charles Shyng
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities.,Gene Therapy Center, and
| | - Jeremy M Simon
- Neuroscience Center.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities.,Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - A Mattijs Punt
- Department of Clinical Genetics and.,Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Noah W Miller
- Neuroscience Center.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology
| | - Kimberly D Ritola
- Neuroscience Center.,Department of Pharmacology, UNC, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Scientific Operations Manager-Viral Tools, Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, Virginia, USA
| | - Ype Elgersma
- Department of Clinical Genetics and.,Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David G Amaral
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, and.,California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Steven J Gray
- Gene Therapy Center, and.,Department of Pediatrics and.,Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Benjamin D Philpot
- Neuroscience Center.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities
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11
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Baizer JS. Functional and Neuropathological Evidence for a Role of the Brainstem in Autism. Front Integr Neurosci 2021; 15:748977. [PMID: 34744648 PMCID: PMC8565487 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2021.748977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The brainstem includes many nuclei and fiber tracts that mediate a wide range of functions. Data from two parallel approaches to the study of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) implicate many brainstem structures. The first approach is to identify the functions affected in ASD and then trace the neural systems mediating those functions. While not included as core symptoms, three areas of function are frequently impaired in ASD: (1) Motor control both of the limbs and body and the control of eye movements; (2) Sensory information processing in vestibular and auditory systems; (3) Control of affect. There are critical brainstem nuclei mediating each of those functions. There are many nuclei critical for eye movement control including the superior colliculus. Vestibular information is first processed in the four nuclei of the vestibular nuclear complex. Auditory information is relayed to the dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei and subsequently processed in multiple other brainstem nuclei. Critical structures in affect regulation are the brainstem sources of serotonin and norepinephrine, the raphe nuclei and the locus ceruleus. The second approach is the analysis of abnormalities from direct study of ASD brains. The structure most commonly identified as abnormal in neuropathological studies is the cerebellum. It is classically a major component of the motor system, critical for coordination. It has also been implicated in cognitive and language functions, among the core symptoms of ASD. This structure works very closely with the cerebral cortex; the cortex and the cerebellum show parallel enlargement over evolution. The cerebellum receives input from cortex via relays in the pontine nuclei. In addition, climbing fiber input to cerebellum comes from the inferior olive of the medulla. Mossy fiber input comes from the arcuate nucleus of the medulla as well as the pontine nuclei. The cerebellum projects to several brainstem nuclei including the vestibular nuclear complex and the red nucleus. There are thus multiple brainstem nuclei distributed at all levels of the brainstem, medulla, pons, and midbrain, that participate in functions affected in ASD. There is direct evidence that the cerebellum may be abnormal in ASD. The evidence strongly indicates that analysis of these structures could add to our understanding of the neural basis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan S. Baizer
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
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12
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A rare familial rearrangement of chromosomes 9 and 15 associated with intellectual disability: a clinical and molecular study. Mol Cytogenet 2021; 14:47. [PMID: 34607577 PMCID: PMC8489072 DOI: 10.1186/s13039-021-00565-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There are many reports on rearrangements occurring separately in the regions of chromosomes 9p and 15q affected in the case under study. 15q duplication syndrome is caused by the presence of at least one extra maternally derived copy of the Prader–Willi/Angelman critical region. Trisomy 9p is the fourth most frequent chromosome anomaly with a clinically recognizable syndrome often accompanied by intellectual disability. Here we report a new case of a patient with maternally derived unique complex sSMC resulting in partial trisomy of both chromosomes 9 and 15 associated with intellectual disability. Case presentation We characterise a supernumerary derivative chromosome 15: 47,XY,+der(15)t(9;15)(p21.2;q13.2), likely resulting from 3:1 malsegregation during maternal gametogenesis. Chromosomal analysis showed that a phenotypically normal mother is a carrier of balanced translocation t(9;15)(p21.1;q13.2). Her 7-year-old son showed signs of intellectual disability and a number of physical abnormalities including bilateral cryptorchidism and congenital megaureter. The child’s magnetic resonance imaging showed changes in brain volume and in structural and functional connectivity revealing phenotypic changes caused by the presence of the extra chromosome material, whereas the mother’s brain MRI was normal. Sequence analyses of the microdissected der(15) chromosome detected two breakpoint regions: HSA9:25,928,021-26,157,441 (9p21.2 band) and HSA15:30,552,104-30,765,905 (15q13.2 band). The breakpoint region on chromosome HSA9 is poor in genetic features with several areas of high homology with the breakpoint region on chromosome 15. The breakpoint region on HSA15 is located in the area of a large segmental duplication. Conclusions We discuss the case of these phenotypic and brain MRI features in light of reported signatures for 9p partial trisomy and 15 duplication syndromes and analyze how the genomic characteristics of the found breakpoint regions have contributed to the origin of the derivative chromosome. We recommend MRI for all patients with a developmental delay, especially in cases with identified rearrangements, to accumulate more information on brain phenotypes related to chromosomal syndromes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13039-021-00565-y.
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13
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Saravanapandian V, Nadkarni D, Hsu SH, Hussain SA, Maski K, Golshani P, Colwell CS, Balasubramanian S, Dixon A, Geschwind DH, Jeste SS. Abnormal sleep physiology in children with 15q11.2-13.1 duplication (Dup15q) syndrome. Mol Autism 2021; 12:54. [PMID: 34344470 PMCID: PMC8336244 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-021-00460-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sleep disturbances in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represent a common and vexing comorbidity. Clinical heterogeneity amongst these warrants studies of the mechanisms associated with specific genetic etiologies. Duplications of 15q11.2-13.1 (Dup15q syndrome) are highly penetrant for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as intellectual disability and ASD, as well as sleep disturbances. Genes in the 15q region, particularly UBE3A and a cluster of GABAA receptor genes, are critical for neural development, synaptic protein synthesis and degradation, and inhibitory neurotransmission. During awake electroencephalography (EEG), children with Dup15q syndrome demonstrate increased beta band oscillations (12-30 Hz) that likely reflect aberrant GABAergic neurotransmission. Healthy sleep rhythms, necessary for robust cognitive development, are also highly dependent on GABAergic neurotransmission. We therefore hypothesized that sleep physiology would be abnormal in children with Dup15q syndrome. METHODS To test the hypothesis that elevated beta oscillations persist in sleep in Dup15q syndrome and that NREM sleep rhythms would be disrupted, we computed: (1) beta power, (2) spindle density, and (3) percentage of slow-wave sleep (SWS) in overnight sleep EEG recordings from a cohort of children with Dup15q syndrome (n = 15) and compared them to age-matched neurotypical children (n = 12). RESULTS Children with Dup15q syndrome showed abnormal sleep physiology with elevated beta power, reduced spindle density, and reduced or absent SWS compared to age-matched neurotypical controls. LIMITATIONS This study relied on clinical EEG where sleep staging was not available. However, considering that clinical polysomnograms are challenging to collect in this population, the ability to quantify these biomarkers on clinical EEG-routinely ordered for epilepsy monitoring-opens the door for larger-scale studies. While comparable to other human studies in rare genetic disorders, a larger sample would allow for examination of the role of seizure severity, medications, and developmental age that may impact sleep physiology. CONCLUSIONS We have identified three quantitative EEG biomarkers of sleep disruption in Dup15q syndrome, a genetic condition highly penetrant for ASD. Insights from this study not only promote a greater mechanistic understanding of the pathophysiology defining Dup15q syndrome, but also lay the foundation for studies that investigate the association between sleep and cognition. Abnormal sleep physiology may undermine healthy cognitive development and may serve as a quantifiable and modifiable target for behavioral and pharmacological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidya Saravanapandian
- Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA. .,Neuroscience Interdepartmental Ph.D. Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Divya Nadkarni
- Division of Pediatric Epilepsy, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron, Akron, OH, 44308, USA
| | - Sheng-Hsiou Hsu
- Swartz Center for Computational Neuroscience, UC San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Shaun A Hussain
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kiran Maski
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peyman Golshani
- Department of Neurology and Semel Institute for Neuroscience, David Geffen School of Medicine, 710 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.,West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA
| | - Christopher S Colwell
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | | | - Amos Dixon
- Undergraduate Interdepartmental Program for Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
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14
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Fujimoto A, Enoki H, Niimi K, Nozaki T, Baba S, Shibamoto I, Otsuki Y, Oanishi T. Epilepsy in patients with focal cortical dysplasia may be associated with autism spectrum disorder. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 120:107990. [PMID: 33957439 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with epilepsy associated with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) may be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare surgically treated patients with epilepsy secondary to FCD and normal volunteers without epilepsy and to review the neuropathological findings of patients with FCD. METHODS This study involved 38 patients with medically intractable focal onset epileptic seizures who underwent epilepsy surgery (Group 1). All patients had epilepsy associated with FCD. These patients and 38 normal volunteers without epilepsy (Group 2) were administered the autism spectrum quotient (AQ) test, and the groups were compared. RESULTS The 38 patients in Group 1 included 16 females and 22 males (age range 20-60, mean age, 33.0; standard deviation (SD), 11.8 years). The normal volunteers in Group 2 included 22 females and 16 males (age range 20-57, mean age, 30.6 years; SD, 8.8 years). Total AQ scores were significantly higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (p = 0.027). Patients with FCD I showed a higher AQ score than those with FCD II in the AQ test (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION Patients with epilepsy secondary to FCD were associated with higher ASD score than normal volunteers. This tendency was seen more strongly in patients with FCD I than FCD II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayataka Fujimoto
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan; Seirei Christopher University, Shizuoka, Japan.
