1
|
Bhattacharya A, Parlanti P, Cavallo L, Farrow E, Spivey T, Renieri A, Mari F, Manzini MC. A novel framework for functional annotation of variants of uncertain significance in ID/ASD risk gene CC2D1A. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:1229-1240. [PMID: 38652285 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae070] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are genetically heterogeneous with hundreds of identified risk genes, most affecting only a few patients. Novel missense variants in these genes are being discovered as clinical exome sequencing is now routinely integrated into diagnosis, yet most of them are annotated as variants of uncertain significance (VUS). VUSs are a major roadblock in using patient genetics to inform clinical action. We developed a framework to characterize VUSs in Coiled-coil and C2 domain containing 1A (CC2D1A), a gene causing autosomal recessive ID with comorbid ASD in 40% of cases. We analyzed seven VUSs (p.Pro319Leu, p.Ser327Leu, p.Gly441Val, p.Val449Met, p.Thr580Ile, p.Arg886His and p.Glu910Lys) from four cases of individuals with ID and ASD. Variants were cloned and overexpressed in HEK293 individually and in their respective heterozygous combination. CC2D1A is a signaling scaffold that positively regulates PKA-CREB signaling by repressing phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) to prevent cAMP degradation. After testing multiple parameters including direct interaction between PDE4D and CC2D1A, cAMP levels and CREB activation, we found that the most sensitive readout was CREB transcriptional activity using a luciferase assay. Compared to WT CC2D1A, five VUSs (p.Pro319Leu, p.Gly441Val, p.Val449Met, p.Thr580Ile, and p.Arg886His) led to significantly blunted response to forskolin induced CREB activation. This luciferase assay approach can be scaled up to annotate ~150 CC2D1A VUSs that are currently listed in ClinVar. Since CREB activation is a common denominator for multiple ASD/ID genes, our paradigm can also be adapted for their VUSs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aniket Bhattacharya
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey and Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
| | - Paola Parlanti
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey and Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
| | - Luca Cavallo
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey and Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
| | - Edward Farrow
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, 2121 I St NW, Washington, DC 20052, United States
| | - Tyler Spivey
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, 2121 I St NW, Washington, DC 20052, United States
| | - Alessandra Renieri
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Mari
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - M Chiara Manzini
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey and Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gallin Z, Kolevzon AM, Reichenberg A, Hankerson SH, Kolevzon A. Racial Differences in the Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. J Autism Dev Disord 2024:10.1007/s10803-024-06403-5. [PMID: 38941049 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06403-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Racial differences in prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have shifted in the United States (US) since the 1990s. This review addresses the nature and context of this shift and discusses potential contributing factors and areas for future research. METHODS Seventeen population-based epidemiological birth cohort studies on ASD prevalence in the US that included race as a variable are included in the review. Studies were identified via a keyword search on PubMed. To be included, studies were required to include race or ethnicity as a variable in the prevalence estimates, include at least 1000 cases with autism, and be published in English by June 3rd, 2023. RESULTS Results suggest that in nearly all birth cohorts prior to 2010, ASD prevalence rates were highest among White children. ASD prevalence rates among Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander (API) children (22.3, 22.5, and 22.2 per 1000, respectively) surpassed prevalence rates among White children (21.2 per 1000) in the 2010 birth cohort and continued to increase in the 2012 birth cohorts. CONCLUSIONS There are persistent racial differences in ASD prevalence in the US, and these differences were inverted after 2010, when ASD prevalence among Black, Hispanic, & API children surpassed ASD prevalence among White children. Possible drivers of this racial repatterning of ASD prevalence include changes in ASD screening and diagnosis, changes to health insurance policy, changes to immigration policy, and increased education attainment by minority groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Gallin
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Abraham Reichenberg
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sidney H Hankerson
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences & Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander Kolevzon
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Schendel D, Ejlskov L, Overgaard M, Jinwala Z, Kim V, Parner E, Kalkbrenner AE, Acosta CL, Fallin MD, Xie S, Mortensen PB, Lee BK. 3-generation family histories of mental, neurologic, cardiometabolic, birth defect, asthma, allergy, and autoimmune conditions associated with autism: an open-source catalogue of findings. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2023.11.03.23298042. [PMID: 37961212 PMCID: PMC10635276 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.03.23298042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The relatively few conditions and family members investigated in autism family health history limits etiologic understanding. For more comprehensive understanding and hypothesis-generation we produced an open-source catalogue of autism associations with family histories of mental, neurologic, cardiometabolic, birth defect, asthma, allergy, and autoimmune conditions. All live births in Denmark, 1980-2012, of Denmark-born parents (1,697,231 births), and their 3-generation family members were followed through April 10, 2017 for each of 90 diagnoses (including autism), emigration or death. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) were estimated via Cox regression for each diagnosis-family member type combination, adjusting for birth year, sex, birth weight, gestational age, parental ages at birth, and number of family member types of index person; aHRs also calculated for sex-specific co-occurrence of each disorder. We obtained 6,462 individual family history aHRS across autism overall (26,840 autistic persons; 1.6% of births), by sex, and considering intellectual disability (ID); and 350 individual co-occurrence aHRS. Results are catalogued in interactive heat maps and down-loadable data files: https://ncrr-au.shinyapps.io/asd-riskatlas/ and interactive graphic summaries: https://public.tableau.com/views/ASDPlots_16918786403110/e-Figure5. While primarily for reference material or use in other studies (e.g., meta-analyses), results revealed considerable breadth and variation in magnitude of familial health history associations with autism by type of condition, family member type, sex of the family member, side of the family, sex of the index person, and ID status, indicative of diverse genetic, familial, and non-genetic autism etiologic pathways. Careful attention to sources of autism likelihood in family health history, aided by our open data resource, may accelerate understanding of factors underlying neurodiversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Schendel
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- National Centre for Register-Based Research, Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Linda Ejlskov
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- National Centre for Register-Based Research, Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Zeal Jinwala
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Viktor Kim
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Erik Parner
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Amy E Kalkbrenner
- University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Joseph J Zilber College of Public Health, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Christine Ladd Acosta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M Danielle Fallin
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Current affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Sherlly Xie
- Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Medtronic, Mounds View, Minnesota, USA
| | - Preben Bo Mortensen
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- National Centre for Register-Based Research, Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Brian K Lee
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Obikane E, Yamana H, Ono S, Yasunaga H, Kawakami N. "Association between perinatal mood disorders of parents and child health outcomes". Arch Womens Ment Health 2024:10.1007/s00737-024-01463-z. [PMID: 38589683 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-024-01463-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Perinatal mood disorders affect both parents, impacting their children negatively. Little is known on the association between parental perinatal mood disorders and pediatric outcomes in Japan considering relevant covariates. Our objective was to investigate the association between paternal and maternal perinatal mood disorders and adverse physical and psychological child outcomes by the age of 36 months, adjusting for covariates such as the child's sex, age of parent at child's birth, perinatal mood disorders of the other parent, and perinatal antidepressant use. METHODS We identified parents in the JMDC Claims Database in Japan from 2012 to 2020. Perinatal mood disorders were defined using International Classification of Diseases, 10th codes for mood disorders during the perinatal period combined with psychiatric treatment codes. We evaluated the association between parental perinatal mood disorders and pediatric adverse outcomes by the age of 36 months using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for the covariates. RESULTS Of the 116,423 father-mother-child triads, 2.8% of fathers and 2.3% of mothers had perinatal mood disorders. Paternal perinatal mood disorders were not significantly associated with adverse child outcomes. After adjusting for paternal perinatal mood disorders and antidepressant use, maternal perinatal mood disorders were associated with delayed motor development, language development disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and behavioral and emotional disorders (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.65 [1.01-2.69], 2.26 [1.36-3.75], 4.16 [2.64-6.55], and 6.12 [1.35-27.81], respectively). CONCLUSIONS Paternal perinatal mood disorders were not associated with adverse child outcomes in this population. Maternal perinatal mood disorders were associated with multiple child outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika Obikane
- Department of Mental Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Japan.
- Department of Social Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Japan.
| | - Hayato Yamana
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Japan
- Data Science Center, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Sachiko Ono
- Department of Eat-loss Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Japan
| | - Hideo Yasunaga
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Japan
| | - Norito Kawakami
- Department of Mental Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bar O, Vahey E, Mintz M, Frye RE, Boles RG. Reanalysis of Trio Whole-Genome Sequencing Data Doubles the Yield in Autism Spectrum Disorder: De Novo Variants Present in Half. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1192. [PMID: 38256266 PMCID: PMC10816071 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021192] [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: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common condition with lifelong implications. The last decade has seen dramatic improvements in DNA sequencing and related bioinformatics and databases. We analyzed the raw DNA sequencing files on the Variantyx® bioinformatics platform for the last 50 ASD patients evaluated with trio whole-genome sequencing (trio-WGS). "Qualified" variants were defined as coding, rare, and evolutionarily conserved. Primary Diagnostic Variants (PDV), additionally, were present in genes directly linked to ASD and matched clinical correlation. A PDV was identified in 34/50 (68%) of cases, including 25 (50%) cases with heterozygous de novo and 10 (20%) with inherited variants. De novo variants in genes directly associated with ASD were far more likely to be Qualifying than non-Qualifying versus a control group of genes (p = 0.0002), validating that most are indeed disease related. Sequence reanalysis increased diagnostic yield from 28% to 68%, mostly through inclusion of de novo PDVs in genes not yet reported as ASD associated. Thirty-three subjects (66%) had treatment recommendation(s) based on DNA analyses. Our results demonstrate a high yield of trio-WGS for revealing molecular diagnoses in ASD, which is greatly enhanced by reanalyzing DNA sequencing files. In contrast to previous reports, de novo variants dominate the findings, mostly representing novel conditions. This has implications to the cause and rising prevalence of autism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Omri Bar
- NeurAbilities Healthcare, Voorhees, NJ 08043, USA; (O.B.); (E.V.); (M.M.)
| | - Elizabeth Vahey
- NeurAbilities Healthcare, Voorhees, NJ 08043, USA; (O.B.); (E.V.); (M.M.)
| | - Mark Mintz
- NeurAbilities Healthcare, Voorhees, NJ 08043, USA; (O.B.); (E.V.); (M.M.)
| | - Richard E. Frye
- Autism Discovery and Treatment Foundation, Phoenix, AZ 85050, USA;
| | - Richard G. Boles
- NeurAbilities Healthcare, Voorhees, NJ 08043, USA; (O.B.); (E.V.); (M.M.)
