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Mahmoudian M, Lorigooini Z, Rahimi-Madiseh M, Shabani S, Amini-Khoei H. Protective effects of rosmarinic acid against autistic-like behaviors in a mouse model of maternal separation stress: behavioral and molecular amendments. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:7819-7828. [PMID: 38730077 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03143-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with worldwide increasing incidence. Maternal separation (MS) stress at the beginning of life with its own neuroendocrine changes can provide the basis for development of ASD. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a phenolic compound with a protective effect in neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of RA on autistic-like behaviors in maternally separated mice focusing on its possible effects on neuroimmune response and nitrite levels in the hippocampus. In this study, 40 mice were randomly divided into five groups of control (received normal saline (1 ml/kg)) and MS that were treated with normal saline (1 ml/kg) or doses of 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg RA, respectively, for 14 days. Three-chamber sociability, shuttle box, and marble burying tests were used to investigate autistic-like behaviors. Nitrite level and gene expression of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, TLR4, and iNOS were assessed in the hippocampus. The results showed that RA significantly increased the social preference and social novelty indexes, as well as attenuated impaired passive avoidance memory and the occurrence of repetitive and obsessive behaviors in the MS mice. RA reduced the nitrite level and gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus. RA, probably via attenuation of the nitrite level as well as of the neuroimmune response in the hippocampus, mitigated autistic-like behaviors in maternally separated mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maziar Mahmoudian
- Student Research Committee, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Zahra Lorigooini
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rahimi-Madiseh
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Sahreh Shabani
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Hossein Amini-Khoei
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
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Sakaguchi K, Tawata S. Giftedness and atypical sexual differentiation: enhanced perceptual functioning through estrogen deficiency instead of androgen excess. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1343759. [PMID: 38752176 PMCID: PMC11094242 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1343759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Syndromic autism spectrum conditions (ASC), such as Klinefelter syndrome, also manifest hypogonadism. Compared to the popular Extreme Male Brain theory, the Enhanced Perceptual Functioning model explains the connection between ASC, savant traits, and giftedness more seamlessly, and their co-emergence with atypical sexual differentiation. Overexcitability of primary sensory inputs generates a relative enhancement of local to global processing of stimuli, hindering the abstraction of communication signals, in contrast to the extraordinary local information processing skills in some individuals. Weaker inhibitory function through gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors and the atypicality of synapse formation lead to this difference, and the formation of unique neural circuits that process external information. Additionally, deficiency in monitoring inner sensory information leads to alexithymia (inability to distinguish one's own emotions), which can be caused by hypoactivity of estrogen and oxytocin in the interoceptive neural circuits, comprising the anterior insular and cingulate gyri. These areas are also part of the Salience Network, which switches between the Central Executive Network for external tasks and the Default Mode Network for self-referential mind wandering. Exploring the possibility that estrogen deficiency since early development interrupts GABA shift, causing sensory processing atypicality, it helps to evaluate the co-occurrence of ASC with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, and schizophrenia based on phenotypic and physiological bases. It also provides clues for understanding the common underpinnings of these neurodevelopmental disorders and gifted populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kikue Sakaguchi
- Research Department, National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education (NIAD-QE), Kodaira-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shintaro Tawata
- Graduate School of Human Sciences, Sophia University, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Reisi-Vanani V, Lorigooini Z, Bijad E, Amini-Khoei H. Maternal separation stress through triggering of the neuro-immune response in the hippocampus induces autistic-like behaviors in male mice. Int J Dev Neurosci 2024; 84:87-98. [PMID: 38110192 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the fastest-growing neurodevelopmental disease throughout the world. Neuro-immune responses from prenatal to adulthood stages of life induce developmental defects in synaptic signaling, neurotransmitter imbalance, and even structural changes in the brain. In this study, we aimed to focus on the possible role of neuroinflammatory response in the hippocampus in development of the autistic-like behaviors following maternal separation (MS) stress in mice. To do this, mice neonates daily separated from their mothers from postnatal day (PND) 2 to PND 14 for 3 h. During PND45-60, behavioral tests related to autistic-like behaviors including three-chamber sociability, Morris water maze (MWM), shuttle box, resident-intruder, and marble burying tests were performed. Then, hippocampi were dissected out, and the gene expression of inflammatory mediators including TNF-α, IL-1β, TLR4, HMGB1, and NLRP3 was assessed in the hippocampus using RT-PCR. Results showed that MS mice exerted impaired sociability preference, repetitive behaviors, impaired passive avoidance, and spatial memories. The gene expression of inflammatory mediators significantly increased in the hippocampi of MS mice. We concluded that MS stress probably via activating of the HMGB1/TLR4 signaling cascade in the hippocampus induced autistic-like behaviors in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Reisi-Vanani
- Student Research Committee, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Zahra Lorigooini
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Elham Bijad
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Hossein Amini-Khoei
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