| | - Hideo Enoki
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Keiko Niimi
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Toshiki Nozaki
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Shimpei Baba
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | | | - Yoshiro Otsuki
- Department of Pathology, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tohru Oanishi
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
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15
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Sinnett SE, Boyle E, Lyons C, Gray SJ. Engineered microRNA-based regulatory element permits safe high-dose miniMECP2 gene therapy in Rett mice. Brain 2021; 144:3005-3019. [PMID: 33950254 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MECP2 gene transfer has been shown to extend the survival of Mecp2-/y knockout (KO) mice modeling Rett syndrome (RTT), an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder. However, controlling deleterious overexpression of MeCP2 remains the critical unmet obstacle towards a safe and effective gene therapy approach for RTT. A recently developed truncated miniMECP2 gene has also been shown to be therapeutic after AAV9-mediated gene transfer in KO neonates. We show that AAV9/miniMECP2 has a similar dose-dependent toxicity profile to that of a published second-generation AAV9/MECP2 vector after treatment in adolescent mice. To overcome that toxicity, we developed a risk-driven viral genome design strategy rooted in high-throughput profiling and genome mining to rationally develop a compact, synthetic miRNA target panel (miR-Responsive Auto-Regulatory Element, "miRARE") to minimize the possibility of miniMECP2 transgene overexpression in the context of RTT gene therapy. The goal of miRARE is to have a built-in inhibitory element responsive to MeCP2 overexpression. The data provided herein show that insertion of miRARE into the miniMECP2 gene expression cassette greatly improved the safety of miniMECP2 gene transfer without compromising efficacy. Importantly, this built-in regulation system does not require any additional exogenous drug application, and no miRNAs are expressed from the transgene cassette. Although broad applications of miRARE have yet to be determined, the design of miRARE suggests a potential use in gene therapy approaches for other dose-sensitive genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Sinnett
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.,Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Emily Boyle
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Christopher Lyons
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Steven J Gray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.,Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
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16
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Capkova Z, Capkova P, Srovnal J, Adamova K, Prochazka M, Hajduch M. Duplication of 9p24.3 in three unrelated patients and their phenotypes, considering affected genes, and similar recurrent variants. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2021; 9:e1592. [PMID: 33455084 PMCID: PMC8104183 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies suggest that duplication of the 9p24.3 chromosomal locus, which includes the DOCK8 and KANK1 genes, is associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), intellectual disability/developmental delay (ID/DD), learning problems, language disorders, hyperactivity, and epilepsy. Correlation between this duplication and the carrier phenotype needs further discussion. Methods In this study, three unrelated patients with ID/DD and ASD underwent SNP aCGH and MLPA testing. Similarities in the phenotypes of patients with 9p24.3, 15q11.2, and 16p11.2 duplications were also observed. Results All patients with ID/DD and ASD carried the 9p24.3 duplication and showed intragenic duplication of DOCK8. Additionally, two patients had ADHD, one was hearing impaired and obese, and one had macrocephaly. Inheritance of the 9p24.3 duplication was confirmed in one patient and his sibling. In one patient KANK1 was duplicated along with DOCK8. Carriers of 9p24.3, 15q11.2, and 16p11.2 duplications showed several phenotypic similarities, with ID/DD more strongly associated with duplication of 9p24.3 than of 15q11.2 and 16p11.2. Conclusion We concluded that 9p24.3 is a likely cause of ASD and ID/DD, especially in cases of DOCK8 intragenic duplication. DOCK8 is a likely causative gene, and KANK1 aberrations a modulator, of the clinical phenotype observed. Other modulators were not excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Capkova
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlina Capkova
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Srovnal
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.,Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Adamova
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Prochazka
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Marian Hajduch
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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17
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Leader G, Forde J, Naughton K, Maher L, Arndt S, Mannion A. Relationships among gastrointestinal symptoms, sleep problems, challenging behaviour, comorbid psychopathology and autism spectrum disorder symptoms in children and adolescents with 15q duplication syndrome. JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH : JIDR 2021; 65:32-46. [PMID: 33073413 DOI: 10.1111/jir.12789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comorbidity is the presence of at least two disorders in one person at one time. This study examined the frequency of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, sleep problems, comorbid psychopathology, challenging behaviour and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms in children and adolescents with duplication 15q syndrome (Dup15q), aged 3-17 years. This study also examined whether challenging behaviour in Dup15q is predicted by age, gender, presence of an intellectual disability, sleep problems, GI symptoms and comorbid psychopathology. METHOD Parental measures were completed by 101 parents of children and adolescents with Dup15q. Questionnaires were composed of the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire, Behavior Problems Inventory - Short Form, GI Symptom Inventory, Social Communication Questionnaire and the Child Behavior Checklist. RESULTS Sleep problems (94%), GI symptoms (87%) and challenging behaviour (100%) were common comorbidities represented in the sample in this study. Significant relationships were found between challenging behaviour and the presence of co-occurring sleep problems, GI symptoms, comorbid psychopathology and ASD symptoms. Further analysis revealed that these comorbidities also predicted challenging behaviour. CONCLUSION This research demonstrated the importance of studying the relationships between GI symptoms, sleep problems, comorbid psychopathology, ASD symptoms and challenging behaviour in Dup15q and how these conditions can shape the Dup15q phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Leader
- Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research (ICAN), School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - J Forde
- Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research (ICAN), School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - K Naughton
- Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research (ICAN), School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - L Maher
- Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research (ICAN), School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - S Arndt
- Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research (ICAN), School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - A Mannion
- Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research (ICAN), School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
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18
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Javed S, Selliah T, Lee YJ, Huang WH. Dosage-sensitive genes in autism spectrum disorders: From neurobiology to therapy. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 118:538-567. [PMID: 32858083 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of heterogenous neurodevelopmental disorders affecting 1 in 59 children. Syndromic ASDs are commonly associated with chromosomal rearrangements or dosage imbalance involving a single gene. Many of these genes are dosage-sensitive and regulate transcription, protein homeostasis, and synaptic function in the brain. Despite vastly different molecular perturbations, syndromic ASDs share core symptoms including social dysfunction and repetitive behavior. However, each ASD subtype has a unique pathogenic mechanism and combination of comorbidities that require individual attention. We have learned a great deal about how these dosage-sensitive genes control brain development and behaviors from genetically-engineered mice. Here we describe the clinical features of eight monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders caused by dosage imbalance of four genes, as well as recent advances in using genetic mouse models to understand their pathogenic mechanisms and develop intervention strategies. We propose that applying newly developed quantitative molecular and neuroscience technologies will advance our understanding of the unique neurobiology of each disorder and enable the development of personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sehrish Javed
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Tharushan Selliah
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Yu-Ju Lee
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Wei-Hsiang Huang
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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19
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Kubo KI. Increased densities of white matter neurons as a cross-disease feature of neuropsychiatric disorders. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2020; 74:166-175. [PMID: 31788900 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
While neurons of the human cerebral cortex are mainly distributed in the gray matter, the white matter (WM) also contains some excitatory and inhibitory neurons, so-called WM neurons. Studies on the cytoarchitectural alterations in the brains of patients with neuropsychiatric disorders have repeatedly reported increased densities of the WM neurons in a proportion of patients with schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. Although some studies have demonstrated increased densities of superficial WM neurons, others have demonstrated increased densities of deep WM neurons and increased WM neuron densities can be considered as one of the cross-disease features of neuropsychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, what actually causes the increase in the densities of the WM neurons still remains under debate, and several hypothetical mechanisms have been proposed. The WM neurons in normal brains are considered as remnants of the subplate neurons, which represent a transient cytoarchitectural zone present during development of the mammalian neocortex; it has been suggested that increased densities of the WM neurons could result from inappropriate apoptosis of the subplate neurons in the brains of patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. On the other hand, recent experimental studies have demonstrated that genetic and environmental factors that enhance the risk of development of neuropsychiatric disorders could cause altered distribution of neurons in the WM. To understand the pathophysiology underlying the increased densities of the WM neurons, it is important to investigate the cellular characteristics of the WM neurons in the brains of both normal subjects and patients with neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken-Ichiro Kubo