- NeuroNeeds, Old Lyme, CT 06371, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hwang JW, Lee JS. Korean Clinical Guideline for Autism Spectrum Disorder - Clinical Features, Course, Epidemiology, and Cause. Soa Chongsonyon Chongsin Uihak 2024; 35:8-14. [PMID: 38204746 PMCID: PMC10774551 DOI: 10.5765/jkacap.230040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous developmental disorder characterized by impairments in two core areas: 1) social communication and interaction and 2) restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviors and interests. In general, ASD is known to be a lifelong disorder. Follow-up studies from childhood to adulthood have reported that the severity of the key symptoms ASD decreases over time. However, chronic health problems including mental health occur in many patients with ASD. The prevalence of ASD has increased from around 0.04% in the 1970s to 2.8% at present. The average age of diagnosis in developed countries is 38-120 months of age. Recent evidence suggests that biological factors which include genetic, congenital, immunological, neuroanatomical, biochemical, and environmental ones are important in causing autism. Until now, early signs and various risk factors of ASD have been suggested.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Won Hwang
- Department of Psychiatry, Kangwon National University Hospital, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Jeong-Seop Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sindi IA. Implications of Cell Adhesion Molecules in Autism Spectrum Disorder Pathogenesis. J Microsc Ultrastruct 2023; 11:199-205. [PMID: 38213654 PMCID: PMC10779445 DOI: 10.4103/jmau.jmau_15_22] [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: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental illness that leads to repetitive behavior and debilitates social communication. Genetic changes such as susceptible genes and environmental factors promote ASD pathogenesis. Mutations in neuroligins (NLGNs) and neurexin (NRXNs) complex which encode cell adhesion molecules have a significant part in synapses formation, transcription, and excitatory-inhibitory balance. The ASD pathogenesis could partly, at the least, be related to synaptic dysfunction. Here, the NRXNs and NLGNs genes and signaling pathways involved in the synaptic malfunction that causes ASD have been reviewed. Besides, a new insight of NLGNs and NRXNs genes in ASD will be conferred.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ikhlas A. Sindi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Castro CP, Diehl AG, Boyle AP. Challenges in screening for de novo noncoding variants contributing to genetically complex phenotypes. HGG ADVANCES 2023; 4:100210. [PMID: 37305558 PMCID: PMC10248550 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2023.100210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the genetic basis for complex, heterogeneous disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a persistent challenge in human medicine. Owing to their phenotypic complexity, the genetic mechanisms underlying these disorders may be highly variable across individual patients. Furthermore, much of their heritability is unexplained by known regulatory or coding variants. Indeed, there is evidence that much of the causal genetic variation stems from rare and de novo variants arising from ongoing mutation. These variants occur mostly in noncoding regions, likely affecting regulatory processes for genes linked to the phenotype of interest. However, because there is no uniform code for assessing regulatory function, it is difficult to separate these mutations into likely functional and nonfunctional subsets. This makes finding associations between complex diseases and potentially causal de novo single-nucleotide variants (dnSNVs) a difficult task. To date, most published studies have struggled to find any significant associations between dnSNVs from ASD patients and any class of known regulatory elements. We sought to identify the underlying reasons for this and present strategies for overcoming these challenges. We show that, contrary to previous claims, the main reason for failure to find robust statistical enrichments is not only the number of families sampled, but also the quality and relevance to ASD of the annotations used to prioritize dnSNVs, and the reliability of the set of dnSNVs itself. We present a list of recommendations for designing future studies of this sort that will help researchers avoid common pitfalls.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P. Castro
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Adam G. Diehl
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Alan P. Boyle
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Sandhu A, Kumar A, Rawat K, Gautam V, Sharma A, Saha L. Modernising autism spectrum disorder model engineering and treatment via CRISPR-Cas9: A gene reprogramming approach. World J Clin Cases 2023; 11:3114-3127. [PMID: 37274051 PMCID: PMC10237133 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i14.3114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
A neurological abnormality called autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects how a person perceives and interacts with others, leading to social interaction and communication issues. Limited and recurring behavioural patterns are another feature of the illness. Multiple mutations throughout development are the source of the neurodevelopmental disorder autism. However, a well-established model and perfect treatment for this spectrum disease has not been discovered. The rising era of the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system can streamline the complexity underlying the pathogenesis of ASD. The CRISPR-Cas9 system is a powerful genetic engineering tool used to edit the genome at the targeted site in a precise manner. The major hurdle in studying ASD is the lack of appropriate animal models presenting the complex symptoms of ASD. Therefore, CRISPR-Cas9 is being used worldwide to mimic the ASD-like pathology in various systems like in vitro cell lines, in vitro 3D organoid models and in vivo animal models. Apart from being used in establishing ASD models, CRISPR-Cas9 can also be used to treat the complexities of ASD. The aim of this review was to summarize and critically analyse the CRISPR-Cas9-mediated discoveries in the field of ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arushi Sandhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 0172, Chandigarh, India
| | - Anil Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 0172, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kajal Rawat
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 0172, Chandigarh, India
| | - Vipasha Gautam
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 0172, Chandigarh, India
| | - Antika Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 0172, Chandigarh, India
| | - Lekha Saha
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 0172, Chandigarh, India
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lee KS, Min WK, Choi YJ, Jin S, Park KH, Kim S. The Effect of Maternal Exposure to Air Pollutants and Heavy Metals during Pregnancy on the Risk of Neurological Disorders Using the National Health Insurance Claims Data of South Korea. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59050951. [PMID: 37241184 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59050951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of high levels of maternal exposure to ambient air pollution and heavy metals on risks of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy using the National Health Insurance claims data of South Korea. The data of mothers and their newborns from 2016 to 2018 provided by the National Health Insurance Service were used (n = 843,134). Data on exposure to ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, CO, SO2, NO2, and O3) and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe, Ni, and As) during pregnancy were matched based on the mother's National Health Insurance registration area. SO2 (OR: 2.723, 95% CI: 1.971-3.761) and Pb (OR: 1.063, 95% CI: 1.019-1.11) were more closely associated with the incidence of ASD when infants were exposed to them in the third trimester of pregnancy. Pb (OR: 1.109, 95% CI: 1.043-1.179) in the first trimester of pregnancy and Cd (OR: 2.193, 95% CI: 1.074-4.477) in the third trimester of pregnancy were associated with the incidence of epilepsy. Thus, exposure to SO2, NO2, and Pb during pregnancy could affect the development of a neurologic disorder based on the timing of exposure, suggesting a relationship with fetal development. However, further research is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kuen Su Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Eulji University Uijeongbu Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University School of Medicine, Uijeongbu 11759, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Kee Min
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan 15355, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Ji Choi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan 15355, Republic of Korea
| | - Sejong Jin
- Department of Neuroscience, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu Hee Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan 15355, Republic of Korea
| | - Suhyun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Carbonell AU, Freire-Cobo C, Deyneko IV, Dobariya S, Erdjument-Bromage H, Clipperton-Allen AE, Page DT, Neubert TA, Jordan BA. Comparing synaptic proteomes across five mouse models for autism reveals converging molecular similarities including deficits in oxidative phosphorylation and Rho GTPase signaling. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1152562. [PMID: 37255534 PMCID: PMC10225639 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1152562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Specific and effective treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are lacking due to a poor understanding of disease mechanisms. Here we test the idea that similarities between diverse ASD mouse models are caused by deficits in common molecular pathways at neuronal synapses. To do this, we leverage the availability of multiple genetic models of ASD that exhibit shared synaptic and behavioral deficits and use quantitative mass spectrometry with isobaric tandem mass tagging (TMT) to compare their hippocampal synaptic proteomes. Comparative analyses of mouse models for Fragile X syndrome (Fmr1 knockout), cortical dysplasia focal epilepsy syndrome (Cntnap2 knockout), PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (Pten haploinsufficiency), ANKS1B syndrome (Anks1b haploinsufficiency), and idiopathic autism (BTBR+) revealed several common altered cellular and molecular pathways at the synapse, including changes in oxidative phosphorylation, and Rho family small GTPase signaling. Functional validation of one of these aberrant pathways, Rac1 signaling, confirms that the ANKS1B model displays altered Rac1 activity counter to that observed in other models, as predicted by the bioinformatic analyses. Overall similarity analyses reveal clusters of synaptic profiles, which may form the basis for molecular subtypes that explain genetic heterogeneity in ASD despite a common clinical diagnosis. Our results suggest that ASD-linked susceptibility genes ultimately converge on common signaling pathways regulating synaptic function and propose that these points of convergence are key to understanding the pathogenesis of this disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abigail U. Carbonell
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Carmen Freire-Cobo
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Ilana V. Deyneko
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Saunil Dobariya
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Hediye Erdjument-Bromage
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Amy E. Clipperton-Allen
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute Florida, Jupiter, FL, United States
| | - Damon T. Page
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute Florida, Jupiter, FL, United States
| | - Thomas A. Neubert
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Bryen A. Jordan
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Liu H, Ding L, Qu G, Guo X, Liang M, Ma S, Sun Y. Particulate matter exposure during pregnancy and infancy and risks of autism spectrum disorder in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:158830. [PMID: 36150594 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This meta-analysis aimed to clarify the relationship between particulate matter (PM) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in detail. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed using eight databases before April 9, 2022. The estimated effects were combined separately according to the PM type. Subgroup analyses were conducted in terms of the study design type, study location, exposure window, birth year, and sex. RESULTS PM2.5 was associated with an increased risk of ASD, while PM10 was not. PMc, PM1, and diesel particulate matter (DPM) were also associated with an increased risk of ASD. Specifically, a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with a 1.337-fold increased risk of ASD in children, and a 10 μg/m3 increase in PMc and PM1 may increase the risk of ASD by 1.062 and 3.643 times, respectively. PM2.5 exposure may increase the risk of ASD in boys. Exposure to PMc might increase the risk of ASD in children born after the year 2000. The combined results of different PM differed between studies with continuous and non-continuous data for different study design type, study location, and birth year. The sensitive window for PM2.5 exposure to increase the risk of ASD may be from the first, second, and third trimesters to the first year of the postnatal period. Exposure to PMc during pregnancy was significantly associated with ASD. CONCLUSION Exposure to PM2.5 may increase the risk of ASD in boys. Exposure to PM2.5 during the first, second, and third trimesters and postnatally increased the risk of ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Liu Ding
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Guangbo Qu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Xianwei Guo