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Májer T, Bódi V, Kelemen V, Szűcs A, Varró P, Világi I. Valproate treatment induces age- and sex-dependent neuronal activity changes according to a patch clamp study. Dev Neurobiol 2024; 84:32-43. [PMID: 38124434 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interactions, restricted, and stereotyped behaviors. The valproic acid model is one of the most recognized and broadly used models in rats to induce core symptoms of this disorder. Comorbidity of epilepsy and autism occurs frequently, due to similar background mechanisms that include the imbalance of excitation and inhibition. In this series of experiments, treatment was performed on rat dams with a single 500 mg/kg dose i.p. valproate injection on embryonic day 12.5. Intracellular whole-cell patch clamp recordings were performed on brain slices prepared from adolescent and adult offspring of both sexes on pyramidal neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex and entorhinal cortex. Current clamp stimulation utilizing conventional current step protocols and dynamic clamp stimulation were applied to assess neuronal excitability. Membrane properties and spiking characteristics of layer II-III pyramidal cells were analyzed in both cortical regions. Significant sex-dependent and age-dependent differences were found in several parameters in the control groups. Considering membrane resistance, rheobase, voltage sag slope, and afterdepolarization slope, we observed notable changes mainly in the female groups. Valproate treatment seemed to enhance these differences and increase network excitability. However, it is possible that compensatory mechanisms took place during the maturation of the network while reaching the age-group of 3 months. Based on the results, the expression of the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels may be appreciably affected by the valproate treatment, which influences fundamental electrophysiological properties of the neurons such as the voltage sag. Remarkable changes appeared in the prefrontal cortex; however, also the entorhinal cortex shows similar tendencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tímea Májer
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Veronika Bódi
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Viktor Kelemen
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Szűcs
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Center of Excellence for Molecular Medicine, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Petra Varró
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ildikó Világi
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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Sabet N, Abadi B, Moslemizadeh A, Rajizadeh MA, Arabzadeh F, Vakili Shahrbabaki SS, Soltani Z, Rafie F, Bashiri H. The effect of low- and moderate-intensity interval training on cognitive behaviors of male and female rats with VPA-induced autism. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20641. [PMID: 37867791 PMCID: PMC10589787 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study was performed to evaluate the effects of low and moderate treadmill exercise for one month on social interaction, anxiety-like behaviors, and spatial learning and memory in male and female autistic rats. Methods Pregnant rats received valproic acid (VPA) (600 mg/kg/i.p) once on gestational day 12.5 to induce autism-like symptoms in the offspring. After delivery, the offspring were divided into six main groups, each with male and female subgroups: Control (CTL, prenatal normal saline), autism (prenatal VPA), low-intensity training (LIT,normal saline + low treadmill exercise), moderate -intensity training (MIT, normal saline + moderate treadmill exercise), VPA + LIT, and VPA + MIT. On the 60th day, the offspring were tested by the elevated plus maze (EPM), open field test (OFT), social interaction test (SIT), and Morris water maze (MWM). Results The results showed that both LIT and MIT could partly alleviate anxiety-like behaviors induced by prenatal VPA exposure in two sexes. Social impairment was observed in the autistic rats and was improved by LIT in both sexes and MIT in females. No significant change was seen in the spatial learning and memory of autistic rats by exercise. Conclusion The findings suggest that treadmill exercise can be helpful for improving some autism-like behaviors. Further studies are needed to investigate the involved mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Sabet
- Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Banafshe Abadi
- Herbal and Traditional Medicines Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Brain Cancer Research Core (BCRC), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Kerman, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Moslemizadeh
- Brain Cancer Research Core (BCRC), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Fatemeh Arabzadeh
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Soltani
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku 20014, Finland
| | - Forouzan Rafie
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Afzalipour Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hamideh Bashiri
- Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Visiting fellow Department of Medicine Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology Emory University School of Medicine
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Alibek K, Niyazmetova L, Farmer S, Isakov T. Persistent Inflammation Initiated by TORCH Infections and Dysbiotic Microbiome in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Prospect for Future Interventions. RESEARCH IDEAS AND OUTCOMES 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/rio.8.e91179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a range of neurodevelopmental conditions that are clinically present early in childhood with the symptoms of social withdrawal and repetitive behavior. Despite an extensive research on ASD, no commonly accepted theory on the disease etiology exists. Hence, we reviewed several scientific publications, including reviews, preclinical and clinical investigations, and published hypotheses to analyze various opinions on the nature and cause of the disorder. Many studies suggest that infections and inflammation during pregnancy play a significant role in genetic and epigenetic changes in the developing fetus, resulting in an autistic phenotype in a child. Still, there is a lack of comprehensive literature about the multitude of autism inducing factors. Therefore, this article reviews and discusses available scientific evidence on the roles of viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections, overactivation of the immune system, and intestinal microflora in the pathogenesis and clinical manifestation of ASD. The overview of the scientific publications, including our own studies, suggests that TORCH infections, imbalanced microbiome, and persistent inflammation are significantly associated with the disruption of the social domain in ASD children. The ASD-related changes begin prenatally as maternal-to-fetal immune activation triggered by infection. It results in continuous low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress in a fetus, causing germline and somatic genetic changes in the developing brain and the establishment of the dysregulated immune system. These changes and dysregulations result in central and peripheral nervous systems dysfunctions as well as other comorbid conditions found in autistic children.
