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Shih YC, Nelson L, Janeček M, Peixoto RT. Late onset and regional heterogeneity of synaptic deficits in cortical PV interneurons of Shank3B -/- mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.23.568500. [PMID: 38045377 PMCID: PMC10690261 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.23.568500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Epilepsy and epileptiform patterns of cortical activity are highly prevalent in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), but the neural substrates and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the onset of cortical dysfunction in ASD remains elusive. Reduced cortical expression of Parvalbumin (PV) has been widely observed in ASD mouse models and human postmortem studies, suggesting a crucial role of PV interneurons (PVINs) in ASD pathogenesis. Shank3B -/- mice carrying a Δ13-16 deletion in SHANK3 exhibit cortical hyperactivity during postnatal development and reduced sensory responses in cortical GABAergic interneurons in adulthood. However, whether these phenotypes are associated with PVIN dysfunction is unknown. Using whole-cell electrophysiology and a viral-based strategy to label PVINs during postnatal development, we performed a developmental characterization of AMPAR miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in PVINs and pyramidal (PYR) neurons of layer (L) 2/3 mPFC in Shank3B -/- mice. Surprisingly, reduced mEPSC frequency was observed in both PYR and PVIN populations, but only in adulthood. At P15, when cortical hyperactivity is already observed, both neuron types exhibited normal mEPSC amplitude and frequency, suggesting that glutamatergic connectivity deficits in these neurons emerge as compensatory mechanisms. Additionally, we found normal mEPSCs in adult PVINs of L2/3 somatosensory cortex, revealing region-specific phenotypic differences of cortical PVINs in Shank3B -/- mice. Together, these results demonstrate that loss of Shank3 alters PVIN function but suggest that PVIN glutamatergic synapses are a suboptimal therapeutic target for normalizing early cortical imbalances in SHANK3-associated disorders. More broadly, these findings underscore the complexity of interneuron dysfunction in ASDs, prompting further exploration of region and developmental stage specific phenotypes for understanding and developing effective interventions.
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Mosconi MW, Stevens CJ, Unruh KE, Shafer R, Elison JT. Endophenotype trait domains for advancing gene discovery in autism spectrum disorder. J Neurodev Disord 2023; 15:41. [PMID: 37993779 PMCID: PMC10664534 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-023-09511-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with a diverse range of etiological processes, including both genetic and non-genetic causes. For a plurality of individuals with ASD, it is likely that the primary causes involve multiple common inherited variants that individually account for only small levels of variation in phenotypic outcomes. This genetic landscape creates a major challenge for detecting small but important pathogenic effects associated with ASD. To address similar challenges, separate fields of medicine have identified endophenotypes, or discrete, quantitative traits that reflect genetic likelihood for a particular clinical condition and leveraged the study of these traits to map polygenic mechanisms and advance more personalized therapeutic strategies for complex diseases. Endophenotypes represent a distinct class of biomarkers useful for understanding genetic contributions to psychiatric and developmental disorders because they are embedded within the causal chain between genotype and clinical phenotype, and they are more proximal to the action of the gene(s) than behavioral traits. Despite their demonstrated power for guiding new understanding of complex genetic structures of clinical conditions, few endophenotypes associated with ASD have been identified and integrated into family genetic studies. In this review, we argue that advancing knowledge of the complex pathogenic processes that contribute to ASD can be accelerated by refocusing attention toward identifying endophenotypic traits reflective of inherited mechanisms. This pivot requires renewed emphasis on study designs with measurement of familial co-variation including infant sibling studies, family trio and quad designs, and analysis of monozygotic and dizygotic twin concordance for select trait dimensions. We also emphasize that clarification of endophenotypic traits necessarily will involve integration of transdiagnostic approaches as candidate traits likely reflect liability for multiple clinical conditions and often are agnostic to diagnostic boundaries. Multiple candidate endophenotypes associated with ASD likelihood are described, and we propose a new focus on the analysis of "endophenotype trait domains" (ETDs), or traits measured across multiple levels (e.g., molecular, cellular, neural system, neuropsychological) along the causal pathway from genes to behavior. To inform our central argument for research efforts toward ETD discovery, we first provide a brief review of the concept of endophenotypes and their application to psychiatry. Next, we highlight key criteria for determining the value of candidate endophenotypes, including unique considerations for the study of ASD. Descriptions of different study designs for assessing endophenotypes in ASD research then are offered, including analysis of how select patterns of results may help prioritize candidate traits in future research. We also present multiple candidate ETDs that collectively cover a breadth of clinical phenomena associated with ASD, including social, language/communication, cognitive control, and sensorimotor processes. These ETDs are described because they represent promising targets for gene discovery related to clinical autistic traits, and they serve as models for analysis of separate candidate domains that may inform understanding of inherited etiological processes associated with ASD as well as overlapping neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Mosconi
- Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies and Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