- Department of Anatomy, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Anatomy, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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20
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Chahal CAA, Salloum MN, Alahdab F, Gottwald JA, Tester DJ, Anwer LA, So EL, Murad MH, St Louis EK, Ackerman MJ, Somers VK. Systematic Review of the Genetics of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: Potential Overlap With Sudden Cardiac Death and Arrhythmia-Related Genes. J Am Heart Assoc 2020; 9:e012264. [PMID: 31865891 PMCID: PMC6988156 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.119.012264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the leading cause of epilepsy-related death. SUDEP shares many features with sudden cardiac death and sudden unexplained death in the young and may have a similar genetic contribution. We aim to systematically review the literature on the genetics of SUDEP. Methods and Results PubMed, MEDLINE Epub Ahead of Print, Ovid Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus were searched through April 4, 2017. English language human studies analyzing SUDEP for known sudden death, ion channel and arrhythmia-related pathogenic variants, novel variant discovery, and copy number variant analyses were included. Aggregate descriptive statistics were generated; data were insufficient for meta-analysis. A total of 8 studies with 161 unique individuals were included; mean was age 29.0 (±SD 14.2) years; 61% males; ECG data were reported in 7.5% of cases; 50.7% were found prone and 58% of deaths were nocturnal. Cause included all types of epilepsy. Antemortem diagnosis of Dravet syndrome and autism (with duplication of chromosome 15) was associated with 11% and 9% of cases. The most frequently detected known pathogenic variants at postmortem were in Na+ and K+ ion channel subunits, as were novel potentially pathogenic variants (11%). Overall, the majority of variants were of unknown significance. Analysis of copy number variant was insignificant. Conclusions SUDEP case adjudication and evaluation remains limited largely because of crucial missing data such as ECGs. The most frequent pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants identified by molecular autopsy are in ion channel or arrhythmia-related genes, with an ≈11% discovery rate. Comprehensive postmortem examination should include examination of the heart and brain by specialized pathologists and blood storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Anwar A. Chahal
- Mayo Clinic College of MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMN
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesMayo ClinicRochesterMN
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMN
| | - Mohammad N. Salloum
- Internal MedicineIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiQueens Hospital CenterNew YorkNY
| | - Fares Alahdab
- Evidence‐Based Practice Research ProgramMayo ClinicRochesterMN
- Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMN
| | | | - David J. Tester
- Mayo Clinic College of MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMN
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMN
- Windland Smith Rice Sudden Death Genomics LaboratoryMayo ClinicRochesterMN
| | - Lucman A. Anwer
- Mayo Clinic College of MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMN
- Department of Cardiovascular SurgeryMayo ClinicRochesterMN
- General SurgeryUIC/MGHChicagoIL
| | - Elson L. So
- Evidence‐Based Practice Research ProgramMayo ClinicRochesterMN
| | - Mohammad Hassan Murad
- Evidence‐Based Practice Research ProgramMayo ClinicRochesterMN
- Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMN
| | - Erik K. St Louis
- Mayo Clinic College of MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMN
- Department of NeurologyMayo ClinicRochesterMN
- Mayo Center for Sleep MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMN
| | - Michael J. Ackerman
- Mayo Clinic College of MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMN
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesMayo ClinicRochesterMN
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMN
- Windland Smith Rice Sudden Death Genomics LaboratoryMayo ClinicRochesterMN
- Department of PediatricsMayo ClinicRochesterMN
| | - Virend K. Somers
- Mayo Clinic College of MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMN
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMN
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21
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Cai M, Lin N, Su L, Wu X, Xie X, Li Y, Chen X, Dai Y, Lin Y, Huang H, Xu L. Detection of copy number disorders associated with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract in fetuses via single nucleotide polymorphism arrays. J Clin Lab Anal 2019; 34:e23025. [PMID: 31506986 PMCID: PMC6977156 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.23025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) constitute one‐third of all congenital malformations, the mechanisms underlying their development are poorly understood. Some studies have reported an association between CAKUT and copy number variations (CNVs) in children and adults, but few have focused on chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) findings in fetuses with CAKUT. Therefore, we aimed to perform a CMA on fetuses with CAKUT and normal karyotypes in the presence and absence of other structural anomalies. Method The study was conducted in 147 fetuses with CAKUT and normal karyotypes between January 2016 and January 2019 in the Fujian Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was performed using the Affymetrix CytoScan HD platform. Results The SNP array identified abnormal CNVs in 13 cases (8.8%): Six were pathogenic, and seven were variations of uncertain clinical significance (VOUS). The detection rate of abnormal CNVs in non‐isolated CAKUT was higher than that in isolated CAKUT (22.7% vs 6.4%, P = .038). Within the abnormal CNV groups, the highest frequency of CNVs was identified in fetuses with polycystic kidney dysplasia (13.5%), followed by those with renal agenesis (10.5%). Conclusion SNP array is effective for identifying chromosomal abnormalities in CNVs in fetuses with CAKUT and normal karyotypes, and help counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiying Cai
- Department of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, China
| | - Na Lin
- Department of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, China
| | - Linjuan Su
- Department of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqing Wu
- Department of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaorui Xie
- Department of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xuemei Chen
- Department of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yifang Dai
- Department of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuan Lin
- Department of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hailong Huang
- Department of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, China
| | - Liangpu Xu
- Department of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, China
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Thom M, Boldrini M, Bundock E, Sheppard MN, Devinsky O. Review: The past, present and future challenges in epilepsy-related and sudden deaths and biobanking. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2019; 44:32-55. [PMID: 29178443 PMCID: PMC5820128 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Awareness and research on epilepsy-related deaths (ERD), in particular Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), have exponentially increased over the last two decades. Most publications have focused on guidelines that inform clinicians dealing with these deaths, educating patients, potential risk factors and mechanisms. There is a relative paucity of information available for pathologists who conduct these autopsies regarding appropriate post mortem practice and investigations. As we move from recognizing SUDEP as the most common form of ERD toward in-depth investigations into its causes and prevention, health professionals involved with these autopsies and post mortem procedure must remain fully informed. Systematizing a more comprehensive and consistent practice of examining these cases will facilitate (i) more precise determination of cause of death, (ii) identification of SUDEP for improved epidemiological surveillance (the first step for an intervention study), and (iii) biobanking and cell-based research. This article reviews how pathologists and healthcare professionals have approached ERD, current practices, logistical problems and areas to improve and harmonize. The main neuropathology, cardiac and genetic findings in SUDEP are outlined, providing a framework for best practices, integration of clinical, pathological and molecular genetic investigations in SUDEP, and ultimately prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Thom
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - M Boldrini
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Centre, Divisions of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - E Bundock
- Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - M N Sheppard
- Department of Pathology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - O Devinsky
- Department of Neurology, NYU Epilepsy Center, New York, NY, USA
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Wegiel J, Brown WT, La Fauci G, Adayev T, Kascsak R, Kascsak R, Flory M, Kaczmarski W, Kuchna I, Nowicki K, Martinez-Cerdeno V, Wisniewski T, Wegiel J. The role of reduced expression of fragile X mental retardation protein in neurons and increased expression in astrocytes in idiopathic and syndromic autism (duplications 15q11.2-q13). Autism Res 2018; 11:1316-1331. [PMID: 30107092 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS), caused by lack of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), is associated with a high prevalence of autism. The deficit of FMRP reported in idiopathic autism suggests a mechanistic overlap between FXS and autism. The overall goal of this study is to detect neuropathological commonalities of FMRP deficits in the brains of people with idiopathic autism and with syndromic autism caused by dup15q11.2-q13 (dup15). This study tests the hypothesis based on our preliminary data that both idiopathic and syndromic autism are associated with brain region-specific deficits of neuronal FMRP and structural changes of the affected neurons. This immunocytochemical study revealed neuronal FMRP deficits and shrinkage of deficient neurons in the cerebral cortex, subcortical structures, and cerebellum in subjects with idiopathic and dup(15)/autism. Neuronal FMRP deficit coexists with surprising infiltration of the brains of autistic children and adults with FMRP-positive astrocytes known to be typical only for the fetal and short postnatal periods. In the examined autistic subjects, these astrocytes selectively infiltrate the border between white and gray matter in the cerebral and cerebellar cortex, the molecular layer of the cortex, part of the amygdala and thalamus, central cerebellar white matter, and dentate nucleus. Astrocyte pathology results in an additional local loss of FMRP in neurons and their shrinkage. Neuronal deficit of FMRP and shrinkage of affected neurons in structures free of FMRP-positive astrocytes and regions infiltrated with FMRP-expressing astrocytes appear to reflect mechanistic, neuropathological, and functional commonalities of FMRP abnormalities in FXS and autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2018, 11: 1316-1331. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Immunocytochemistry reveals a deficit of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) in neurons of cortical and subcortical brain structures but increased FMRP expression in astrocytes infiltrating gray and white matter. The detected shrinkage of FMRP-deficient neurons may provide a mechanistic explanation of reported neuronal structural and functional changes in autism. This study contributes to growing evidence of mechanistic commonalities between fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarek Wegiel