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Yu Z, Hu N, Du Y, Wang H, Pu L, Zhang X, Pan D, He X, Li J. Association of outdoor artificial light at night with mental health among China adults: a prospective ecology study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:82286-82296. [PMID: 35750915 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21587-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Multiple environmental changes are related to mental disorders. However, research on the association between artificial light at night (ALAN) and mental health in China is limited, particularly at the national level. We used a "difference-in-differences" design and logistic regression to explore the relationship between ALAN changes and scores on self-assessed mental health. Participants were drawn from the China Family Panel Studies of adults in 2012 and 2018. The final analysis was based on 21,036 adults from 25 provinces throughout China. The brighter the ALAN, the worse was the mental health, and this connection was unaffected by particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) or temperature. ALAN sensitivity may differ among populations. Our findings suggest that exposure to brighter ALAN is associated significantly with worse mental health among Chinese adults. Environmental policies that reduce ALAN could improve the mental health of the Chinese public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenfan Yu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of public health and management, Ningxia Medical University, Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Naifan Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of public health and management, Ningxia Medical University, Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Yurun Du
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of public health and management, Ningxia Medical University, Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Huihui Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of public health and management, Ningxia Medical University, Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Lining Pu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of public health and management, Ningxia Medical University, Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of public health and management, Ningxia Medical University, Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Degong Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of public health and management, Ningxia Medical University, Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Xiaoxue He
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of public health and management, Ningxia Medical University, Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Jiangping Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of public health and management, Ningxia Medical University, Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, China.
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, Ningxia Medical University, Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, China.
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Recent Developments in Autism Genetic Research: A Scientometric Review from 2018 to 2022. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13091646. [PMID: 36140813 PMCID: PMC9498399 DOI: 10.3390/genes13091646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic research in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has progressed tremendously in recent decades. Dozens of genetic loci and hundreds of alterations in the genetic sequence, expression, epigenetic transformation, and interactions with other physiological and environmental systems have been found to increase the likelihood of developing ASD. There is therefore a need to represent this wide-ranging yet voluminous body of literature in a systematic manner so that this information can be synthesised and understood at a macro level. Therefore, this study made use of scientometric methods, particularly document co-citation analysis (DCA), to systematically review literature on ASD genetic research from 2018 to 2022. A total of 14,818 articles were extracted from Scopus and analyzed with CiteSpace. An optimized DCA analysis revealed that recent literature on ASD genetic research can be broadly organised into 12 major clusters representing various sub-topics. These clusters are briefly described in the manuscript and potential applications of this study are discussed.