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - MingMing Liang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Shaodi Ma
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Yehuan Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Chaohu Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 238000, Anhui, China; Center for Evidence-Based Practice, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Pastorek M, Drobná D, Celec P. Could neutrophil extracellular traps drive the development of autism? Med Hypotheses 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2022.110929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
14
|
Li Y, Zhao Y, Lu Y, Lu X, Hu Y, Li Q, Shuai M, Li R. Autism spectrum disorder-like behavior induced in rat offspring by perinatal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:52083-52097. [PMID: 35254616 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19531-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), also known as childhood autism, is a common neurological developmental disorder. Although it is generally believed that genetic factors are a primary cause for ASD development, more and more studies show that an increasing number of ASD diagnoses are related to environmental exposure. Epidemiological studies indicated that perinatal exposure to endocrine disruptors might cause neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is widely used as a plasticizer in many products. To explore the neurodevelopmental effect induced by perinatal exposure to DEHP on rat offspring, and the potential mechanisms, female Wistar rats were exposed to 1, 10, and 100 mg/kg/day DEHP during pregnancy and lactation, while valproic acid (VPA) was used as a positive control. The behavior tests showed that rat pups exposed to VPA and 100 mg/kg/day DEHP were not good as those from the control group in both their socialability and social novelty. Expression of mTOR pathway-related components increased while the number of autophagosomes decreased in the brain tissue of the rat offspring exposed to 100 mg/kg/day DEHP. In addition, perinatal exposure to DEHP at all dosages decreased the level of autophagy proteins LC3II and Beclin1 in the brain tissue of rat pups. Our results indicated that perinatal DEHP exposure would induce ASD-like behavioral changes in rat offspring, which might be mediated by activation of the mTOR signaling pathway, and inhibition of autophagy in the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yao Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, People's Republic of China
- Office of the Youth League Committee, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Zhao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Lu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, People's Republic of China
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianxian Lu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingdan Hu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiulin Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, People's Republic of China
| | - Menglei Shuai
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Arafa A, Mahmoud O, Salah H, Abdelmonem AA, Senosy S. Maternal and neonatal risk factors for autism spectrum disorder: A case-control study from Egypt. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269803. [PMID: 35704613 PMCID: PMC9200325 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been increasing steadily in Egypt and worldwide. Detecting risk factors for ASD could help initiate screening and risk prevention approaches. Herein, this study aimed to detect several maternal and neonatal risk factors for ASD in Egypt. Methods In this case-control study, mothers of children with ASD who were visiting Beni-Suef University Hospital in Egypt (n = 268) were compared to mothers of children without ASD attending one primary school with a kindergarten (n = 504) regarding their preconception, conception, and postconception characteristics. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to investigate the possible associations between the collected data and the odds of ASD. Results In the multivariable-adjusted models, urban residence: OR (95% CI) = 2.33 (1.60–3.38), relative father: 2.63 (1.74–3.96), history of diabetes: 5.98 (1.99–17.97), previous abortion: 2.47 (1.20–13.38), assisted fertility: 4.01 (1.20–13.38), family history of ASD: 7.24 (2.00–26.24), multiple pregnancy: 11.60 (2.54–53.07), exposure to passive smoking during pregnancy: 2.95 (1.86–4.68), vaginal bleeding during pregnancy: 3.10 (1.44–6.67), hypertension with pregnancy: 3.64 (1.06–12.51), preterm labor: 2.64 (1.26–5.57), neonatal convulsions: 14.88 (5.01–44.20), and admission to neonatal intensive care unit 2.13: (1.21–3.74) were associated with the increased odds of ASD. On the other hand, the intake of vitamins during pregnancy: 0.09 (0.06–0.16) and C-section: 0.44 (0.27–0.70) were associated with the decreased odds of ASD. Conclusion This study detected several maternal and neonatal risk factors for ASD in Egyptian children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Arafa
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
- * E-mail:
| | - Omaima Mahmoud
- Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Hisham Salah
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Ali Abdelmonem
- Unit of Phoniatrics, Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Shaimaa Senosy
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Willsey HR, Willsey AJ, Wang B, State MW. Genomics, convergent neuroscience and progress in understanding autism spectrum disorder. Nat Rev Neurosci 2022; 23:323-341. [PMID: 35440779 PMCID: PMC10693992 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00576-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
More than a hundred genes have been identified that, when disrupted, impart large risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Current knowledge about the encoded proteins - although incomplete - points to a very wide range of developmentally dynamic and diverse biological processes. Moreover, the core symptoms of ASD involve distinctly human characteristics, presenting challenges to interpreting evolutionarily distant model systems. Indeed, despite a decade of striking progress in gene discovery, an actionable understanding of pathobiology remains elusive. Increasingly, convergent neuroscience approaches have been recognized as an important complement to traditional uses of genetics to illuminate the biology of human disorders. These methods seek to identify intersection among molecular-level, cellular-level and circuit-level functions across multiple risk genes and have highlighted developing excitatory neurons in the human mid-gestational prefrontal cortex as an important pathobiological nexus in ASD. In addition, neurogenesis, chromatin modification and synaptic function have emerged as key potential mediators of genetic vulnerability. The continued expansion of foundational 'omics' data sets, the application of higher-throughput model systems and incorporating developmental trajectories and sex differences into future analyses will refine and extend these results. Ultimately, a systems-level understanding of ASD genetic risk holds promise for clarifying pathobiology and advancing therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helen Rankin Willsey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - A Jeremy Willsey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Belinda Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matthew W State
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mpoulimari I, Zintzaras E. Identification of Chromosomal Regions Linked to Autism-Spectrum Disorders: A Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Linkage Scans. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2022; 26:59-69. [PMID: 35225680 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2021.0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders with a strong hereditary component. Although, genome-wide linkage scans (GWLS) and association studies (GWAS) have previously identified hundreds of ASD risk gene loci, the results remain inconclusive. Method: We performed a heterogeneity-based genome search meta-analysis (HEGESMA) of 15 genome scans of autism and ASD. Results: For strictly defined autism, data were analyzed across six separate genome scans. Region 7q22-q34 reached statistical significance in both weighted and unweighted analyses, with evidence of significantly low between-scan heterogeneity. For ASDs (data from 12 separate scans), chromosomal regions 5p15.33-5p15.1 and 15q22.32-15q26.1 reached significance in both weighted and unweighted analyses but did not reach significance for either low or high heterogeneity. Region 1q23.2-1q31.1 was significant in unweighted analyses with low between-scan heterogeneity. Finally, region 8p21.1-8q13.2 reached significant linkage peak in all our meta-analyses. When we combined all available genome scans (15), the same results were produced. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that these regions should be further investigated for autism susceptibility genes, with the caveat that autism spectrum disorders have different linkage signals across genome scans, possibly because of the high genetic heterogeneity of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Mpoulimari
- Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Elias Zintzaras
- Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.,The Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Dong HY, Feng JY, Li HH, Yue XJ, Jia FY. Non-parental caregivers, low maternal education, gastrointestinal problems and high blood lead level: predictors related to the severity of autism spectrum disorder in Northeast China. BMC Pediatr 2022; 22:11. [PMID: 34980074 PMCID: PMC8722278 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-021-03086-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased rapidly in recent years. Environmental factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ASD. These factors may include socioeconomic factors, nutritional factors, heavy metal exposure, air pollution, etc. Our aim is to analyze possible environmental factors associated with the severity of ASD. Methods All participating children were divided into two groups (mild and moderate/severe) according to the severity of their symptoms, as determined by their Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores. The socioeconomic, demographic factors and the nutritional factors that may affect the severity of ASD were included in the logistic regression to analyze whether they were predictors that affected the severity of ASD. Results Logistic regression showed that caregivers(P = 0.042), maternal education (P = 0.030), gastrointestinal problems (P = 0.041) and a high serum concentration of lead (P = 0.003) were statistically significantly associated with ASD severity. Conclusion Many environmental factors affect the severity of ASD. We concluded that non-parental caregivers, low maternal education, gastrointestinal problems and high blood lead level maybe predictors that affected the severity of ASD in northeast China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han-Yu Dong
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Jun-Yan Feng
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Hong-Hua Li
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Yue
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Fei-Yong Jia
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Rhine CL, Neil C, Wang J, Maguire S, Buerer L, Salomon M, Meremikwu IC, Kim J, Strande NT, Fairbrother WG. Massively parallel reporter assays discover de novo exonic splicing mutants in paralogs of Autism genes. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1009884. [PMID: 35051175 PMCID: PMC8775188 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
To determine the contribution of defective splicing in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), the most common neurodevelopmental disorder, a high throughput Massively Parallel Splicing Assay (MaPSY) was employed and identified 42 exonic splicing mutants out of 725 coding de novo variants discovered in the sequencing of ASD families. A redesign of the minigene constructs in MaPSY revealed that upstream exons with strong 5' splice sites increase the magnitude of skipping phenotypes observed in downstream exons. Select hits were validated by RT-PCR and amplicon sequencing in patient cell lines. Exonic splicing mutants were enriched in probands relative to unaffected siblings -especially synonymous variants (7.5% vs 3.5%, respectively). Of the 26 genes disrupted by exonic splicing mutations, 6 were in known ASD genes and 3 were in paralogs of known ASD genes. Of particular interest was a synonymous variant in TNRC6C - an ASD gene paralog with interactions with other ASD genes. Clinical records of 3 ASD patients with TNRC6C variant revealed respiratory issues consistent with phenotypes observed in TNRC6 depleted mice. Overall, this study highlights the need for splicing analysis in determining variant pathogenicity, especially as it relates to ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christy L. Rhine
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
- Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, and Genomic Medicine Institute, Geisinger, Danville, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Christopher Neil
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
- Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, and Genomic Medicine Institute, Geisinger, Danville, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- C enter for Computational Molecular Biology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Jing Wang
- Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, and Genomic Medicine Institute, Geisinger, Danville, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- C enter for Computational Molecular Biology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Samantha Maguire
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Luke Buerer
- C enter for Computational Molecular Biology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Mitchell Salomon
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Ijeoma C. Meremikwu