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York
| | - W Ted Brown
- Department of Human Genetics, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York
| | - Giuseppe La Fauci
- Department of Human Genetics, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York
| | - Tatyana Adayev
- Department of Human Genetics, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York
| | - Richard Kascsak
- Department of Developmental Biochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York
| | - Regina Kascsak
- Department of Developmental Biochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York
| | - Michael Flory
- Research Design and Analysis Service, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York
| | - Wojciech Kaczmarski
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York
| | - Izabela Kuchna
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York
| | - Krzysztof Nowicki
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeno
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Thomas Wisniewski
- Departments of Neurology, Pathology, and Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Jerzy Wegiel
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York
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Hiroi N. Critical reappraisal of mechanistic links of copy number variants to dimensional constructs of neuropsychiatric disorders in mouse models. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2018; 72:301-321. [PMID: 29369447 PMCID: PMC5935536 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Copy number variants are deletions and duplications of a few thousand to million base pairs and are associated with extraordinarily high levels of autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, intellectual disability, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The unprecedented levels of robust and reproducible penetrance of copy number variants make them one of the most promising and reliable entry points to delve into the mechanistic bases of many mental disorders. However, the precise mechanistic bases of these associations still remain elusive in humans due to the many genes encoded in each copy number variant and the diverse associated phenotypic features. Genetically engineered mice have provided a technical means to ascertain precise genetic mechanisms of association between copy number variants and dimensional aspects of mental illnesses. Molecular, cellular, and neuronal phenotypes can be detected as potential mechanistic substrates for various behavioral constructs of mental illnesses. However, mouse models come with many technical pitfalls. Genetic background is not well controlled in many mouse models, leading to rather obvious interpretative issues. Dose alterations of many copy number variants and single genes within copy number variants result in some molecular, cellular, and neuronal phenotypes without a behavioral phenotype or with a behavioral phenotype opposite to what is seen in humans. In this review, I discuss technical and interpretative pitfalls of mouse models of copy number variants and highlight well-controlled studies to suggest potential neuronal mechanisms of dimensional aspects of mental illnesses. Mouse models of copy number variants represent toeholds to achieve a better understanding of the mechanistic bases of dimensions of neuropsychiatric disorders and thus for development of mechanism-based therapeutic options in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noboru Hiroi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA.,Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA
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Hope KA, LeDoux MS, Reiter LT. Glial overexpression of Dube3a causes seizures and synaptic impairments in Drosophila concomitant with down regulation of the Na +/K + pump ATPα. Neurobiol Dis 2017; 108:238-248. [PMID: 28888970 PMCID: PMC5675773 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Duplication 15q syndrome (Dup15q) is an autism-associated disorder co-incident with high rates of pediatric epilepsy. Additional copies of the E3 ubiquitin ligase UBE3A are thought to cause Dup15q phenotypes, yet models overexpressing UBE3A in neurons have not recapitulated the epilepsy phenotype. We show that Drosophila endogenously expresses Dube3a (fly UBE3A homolog) in glial cells and neurons, prompting an investigation into the consequences of glial Dube3a overexpression. Here we expand on previous work showing that the Na+/K+ pump ATPα is a direct ubiquitin ligase substrate of Dube3a. A robust seizure-like phenotype was observed in flies overexpressing Dube3a in glial cells, but not neurons. Glial-specific knockdown of ATPα also produced seizure-like behavior, and this phenotype was rescued by simultaneously overexpressing ATPα and Dube3a in glia. Our data provides the basis of a paradigm shift in Dup15q research given that clinical phenotypes have long been assumed to be due to neuronal UBE3A overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Hope
- Department of Neurology, UTHSC, Memphis, TN, United States; Integrated Biomedical Science Program, UTHSC, Memphis, TN, United States; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, UTHSC, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Mark S LeDoux
- Department of Neurology, UTHSC, Memphis, TN, United States; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, UTHSC, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Lawrence T Reiter
- Department of Neurology, UTHSC, Memphis, TN, United States; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, UTHSC, Memphis, TN, United States; Department of Pediatrics, UTHSC, Memphis, TN, United States.
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26
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Owen JP, Bukshpun P, Pojman N, Thieu T, Chen Q, Lee J, D'Angelo D, Glenn OA, Hunter JV, Berman JI, Roberts TP, Buckner R, Nagarajan SS, Mukherjee P, Sherr EH. Brain MR Imaging Findings and Associated Outcomes in Carriers of the Reciprocal Copy Number Variation at 16p11.2. Radiology 2017; 286:217-226. [PMID: 28786752 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2017162934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To identify developmental neuroradiologic findings in a large cohort of carriers who have deletion and duplication at 16p11.2 (one of the most common genetic causes of autism spectrum disorder [ASD]) and assess how these features are associated with behavioral and cognitive outcomes. Materials and Methods Seventy-nine carriers of a deletion at 16p11.2 (referred to as deletion carriers; age range, 1-48 years; mean age, 12.3 years; 42 male patients), 79 carriers of a duplication at 16p11.2 (referred to as duplication carriers; age range, 1-63 years; mean age, 24.8 years; 43 male patients), 64 unaffected family members (referred to as familial noncarriers; age range, 1-46 years; mean age, 11.7 years; 31 male participants), and 109 population control participants (age range, 6-64 years; mean age, 25.5 years; 64 male participants) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Participants underwent structural magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and completed cognitive and behavioral tests. MR images were reviewed for development-related abnormalities by neuroradiologists. Differences in frequency were assessed with a Fisher exact test corrected for multiple comparisons. Unsupervised machine learning was used to cluster radiologic features and an association between clusters and cognitive and behavioral scores from IQ testing, and parental measures of development were tested by using analysis of covariance. Volumetric analysis with automated segmentation was used to confirm radiologic interpretation. Results For deletion carriers, the most prominent features were dysmorphic and thicker corpora callosa compared with familial noncarriers and population control participants (16%; P < .001 and P < .001, respectively) and a greater likelihood of cerebellar tonsillar ectopia (30.7%; P < .002 and P < .001, respectively) and Chiari I malformations (9.3%; P < .299 and P < .002, respectively). For duplication carriers, the most salient findings compared with familial noncarriers and population control participants were reciprocally thinner corpora callosa (18.6%; P < .003 and P < .001, respectively), decreased white matter volume (22.9%; P < .001, and P < .001, respectively), and increased ventricular volume (24.3%; P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). By comparing cognitive assessments to imaging findings, the presence of any imaging feature associated with deletion carriers indicated worse daily living, communication, and social skills compared with deletion carriers without any radiologic abnormalities (P < .005, P < .002, and P < .004, respectively). For the duplication carriers, presence of decreased white matter, callosal volume, and/or increased ventricle size was associated with decreased full-scale and verbal IQ scores compared with duplication carriers without these findings (P < .007 and P < .004, respectively). Conclusion In two genetically related cohorts at high risk for ASD, reciprocal neuroanatomic abnormalities were found and determined to be associated with cognitive and behavioral impairments. © RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia P Owen
- From the Departments of Radiology (J.P.O., O.A.G., S.S.N., P.M.) and Neurology (P.B., N.P., T.T., E.H.S.), University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158; Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY (Q.C., J.L., D.D.); Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Baylor School of Medicine, Houston, Tex (J.V.H.); Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa (J.I.B., T.P.R.); and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Mass (R.B.)
| | - Polina Bukshpun
- From the Departments of Radiology (J.P.O., O.A.G., S.S.N., P.M.) and Neurology (P.B., N.P., T.T., E.H.S.), University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158; Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY (Q.C., J.L., D.D.); Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Baylor School of Medicine, Houston, Tex (J.V.H.); Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa (J.I.B., T.P.R.); and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Mass (R.B.)
| | - Nicholas Pojman
- From the Departments of Radiology (J.P.O., O.A.G., S.S.N., P.M.) and Neurology (P.B., N.P., T.T., E.H.S.), University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158; Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY (Q.C., J.L., D.D.); Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Baylor School of Medicine, Houston, Tex (J.V.H.); Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa (J.I.B., T.P.R.); and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Mass (R.B.)
| | - Tony Thieu
- From the Departments of Radiology (J.P.O., O.A.G., S.S.N., P.M.) and Neurology (P.B., N.P., T.T., E.H.S.), University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158; Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY (Q.C., J.L., D.D.); Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Baylor School of Medicine, Houston, Tex (J.V.H.); Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa (J.I.B., T.P.R.); and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Mass (R.B.)
| | - Qixuan Chen
- From the Departments of Radiology (J.P.O., O.A.G., S.S.N., P.M.) and Neurology (P.B., N.P., T.T., E.H.S.), University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158; Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY (Q.C., J.L., D.D.); Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Baylor School of Medicine, Houston, Tex (J.V.H.); Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa (J.I.B., T.P.R.); and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Mass (R.B.)