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Christiansen DM, McCarthy MM, Seeman MV. Where Sex Meets Gender: How Sex and Gender Come Together to Cause Sex Differences in Mental Illness. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:856436. [PMID: 35836659 PMCID: PMC9273892 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.856436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences are prevalent in multiple mental disorders. Internalizing disorders are more commonly diagnosed in women, whereas externalizing and neurodevelopmental disorders are more often diagnosed in men. Significant sex/gender differences are reported in prevalence, symptom profile, age of onset, comorbidities, functional impairment, prognosis, as well as in responses to various treatments. In this conceptual article, we discuss theories and empirical studies of sex- and gender-related influences in mental health, by focusing on three examples: autism spectrum disorder (ASD), acknowledged as a disorder whose roots are mainly biological; eating disorders, whose origins are considered to be mainly psychosocial, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an environmentally caused disorder with both psychosocial and biological underpinnings. We examine the ways in which sex differences emerge, from conception through adulthood. We also examine how gender dichotomies in exposures, expectations, role assumptions, and cultural traditions impact the expression of our three selected mental illnesses. We are especially interested in how sex-based influences and gender-based influences interact with one another to affect mental illness. We suggest that sex and gender are multi-faceted and complex phenomena that result in variations, not only between men and women, but also within each sex and gender through alterations in genes, hormone levels, self-perceptions, trauma experiences, and interpersonal relationships. Finally, we propose a conceptual diatheses-stress model, depicting how sex and gender come together to result in multiple sex/gender differences across mental disorders. In our model, we categorize diatheses into several categories: biological, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental. These diatheses interact with exposure to stressors, ranging from relatively minor to traumatic, which allows for the sometimes bidirectional influences of acute and long-term stress responses. Sex and gender are discussed at every level of the model, thereby providing a framework for understanding and predicting sex/gender differences in expression, prevalence and treatment response of mental disorders. We encourage more research into this important field of study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorte M. Christiansen
- Department of Psychology, National Centre for Psychotraumatology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Margaret M. McCarthy
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mary V. Seeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Xie Y, Jin Z, Huang H, Li S, Dong G, Liu Y, Chen G, Guo Y. Outdoor light at night and autism spectrum disorder in Shanghai, China: A matched case-control study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 811:152340. [PMID: 34914994 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several environmental factors have been identified to be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) over the past decades. However, evidence is limited for the effect of exposure to outdoor light at night (LAN) on ASD in China and even elsewhere in the world. METHODS Participants in this study were from a multi-stage sampling survey on ASD conducted between June 2014 and October 2014 among children aged 3-12 years in Shanghai, China. All participants underwent a two-stage screening of ASD via questionnaire, and then, suspected cases were finally diagnosed by clinical examination. For data analyses, each ASD case was randomly matched with 10 healthy controls by age and sex. The LAN data were extracted from the stable lights product of the US Defense Meteorological Satellite Program's Operational Linescan System (DMSP-OLS) according to geolocation information of residential addresses. Mean levels of exposure to LAN during the 3 years after birth and 1 year before birth were calculated. We used conditional logistic regression models to examine the association between LAN and ASD. RESULTS We investigated 84,934 children from 96 kindergartens, 55 primary schools, and 28 special education schools, and 203 children were diagnosed as ASD cases. A total of 1727 children (157 ASD cases and 1570 healthy controls) were included in the final analyses. Brighter LAN exposures after and before birth were significantly associated with higher risk of ASD. After adjusting for potential covariates, adjusted odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals associated with per unit increase in LAN were 1.066 (1.027, 1.107) during the 3 years after birth and 1.046 (1.018, 1.075) during the 1 year before birth. CONCLUSIONS Results of our study concluded brighter LAN exposure was significantly associated with higher risk of ASD among Chinese children, which suggested that outdoor LAN could be a potential risk factor of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinyu Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health Risk Assessment; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China; Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Zhijuan Jin
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Hong Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Guanghui Dong
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health Risk Assessment; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuewei Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Gongbo Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health Risk Assessment; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yuming Guo
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
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Makris G, Agorastos A, Chrousos GP, Pervanidou P. Stress System Activation in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:756628. [PMID: 35095389 PMCID: PMC8793840 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.756628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mission of the human stress system is the maintenance of homeostasis in the presence of real or perceived, acute or chronic stressors. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) are the stress system-related neuroendocrine pathways. There is abundant evidence that children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may exhibit atypical function within the HPA axis and the ANS both at the resting state and during the presence of social and/or non-social stressors. The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date summary of the findings regarding stress system alterations in children and adolescents with ASD. We focus on the variations of stress hormones circadian rhythms, specifically cortisol and alpha-amylase (i.e., a surrogate index of epinephrine/norepinephrine secretion), and on the alterations of stress system responsivity to different stressors. Also, we present imaging and immunological findings that have been associated with stress system dysregulation in children and adolescents with ASD. Finally, we review the pivotal role of HPA axis-ANS coordination, the developmental trajectory of the stress system in ASD, and the possible role of early life stress in the dysregulation of the stress system demonstrated in children and adolescents with ASD. This synthesis will hopefully provide researchers with a foundation for an integrated approach to future research into stress system variations in children and adolescents with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerasimos Makris