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Juliana Kim
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Natasha T. Strande
- Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, and Genomic Medicine Institute, Geisinger, Danville, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - William G. Fairbrother
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
- C enter for Computational Molecular Biology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
- Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Di Pietrantonj C, Rivetti A, Marchione P, Debalini MG, Demicheli V. Vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021; 11:CD004407. [PMID: 34806766 PMCID: PMC8607336 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd004407.pub5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) are serious diseases that can lead to serious complications, disability, and death. However, public debate over the safety of the trivalent MMR vaccine and the resultant drop in vaccination coverage in several countries persists, despite its almost universal use and accepted effectiveness. This is an update of a review published in 2005 and updated in 2012. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness, safety, and long- and short-term adverse effects associated with the trivalent vaccine, containing measles, rubella, mumps strains (MMR), or concurrent administration of MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine (MMR+V), or tetravalent vaccine containing measles, rubella, mumps, and varicella strains (MMRV), given to children aged up to 15 years. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (the Cochrane Library 2019, Issue 5), which includes the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group's Specialised Register, MEDLINE (1966 to 2 May 2019), Embase (1974 to 2 May 2019), the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (2 May 2019), and ClinicalTrials.gov (2 May 2019). SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), prospective and retrospective cohort studies (PCS/RCS), case-control studies (CCS), interrupted time-series (ITS) studies, case cross-over (CCO) studies, case-only ecological method (COEM) studies, self-controlled case series (SCCS) studies, person-time cohort (PTC) studies, and case-coverage design/screening methods (CCD/SM) studies, assessing any combined MMR or MMRV / MMR+V vaccine given in any dose, preparation or time schedule compared with no intervention or placebo, on healthy children up to 15 years of age. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. We grouped studies for quantitative analysis according to study design, vaccine type (MMR, MMRV, MMR+V), virus strain, and study settings. Outcomes of interest were cases of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella, and harms. Certainty of evidence of was rated using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS We included 138 studies (23,480,668 participants). Fifty-one studies (10,248,159 children) assessed vaccine effectiveness and 87 studies (13,232,509 children) assessed the association between vaccines and a variety of harms. We included 74 new studies to this 2019 version of the review. Effectiveness Vaccine effectiveness in preventing measles was 95% after one dose (relative risk (RR) 0.05, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.13; 7 cohort studies; 12,039 children; moderate certainty evidence) and 96% after two doses (RR 0.04, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.28; 5 cohort studies; 21,604 children; moderate certainty evidence). The effectiveness in preventing cases among household contacts or preventing transmission to others the children were in contact with after one dose was 81% (RR 0.19, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.89; 3 cohort studies; 151 children; low certainty evidence), after two doses 85% (RR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.75; 3 cohort studies; 378 children; low certainty evidence), and after three doses was 96% (RR 0.04, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.23; 2 cohort studies; 151 children; low certainty evidence). The effectiveness (at least one dose) in preventing measles after exposure (post-exposure prophylaxis) was 74% (RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.50; 2 cohort studies; 283 children; low certainty evidence). The effectiveness of Jeryl Lynn containing MMR vaccine in preventing mumps was 72% after one dose (RR 0.24, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.76; 6 cohort studies; 9915 children; moderate certainty evidence), 86% after two doses (RR 0.12, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.35; 5 cohort studies; 7792 children; moderate certainty evidence). Effectiveness in preventing cases among household contacts was 74% (RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.49; 3 cohort studies; 1036 children; moderate certainty evidence). Vaccine effectiveness against rubella, using a vaccine with the BRD2 strain which is only used in China, is 89% (RR 0.11, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.42; 1 cohort study; 1621 children; moderate certainty evidence). Vaccine effectiveness against varicella (any severity) after two doses in children aged 11 to 22 months is 95% in a 10 years follow-up (rate ratio (rr) 0.05, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.08; 1 RCT; 2279 children; high certainty evidence). Safety There is evidence supporting an association between aseptic meningitis and MMR vaccines containing Urabe and Leningrad-Zagreb mumps strains, but no evidence supporting this association for MMR vaccines containing Jeryl Lynn mumps strains (rr 1.30, 95% CI 0.66 to 2.56; low certainty evidence). The analyses provide evidence supporting an association between MMR/MMR+V/MMRV vaccines (Jeryl Lynn strain) and febrile seizures. Febrile seizures normally occur in 2% to 4% of healthy children at least once before the age of 5. The attributable risk febrile seizures vaccine-induced is estimated to be from 1 per 1700 to 1 per 1150 administered doses. The analyses provide evidence supporting an association between MMR vaccination and idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura (ITP). However, the risk of ITP after vaccination is smaller than after natural infection with these viruses. Natural infection of ITP occur in 5 cases per 100,000 (1 case per 20,000) per year. The attributable risk is estimated about 1 case of ITP per 40,000 administered MMR doses. There is no evidence of an association between MMR immunisation and encephalitis or encephalopathy (rate ratio 0.90, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.61; 2 observational studies; 1,071,088 children; low certainty evidence), and autistic spectrum disorders (rate ratio 0.93, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.01; 2 observational studies; 1,194,764 children; moderate certainty). There is insufficient evidence to determine the association between MMR immunisation and inflammatory bowel disease (odds ratio 1.42, 95% CI 0.93 to 2.16; 3 observational studies; 409 cases and 1416 controls; moderate certainty evidence). Additionally, there is no evidence supporting an association between MMR immunisation and cognitive delay, type 1 diabetes, asthma, dermatitis/eczema, hay fever, leukaemia, multiple sclerosis, gait disturbance, and bacterial or viral infections. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Existing evidence on the safety and effectiveness of MMR/MMRV vaccines support their use for mass immunisation. Campaigns aimed at global eradication should assess epidemiological and socioeconomic situations of the countries as well as the capacity to achieve high vaccination coverage. More evidence is needed to assess whether the protective effect of MMR/MMRV could wane with time since immunisation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Di Pietrantonj
- Servizio Regionale di Riferimento per l'Epidemiologia, SSEpi-SeREMI, Azienda Sanitaria Locale ASL AL, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rivetti
- Dipartimento di Prevenzione - S.Pre.S.A.L, ASL CN2 Alba Bra, Alba, Italy
| | - Pasquale Marchione
- Signal Management Unit, Post-Marketing Surveillance Department, Italian Medicine Agency - AIFA, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Vittorio Demicheli
- Servizio Regionale di Riferimento per l'Epidemiologia, SSEpi-SeREMI, Azienda Sanitaria Locale ASL AL, Alessandria, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zaghi M, Banfi F, Bellini E, Sessa A. Rare Does Not Mean Worthless: How Rare Diseases Have Shaped Neurodevelopment Research in the NGS Era. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1713. [PMID: 34827709 PMCID: PMC8616022 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) is heavily changing both the diagnosis of human conditions and basic biological research. It is now possible to dig deep inside the genome of hundreds of thousands or even millions of people and find both common and rare genomic variants and to perform detailed phenotypic characterizations of both physiological organs and experimental models. Recent years have seen the introduction of multiple techniques using NGS to profile transcription, DNA and chromatin modifications, protein binding, etc., that are now allowing us to profile cells in bulk or even at a single-cell level. Although rare and ultra-rare diseases only affect a few people, each of these diseases represent scholarly cases from which a great deal can be learned about the pathological and physiological function of genes, pathways, and mechanisms. Therefore, for rare diseases, state-of-the-art investigations using NGS have double valence: their genomic cause (new variants) and the characterize the underlining the mechanisms associated with them (discovery of gene function) can be found. In a non-exhaustive manner, this review will outline the main usage of NGS-based techniques for the diagnosis and characterization of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), under whose umbrella many rare and ultra-rare diseases fall.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Zaghi
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.Z.); (F.B.); (E.B.)
| | - Federica Banfi
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.Z.); (F.B.); (E.B.)
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Edoardo Bellini
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.Z.); (F.B.); (E.B.)
| | - Alessandro Sessa
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.Z.); (F.B.); (E.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
PTEN mutations in autism spectrum disorder and congenital hydrocephalus: developmental pleiotropy and therapeutic targets. Trends Neurosci 2021; 44:961-976. [PMID: 34625286 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The lack of effective treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and congenital hydrocephalus (CH) reflects the limited understanding of the biology underlying these common neurodevelopmental disorders. Although ASD and CH have been extensively studied as independent entities, recent human genomic and preclinical animal studies have uncovered shared molecular pathophysiology. Here, we review and discuss phenotypic, genomic, and molecular similarities between ASD and CH, and identify the PTEN-PI3K-mTOR (phosphatase and tensin homolog-phosphoinositide 3-kinase-mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway as a common underlying mechanism that holds diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic promise for individuals with ASD and CH.
Collapse
|
23
|
Wang SY, Cheng YY, Guo HR, Tseng YC. Air Pollution during Pregnancy and Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorder in Taiwan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18189784. [PMID: 34574710 PMCID: PMC8467611 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Air pollutants have been linked to some diseases in humans, but their effects on the nervous system were less frequently evaluated. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurondevelopmental disorders of which the etiology is still unknown. We conducted a study in Taiwan to evaluate the possible associations between prenatal exposure to air pollutants and ASD. From a random sample of one million people in the National Insurance Research Database, we identified all the infants born between 1996 and 2000. We followed them till the end of 2013 and identified cases of ASD. We traced back the mothers’ residence and assessed the exposure to air pollutants using the data obtained from the air quality monitoring database maintained by the government, which included ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matters with diameter less than 10 µm (PM10). Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to evaluate the associations between childhood ASD and exposures to the pollutants in the three trimesters and the whole gestation. We identified a total of 63,376 newborns and included 62,919 as the study cohort. After adjusting for other risk factors, we observed trimester-specific associations between levels of CO, NO2, and PM10 and the risk of childhood ASD. An increase of 1 ppm of CO in the first, second, and third trimester was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.93 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.55–2.39), 1.77 (95%CI: 1.41–2.22), and 1.75 (95%CI: 1.39–2.21), respectively. An increase of 10 ppb in the level of NO2 in the first, second, and third trimester was associated with an HR of 1.39 (95%CI: 1.22–1.58), 1.25 (95%CI: 1.10–1.42), and 1.18 (95%CI: 1.03–1.34), respectively. In conclusion, we found that exposures to CO and NO2 in all three trimesters were associated with increased risks of developing ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yuan Wang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medical, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan; (S.-Y.W.); (Y.-Y.C.); (H.-R.G.)
| | - Ya-Yun Cheng
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medical, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan; (S.-Y.W.); (Y.-Y.C.); (H.-R.G.)
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - How-Ran Guo
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medical, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan; (S.-Y.W.); (Y.-Y.C.); (H.-R.G.)