| | - Cassandra J Stevens
- Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies and Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Kathryn E Unruh
- Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies and Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Robin Shafer
- Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies and Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Jed T Elison
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Saggar M, Bruno JL, Hall SS. Brief intensive social gaze training reorganizes functional brain connectivity in boys with fragile X syndrome. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:5218-5227. [PMID: 36376964 PMCID: PMC10151883 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac411] [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: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Boys with fragile X syndrome (FXS), the leading known genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), demonstrate significant impairments in social gaze and associated weaknesses in communication, social interaction, and other areas of adaptive functioning. Little is known, however, concerning the impact of behavioral treatments for these behaviors on functional brain connectivity in this population. As part of a larger study, boys with FXS (mean age 13.23 ± 2.31 years) and comparison boys with ASD (mean age 12.15 ± 2.76 years) received resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans prior to and following social gaze training administered by a trained behavior therapist in our laboratory. Network-agnostic connectome-based predictive modeling of pretreatment resting-state functional connectivity data revealed a set of positive (FXS > ASD) and negative (FXS < ASD) edges that differentiated the groups significantly and consistently across all folds of cross-validation. Following administration of the brief training, the FXS and ASD groups demonstrated reorganization of connectivity differences. The divergence in the spatial pattern of reorganization response, based on functional connectivity differences pretreatment, suggests a unique pattern of response to treatment in the FXS and ASD groups. These results provide further support for implementing targeted behavioral treatments to ameliorate syndrome-specific behavioral features in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Saggar
- Division of Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, United States
| | - Jennifer L Bruno
- Division of Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, United States
| | - Scott S Hall
- Division of Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, United States
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Weerasekera A, Ion‐Mărgineanu A, Green C, Mody M, Nolan GP. Predictive models demonstrate age-dependent association of subcortical volumes and cognitive measures. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 44:801-812. [PMID: 36222055 PMCID: PMC9842902 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Whether brain matter volume is correlated with cognitive functioning and higher intelligence is controversial. We explored this relationship by analysis of data collected on 193 healthy young and older adults through the "Leipzig Study for Mind-Body-Emotion Interactions" (LEMON) study. Our analysis involved four cognitive measures: fluid intelligence, crystallized intelligence, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. Brain subregion volumes were determined by magnetic resonance imaging. We normalized each subregion volume to the estimated total intracranial volume and conducted training simulations to compare the predictive power of normalized volumes of large regions of the brain (i.e., gray matter, cortical white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid), normalized subcortical volumes, and combined normalized volumes of large brain regions and normalized subcortical volumes. Statistical tests showed significant differences in the performance accuracy and feature importance of the subregion volumes in predicting cognitive skills for young and older adults. Random forest feature selection analysis showed that cortical white matter was the key feature in predicting fluid intelligence in both young and older adults. In young adults, crystallized intelligence was best predicted by caudate nucleus, thalamus, pallidum, and nucleus accumbens volumes, whereas putamen, amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and hippocampus volumes were selected for older adults. Cognitive flexibility was best predicted by the caudate, nucleus accumbens, and hippocampus in young adults and caudate and amygdala in older adults. Finally, working memory was best predicted by the putamen, pallidum, and nucleus accumbens in the younger group, whereas amygdala and hippocampus volumes were predictive in the older group. Thus, machine learning predictive models demonstrated an age-dependent association between subcortical volumes and cognitive measures. These approaches may be useful in predicting the likelihood of age-related cognitive decline and in testing of approaches for targeted improvement of cognitive functioning in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akila Weerasekera
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical ImagingMassachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Christopher Green
- Department of Diagnostic RadiologyDetroit Medical Center & Wayne State School of MedicineDetroitMichiganUSA
| | - Maria Mody
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical ImagingMassachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Garry P. Nolan
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyStanford University School of MedicinePalo AltoCaliforniaUSA