| | - Jihui Lee
- From the Departments of Radiology (J.P.O., O.A.G., S.S.N., P.M.) and Neurology (P.B., N.P., T.T., E.H.S.), University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158; Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY (Q.C., J.L., D.D.); Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Baylor School of Medicine, Houston, Tex (J.V.H.); Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa (J.I.B., T.P.R.); and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Mass (R.B.)
| | - Debra D'Angelo
- From the Departments of Radiology (J.P.O., O.A.G., S.S.N., P.M.) and Neurology (P.B., N.P., T.T., E.H.S.), University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158; Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY (Q.C., J.L., D.D.); Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Baylor School of Medicine, Houston, Tex (J.V.H.); Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa (J.I.B., T.P.R.); and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Mass (R.B.)
| | - Orit A Glenn
- From the Departments of Radiology (J.P.O., O.A.G., S.S.N., P.M.) and Neurology (P.B., N.P., T.T., E.H.S.), University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158; Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY (Q.C., J.L., D.D.); Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Baylor School of Medicine, Houston, Tex (J.V.H.); Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa (J.I.B., T.P.R.); and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Mass (R.B.)
| | - Jill V Hunter
- From the Departments of Radiology (J.P.O., O.A.G., S.S.N., P.M.) and Neurology (P.B., N.P., T.T., E.H.S.), University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158; Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY (Q.C., J.L., D.D.); Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Baylor School of Medicine, Houston, Tex (J.V.H.); Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa (J.I.B., T.P.R.); and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Mass (R.B.)
| | - Jeffrey I Berman
- From the Departments of Radiology (J.P.O., O.A.G., S.S.N., P.M.) and Neurology (P.B., N.P., T.T., E.H.S.), University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158; Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY (Q.C., J.L., D.D.); Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Baylor School of Medicine, Houston, Tex (J.V.H.); Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa (J.I.B., T.P.R.); and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Mass (R.B.)
| | - Timothy P Roberts
- From the Departments of Radiology (J.P.O., O.A.G., S.S.N., P.M.) and Neurology (P.B., N.P., T.T., E.H.S.), University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158; Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY (Q.C., J.L., D.D.); Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Baylor School of Medicine, Houston, Tex (J.V.H.); Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa (J.I.B., T.P.R.); and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Mass (R.B.)
| | - Randy Buckner
- From the Departments of Radiology (J.P.O., O.A.G., S.S.N., P.M.) and Neurology (P.B., N.P., T.T., E.H.S.), University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158; Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY (Q.C., J.L., D.D.); Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Baylor School of Medicine, Houston, Tex (J.V.H.); Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa (J.I.B., T.P.R.); and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Mass (R.B.)
| | - Srikantan S Nagarajan
- From the Departments of Radiology (J.P.O., O.A.G., S.S.N., P.M.) and Neurology (P.B., N.P., T.T., E.H.S.), University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158; Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY (Q.C., J.L., D.D.); Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Baylor School of Medicine, Houston, Tex (J.V.H.); Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa (J.I.B., T.P.R.); and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Mass (R.B.)
| | - Pratik Mukherjee
- From the Departments of Radiology (J.P.O., O.A.G., S.S.N., P.M.) and Neurology (P.B., N.P., T.T., E.H.S.), University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158; Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY (Q.C., J.L., D.D.); Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Baylor School of Medicine, Houston, Tex (J.V.H.); Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa (J.I.B., T.P.R.); and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Mass (R.B.)
| | - Elliott H Sherr
- From the Departments of Radiology (J.P.O., O.A.G., S.S.N., P.M.) and Neurology (P.B., N.P., T.T., E.H.S.), University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158; Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY (Q.C., J.L., D.D.); Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Baylor School of Medicine, Houston, Tex (J.V.H.); Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa (J.I.B., T.P.R.); and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Mass (R.B.)
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Wegiel J, Flory M, Kaczmarski W, Brown WT, Chadman K, Wisniewski T, Nowicki K, Kuchna I, Ma SY, Wegiel J. Partial Agenesis and Hypoplasia of the Corpus Callosum in Idiopathic Autism. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2017; 76:225-237. [PMID: 28395085 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlx003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To test the hypothesis that developmental anomalies of the corpus callosum (CC), contribute to the pathogenesis of autism, we characterized the type, topography, and severity of CC pathology corresponding to reduced CC areas that are detected by magnetic resonance imaging in the brains of 11 individuals with autism and 11 controls. In the brains of 3 autistic subjects, partial CC agenesis resulted in complete or partial lack of interhemispheric axonal connections in CC segments III-V. In these cases, a combination of focal agenesis and uniform axonal deficit caused reduction of CC areas by 37%, of axon numbers by 62%, and of the numerical density of axons by 39%. In the CC of 8 autistic subjects without agenesis, there was an 18% deficit of the midsagittal CC area, 48.4% deficit of axon numbers, and 37% reduction of the numerical density of axons. The significantly thinner CC, reduced CC area, and uniform axonal deficit in all autistic subjects were classified as CC hypoplasia. Thus, the byproduct of partial CC agenesis and hypoplasia is reduction of axonal connections between cortical areas known to be involved in behavioral alterations observed in people with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarek Wegiel
- Departments of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA
| | - Michael Flory
- Research Design and Analysis Services, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA
| | - Wojciech Kaczmarski
- Departments of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA
| | - W Ted Brown
- Human Genetics, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA
| | - Kathryn Chadman
- Behavioral Pharmacology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA
| | - Thomas Wisniewski
- Departments of Neurology, Pathology and Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Krzysztof Nowicki
- Departments of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA
| | - Izabela Kuchna
- Departments of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA
| | - Shuang Yong Ma
- Departments of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA
| | - Jerzy Wegiel
- Departments of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA
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Devinsky O, Hesdorffer DC, Thurman DJ, Lhatoo S, Richerson G. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: epidemiology, mechanisms, and prevention. Lancet Neurol 2016; 15:1075-88. [DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(16)30158-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 369] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Menassa DA, Sloan C, Chance SA. Primary olfactory cortex in autism and epilepsy: increased glial cells in autism. Brain Pathol 2016; 27:437-448. [PMID: 27409070 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by sensory anomalies including impaired olfactory identification. Between 5 and 46 percent of individuals with autism have a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy. Primary olfactory cortex (piriform cortex) is central to olfactory identification and is an epileptogenic structure. Cytoarchitectural changes in olfactory cortex may underlie olfactory differences seen in autism. Primary olfactory cortex was sampled from 17 post-mortem autism cases with and without epilepsy, 11 epilepsy cases without autism and 11 typically developed cases. Stereological and neuropathological methods were used to quantify glial, pyramidal and non-pyramidal cell densities in layers of the piriform as well as identify pathological differences in this area and its neighbouring region, the olfactory tubercle. We found increased layer II glial cell densities in autism with and without epilepsy, which were negatively correlated with age and positively correlated with levels of corpora amylacea in layer I. These changes were also associated with greater symptom severity and did not extend to the olfactory tubercle. Glial cell organization may follow an altered trajectory of development with age in autism. The findings are consistent with other studies implicating increased glial cells in the autism brain. Altered cytoarchitecture may contribute to sensory deficits observed in affected individuals. This study provides evidence that autism is linked to alterations in the cytoarchitectural structure that underlies primary sensory processes and is not restricted to heteromodal ("higher") cognitive centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Menassa
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Carolyn Sloan
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Steven A Chance
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
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Parental-reported pain insensitivity in Dup15q. Epilepsy Behav 2016; 55:124-7. [PMID: 26773682 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Revised: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Parents of children with chromosome 15q duplication syndrome (Dup15q) have anecdotally reported high pain threshold as a feature of the disorder. The purpose of this study was to document parental-reported estimates of the frequency of high pain tolerance and the stimuli that fail to evoke a normal pain response. We sent an online survey to 840 families with children with Dup15q to explore the frequency and clinical manifestations of high pain threshold. There were 216 respondents (25.7%). A high pain threshold was reported in 87% of children at some time. There was a trend (p=0.06) for high pain threshold to be more commonly observed among children with the isodicentric (85.6%) and other genetic variants (95%) than interstitial (69.6%) duplications. There was no association between reports of high pain threshold and reports of an intellectual disability (91% of cases), autism spectrum disorder (83% of cases), or self-injurious behavior (40% of cases). Reports included many dramatic cases such as severe burns, broken bones, and electrical traumas, which were associated with little or no evidence of a painful stimulus. A high pain threshold is reported in other disorders associated with intellectual disability and autism; the underlying mechanism in Dup15q and other disorders remains undefined.