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan 704, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Cheng Tseng
- Department of Tourism, Food, and Beverage Management, College of Management, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan 711, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Gill PS, Clothier JL, Veerapandiyan A, Dweep H, Porter-Gill PA, Schaefer GB. Molecular Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Pers Med 2021; 11:848. [PMID: 34575625 PMCID: PMC8466026 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11090848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) comprises a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders with a strong heritable genetic component. At present, ASD is diagnosed solely by behavioral criteria. Advances in genomic analysis have contributed to numerous candidate genes for the risk of ASD, where rare mutations and s common variants contribute to its susceptibility. Moreover, studies show rare de novo variants, copy number variation and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) also impact neurodevelopment signaling. Exploration of rare and common variants involved in common dysregulated pathways can provide new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for ASD. Contributions of current innovative molecular strategies to understand etiology of ASD will be explored which are focused on whole exome sequencing (WES), whole genome sequencing (WGS), microRNA, long non-coding RNAs and CRISPR/Cas9 models. Some promising areas of pharmacogenomic and endophenotype directed therapies as novel personalized treatment and prevention will be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pritmohinder S. Gill
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA;
- Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, 13 Children’s Way, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA;
| | - Jeffery L. Clothier
- Psychiatric Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - Aravindhan Veerapandiyan
- Pediatric Neurology, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, 1 Children’s Way, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA;
| | - Harsh Dweep
- The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | | | - G. Bradley Schaefer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA;
- Genetics and Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA
- Arkansas Children’s Hospital NW, Springdale, AR 72762, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Duvall S, Armstrong K, Shahabuddin A, Grantz C, Fein D, Lord C. A road map for identifying autism spectrum disorder: recognizing and evaluating characteristics that should raise red or "pink" flags to guide accurate differential diagnosis. Clin Neuropsychol 2021; 36:1172-1207. [PMID: 34121610 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2021.1921276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Given the high population prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and overlapping symptoms with medically complex groups, ASD is a common rule out diagnosis for neuropsychologists even when not identified in the referral or initial presenting concerns. This paper presents practical guidance to support neuropsychologists in their ability to accurately assess, diagnose, and/or rule out ASD, especially in patients with more subtle presentations. Method: This paper combines clinical experience and empirical literature to highlight important assessment measures and related considerations, differential diagnostic considerations, common misconceptions about ASD and person/family characteristics, as well as variability in presentation and comorbidities that can obscure the diagnosis. Characteristics that may be considered "red flags" (clearly diagnostic, classic symptoms) and "pink flags" (associated features and symptoms that are suggestive of ASD but not quite definitive and that may overlap with symptoms seen in other neurodevelopmental or psychiatric diagnoses) will be discussed. Conclusions: Neuropsychologists in all clinical settings should be able to effectively screen for and/or diagnose ASD, even when its presentation is more subtle and/or when symptoms are masked by patient strengths in a way that makes their clinical presentation less obvious. Practical strategies for communicating the diagnosis and next steps/recommendations for interventions are reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Duvall
- Department of Pediatrics & Psychiatry, Institute on Development and Disability, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Ambreen Shahabuddin
- Department of Pediatrics & Psychiatry, Institute on Development and Disability, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Caroline Grantz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Deborah Fein
- Departments of Psychological Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Catherine Lord
- Department of Psychiatry and Education, Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Gharehgazlou A, Freitas C, Ameis SH, Taylor MJ, Lerch JP, Radua J, Anagnostou E. Cortical Gyrification Morphology in Individuals with ASD and ADHD across the Lifespan: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:2653-2669. [PMID: 33386405 PMCID: PMC8023842 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are common neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) that may impact brain maturation. A number of studies have examined cortical gyrification morphology in both NDDs. Here we review and when possible pool their results to better understand the shared and potentially disorder-specific gyrification features. We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and EMBASE databases, and 24 and 10 studies met the criteria to be included in the systematic review and meta-analysis portions, respectively. Meta-analysis of local Gyrification Index (lGI) findings across ASD studies was conducted with SDM software adapted for surface-based morphometry studies. Meta-regressions were used to explore effects of age, sex, and sample size on gyrification differences. There were no significant differences in gyrification across groups. Qualitative synthesis of remaining ASD studies highlighted heterogeneity in findings. Large-scale ADHD studies reported no differences in gyrification between cases and controls suggesting that, similar to ASD, there is currently no evidence of differences in gyrification morphology compared with controls. Larger, longitudinal studies are needed to further clarify the effects of age, sex, and IQ on cortical gyrification in these NDDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Avideh Gharehgazlou
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carina Freitas
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stephanie H Ameis
- Neuroscience & Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,The Margaret and Wallace McCain Centre for Child, Youth, & Family Mental Health, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Margot J Taylor
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neuroscience & Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Neuroscience & Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Joaquim Radua
- Imaging Mood- and Anxiety-Related Disorders (IMARD) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Mental Health Research Networking Center (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain.,Centre for Psychiatric Research and Education, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neuroscience & Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Pijuan J, Ortigoza-Escobar JD, Ortiz J, Alcalá A, Calvo MJ, Cubells M, Hernando-Davalillo C, Palau F, Hoenicka J. PLXNA2 and LRRC40 as candidate genes in autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2021; 14:1088-1100. [PMID: 33749153 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability with high heritability yet the genetic etiology remains elusive. Therefore, it is necessary to elucidate new genotype-phenotype relationships for ASD to improve both the etiological knowledge and diagnosis. In this work, a copy-number variant and whole-exome sequencing analysis were performed in an ASD patient with a complex neurobehavioral phenotype with epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. We identified rare recessive single nucleotide variants in the two genes, PLXNA2 encoding Plexin A2 that participates in neurodevelopment, and LRRC40, which encodes Leucine-rich repeat containing protein 40, a protein of unknown function. PLXNA2 showed the heterozygous missense variants c.614G>A (p.Arg205Gln) and c.4904G>A (p.Arg1635Gln) while LRRC40 presented the homozygous missense variant c.1461G>T (p.Leu487Phe). In silico analysis predicted that these variants could be pathogenic. We studied PLXNA2 and LRRC40 mRNA and proteins in fibroblasts from the patient and controls. We observed a significant PlxnA2 subcellular delocalization and very low levels of LRRC40 in the patient. Moreover, we found a novel interaction between PlxnA2 and LRRC40 suggesting that participate in a common neural pathway. This interaction was significant decreased in the patient's fibroblasts. In conclusion, our results identified PLXNA2 and LRRC40 genes as candidates in ASD providing novel clues for the pathogenesis. Further attention to these genes is warranted in genetic studies of patients with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly ASD. LAY SUMMARY: Genomics is improving the knowledge and diagnosis of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) yet the genetic etiology remains elusive. Here, using genomic analysis together with experimental functional studies, we identified in an ASD complex patient the PLXNA2 and LRRC40 recessive genes as ASD candidates. Furthermore, we found that the proteins of these genes interact in a common neural network. Therefore, more attention to these genes is warranted in genetic studies of patients with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Pijuan
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Molecular Medicine - IPER, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Darío Ortigoza-Escobar
- Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERER-ISCIII and European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Ortiz
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adrián Alcalá
- Department of Genetic Medicine - IPER, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María José Calvo
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hospital San Jorge de Huesca, Huesca, Spain
| | - Mariona Cubells
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Molecular Medicine - IPER, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Francesc Palau
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Molecular Medicine - IPER, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Genetic Medicine - IPER, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain.,Clinic Institute of Medicine and Dermatology (ICMiD), Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.,Division of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Janet Hoenicka
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Molecular Medicine - IPER, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Dual Profile of Environmental Enrichment and Autistic-Like Behaviors in the Maternal Separated Model in Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031173. [PMID: 33503967 PMCID: PMC7865216 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental Enrichment (EE) has been suggested as a possible therapeutic intervention for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. Although the benefits of this therapeutic method have been reported in some animal models and human studies, the unknown pathophysiology of autism as well as number of conflicting results, urge for further examination of the therapeutic potential of EE in autism. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of environmental enrichment on autism-related behaviors which were induced in the maternal separation (MS) animal model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Maternally separated (post-natal day (PND) 1-14, 3h/day) and control male rats were at weaning (PND21) age equally divided into rats housed in enriched environment and normal environment. At adolescence (PND42-50), the four groups were behaviorally tested for direct social interaction, sociability, repetitive behaviors, anxiety behavior, and locomotion. Following completion of the behavioral tests, the blood and brain tissue samples were harvested in order to assess plasma level of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and structural plasticity of brain using ELISA and stereological methods respectively. RESULTS We found that environmental enrichment reduced repetitive behaviors but failed to improve the impaired sociability and anxiety behaviors which were induced by maternal separation. Indeed, EE exacerbated anxiety and social behaviors deficits in association with increased plasma BDNF level, larger volume of the hippocampus and infra-limbic region and higher number of neurons in the infra-limbic area (p < 0.05). Conclusion: We conclude that environmental enrichment has a significant improvement effect on the repetitive behavior as one of the core autistic-like behaviors induced by maternal separation but has negative effect on the anxiety and social behaviors which might have been modulated by BDNF.
Collapse
|
29
|
Enriquez KD, Gupta AR, Hoffman EJ. Signaling Pathways and Sex Differential Processes in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:716673. [PMID: 34690830 PMCID: PMC8531220 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.716673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with deficits in social communication and restrictive, repetitive patterns of behavior, that affect up to 1 in 54 children. ASDs clearly demonstrate a male bias, occurring ~4 times more frequently in males than females, though the basis for this male predominance is not well-understood. In recent years, ASD risk gene discovery has accelerated, with many whole-exome sequencing studies identifying genes that converge on common pathways, such as neuronal communication and regulation of gene expression. ASD genetics studies have suggested that there may be a "female protective effect," such that females may have a higher threshold for ASD risk, yet its etiology is not well-understood. Here, we review common biological pathways implicated by ASD genetics studies as well as recent analyses of sex differential processes in ASD using imaging genomics, transcriptomics, and animal models. Additionally, we discuss recent investigations of ASD risk genes that have suggested a potential role for estrogens as modulators of biological pathways in ASD, and highlight relevant molecular and cellular pathways downstream of estrogen signaling as potential avenues for further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen D Enriquez
- Program on Neurogenetics, Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Abha R Gupta
- Program on Neurogenetics, Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Ellen J Hoffman
- Program on Neurogenetics, Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ryde‐Brandt B. Defence strategies and anxiety in mothers of disabled children. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/per.2410050504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to study anxiety and defence strategies in mothers of children with different disabilities. Mothers of children with childhood psychosis, motor handicaps, or Down's syndrome were tested with a projective, percept‐genetic technique, viz. the Mother‐Child Picture Test (MCPT). Levels of anxiety were measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). In mothers of psychotic children, the absence of anxiety was significantly associated with misinterpretations and/or failure to recognize the MCPT motif (a close relation between mother and child). This association was not found in the mothers of motor‐handicapped children or children with Down's syndrome. The results suggest that, for mothers of psychotic children, the activation of defensive strategies is important to avoid feelings of anxiety evoked by the mother‐child situation. For mothers of children with other chronic disabilities, for example, motor handicaps or Down's syndrome, low levels of anxiety may be experienced without the mobilization of strong defensive mechanisms. Different interpretations of the correlation between defence strategies and anxiety in the mothers of psychotic children are discussed.