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Shen MD, Swanson MR, Wolff JJ, Elison JT, Girault JB, Kim SH, Smith RG, Graves MM, Weisenfeld LAH, Flake L, MacIntyre L, Gross JL, Burrows CA, Fonov VS, Collins DL, Evans AC, Gerig G, McKinstry RC, Pandey J, St John T, Zwaigenbaum L, Estes AM, Dager SR, Schultz RT, Styner MA, Botteron KN, Hazlett HC, Piven J. Subcortical Brain Development in Autism and Fragile X Syndrome: Evidence for Dynamic, Age- and Disorder-Specific Trajectories in Infancy. Am J Psychiatry 2022; 179:562-572. [PMID: 35331012 PMCID: PMC9762548 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.21090896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous research has demonstrated that the amygdala is enlarged in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the precise onset of this enlargement during infancy, how it relates to later diagnostic behaviors, whether the timing of enlargement in infancy is specific to the amygdala, and whether it is specific to ASD (or present in other neurodevelopmental disorders, such as fragile X syndrome) are all unknown. METHODS Longitudinal MRIs were acquired at 6-24 months of age in 29 infants with fragile X syndrome, 58 infants at high likelihood for ASD who were later diagnosed with ASD, 212 high-likelihood infants not diagnosed with ASD, and 109 control infants (1,099 total scans). RESULTS Infants who developed ASD had typically sized amygdala volumes at 6 months, but exhibited significantly faster amygdala growth between 6 and 24 months, such that by 12 months the ASD group had significantly larger amygdala volume (Cohen's d=0.56) compared with all other groups. Amygdala growth rate between 6 and 12 months was significantly associated with greater social deficits at 24 months when the infants were diagnosed with ASD. Infants with fragile X syndrome had a persistent and significantly enlarged caudate volume at all ages between 6 and 24 months (d=2.12), compared with all other groups, which was significantly associated with greater repetitive behaviors. CONCLUSIONS This is the first MRI study comparing fragile X syndrome and ASD in infancy, demonstrating strikingly different patterns of brain and behavior development. Fragile X syndrome-related changes were present from 6 months of age, whereas ASD-related changes unfolded over the first 2 years of life, starting with no detectable group differences at 6 months. Increased amygdala growth rate between 6 and 12 months occurs prior to social deficits and well before diagnosis. This gradual onset of brain and behavior changes in ASD, but not fragile X syndrome, suggests an age- and disorder-specific pattern of cascading brain changes preceding autism diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Shen
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Meghan R Swanson
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Jason J Wolff
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Jed T Elison
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Jessica B Girault
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Sun Hyung Kim
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Rachel G Smith
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Michael M Graves
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Leigh Anne H Weisenfeld
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Lisa Flake
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Leigh MacIntyre
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Julia L Gross
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Catherine A Burrows
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Vladimir S Fonov
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - D Louis Collins
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Alan C Evans
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Guido Gerig
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Robert C McKinstry
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Juhi Pandey
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Tanya St John
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Annette M Estes
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Stephen R Dager
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Robert T Schultz
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Martin A Styner
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Kelly N Botteron
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Heather C Hazlett
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Joseph Piven
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
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6
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Li G, Chen MH, Li G, Wu D, Lian C, Sun Q, Rushmore RJ, Wang L. Volumetric Analysis of Amygdala and Hippocampal Subfields for Infants with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2022; 53:2475-2489. [PMID: 35389185 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05535-w] [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: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated abnormal brain overgrowth in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the development of specific brain regions, such as the amygdala and hippocampal subfields in infants, is incompletely documented. To address this issue, we performed the first MRI study of amygdala and hippocampal subfields in infants from 6 to 24 months of age using a longitudinal dataset. A novel deep learning approach, Dilated-Dense U-Net, was proposed to address the challenge of low tissue contrast and small structural size of these subfields. We performed a volume-based analysis on the segmentation results. Our results show that infants who were later diagnosed with ASD had larger left and right volumes of amygdala and hippocampal subfields than typically developing controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guannan Li
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China.,Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Bioinformatics Building, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 130 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Meng-Hsiang Chen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Bioinformatics Building, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 130 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Chunfeng Lian
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Bioinformatics Building, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 130 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Quansen Sun
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China
| | - R Jarrett Rushmore