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Blackmon K, Ben-Avi E, Wang X, Pardoe HR, Di Martino A, Halgren E, Devinsky O, Thesen T, Kuzniecky R. Periventricular white matter abnormalities and restricted repetitive behavior in autism spectrum disorder. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2015; 10:36-45. [PMID: 26693400 PMCID: PMC4660377 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2015.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Revised: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Malformations of cortical development are found at higher rates in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than in healthy controls on postmortem neuropathological evaluation but are more variably observed on visual review of in-vivo MRI brain scans. This may be due to the visually elusive nature of many malformations on MRI. Here, we utilize a quantitative approach to determine whether a volumetric measure of heterotopic gray matter in the white matter is elevated in people with ASD, relative to typically developing controls (TDC). Data from a primary sample of 48 children/young adults with ASD and 48 age-, and gender-matched TDCs, selected from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) open-access database, were analyzed to compare groups on (1) blinded review of high-resolution T1-weighted research sequences; and (2) quantitative measurement of white matter hypointensity (WMH) volume calculated from the same T1-weighted scans. Groupwise WMH volume comparisons were repeated in an independent, multi-site sample (80 ASD/80 TDC), also selected from ABIDE. Visual review resulted in equivalent proportions of imaging abnormalities in the ASD and TDC group. However, quantitative analysis revealed elevated periventricular and deep subcortical WMH volumes in ASD. This finding was replicated in the independent, multi-site sample. Periventricular WMH volume was not associated with age but was associated with greater restricted repetitive behaviors on both parent-reported and clinician-rated assessment inventories. Thus, findings demonstrate that periventricular WMH volume is elevated in ASD and associated with a higher degree of repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. Although the etiology of focal WMH clusters is unknown, the absence of age effects suggests that they may reflect a static anomaly. Periventricular white matter hypointensity (WMH) volume is elevated in autism. ASD-associated WMH volume elevations were observed in independent samples. WMH volume does not change with age in children/young adults. Periventricular WMH volume is associated with restricted repetitive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Blackmon
- NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Emma Ben-Avi
- NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA ; Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Xiuyuan Wang
- NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Heath R Pardoe
- NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Adriana Di Martino
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Child Study Center at NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Eric Halgren
- Department of Radiology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92069, USA ; Department of Neurosciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92069, USA
| | - Orrin Devinsky
- NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Thomas Thesen
- NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA ; Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ruben Kuzniecky
- NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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Wegiel J, Flory M, Schanen NC, Cook EH, Nowicki K, Kuchna I, Imaki H, Ma SY, Wegiel J, London E, Casanova MF, Wisniewski T, Brown WT. Significant neuronal soma volume deficit in the limbic system in subjects with 15q11.2-q13 duplications. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2015; 3:63. [PMID: 26463344 PMCID: PMC4603300 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-015-0241-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autism is diagnosed in numerous genetic and genomic developmental disorders associated with an overlap in high-risk genes and loci that underlie intellectual disability (ID) and epilepsy. The aim of this stereological study of neuronal soma volume in 25 brain structures and their subdivisions in eight individuals 9 to 26 years of age who were diagnosed with chromosome 15q11.2-13.1 duplication syndrome [dup(15)], autism, ID and epilepsy; eight age-matched subjects diagnosed with autism of unknown etiology (idiopathic autism) and seven control individuals was to establish whether defects of neuronal soma growth are a common denominator of developmental pathology in idiopathic and syndromic autism and how genetic modifications alter the trajectory of neuronal soma growth in dup(15) autism. Results Application of the Nucleator software to estimate neuronal size revealed significant neuronal soma volume deficits in 11 of 25 structures and their subregions (44 %) in subjects diagnosed with dup(15) autism, including consistent neuronal soma volume deficits in the limbic system (sectors CA2, 3 and 4 in Ammon’s horn, the second and third layers of the entorhinal cortex and in the amygdala), as well as in the thalamus, nucleus accumbens, external globus pallidus, and Ch3 nucleus in the magnocellular basal complex, and in the inferior olive in the brainstem. The second feature distinguishing dup(15) autism was persistent neuronal soma deficits in adolescents and young adults, whereas in idiopathic autism, neuronal volume deficit is most prominent in 4- to 8-year-old children but affects only a few brain regions in older subjects. Conclusions This study demonstrates that alterations in the trajectory of neuronal growth throughout the lifespan are a core pathological features of idiopathic and syndromic autism. However, dup(15) causes persistent neuronal volume deficits in adolescence and adulthood, with prominent neuronal growth deficits in all major compartments of the limbic system. The more severe neuronal nuclear and cytoplasic volume deficits in syndromic autism found in this study and the more severe focal developmental defects in the limbic system in dup(15) previously reported in this cohort may contribute to the high prevalence of early onset intractable epilepsy and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
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Abstract
In order to understand the consequences of the mutation on behavioral and biological phenotypes relevant to autism, mutations in many of the risk genes for autism spectrum disorder have been experimentally generated in mice. Here, we summarize behavioral outcomes and neuroanatomical abnormalities, with a focus on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of postmortem mouse brains. Results are described from multiple mouse models of autism spectrum disorder and comorbid syndromes, including the 15q11-13, 16p11.2, 22q11.2, Cntnap2, Engrailed2, Fragile X, Integrinβ3, MET, Neurexin1a, Neuroligin3, Reelin, Rett, Shank3, Slc6a4, tuberous sclerosis, and Williams syndrome models, and inbred strains with strong autism-relevant behavioral phenotypes, including BTBR and BALB. Concomitant behavioral and neuroanatomical abnormalities can strengthen the interpretation of results from a mouse model, and may elevate the usefulness of the model system for therapeutic discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Ellegood
- />Mouse Imaging Centre (MICe), Hospital for Sick Children, 25 Orde Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3H7 Canada
| | - Jacqueline N. Crawley
- />MIND Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 4625 2nd Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
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Blackmon K. Structural MRI biomarkers of shared pathogenesis in autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2015; 47:172-82. [PMID: 25812936 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2014] [Revised: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Etiological factors that contribute to a high comorbidity between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy are the subject of much debate. Does epilepsy cause ASD or are there common underlying brain abnormalities that increase the risk of developing both disorders? This review summarizes evidence from quantitative MRI studies to suggest that abnormalities of brain structure are not necessarily the consequence of ASD and epilepsy but are antecedent to disease expression. Abnormal gray and white matter volumes are present prior to onset of ASD and evident at the time of onset in pediatric epilepsy. Aberrant brain growth trajectories are also common in both disorders, as evidenced by blunted gray matter maturation and white matter maturation. Although the etiological factors that explain these abnormalities are unclear, high heritability estimates for gray matter volume and white matter microstructure demonstrate that genetic factors assert a strong influence on brain structure. In addition, histopathological studies of ASD and epilepsy brain tissue reveal elevated rates of malformations of cortical development (MCDs), such as focal cortical dysplasia and heterotopias, which supports disruption of neuronal migration as a contributing factor. Although MCDs are not always visible on MRI with conventional radiological analysis, quantitative MRI detection methods show high sensitivity to subtle malformations in epilepsy and can be potentially applied to MCD detection in ASD. Such an approach is critical for establishing quantitative neuroanatomic endophenotypes that can be used in genetic research. In the context of emerging drug treatments for seizures and autism symptoms, such as rapamycin and rapalogs, in vivo neuroimaging markers of subtle structural brain abnormalities could improve sample stratification in human clinical trials and potentially extend the range of patients that might benefit from treatment. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Autism and Epilepsy".
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Blackmon
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Trento 38068, Italy.
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Ellegood J, Nakai N, Nakatani J, Henkelman M, Takumi T, Lerch J. Neuroanatomical Phenotypes Are Consistent With Autism-Like Behavioral Phenotypes in the 15q11-13 Duplication Mouse Model. Autism Res 2015; 8:545-55. [PMID: 25755142 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Paternally and maternally inherited deletions and duplications of human chromosome 15q11-13 are relatively common in the human population. Furthermore, duplications in the 15q region are often associated with autism. Both maternal and paternal interstitial 15q11-13 duplication mouse models have been previously created, where several behavioral differences were found in the paternal duplication (patDp/+) mouse but not in the maternal duplication (matDp/+). These included decreased sociability, behavioral inflexibility, abnormal ultrasonic vocalizations, decreased spontaneous activity, and increased anxiety. Similarly, in the current study, we found several anatomical differences in the patDp/+ mice that were not seen in the matDp/+ mice. Regional differences that are evident only in the paternal duplication are a smaller dentate gyrus and smaller medial striatum. These differences may be responsible for the behavioral inflexibility. Furthermore, a smaller dorsal raphe nucleus could be responsible for the reported serotonin defects. This study highlights consistency that can be found between behavioral and anatomical phenotyping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Ellegood
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario Canada (J.E., R.M.H., J.L.)
| | - Nobuhiro Nakai
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saiama, Japan (N.N., T.T.)
| | - Jin Nakatani
- Shiga University of Medical Science, Ohtsu, Shiga, Japan (J.N.)
| | - Mark Henkelman
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario Canada (J.E., R.M.H., J.L.)
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (R.M.H., J.L.)
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saiama, Japan (N.N., T.T.)
- JST, CREST(T.T.)
| | - Jason Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario Canada (J.E., R.M.H., J.L.)