Collapse
|
31
|
Lewis EM, Stein-O'Brien GL, Patino AV, Nardou R, Grossman CD, Brown M, Bangamwabo B, Ndiaye N, Giovinazzo D, Dardani I, Jiang C, Goff LA, Dölen G. Parallel Social Information Processing Circuits Are Differentially Impacted in Autism. Neuron 2020; 108:659-675.e6. [PMID: 33113347 PMCID: PMC8033501 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Parallel processing circuits are thought to dramatically expand the network capabilities of the nervous system. Magnocellular and parvocellular oxytocin neurons have been proposed to subserve two parallel streams of social information processing, which allow a single molecule to encode a diverse array of ethologically distinct behaviors. Here we provide the first comprehensive characterization of magnocellular and parvocellular oxytocin neurons in male mice, validated across anatomical, projection target, electrophysiological, and transcriptional criteria. We next use novel multiple feature selection tools in Fmr1-KO mice to provide direct evidence that normal functioning of the parvocellular but not magnocellular oxytocin pathway is required for autism-relevant social reward behavior. Finally, we demonstrate that autism risk genes are enriched in parvocellular compared with magnocellular oxytocin neurons. Taken together, these results provide the first evidence that oxytocin-pathway-specific pathogenic mechanisms account for social impairments across a broad range of autism etiologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eastman M Lewis
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Wendy Klag Institute for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Genevieve L Stein-O'Brien
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Oncology, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205; McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Alejandra V Patino
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Wendy Klag Institute for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Romain Nardou
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Wendy Klag Institute for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Cooper D Grossman
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Matthew Brown
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Bidii Bangamwabo
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ndeye Ndiaye
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Daniel Giovinazzo
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ian Dardani
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Connie Jiang
- Cell and Molecular Biology Group, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Loyal A Goff
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Gül Dölen
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Wendy Klag Institute for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Garcia-Forn M, Boitnott A, Akpinar Z, De Rubeis S. Linking Autism Risk Genes to Disruption of Cortical Development. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112500. [PMID: 33218123 PMCID: PMC7698947 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social communication and social interaction, and the presence of repetitive behaviors and/or restricted interests. In the past few years, large-scale whole-exome sequencing and genome-wide association studies have made enormous progress in our understanding of the genetic risk architecture of ASD. While showing a complex and heterogeneous landscape, these studies have led to the identification of genetic loci associated with ASD risk. The intersection of genetic and transcriptomic analyses have also begun to shed light on functional convergences between risk genes, with the mid-fetal development of the cerebral cortex emerging as a critical nexus for ASD. In this review, we provide a concise summary of the latest genetic discoveries on ASD. We then discuss the studies in postmortem tissues, stem cell models, and rodent models that implicate recently identified ASD risk genes in cortical development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Garcia-Forn
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (M.G.-F.); (A.B.); (Z.A.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Andrea Boitnott
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (M.G.-F.); (A.B.); (Z.A.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Zeynep Akpinar
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (M.G.-F.); (A.B.); (Z.A.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Silvia De Rubeis
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (M.G.-F.); (A.B.); (Z.A.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-212-241-0179
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Hegarty JP, Pegoraro LFL, Lazzeroni LC, Raman MM, Hallmayer JF, Monterrey JC, Cleveland SC, Wolke ON, Phillips JM, Reiss AL, Hardan AY. Genetic and environmental influences on structural brain measures in twins with autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:2556-2566. [PMID: 30659287 PMCID: PMC6639158 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0330-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Atypical growth patterns of the brain have been previously reported in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but these alterations are heterogeneous across individuals, which may be associated with the variable effects of genetic and environmental influences on brain development. Monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs with and without ASD (aged 6-15 years) were recruited to participate in this study. T1-weighted MRIs (n = 164) were processed with FreeSurfer to evaluate structural brain measures. Intra-class correlations were examined within twin pairs and compared across diagnostic groups. ACE modeling was also completed. Structural brain measures, including cerebral and cerebellar gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volume, surface area, and cortical thickness, were primarily influenced by genetic factors in TD twins; however, mean curvature appeared to be primarily influenced by environmental factors. Similarly, genetic factors accounted for the majority of variation in brain size in twins with ASD, potentially to a larger extent regarding curvature and subcortical GM; however, there were also more environmental contributions in twins with ASD on some structural brain measures, such that cortical thickness and cerebellar WM volume were primarily influenced by environmental factors. These findings indicate potential neurobiological outcomes of the genetic and environmental risk factors that have been previously associated with ASD and, although preliminary, may help account for some of the previously outlined neurobiological heterogeneity across affected individuals. This is especially relevant regarding the role of genetic and environmental factors in the development of ASD, in which certain brain structures may be more sensitive to specific influences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John P Hegarty
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Luiz F L Pegoraro
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campinas, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Laura C Lazzeroni
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, 1265 Welch Road, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Mira M Raman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Joachim F Hallmayer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Julio C Monterrey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Sue C Cleveland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Olga N Wolke
- Department of Anesthesiology, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jennifer M Phillips
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Allan L Reiss
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Antonio Y Hardan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Sapey-Triomphe LA, Reversat J, Lesca G, Chatron N, Bussa M, Mazoyer S, Schmitz C, Sonié S, Edery P. A de novo frameshift pathogenic variant in TBR1 identified in autism without intellectual disability. Hum Genomics 2020; 14:32. [PMID: 32948248 PMCID: PMC7501624 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-020-00281-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In order to be able to provide accurate genetic counseling to patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is crucial to identify correlations between heterogeneous phenotypes and genetic alterations. Among the hundreds of de novo pathogenic variants reported in ASD, single-nucleotide variations and small insertions/deletions were reported in TBR1. This gene encodes a transcription factor that plays a key role in brain development. Pathogenic variants in TBR1 are often associated with severe forms of ASD, including intellectual disability and language impairment. METHODS Adults diagnosed with ASD but without intellectual disability (diagnosis of Asperger syndrome, according to the DSM-IV) took part in a genetic consultation encompassing metabolic assessments, a molecular karyotype and the screening of a panel of 268 genes involved in intellectual disability, ASD and epilepsy. In addition, the patient reported here went through a neuropsychological assessment, structural magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements. RESULTS Here, we report the case of a young adult male who presents with a typical form of ASD. Importantly, this patient presents with no intellectual disability or language impairment, despite a de novo heterozygous frameshift pathogenic variant in TBR1, leading to an early premature termination codon (c.26del, p.(Pro9Leufs*12)). CONCLUSION Based on this case report, we discuss the role of TBR1 in general brain development, language development, intellectual disability and other symptoms of ASD. Providing a detailed clinical description of the individuals with such pathogenic variants should help to understand the genotype-phenotype relationships in ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurie-Anne Sapey-Triomphe
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Brain Dynamics and Cognition team, INSERM UMRS 1028, CNRS UMR 5292, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, Department of Brain and Cognition, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Julie Reversat
- Lyon Hospitals, Genetics Service and National Reference Centre for Developmental Anomalies, Lyon, France
| | - Gaëtan Lesca
- Lyon Hospitals, Genetics Service and National Reference Centre for Developmental Anomalies, Lyon, France
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Genetics of Neurodevelopment team, INSERM UMRS 1028, CNRS UMR 5292, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France
| | - Nicolas Chatron
- Lyon Hospitals, Genetics Service and National Reference Centre for Developmental Anomalies, Lyon, France
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Genetics of Neurodevelopment team, INSERM UMRS 1028, CNRS UMR 5292, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France
| | - Marina Bussa
- Centre de Ressource Autisme Rhône-Alpes, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, Bron, France
- Hôpital Saint-Jean-de-Dieu, Lyon, France
| | - Sylvie Mazoyer
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Genetics of Neurodevelopment team, INSERM UMRS 1028, CNRS UMR 5292, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France
| | - Christina Schmitz
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Brain Dynamics and Cognition team, INSERM UMRS 1028, CNRS UMR 5292, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France.
| | - Sandrine Sonié
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Brain Dynamics and Cognition team, INSERM UMRS 1028, CNRS UMR 5292, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France
- Centre de Ressource Autisme Rhône-Alpes, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, Bron, France
- Hôpital Saint-Jean-de-Dieu, Lyon, France
| | - Patrick Edery
- Lyon Hospitals, Genetics Service and National Reference Centre for Developmental Anomalies, Lyon, France
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Genetics of Neurodevelopment team, INSERM UMRS 1028, CNRS UMR 5292, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Meyyazhagan A, Balasubramanian B, Easwaran M, Alagamuthu KK, Shanmugam S, Kuchi Bhotla H, Pappusamy M, Arumugam VA, Thangaraj A, Kaul T, Keshavarao S, Cacabelos R. Biomarker study of the biological parameter and neurotransmitter levels in autistics. Mol Cell Biochem 2020; 474:277-284. [PMID: 32740790 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-020-03851-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Autism is a prevalent developmental disorder that combines repetitive behaviours, social deficits and language abnormalities. The present study aims to assess the autistic subjects using DSM IV-TR criteria followed with the analysis of neurotransmitters, biochemical parameters, oxidative stress and its ions in two groups of autistic subjects (group I < 12 years; group II ≥ 12 years). Antioxidants show a variation of 10% increase in controls compared to autistic age < 12 years. The concentration of pyruvate kinase and hexokinase is elevated in controls approximately 60% and 45%, respectively, with the significance of 95 and 99%. Autistic subjects showed marked variation in levels of neurotransmitters, oxidative stress and its related ions. Cumulative assessment of parameters related to biochemical markers and neurotransmitters paves the way for autism-based research, although these observations draw interest in an integrated approach for autism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arun Meyyazhagan
- EuroEspes Biomedical Research Centre, International Center of Neurosciences and Genomic Medicine, Bergondo, 15165, Corunna, Spain. .,Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India. .,Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India.
| | - Balamuralikrishnan Balasubramanian
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India.,Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Sejong University, Seoul, 05006, South Korea
| | - Murugesh Easwaran
- Nutritional Improvement of Crops, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Karthick Kumar Alagamuthu
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India.,Jiagsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Sureshkumar Shanmugam
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India.,Department of Animal Resource and Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, South Korea
| | - Haripriya Kuchi Bhotla
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India
| | - Manikantan Pappusamy
- Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India
| | - Vijaya Anand Arumugam
- Medical Genetics and Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India
| | - Arulprakash Thangaraj
- Nutritional Improvement of Crops, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Tanushri Kaul
- Nutritional Improvement of Crops, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Sasikala Keshavarao
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India
| | - Ramon Cacabelos
- EuroEspes Biomedical Research Centre, International Center of Neurosciences and Genomic Medicine, Bergondo, 15165, Corunna, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Early environmental risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders - a systematic review of twin and sibling studies. Dev Psychopathol 2020; 33:1448-1495. [PMID: 32703331 PMCID: PMC8564717 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579420000620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
While neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are highly heritable, several environmental risk factors have also been suggested. However, the role of familial confounding is unclear. To shed more light on this, we reviewed the evidence from twin and sibling studies. A systematic review was performed on case control and cohort studies including a twin or sibling within-pair comparison of neurodevelopmental outcomes, with environmental exposures until the sixth birthday. From 7,315 screened abstracts, 140 eligible articles were identified. After adjustment for familial confounding advanced paternal age, low birth weight, birth defects, and perinatal hypoxia and respiratory stress were associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and low birth weight, gestational age and family income were associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), categorically and dimensionally. Several previously suspected factors, including pregnancy-related factors, were deemed due to familial confounding. Most studies were conducted in North America and Scandinavia, pointing to a global research bias. Moreover, most studies focused on ASD and ADHD. This genetically informed review showed evidence for a range of environmental factors of potential casual significance in NDDs, but also points to a critical need of more genetically informed studies of good quality in the quest of the environmental causes of NDDs.