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Morphometric Analysis, Massachusetts General Hospital, 149 Thirteenth Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Bioinformatics Building, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 130 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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7
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Heady N, Watkins A, John A, Hutchings H. Prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders and their impact on the health and social well-being among looked after children (LAC): a systematic review protocol. Syst Rev 2022; 11:49. [PMID: 35305681 PMCID: PMC8934470 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-022-01923-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Looked after children (LAC) that are placed in either a foster, kinship, residential care setting or transition to adoption continue to develop debilitating disorders that significantly impact their overall health and social well-being. The prevalence of these disorders is often depicted under broad categories such as mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Limited in research is the prevalence of what specific disorders fall under these broad categories. NDDs such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) which fall under an umbrella group in the expert field of genetics and neuropsychiatry will be explored. Unsupported, these disorders can lead to suboptimal health and social outcomes for both the child and family. In the general population, the prevalence of these NDDs and impacts on health and social well-being are relatively well documented, but for minority groups such as LAC, research is extremely limited. This review aims to estimate the prevalence of NDDs among LAC and explore how they might impact the health and social well-being of these vulnerable children. If feasible, the review will compare the prevalence rates to those children who are not looked after, to illuminate any differences or similarities between populations. METHODS PubMed, ASSIA, IBSS, Web of Science, PsychINFO, Scopus, Psych articles, Social Care Online, secondary, grey literature and government publications will be searched to identify any eligible studies. No restrictions will be placed on country, design or year of publication. Studies must provide primary data on the prevalence or incidence of NDDs for individuals < 25 years of age, supported by either a diagnostic code, standardised diagnostic assessment tool or survey response. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools will be utilised to assess the quality and bias and the random-effects model used to estimate a pooled prevalence of NDDs. DISCUSSION Attaining an estimated prevalence of these NDDs and identifying any impacts on health and social well-being might inform key stakeholders in health, educational and social sectors with important information that might aid in the early identification and intervention to safeguard and meet the unique needs of these children. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD4201913103 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Heady
- Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Science 2, Floor 2, Singleton Campus, Swansea, SA2 8PP Wales
| | - Alan Watkins
- Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Science 2, Floor 2, Singleton Campus, Swansea, SA2 8PP Wales
| | - Ann John
- Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Science 2, Floor 2, Singleton Campus, Swansea, SA2 8PP Wales
| | - Hayley Hutchings
- Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Science 2, Floor 2, Singleton Campus, Swansea, SA2 8PP Wales
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8
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Bieneck V, Bletsch A, Mann C, Schäfer T, Seelemeyer H, Herøy N, Zimmermann J, Pretzsch CM, Hattingen E, Ecker C. Longitudinal Changes in Cortical Thickness in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Association with Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:2024. [PMID: 34946972 PMCID: PMC8701312 DOI: 10.3390/genes12122024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuroanatomy of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) shows highly heterogeneous developmental trajectories across individuals. Mapping atypical brain development onto clinical phenotypes, and establishing their molecular underpinnings, is therefore crucial for patient stratification and subtyping. In this longitudinal study we examined intra- and inter-individual differences in the developmental trajectory of cortical thickness (CT) in childhood and adolescence, and their genomic underpinnings, in 33 individuals with ASD and 37 typically developing controls (aged 11-18 years). Moreover, we aimed to link regional atypical CT development to intra-individual variations in restricted and repetitive behavior (RRB) over a two-year time period. Individuals with ASD showed significantly reduced cortical thinning in several of the brain regions functionally related to wider autism symptoms and traits (e.g., fronto-temporal and cingulate cortices). The spatial patterns of the neuroanatomical differences in CT were enriched for genes known to be associated with ASD at a genetic and transcriptomic level. Further, intra-individual differences in CT correlated with within-subject variability in the severity of RRBs. Our findings represent an important step towards characterizing the neuroanatomical underpinnings of ASD across development based upon measures of CT. Moreover, our findings provide important novel insights into the link between microscopic and macroscopic pathology in ASD, as well as their relationship with different clinical ASD phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Bieneck
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Deutschordenstrasse 50, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany; (A.B.); (C.M.); (T.S.); (H.S.); (N.H.); (J.Z.); (C.E.)
- Brain Imaging Center, Schleusenweg 2-16, Haus 95H, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Anke Bletsch
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Deutschordenstrasse 50, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany; (A.B.); (C.M.); (T.S.); (H.S.); (N.H.); (J.Z.); (C.E.)