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (R.M.H., J.L.)
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Boronat S, Mehan WA, Shaaya EA, Thibert RL, Caruso P. Hippocampal abnormalities in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 15q duplication syndromes. J Child Neurol 2015; 30:333-8. [PMID: 24985752 DOI: 10.1177/0883073814538669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Patients with 15q duplication syndromes, including isodicentric chromosome 15 and interstitial duplications, usually present with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and frequently epilepsy. Neuroimaging studies in these patients are typically reported as normal, but nonspecific findings such as thinning of the corpus callosum and increased pericerebral spaces have been reported. A review of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of 11 individuals seen at the Massachusetts General Hospital Dup15q Center was performed. Hippocampus morphology was specifically reviewed, as a recent neuropathologic study has found frequent hippocampal heterotopias and dysplasias in these disorders. Two subjects had unilateral hippocampal sclerosis and 6 had bilateral hippocampal malformations. Hypoplasia of the corpus callosum was present in 2 subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Boronat
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA Department of Pediatric Neurology, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - William A Mehan
- Department of Neuroradiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elias A Shaaya
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ronald L Thibert
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paul Caruso
- Department of Neuroradiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Wegiel J, Flory M, Kuchna I, Nowicki K, Ma SY, Imaki H, Wegiel J, Frackowiak J, Kolecka BM, Wierzba-Bobrowicz T, London E, Wisniewski T, Hof PR, Brown WT. Neuronal nucleus and cytoplasm volume deficit in children with autism and volume increase in adolescents and adults. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2015; 3:2. [PMID: 25595448 PMCID: PMC4302585 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-015-0183-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Characterization of the type and topography of structural changes and their alterations throughout the lifespan of individuals with autism is essential for understanding the mechanisms contributing to the autistic phenotype. The aim of this stereological study of neurons in 16 brain structures of 14 autistic and 14 control subjects from 4 to 64 years of age was to establish the course of neuronal nuclear and cytoplasmic volume changes throughout the lifespan of individuals with autism. Results Our data indicate that a deficit of neuronal soma volume in children with autism is associated with deficits in the volume of the neuronal nucleus and cytoplasm. The significant deficits of neuronal nuclear and cytoplasmic volumes in 13 of 16 examined subcortical structures, archicortex, cerebellum, and brainstem in 4- to 8-year-old autistic children suggest a global nature of brain developmental abnormalities, but with region-specific differences in the severity of neuronal pathology. The observed increase in nuclear volumes in 8 of 16 structures in the autistic teenagers/young adults and decrease in nuclear volumes in 14 of 16 regions in the age-matched control subjects reveal opposite trajectories throughout the lifespan. The deficit in neuronal nuclear volumes, ranging from 7% to 42% in the 16 examined regions in children with autism, and in neuronal cytoplasmic volumes from 1% to 31%, as well as the broader range of interindividual differences for the nuclear than the cytoplasmic volume deficits, suggest a partial distinction between nuclear and cytoplasmic pathology. Conclusions The most severe deficit of both neuronal nucleus and cytoplasm volume in 4-to 8-year-old autistic children appears to be a reflection of early developmental alterations that may have a major contribution to the autistic phenotype. The broad range of functions of the affected structures implies that their developmental and age-associated abnormalities contribute not only to the diagnostic features of autism but also to the broad spectrum of clinical alterations associated with autism. Lack of clinical improvement in autistic teenagers and adults indicates that the observed increase in neuron nucleus and cytoplasm volume close to control level does not normalize brain function.
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Lukose R, Beebe K, Kulesza RJ. Organization of the human superior olivary complex in 15q duplication syndromes and autism spectrum disorders. Neuroscience 2014; 286:216-30. [PMID: 25484361 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a number of behavioral and social features. Although the etiology of most cases of ASD is idiopathic, a significant number of cases can be attributed to genetic causes, such as chromosome 15q duplications [dup(15q)]. Recent neuropathological investigations have provided evidence for distinct patterns of heterotopias and dysplasias in ASD and subjects with both ASD and dup(15q). Individuals with ASD characteristically have hearing difficulties and we have previously demonstrated significant and consistent hypoplasia in a number of auditory brainstem nuclei in subjects with ASD. Herein, we compare results from a morphometric investigation of auditory brainstem nuclei in subjects with ASD, dup(15q) and controls. Our observations in subjects with ASD support our previous reports. However, in subjects with dup(15q), we find significantly fewer neurons and in many nuclei, neurons were significantly smaller than in ASD subjects. Finally, we find a notably higher incidence of ectopic neurons in dup(15q). These results suggest that in the brainstem, these neuropathological conditions may evolve from some of the same developmental errors but are distinguished on microscopic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Lukose
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center - Hamot, Department of Neurology, United States
| | - K Beebe
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Anatomy, United States
| | - R J Kulesza
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Anatomy, United States.
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Wegiel J, Flory M, Kuchna I, Nowicki K, Ma SY, Imaki H, Wegiel J, Cohen IL, London E, Wisniewski T, Brown WT. Stereological study of the neuronal number and volume of 38 brain subdivisions of subjects diagnosed with autism reveals significant alterations restricted to the striatum, amygdala and cerebellum. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2014; 2:141. [PMID: 25231243 PMCID: PMC4177256 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-014-0141-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction A total of 38 brain cytoarchitectonic subdivisions, representing subcortical and cortical structures, cerebellum, and brainstem, were examined in 4- to 60-year-old subjects diagnosed with autism and control subjects (a) to detect a global pattern of developmental abnormalities and (b) to establish whether the function of developmentally modified structures matches the behavioral alterations that are diagnostic for autism. The volume of cytoarchitectonic subdivisions, neuronal numerical density, and total number of neurons per region of interest were determined in 14 subjects with autism and 14 age-matched controls by using unbiased stereological methods. Results The study revealed that significant differences between the group of subjects with autism and control groups are limited to a few brain regions, including the cerebellum and some striatum and amygdala subdivisions. In the group of individuals with autism, the total number and numerical density of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum were reduced by 25% and 24%, respectively. In the amygdala, significant reduction of neuronal density was limited to the lateral nucleus (by 12%). Another sign of the topographic selectivity of developmental alterations in the brain of individuals with autism was an increase in the volumes of the caudate nucleus and nucleus accumbens by 22% and 34%, respectively, and the reduced numerical density of neurons in the nucleus accumbens and putamen by 15% and 13%, respectively. Conclusions The observed pattern of developmental alterations in the cerebellum, amygdala and striatum is consistent with the results of magnetic resonance imaging studies and their clinical correlations, and of some morphometric studies that indicate that detected abnormalities may contribute to the social and communication deficits, and repetitive and stereotypical behaviors observed in individuals with autism.