Collapse
|
38
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research has examined the relationship between advanced parental age at conception and the incidence of autism, and has noted strong relationships between advanced parental age and other developmental disabilities. AIM The purpose of this study was to confirm that and extend that knowledge to the association between advanced parental age and severity of autism symptoms as measured by a parental report of ASD symptom severity. METHODS The current study included 252 participants between the ages of 2-17 years and their parents. RESULTS Child's gender and paternal age were found to be significant predictors of autism severity with males and children with older fathers at conception showing the highest severity. Interestingly, maternal age was not found to be a significant predictor of autism risk or severity of symptoms in this sample. CONCLUSION Possible explanations for these findings are discussed, as well as future directions for research in this area.
Collapse
|
39
|
Patak J, Faraone SV, Zhang-James Y. Sodium hydrogen exchanger 9 NHE9 (SLC9A9) and its emerging roles in neuropsychiatric comorbidity. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2020; 183:289-305. [PMID: 32400953 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Variations in SLC9A9 gene expression and protein function are associated with multiple human diseases, which range from Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to glioblastoma multiforme. In an effort to determine the full spectrum of human disease associations with SLC9A9, we performed a systematic review of the literature. We also review SLC9A9's biochemistry, protein structure, and function, as well as its interacting partners with the goal of identifying mechanisms of disease and druggable targets. We report gaps in the literature regarding the genes function along with consistent trends in disease associations that can be used to further research into treating the respective diseases. We report that SLC9A9 has strong associations with neuropsychiatric diseases and various cancers. Interestingly, we find strong overlap in SLC9A9 disease associations and propose a novel role for SLC9A9 in neuropsychiatric comorbidity. In conclusion, SLC9A9 is a multifunctional protein that, through both its endosome regulatory function and its protein-protein interaction network, has the ability to modulate signaling axes, such as the PI3K pathway, among others.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jameson Patak
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA.,College of Medicine, MD Program, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Stephen V Faraone
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Yanli Zhang-James
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Saxena R, Babadi M, Namvarhaghighi H, Roullet FI. Role of environmental factors and epigenetics in autism spectrum disorders. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 173:35-60. [PMID: 32711816 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder thought to be caused by predisposing high-risk genes that may be altered during the early development by environmental factors. The impact of maternal challenges during pregnancy on the prevalence of ASD has been widely studied in clinical and animal studies. Here, we review some clinical and pre-clinical evidence that links environmental factors (i.e., infection, air pollution, pesticides, valproic acid and folic acid) and the risk of ASD. Additionally, certain prenatal environmental challenges such as the valproate and folate prenatal exposures allow us to study mechanisms possibly linked to the etiology of ASD, for instance the epigenetic processes. These mechanistic pathways are also presented and discussed in this chapter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roheeni Saxena
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Melika Babadi
- School of Interdisciplinary Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | - Florence I Roullet
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Mansouri M, Pouretemad H, Roghani M, Wegener G, Ardalan M. Autistic-like behaviours and associated brain structural plasticity are modulated by oxytocin in maternally separated rats. Behav Brain Res 2020; 393:112756. [PMID: 32535183 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early psycho-social experiences influence the developing brain and possible onset of various neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is characterized by a variety of brain abnormalities, including alteration of oxytocin receptors in the brain. Recently, early life adverse experiences, such as maternal separation (MS), have been shown to constitute risk factors for ASD in preclinical studies. Therefore, the main aims of the current study were to i) explore the association between onset of autistic-like behaviours and molecular/structural changes in the brain following MS, and ii) evaluate the possible beneficial effects of oxytocin treatment on the same parameters. METHOD AND MATERIAL Male rats were exposed to the maternal separation from post-natal day (PND) 1 to PND14. After weaning, daily injections of oxytocin (1 mg/kg, ip) were administered (PND 22-30), followed by examination of autism-related behaviours at adolescence (PND 42-50). Brain structural plasticity was examined using stereological methods, and the plasma level of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was analysed using ELISA. RESULTS We found that maternal separation induced autistic-like behaviours, which was associated with increase in the hippocampal CA1 stratum radiatum (CA1.SR) volume. In addition, we observed increase in the infralimbic brain region volume and in the number of the pyramidal neurons in the same brain region. Maternal separation significantly increased the plasma BDNF levels. Treatment with oxytocin improved autistic like behaviours, normalized the number of neurons and the volume of the infralimbic region as well as the plasma BDNF level (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Maternal separation induced autistic-like behaviours, brain structural impairment together with plasma BDNF level abnormality, which could be improved by oxytocin treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monireh Mansouri
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran; Center of Excellence in Cognitivr Neuropsychology, Institue for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Pouretemad
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mehrdad Roghani
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gregers Wegener
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; AUGUST Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Risskov, Denmark
| | - Maryam Ardalan
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Centre for Perinatal Medicine and Health, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Carroll L, Braeutigam S, Dawes JM, Krsnik Z, Kostovic I, Coutinho E, Dewing JM, Horton CA, Gomez-Nicola D, Menassa DA. Autism Spectrum Disorders: Multiple Routes to, and Multiple Consequences of, Abnormal Synaptic Function and Connectivity. Neuroscientist 2020; 27:10-29. [PMID: 32441222 PMCID: PMC7804368 DOI: 10.1177/1073858420921378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a heterogeneous group of
neurodevelopmental disorders of genetic and environmental etiologies.
Some ASD cases are syndromic: associated with clinically defined
patterns of somatic abnormalities and a neurobehavioral phenotype
(e.g., Fragile X syndrome). Many cases, however, are idiopathic or
non-syndromic. Such disorders present themselves during the early
postnatal period when language, speech, and personality start to
develop. ASDs manifest by deficits in social communication and
interaction, restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior across
multiple contexts, sensory abnormalities across multiple modalities
and comorbidities, such as epilepsy among many others. ASDs are
disorders of connectivity, as synaptic dysfunction is common to both
syndromic and idiopathic forms. While multiple theories have been
proposed, particularly in idiopathic ASDs, none address why certain
brain areas (e.g., frontotemporal) appear more vulnerable than others
or identify factors that may affect phenotypic specificity. In this
hypothesis article, we identify possible routes leading to, and the
consequences of, altered connectivity and review the evidence of
central and peripheral synaptic dysfunction in ASDs. We postulate that
phenotypic specificity could arise from aberrant experience-dependent
plasticity mechanisms in frontal brain areas and peripheral sensory
networks and propose why the vulnerability of these areas could be
part of a model to unify preexisting pathophysiological theories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liam Carroll
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Sven Braeutigam
- Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - John M Dawes
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Zeljka Krsnik
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, Centre of Research Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivica Kostovic
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, Centre of Research Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ester Coutinho
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jennifer M Dewing
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK
| | - Christopher A Horton
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Diego Gomez-Nicola
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - David A Menassa
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK.,Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recent advances in genetic technologies allowed researchers to identify large numbers of candidate risk genes associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Both strongly penetrant rare variants and the accumulation of common variants with much weaker penetrance contribute to the cause of ASD. To identify the highly confident candidate genes, software and resources have been applied, and functional evaluation of the variants has provided further insights for ASD pathophysiology. These studies ultimately identify the molecular and circuit alteration underlying the behavioral abnormalities in ASD. In this review, we introduce the recent genetic and genomic findings and functional approaches for ASD variants providing a deeper understanding of the etiology of ASD. RECENT FINDINGS Integrated meta-analysis that recruited a larger number of ASD cases has helped to prioritize ASD candidate genes or genetic loci into highly confidence candidate genes for further investigation. Not only coding but also noncoding variants have been recently implicated to confer the risk of ASD. Functional approaches of genes or variants revealed the disruption of specific molecular pathways. Further studies combining ASD genetics and genomics with recent techniques in engineered mouse models show molecular and circuit mechanisms underlying the behavioral deficits in ASD. SUMMARY Advances in ASD genetics and the following functional studies provide significant insights into ASD pathophysiology at molecular and circuit levels.