- Brain Imaging Center, Schleusenweg 2-16, Haus 95H, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Caroline Mann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Deutschordenstrasse 50, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany; (A.B.); (C.M.); (T.S.); (H.S.); (N.H.); (J.Z.); (C.E.)
- Brain Imaging Center, Schleusenweg 2-16, Haus 95H, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tim Schäfer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Deutschordenstrasse 50, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany; (A.B.); (C.M.); (T.S.); (H.S.); (N.H.); (J.Z.); (C.E.)
- Brain Imaging Center, Schleusenweg 2-16, Haus 95H, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hanna Seelemeyer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Deutschordenstrasse 50, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany; (A.B.); (C.M.); (T.S.); (H.S.); (N.H.); (J.Z.); (C.E.)
- Brain Imaging Center, Schleusenweg 2-16, Haus 95H, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Njål Herøy
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Deutschordenstrasse 50, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany; (A.B.); (C.M.); (T.S.); (H.S.); (N.H.); (J.Z.); (C.E.)
- Brain Imaging Center, Schleusenweg 2-16, Haus 95H, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jennifer Zimmermann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Deutschordenstrasse 50, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany; (A.B.); (C.M.); (T.S.); (H.S.); (N.H.); (J.Z.); (C.E.)
- Brain Imaging Center, Schleusenweg 2-16, Haus 95H, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Charlotte Marie Pretzsch
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London SE5 8AF, UK;
| | - Elke Hattingen
- Institute for Neuroradiology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany;
| | - Christine Ecker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Deutschordenstrasse 50, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany; (A.B.); (C.M.); (T.S.); (H.S.); (N.H.); (J.Z.); (C.E.)
- Brain Imaging Center, Schleusenweg 2-16, Haus 95H, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London SE5 8AF, UK;
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9
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Srivastava S, Condy E, Carmody E, Filip-Dhima R, Kapur K, Bernstein JA, Berry-Kravis E, Powell CM, Soorya L, Thurm A, Buxbaum JD, Sahin M, Kolevzon AL. Parent-reported measure of repetitive behavior in Phelan-McDermid syndrome. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:53. [PMID: 34740315 PMCID: PMC8570010 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-021-09398-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Phelan McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a neurogenetic condition associated with a high prevalence of intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study provides a more comprehensive and quantitative profile of repetitive behaviors within the context of ID seen with the condition. Methods Individuals age 3–21 years with a confirmed PMS diagnosis participated in a multicenter observational study evaluating the phenotype and natural history of the disorder. We evaluated data collected from this study pertaining to repetitive behaviors from the Repetitive Behavior Scales-Revised (RBS-R). Results There were n = 90 participants who were part of this analysis. Forty-seven percent (n = 42/90) were female, and the average age at baseline evaluation was 8.88 ± 4.72 years. The mean best estimate IQ of the cohort was 26.08 ± 17.67 (range = 3.4–88), with n = 8 with mild ID (or no ID), n = 20 with moderate ID, and n = 62 with severe-profound ID. The RBS-R total overall score was 16.46 ± 13.9 (compared to 33.14 ± 20.60 reported in previous studies of ASD) (Lam and Aman, 2007), and the total number of items endorsed was 10.40 ± 6.81 (range = 0–29). After statistical correction for multiple comparisons, IQ correlated with the RBS-R stereotypic behavior subscale score (rs = − 0.33, unadjusted p = 0.0014, adjusted p = 0.01) and RBS-R stereotypic behavior total number of endorsed items (rs = − 0.32, unadjusted p = 0.0019, adjusted p = 0.01). IQ did not correlate with any other RBS-R subscale scores. Conclusions The RBS-R total overall score in a PMS cohort appears milder compared to individuals with ASD characterized in previous studies. Stereotypic behavior in PMS may reflect cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Srivastava
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Emma Condy
- Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Phenotyping Service, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Erin Carmody
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rajna Filip-Dhima
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kush Kapur
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan A Bernstein
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Berry-Kravis
- Department of Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Craig M Powell
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Latha Soorya
- Department of Psychiatry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Audrey Thurm
- Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Phenotyping Service, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A Lexander Kolevzon
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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10