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40
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Stein JL, de la Torre-Ubieta L, Tian Y, Parikshak NN, Hernández IA, Marchetto MC, Baker DK, Lu D, Hinman CR, Lowe JK, Wexler EM, Muotri AR, Gage FH, Kosik KS, Geschwind DH. A quantitative framework to evaluate modeling of cortical development by neural stem cells. Neuron 2014; 83:69-86. [PMID: 24991955 PMCID: PMC4277209 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.05.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Neural stem cells have been adopted to model a wide range of neuropsychiatric conditions in vitro. However, how well such models correspond to in vivo brain has not been evaluated in an unbiased, comprehensive manner. We used transcriptomic analyses to compare in vitro systems to developing human fetal brain and observed strong conservation of in vivo gene expression and network architecture in differentiating primary human neural progenitor cells (phNPCs). Conserved modules are enriched in genes associated with ASD, supporting the utility of phNPCs for studying neuropsychiatric disease. We also developed and validated a machine learning approach called CoNTExT that identifies the developmental maturity and regional identity of in vitro models. We observed strong differences between in vitro models, including hiPSC-derived neural progenitors from multiple laboratories. This work provides a systems biology framework for evaluating in vitro systems and supports their value in studying the molecular mechanisms of human neurodevelopmental disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason L Stein
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Luis de la Torre-Ubieta
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yuan Tian
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Neelroop N Parikshak
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Israel A Hernández
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Maria C Marchetto
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Dylan K Baker
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Daning Lu
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Cassidy R Hinman
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Jennifer K Lowe
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Eric M Wexler
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Alysson R Muotri
- School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Stem Cell Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Fred H Gage
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kenneth S Kosik
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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Conant KD, Finucane B, Cleary N, Martin A, Muss C, Delany M, Murphy EK, Rabe O, Luchsinger K, Spence SJ, Schanen C, Devinsky O, Cook EH, LaSalle J, Reiter LT, Thibert RL. A survey of seizures and current treatments in 15q duplication syndrome. Epilepsia 2014; 55:396-402. [PMID: 24502430 DOI: 10.1111/epi.12530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Seizures are common in individuals with duplications of chromosome 15q11.2-q13 (Dup15q). The goal of this study was to examine the phenotypes and treatments of seizures in Dup15q in a large population. METHODS A detailed electronic survey was conducted through the Dup15q Alliance containing comprehensive questions regarding seizures and their treatments in Dup15q. RESULTS There were 95 responses from Dup15q families. For the 83 with idic(15), 63% were reported to have seizures, of which 81% had multiple seizure types and 42% had infantile spasms. Other common seizure types were tonic-clonic, atonic, myoclonic, and focal. Only 3 of 12 individuals with int dup(15) had seizures. Broad spectrum antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were the most effective medications, but carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine were also effective, although typical benzodiazepines were relatively ineffective. There was a 24% response rate (>90% seizure reduction) to the first AED tried. For those with infantile spasms, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) was more effective than vigabatrin. SIGNIFICANCE This is the largest study assessing seizures in Duplication 15q syndrome, but because this was a questionnaire-based study with a low return rate, it is susceptible to bias. Seizures are common in idic(15) and typically difficult to control, often presenting with infantile spasms and progressing to a Lennox-Gastaut-type syndrome. Seizures in those with int dup(15) are less common, with a frequency similar to the general autism population. In addition to broad spectrum AED, medications such as carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine are also relatively effective in controlling seizures in this population, suggesting a possible multifocal etiology, which may also explain the high rate of infantile spasms. Our small sample suggests a relative lack of efficacy of vigabatrin and other γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic medications, such as typical benzodiazepines, which may be attributable to abnormal GABAergic transmission resulting from the duplication of a cluster of GABAβ3 receptor genes in the 15q11.2-13 region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry D Conant
- Pediatric Epilepsy Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
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Menashe I, Grange P, Larsen EC, Banerjee-Basu S, Mitra PP. Co-expression profiling of autism genes in the mouse brain. PLoS Comput Biol 2013; 9:e1003128. [PMID: 23935468 PMCID: PMC3723491 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most prevalent and highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorders in humans. There is significant evidence that the onset and severity of ASD is governed in part by complex genetic mechanisms affecting the normal development of the brain. To date, a number of genes have been associated with ASD. However, the temporal and spatial co-expression of these genes in the brain remain unclear. To address this issue, we examined the co-expression network of 26 autism genes from AutDB (http://mindspec.org/autdb.html), in the framework of 3,041 genes whose expression energies have the highest correlation between the coronal and sagittal images from the Allen Mouse Brain Atlas database (http://mouse.brain-map.org). These data were derived from in situ hybridization experiments conducted on male, 56-day old C57BL/6J mice co-registered to the Allen Reference Atlas, and were used to generate a normalized co-expression matrix indicating the cosine similarity between expression vectors of genes in this database. The network formed by the autism-associated genes showed a higher degree of co-expression connectivity than seen for the other genes in this dataset (Kolmogorov-Smirnov P = 5×10⁻²⁸). Using Monte Carlo simulations, we identified two cliques of co-expressed genes that were significantly enriched with autism genes (A Bonferroni corrected P<0.05). Genes in both these cliques were significantly over-expressed in the cerebellar cortex (P = 1×10⁻⁵) suggesting possible implication of this brain region in autism. In conclusion, our study provides a detailed profiling of co-expression patterns of autism genes in the mouse brain, and suggests specific brain regions and new candidate genes that could be involved in autism etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idan Menashe
- MindSpec, McLean, Virginia, United States of America.
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Shain C, Ramgopal S, Fallil Z, Parulkar I, Alongi R, Knowlton R, Poduri A. Polymicrogyria-associated epilepsy: a multicenter phenotypic study from the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project. Epilepsia 2013; 54:1368-75. [PMID: 23750890 DOI: 10.1111/epi.12238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Polymicrogyria (PMG) is an epileptogenic malformation of cortical development. We describe the clinical epilepsy and imaging features of a large cohort with PMG-related epilepsy. METHODS Participants were recruited through the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project, a multicenter collaborative effort to collect detailed phenotypic data on individuals with epilepsy. We reviewed phenotypic data from participants with epilepsy and PMG. KEY FINDINGS We identified 87 participants, 43 female and 44 male, with PMG and epilepsy. Median age of seizure onset was 3 years (range <1 month to 37 years). Most presented with focal epilepsy (87.4%), some in combination with seizures generalized from onset (23.0%). Focal seizures with dyscognitive features were most common (54.3%). Of those presenting with generalized seizure types, infantile spasms were most prevalent (45.2%). The most common topographic pattern was perisylvian PMG (77.0%), of which the majority was bilateral (56.7%). Generalized PMG presented with an earlier age of seizure onset (median age of 8 months) and an increased prevalence of developmental delay prior to seizure onset (57.1%). Of the unilateral, and asymmetric bilateral groups where PMG was more involved in one hemisphere, the majority (71.4%) of participants had seizures that lateralized to the same hemisphere as the PMG or the hemisphere with greater involvement. SIGNIFICANCE Participants with PMG had both focal and generalized onset of seizures. Our data confirm the involvement of known topographic patterns of PMG and suggest that more extensive distributions of PMG present with an earlier age of seizure onset and increased prevalence of developmental delay prior to seizure onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Shain
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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Wegiel J, Kuchna I, Nowicki K, Imaki H, Wegiel J, Ma SY, Azmitia EC, Banerjee P, Flory M, Cohen IL, London E, Brown WT, Komich Hare C, Wisniewski T. Contribution of olivofloccular circuitry developmental defects to atypical gaze in autism. Brain Res 2013; 1512:106-22. [PMID: 23558308 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2013.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2012] [Revised: 02/11/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with autism demonstrate atypical gaze, impairments in smooth pursuit, altered movement perception and deficits in facial perception. The olivofloccular neuronal circuit is a major contributor to eye movement control. This study of the cerebellum in 12 autistic and 10 control subjects revealed dysplastic changes in the flocculus of eight autistic (67%) and two control (20%) subjects. Defects of the oculomotor system, including avoidance of eye contact and poor or no eye contact, were reported in 88% of autistic subjects with postmortem-detected floccular dysplasia. Focal disorganization of the flocculus cytoarchitecture with deficit, altered morphology, and spatial disorientation of Purkinje cells (PCs); deficit and abnormalities of granule, basket, stellate and unipolar brush cells; and structural defects and abnormal orientation of Bergmann glia are indicators of profound disruption of flocculus circuitry in a dysplastic area. The average volume of PCs was 26% less in the dysplastic region than in the unaffected region of the flocculus (p<0.01) in autistic subjects. Moreover, the average volume of PCs in the entire cerebellum was 25% less in the autistic subjects than in the control subjects (p<0.001). Findings from this study and a parallel study of the inferior olive (IO) suggest that focal floccular dysplasia combined with IO neurons and PC developmental defects may contribute to oculomotor system dysfunction and atypical gaze in autistic subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerzy Wegiel
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY 10314, United States.
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Abnormal intracellular accumulation and extracellular Aβ deposition in idiopathic and Dup15q11.2-q13 autism spectrum disorders. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35414. [PMID: 22567102 PMCID: PMC3342283 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 03/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been shown that amyloid ß (Aβ), a product of proteolytic cleavage of the amyloid β precursor protein (APP), accumulates in neuronal cytoplasm in non-affected individuals in a cell type-specific amount. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In the present study, we found that the percentage of amyloid-positive neurons increases in subjects diagnosed with idiopathic autism and subjects diagnosed with duplication 15q11.2-q13 (dup15) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In spite of interindividual differences within each examined group, levels of intraneuronal Aβ load were significantly greater in the dup(15) autism group than in either the control or the idiopathic autism group in 11 of 12 examined regions (p<0.0001 for all comparisons; Kruskall-Wallis test). In eight regions, intraneuronal Aβ load differed significantly between idiopathic autism and control groups (p<0.0001). The intraneuronal Aβ was mainly N-terminally truncated. Increased intraneuronal accumulation of Aβ(17-40/42) in children and adults suggests a life-long enhancement of APP processing with α-secretase in autistic subjects. Aβ accumulation in neuronal endosomes, autophagic vacuoles, Lamp1-positive lysosomes and lipofuscin, as revealed by confocal microscopy, indicates that products of enhanced α-secretase processing accumulate in organelles involved in proteolysis and storage of metabolic remnants. Diffuse plaques containing Aβ(1-40/42) detected in three subjects with ASD, 39 to 52 years of age, suggest that there is an age-associated risk of alterations of APP processing with an intraneuronal accumulation of a short form of Aβ and an extracellular deposition of full-length Aβ in nonfibrillar plaques. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The higher prevalence of excessive Aβ accumulation in neurons in individuals with early onset of intractable seizures, and with a high risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy in autistic subjects with dup(15) compared to subjects with idiopathic ASD, supports the concept of mechanistic and functional links between autism, epilepsy and alterations of APP processing leading to neuronal and astrocytic Aβ accumulation and diffuse plaque formation.
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