Collapse
|
44
|
Di Pietrantonj C, Rivetti A, Marchione P, Debalini MG, Demicheli V. Vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 4:CD004407. [PMID: 32309885 PMCID: PMC7169657 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd004407.pub4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) are serious diseases that can lead to serious complications, disability, and death. However, public debate over the safety of the trivalent MMR vaccine and the resultant drop in vaccination coverage in several countries persists, despite its almost universal use and accepted effectiveness. This is an update of a review published in 2005 and updated in 2012. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness, safety, and long- and short-term adverse effects associated with the trivalent vaccine, containing measles, rubella, mumps strains (MMR), or concurrent administration of MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine (MMR+V), or tetravalent vaccine containing measles, rubella, mumps, and varicella strains (MMRV), given to children aged up to 15 years. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (the Cochrane Library 2019, Issue 5), which includes the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group's Specialised Register, MEDLINE (1966 to 2 May 2019), Embase (1974 to 2 May 2019), the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (2 May 2019), and ClinicalTrials.gov (2 May 2019). SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), prospective and retrospective cohort studies (PCS/RCS), case-control studies (CCS), interrupted time-series (ITS) studies, case cross-over (CCO) studies, case-only ecological method (COEM) studies, self-controlled case series (SCCS) studies, person-time cohort (PTC) studies, and case-coverage design/screening methods (CCD/SM) studies, assessing any combined MMR or MMRV / MMR+V vaccine given in any dose, preparation or time schedule compared with no intervention or placebo, on healthy children up to 15 years of age. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. We grouped studies for quantitative analysis according to study design, vaccine type (MMR, MMRV, MMR+V), virus strain, and study settings. Outcomes of interest were cases of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella, and harms. Certainty of evidence of was rated using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS We included 138 studies (23,480,668 participants). Fifty-one studies (10,248,159 children) assessed vaccine effectiveness and 87 studies (13,232,509 children) assessed the association between vaccines and a variety of harms. We included 74 new studies to this 2019 version of the review. Effectiveness Vaccine effectiveness in preventing measles was 95% after one dose (relative risk (RR) 0.05, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.13; 7 cohort studies; 12,039 children; moderate certainty evidence) and 96% after two doses (RR 0.04, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.28; 5 cohort studies; 21,604 children; moderate certainty evidence). The effectiveness in preventing cases among household contacts or preventing transmission to others the children were in contact with after one dose was 81% (RR 0.19, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.89; 3 cohort studies; 151 children; low certainty evidence), after two doses 85% (RR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.75; 3 cohort studies; 378 children; low certainty evidence), and after three doses was 96% (RR 0.04, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.23; 2 cohort studies; 151 children; low certainty evidence). The effectiveness (at least one dose) in preventing measles after exposure (post-exposure prophylaxis) was 74% (RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.50; 2 cohort studies; 283 children; low certainty evidence). The effectiveness of Jeryl Lynn containing MMR vaccine in preventing mumps was 72% after one dose (RR 0.24, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.76; 6 cohort studies; 9915 children; moderate certainty evidence), 86% after two doses (RR 0.12, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.35; 5 cohort studies; 7792 children; moderate certainty evidence). Effectiveness in preventing cases among household contacts was 74% (RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.49; 3 cohort studies; 1036 children; moderate certainty evidence). Vaccine effectiveness against rubella is 89% (RR 0.11, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.42; 1 cohort study; 1621 children; moderate certainty evidence). Vaccine effectiveness against varicella (any severity) after two doses in children aged 11 to 22 months is 95% in a 10 years follow-up (rate ratio (rr) 0.05, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.08; 1 RCT; 2279 children; high certainty evidence). Safety There is evidence supporting an association between aseptic meningitis and MMR vaccines containing Urabe and Leningrad-Zagreb mumps strains, but no evidence supporting this association for MMR vaccines containing Jeryl Lynn mumps strains (rr 1.30, 95% CI 0.66 to 2.56; low certainty evidence). The analyses provide evidence supporting an association between MMR/MMR+V/MMRV vaccines (Jeryl Lynn strain) and febrile seizures. Febrile seizures normally occur in 2% to 4% of healthy children at least once before the age of 5. The attributable risk febrile seizures vaccine-induced is estimated to be from 1 per 1700 to 1 per 1150 administered doses. The analyses provide evidence supporting an association between MMR vaccination and idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura (ITP). However, the risk of ITP after vaccination is smaller than after natural infection with these viruses. Natural infection of ITP occur in 5 cases per 100,000 (1 case per 20,000) per year. The attributable risk is estimated about 1 case of ITP per 40,000 administered MMR doses. There is no evidence of an association between MMR immunisation and encephalitis or encephalopathy (rate ratio 0.90, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.61; 2 observational studies; 1,071,088 children; low certainty evidence), and autistic spectrum disorders (rate ratio 0.93, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.01; 2 observational studies; 1,194,764 children; moderate certainty). There is insufficient evidence to determine the association between MMR immunisation and inflammatory bowel disease (odds ratio 1.42, 95% CI 0.93 to 2.16; 3 observational studies; 409 cases and 1416 controls; moderate certainty evidence). Additionally, there is no evidence supporting an association between MMR immunisation and cognitive delay, type 1 diabetes, asthma, dermatitis/eczema, hay fever, leukaemia, multiple sclerosis, gait disturbance, and bacterial or viral infections. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Existing evidence on the safety and effectiveness of MMR/MMRV vaccines support their use for mass immunisation. Campaigns aimed at global eradication should assess epidemiological and socioeconomic situations of the countries as well as the capacity to achieve high vaccination coverage. More evidence is needed to assess whether the protective effect of MMR/MMRV could wane with time since immunisation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Di Pietrantonj
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale ASL AL, Servizio Regionale di Riferimento per l'Epidemiologia, SSEpi-SeREMI, Via Venezia 6, Alessandria, Italy, 15121
| | - Alessandro Rivetti
- ASL CN2 Alba Bra, Dipartimento di Prevenzione - S.Pre.S.A.L, Via Vida 10, Alba, Piemonte, Italy, 12051
| | - Pasquale Marchione
- Italian Medicine Agency - AIFA, Signal Management Unit, Post-Marketing Surveillance Department, Via del Tritone 181, Rome, Italy, 00187
| | | | - Vittorio Demicheli
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale ASL AL, Servizio Regionale di Riferimento per l'Epidemiologia, SSEpi-SeREMI, Via Venezia 6, Alessandria, Italy, 15121
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Marotta R, Risoleo MC, Messina G, Parisi L, Carotenuto M, Vetri L, Roccella M. The Neurochemistry of Autism. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E163. [PMID: 32182969 PMCID: PMC7139720 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10030163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to complex neurobehavioral and neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior or interests, and altered sensory processing. Environmental, immunological, genetic, and epigenetic factors are implicated in the pathophysiology of autism and provoke the occurrence of neuroanatomical and neurochemical events relatively early in the development of the central nervous system. Many neurochemical pathways are involved in determining ASD; however, how these complex networks interact and cause the onset of the core symptoms of autism remains unclear. Further studies on neurochemical alterations in autism are necessary to clarify the early neurodevelopmental variations behind the enormous heterogeneity of autism spectrum disorder, and therefore lead to new approaches for the treatment and prevention of autism. In this review, we aim to delineate the state-of-the-art main research findings about the neurochemical alterations in autism etiology, and focuses on gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, serotonin, dopamine, N-acetyl aspartate, oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin, melatonin, vitamin D, orexin, endogenous opioids, and acetylcholine. We also aim to suggest a possible related therapeutic approach that could improve the quality of ASD interventions. Over one hundred references were collected through electronic database searching in Medline and EMBASE (Ovid), Scopus (Elsevier), ERIC (Proquest), PubMed, and the Web of Science (ISI).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Marotta
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University "Magna Graecia", Catanzaro 88100, Italy; (R.M.); (M.C.R.)
| | - Maria C. Risoleo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University "Magna Graecia", Catanzaro 88100, Italy; (R.M.); (M.C.R.)
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Napoli 80138, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia 71100, Italy;
| | - Lucia Parisi
- Department of Psychology, Educational and Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo 90128, Italy; (L.P.); (M.R.)
| | - Marco Carotenuto
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Napoli 80138, Italy;
| | - Luigi Vetri
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo 90127, Italy
| | - Michele Roccella
- Department of Psychology, Educational and Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo 90128, Italy; (L.P.); (M.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Gyawali S, Patra BN. Autism spectrum disorder: Trends in research exploring etiopathogenesis. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2019; 73:466-475. [PMID: 31077508 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition in which affected individuals have difficulties while interacting and communicating socially, and repetitive behaviors. It has a multifactorial etiology. Various risk factors, including genetic and environmental influences, have been explored while trying to understand its causation. As older evidence was suggestive of a high heritability, a majority of research focused on finding the underlying genetic causes of autism. Due to these efforts, there have been advances in the knowledge of some of the genetic factors associated with autism. But a recent trend also shows an increasing interest in exploration of various potential environmental triggers. These efforts have brought us closer to understanding the elusive disorder more so than ever before. The current review discusses the recent trends in research exploring the etiopathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shreeya Gyawali
- Department of Psychiatry and National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Bichitra Nanda Patra
- Department of Psychiatry and National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Lapp HE, Hunter RG. Early life exposures, neurodevelopmental disorders, and transposable elements. Neurobiol Stress 2019; 11:100174. [PMID: 31193573 PMCID: PMC6536887 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2019.100174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements make up a much larger portion of the genome than protein-coding genes, yet we know relatively little about their function in the human genome. However, we are beginning to more fully understand their role in brain development, neuroinflammation, and adaptation to environmental insults such as stress. For instance, glucocorticoid receptor activation regulates transposable elements in the brain following acute stress. Early life is a period of substantial brain development during which transposable elements play a role. Environmental exposures and experiences during early life that promote abnormal regulation of transposable elements may lead to a cascade of events that ultimately increase susceptibility to disorders later in life. Recent attention to transposable elements in psychiatric illness has begun to clarify associations indicative of dysregulation of different classes of transposable elements in stress-related and neurodevelopmental illness. Though individual susceptibility or resiliency to psychiatric illness has not been explained by traditional genetic studies, the wide inter-individual variability in transposable element composition in the human genome make TEs attractive candidates to elucidate this differential susceptibility. In this review, we discuss evidence that regulation of transposable elements in the brain are stage-specific, sensitive to environmental factors, and may be impacted by early life perturbations. We further present evidence of associations with stress-related and neurodevelopmental psychiatric illness from a developmental perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E Lapp
- University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd Boston, MA, 02125, USA
| | - Richard G Hunter
- University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd Boston, MA, 02125, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Leembruggen AJL, Balasuriya GK, Zhang J, Schokman S, Swiderski K, Bornstein JC, Nithianantharajah J, Hill-Yardin EL. Colonic dilation and altered ex vivo gastrointestinal motility in the neuroligin-3 knockout mouse. Autism Res 2019; 13:691-701. [PMID: 31002480 PMCID: PMC7317711 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is commonly reported by people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; autism) but the cause is unknown. Mutations in genes encoding synaptic proteins including Neuroligin‐3 are associated with autism. Mice lacking Neuroligin‐3 (Nlgn3−/−) have altered brain function, but whether the enteric nervous system (ENS) is altered remains unknown. We assessed for changes in GI structure and function in Nlgn3−/− mice. We found no significant morphological differences in villus height or crypt depth in the jejunum or colon between wildtype (WT) and Nlgn3−/− mice. To determine whether deletion of Nlgn3 affects enteric neurons, we stained for neural markers in the myenteric plexus. Nlgn3−/− mice had similar numbers of neurons expressing the pan‐neuronal marker Hu in the jejunum, proximal mid, and distal colon regions. We also found no differences in the number of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS+) or calretinin (CalR+) motor neurons and interneurons between WT and Nlgn3−/− mice. We used ex vivo video imaging analysis to assess colonic motility under baseline conditions and observed faster colonic migrating motor complexes (CMMCs) and an increased colonic diameter in Nlgn3−/− mice, although CMMC frequency was unchanged. At baseline, CMMCs were faster in Nlgn3−/− mice compared to WT. Although the numbers of neuronal subsets are conserved in Nlgn3−/− mice, these findings suggest that Neuroligin‐3 modulates inhibitory neural pathways in the ENS and may contribute to mechanisms underlying GI disorders in autism. Autism Res 2020, 13: 691–701. © 2019 The Authors. Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research published byWiley Periodicals, Inc. Lay Summary People with autism commonly experience gut problems. Many gene mutations associated with autism affect neuronal activity. We studied mice in which the autism‐associated Neuroligin‐3 gene is deleted to determine whether this impacts gut neuronal numbers or motility. We found that although mutant mice had similar gut structure and numbers of neurons in all gut regions examined, they had distended colons and faster colonic muscle contractions. Further work is needed to understand how Neuroligin‐3 affects neuron connectivity in the gastrointestinal tract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gayathri K Balasuriya
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jinghong Zhang
- Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shana Schokman
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kristy Swiderski
- Centre for Muscle Research, Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joel C Bornstein
- Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Elisa L Hill-Yardin
- Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Alagoz M, Kherad N, Gavaz M, Yuksel A. New Genetic Approaches for Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. REVIEW JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s40489-019-00167-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
50
|
|