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Pirbhoy PS, Jonak CR, Syed R, Argueta DA, Perez PA, Wiley MB, Hessamian K, Lovelace JW, Razak KA, DiPatrizio NV, Ethell IM, Binder DK. Increased 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol levels normalize cortical responses to sound and improve behaviors in Fmr1 KO mice. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:47. [PMID: 34645383 PMCID: PMC8513313 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-021-09394-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Individuals with Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit an array of symptoms, including sociability deficits, increased anxiety, hyperactivity, and sensory hyperexcitability. It is unclear how endocannabinoid (eCB) modulation can be targeted to alleviate neurophysiological abnormalities in FXS as behavioral research reveals benefits to inhibiting cannabinoid (CB) receptor activation and increasing endocannabinoid ligand levels. Here, we hypothesize that enhancement of 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol (2-AG) in Fragile X mental retardation 1 gene knock-out (Fmr1 KO) mice may reduce cortical hyperexcitability and behavioral abnormalities observed in FXS. Methods To test whether an increase in 2-AG levels normalized cortical responses in a mouse model of FXS, animals were subjected to electroencephalography (EEG) recording and behavioral assessment following treatment with JZL-184, an irreversible inhibitor of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). Assessment of 2-AG was performed using lipidomic analysis in conjunction with various doses and time points post-administration of JZL-184. Baseline electrocortical activity and evoked responses to sound stimuli were measured using a 30-channel multielectrode array (MEA) in adult male mice before, 4 h, and 1 day post-intraperitoneal injection of JZL-184 or vehicle. Behavior assessment was done using the open field and elevated plus maze 4 h post-treatment. Results Lipidomic analysis showed that 8 mg/kg JZL-184 significantly increased the levels of 2-AG in the auditory cortex of both Fmr1 KO and WT mice 4 h post-treatment compared to vehicle controls. EEG recordings revealed a reduction in the abnormally enhanced baseline gamma-band power in Fmr1 KO mice and significantly improved evoked synchronization to auditory stimuli in the gamma-band range post-JZL-184 treatment. JZL-184 treatment also ameliorated anxiety-like and hyperactivity phenotypes in Fmr1 KO mice. Conclusions Overall, these results indicate that increasing 2-AG levels may serve as a potential therapeutic approach to normalize cortical responses and improve behavioral outcomes in FXS and possibly other ASDs. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11689-021-09394-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia S Pirbhoy
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Carrie R Jonak
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Rashid Syed
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Donovan A Argueta
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Pedro A Perez
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Mark B Wiley
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Keon Hessamian
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Jonathan W Lovelace
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Khaleel A Razak
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Nicholas V DiPatrizio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Iryna M Ethell
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Devin K Binder
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
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11
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Gennaccaro L, Fuchs C, Loi M, Pizzo R, Alvente S, Berteotti C, Lupori L, Sagona G, Galvani G, Gurgone A, Raspanti A, Medici G, Tassinari M, Trazzi S, Ren E, Rimondini R, Pizzorusso T, Giovanna Z, Maurizio G, Elisabetta C. Age-Related Cognitive and Motor Decline in a Mouse Model of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder is Associated with Increased Neuronal Senescence and Death. Aging Dis 2021; 12:764-785. [PMID: 34094641 PMCID: PMC8139207 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2020.0827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a severe neurodevelopmental disease caused by mutations in the X-linked CDKL5 gene. Children affected by CDD display a clinical phenotype characterized by early-onset epilepsy, intellectual disability, motor impairment, and autistic-like features. Although the clinical aspects associated with CDKL5 mutations are well described in children, adults with CDD are still under-characterized. Similarly, most animal research has been carried out on young adult Cdkl5 knockout (KO) mice only. Since age represents a risk factor for the worsening of symptoms in many neurodevelopmental disorders, understanding age differences in the development of behavioral deficits is crucial in order to optimize the impact of therapeutic interventions. Here, we compared young adult Cdkl5 KO mice with middle-aged Cdkl5 KO mice, at a behavioral, neuroanatomical, and molecular level. We found an age-dependent decline in motor, cognitive, and social behaviors in Cdkl5 KO mice, as well as in breathing and sleep patterns. The behavioral decline in older Cdkl5 KO mice was not associated with a worsening of neuroanatomical alterations, such as decreased dendritic arborization or spine density, but was paralleled by decreased neuronal survival in different brain regions such as the hippocampus, cortex, and basal ganglia. Interestingly, we found increased β-galactosidase activity and DNA repair protein levels, γH2AX and XRCC5, in the brains of older Cdkl5 KO mice, which suggests that an absence of Cdkl5 accelerates neuronal senescence/death by triggering irreparable DNA damage. In summary, this work provides evidence that CDKL5 may play a fundamental role in neuronal survival during brain aging and suggests a possible worsening with age of the clinical picture in CDD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gennaccaro
- 1Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Fuchs
- 1Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Manuela Loi
- 1Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pizzo
- 2Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Sara Alvente
- 1Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Berteotti
- 1Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Leonardo Lupori
- 3BIO@SNS lab, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,4Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Sagona
- 4Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy.,5Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,6Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Galvani
- 1Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonia Gurgone
- 2Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio Medici
- 1Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marianna Tassinari
- 1Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Trazzi