- Unit of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, First Department of Pediatrics, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- *Correspondence: Gerasimos Makris,
| | - Agorastos Agorastos
- Department of Psychiatry II, Division of Neurosciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - George P. Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Pervanidou
- Unit of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, First Department of Pediatrics, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Bauer AZ, Swan SH, Kriebel D, Liew Z, Taylor HS, Bornehag CG, Andrade AM, Olsen J, Jensen RH, Mitchell RT, Skakkebaek NE, Jégou B, Kristensen DM. Paracetamol use during pregnancy - a call for precautionary action. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2021; 17:757-766. [PMID: 34556849 PMCID: PMC8580820 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-021-00553-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Paracetamol (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP), otherwise known as acetaminophen) is the active ingredient in more than 600 medications used to relieve mild to moderate pain and reduce fever. APAP is widely used by pregnant women as governmental agencies, including the FDA and EMA, have long considered APAP appropriate for use during pregnancy when used as directed. However, increasing experimental and epidemiological research suggests that prenatal exposure to APAP might alter fetal development, which could increase the risks of some neurodevelopmental, reproductive and urogenital disorders. Here we summarize this evidence and call for precautionary action through a focused research effort and by increasing awareness among health professionals and pregnant women. APAP is an important medication and alternatives for treatment of high fever and severe pain are limited. We recommend that pregnant women should be cautioned at the beginning of pregnancy to: forego APAP unless its use is medically indicated; consult with a physician or pharmacist if they are uncertain whether use is indicated and before using on a long-term basis; and minimize exposure by using the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. We suggest specific actions to implement these recommendations. This Consensus Statement reflects our concerns and is currently supported by 91 scientists, clinicians and public health professionals from across the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Z Bauer
- Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts School of Health Sciences, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Shanna H Swan
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - David Kriebel
- Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts School of Health Sciences, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Paediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Hugh S Taylor
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Carl-Gustaf Bornehag
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
- Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
| | - Anderson M Andrade
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Jørn Olsen
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Rigmor H Jensen
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rod T Mitchell
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queens Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Niels E Skakkebaek
- Department of Growth & Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bernard Jégou
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) UMR_S, 1085, Rennes, France
| | - David M Kristensen
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) UMR_S, 1085, Rennes, France.
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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13
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A preliminary study on abnormal brain function and autistic behavior in mice caused by dcf1 deletion. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 579:29-34. [PMID: 34583192 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.09.056] [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: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Autism is one of the urgent problems in neuroscience. Early research in our laboratory found that dcf1 gene-deficient mice exhibited autistic behavior. Reviewing the literature, we know that the caudate putamen (CPu) brain region is closely related to the occurrence of autism. In this study, we observed that the electrical signal in the abnormal brain region of adult mice was enhanced by using field potential detection for the corresponding brain region. We then used retrovirus markers to track neurons in the CPu brain region and found that there are neural projections in the hippocampus-CPu brain region. Therefore, we selected DREADDs (Designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs) to inhibit the abnormal brain region of the mouse and found, through behavioral testing, that this can inhibit the autistic behavior of mice. This research provides new evidence for the understanding of the cause of autism and has accumulated new basis for the treatment of autism. It has theoretical significance and potential application value for the understanding and treatment of autism.
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14
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Ferreira ML, Loyacono N. Rationale of an Advanced Integrative Approach Applied to Autism Spectrum Disorder: Review, Discussion and Proposal. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11060514. [PMID: 34199906 PMCID: PMC8230111 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11060514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The rationale of an Advanced Integrative Model and an Advanced Integrative Approach is presented. In the context of Allopathic Medicine, this model introduces the evaluation, clinical exploration, diagnosis, and treatment of concomitant medical problems to the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. These may be outside or inside the brain. The concepts of static or chronic, dynamic encephalopathy and condition for Autism Spectrum Disorder are defined in this model, which looks at the response to the treatments of concomitant medical problemsto the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. (1) Background: Antecedents and rationale of an Advanced Integrative Model and of an Advanced Integrative Approach are presented; (2) Methods: Concomitant medical problems to the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and a discussion of the known responses of their treatments are presented; (3) Results: Groups in Autism are defined and explained, related to the responses of the treatments of the concomitant medical problems to ASD and (4) Conclusions: The analysis in the framework of an Advanced Integrative Model of three groups including the concepts of static encephalopathy; chronic, dynamic encephalopathy and condition for Autism Spectrum Disorder explains findings in the field, previously not understood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicolás Loyacono
- TEA-Enfoque Integrador Group, Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina;
- SANyTA (Sociedad Argentina de Neurodesarrollo y Trastornos Asociados), Migueletes 681, Piso 2, Departamento 2, BUE-Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1426, Argentina
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +54-911-5825-5209
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