- 1Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Ren
- 1Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Rimondini
- 7Department of Medical and Clinical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Tommaso Pizzorusso
- 3BIO@SNS lab, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,4Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy.,5Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Zoccoli Giovanna
- 1Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giustetto Maurizio
- 2Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,8National Institute of Neuroscience-Italy, Turin, Italy
| | - Ciani Elisabetta
- 1Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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12
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Bullard L, Harvey D, Abbeduto L. Maternal Mental Health and Parenting Stress and Their Relationships to Characteristics of the Child With Fragile X Syndrome. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:716585. [PMID: 34899411 PMCID: PMC8651564 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.716585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Although previous research supports the notion that characteristics of both the child and the mother impact maternal well-being and parenting stress in mothers of children with FXS, more work is needed in which self-report measures are supplemented by physiological measures of stress and well-being. The inclusion of physiological measures, such as heart rate variability (HRV), may provide a window into the biological origins and consequences of maternal perceptions of their experiences, including the challenges of raising a child with developmental challenges. The proposed project, therefore, involved the collection of multimodal assessment data from mothers and their school-aged children with FXS. Further, given the importance of understanding how mothers of youth with FXS are faring in their everyday environment, the present study collected all data using telehealth procedures and wearable technology. Participants were 20 biological mothers and their children with FXS between the ages of 6 and 11 years. We measured maternal mental health and parenting stress through self-report as well as through HRV as a more objective measure of psychological well-being. We also examined the associations between these variables and child characteristics such as externalizing and internalizing behaviors as well as autism symptomatology. We found significant support for an elevated rate of depressive symptoms in the sample of mothers (35%) and some potential indicators for heightened rates of anxiety (15%) when compared to normed samples and rates in the general population. We also found that the mothers presented with an atypical HRV profile akin to those experiencing depression or chronic stress, although limitations of the present measure suggest the need for additional confirmatory research. Further, we found that child externalizing behaviors were the primary correlates of maternal well-being. These findings contribute to the growing body of literature regarding the unique challenges faced by these mother-child dyads and supports the importance of increasing the availability of services available to these mothers, not only for meeting the needs of their children's development and behavior, but in supporting their own well-being as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Bullard
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Danielle Harvey
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Leonard Abbeduto
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, United States
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13
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Licence L, Oliver C, Moss J, Richards C. Prevalence and Risk-Markers of Self-Harm in Autistic Children and Adults. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 50:3561-3574. [PMID: 31655964 PMCID: PMC7502049 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04260-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Self-harm is purportedly common in autistic individuals, but under-researched, particularly in younger samples and those without intellectual disability. This study aimed to describe prevalence, profile and correlates of self-harm in autistic individuals without impairments in adaptive functioning. Parents of autistic participants (n = 83) completed questionnaires regarding the presence/topography of self-harm, demographic characteristics, autism severity, age of diagnosis, affect, activity levels and repetitive behaviour. 24.10% of participants engaged in self-harm. Self‐harm was associated with significantly higher levels of impulsivity, over-activity, negative affect, compulsive behaviour and insistence on sameness. Low mood and overactivity/impulsivity predicted the presence of self-harm, with the model correctly classifying 82.9% of cases. Findings highlight a role for impaired behavioural inhibition and low mood in the aetiological mechanisms underpinning self-harm in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Licence
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Chris Oliver
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Jo Moss
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.,School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Caroline Richards
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
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14
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MacDuffie KE, Munson J, Greenson J, Ward TM, Rogers SJ, Dawson G, Estes A. Sleep Problems and Trajectories of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 50:3844-3856. [PMID: 32140983 PMCID: PMC10513108 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04438-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Sleep problems are prevalent in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and are associated with the expression of restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs). Children (n = 57) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD, n = 38) or developmental delay (DD, n = 19) participated in multiple assessments of intellectual ability, ASD symptoms, and RRBs (3 timepoints for ASD, 2 for DD). Sleep problems assessed at age 4 via parent report were associated with trajectories of higher-order RRBs (sameness/ritualistic/compulsive behaviors) from age 2-6 in the ASD group, and from age 2-4 in the DD group, even after controlling for intellectual ability, social-affective symptoms, and anxiety. Trajectories of stereotyped/restricted behaviors were unrelated to sleep problems. Sleep problems were associated with trajectories of higher-order (but not lower-order) RRBs in a transdiagnostic sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E MacDuffie
- Department of Speech and Hearing Science, UW Autism Center, University of Washington, Box 957920, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Jeffrey Munson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jessica Greenson
- Department of Speech and Hearing Science, UW Autism Center, University of Washington, Box 957920, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Teresa M Ward
- Department of Psychosocial and Community Health Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sally J Rogers
- University of CA-Davis (UC Davis) Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Geraldine Dawson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development and the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Annette Estes
- Department of Speech and Hearing Science, UW Autism Center, University of Washington, Box 957920, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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15
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Peixoto RT, Chantranupong L, Hakim R, Levasseur J, Wang W, Merchant T, Gorman K, Budnik B, Sabatini BL. Abnormal Striatal Development Underlies the Early Onset of Behavioral Deficits in Shank3B -/- Mice. Cell Rep 2020; 29:2016-2027.e4. [PMID: 31722214 PMCID: PMC6889826 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.10.021] [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] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The neural substrates and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the onset of cognitive and motor deficits in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) remain unclear. Mutations in ASD-associated SHANK3 in mice (Shank3B−/−) result in the accelerated maturation of corticostriatal circuits during the second and third postnatal weeks. Here, we show that during this period, there is extensive remodeling of the striatal synaptic proteome and a developmental switch in glutamatergic synaptic plasticity induced by cortical hyperactivity in striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs). Behavioral abnormalities in Shank3B−/− mice emerge during this stage and are ameliorated by normalizing excitatory synapse connectivity in medial striatal regions by the downregulation of PKA activity. These results suggest that the abnormal postnatal development of striatal circuits is implicated in the onset of behavioral deficits in Shank3B−/− mice and that modulation of postsynaptic PKA activity can be used to regulate corticostriatal drive in developing SPNs of mouse models of ASDs and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Peixoto et al. show that the onset of behavioral deficits in Shank3B−/− mice occurs during early postnatal development and that these can be ameliorated by reducing the glutamatergic synaptic drive in medial regions of the striatum by the downregulation of PKA activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Tiago Peixoto
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Lynne Chantranupong
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Richard Hakim
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - James Levasseur
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wengang Wang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tasha Merchant
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kelly Gorman
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Bogdan Budnik
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomic Laboratory, FAS Division of Science, Harvard University, 52 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Bernardo Luis Sabatini
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
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16
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Razak KA, Dominick KC, Erickson CA. Developmental studies in fragile X syndrome. J Neurodev Disord 2020; 12:13. [PMID: 32359368 PMCID: PMC7196229 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-020-09310-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common single gene cause of autism and intellectual disabilities. Humans with FXS exhibit increased anxiety, sensory hypersensitivity, seizures, repetitive behaviors, cognitive inflexibility, and social behavioral impairments. The main purpose of this review is to summarize developmental studies of FXS in humans and in the mouse model, the Fmr1 knockout mouse. The literature presents considerable evidence that a number of early developmental deficits can be identified and that these early deficits chart a course of altered developmental experience leading to symptoms well characterized in adolescents and adults. Nevertheless, a number of critical issues remain unclear or untested regarding the development of symptomology and underlying mechanisms. First, what is the role of FMRP, the protein product of Fmr1 gene, during different developmental ages? Does the absence of FMRP during early development lead to irreversible changes, or could reintroduction of FMRP or therapeutics aimed at FMRP-interacting proteins/pathways hold promise when provided in adults? These questions have implications for clinical trial designs in terms of optimal treatment windows, but few studies have systematically addressed these issues in preclinical and clinical work. Published studies also point to complex trajectories of symptom development, leading to the conclusion that single developmental time point studies are unlikely to disambiguate effects of genetic mutation from effects of altered developmental experience and compensatory plasticity. We conclude by suggesting a number of experiments needed to address these major gaps in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaleel A Razak
- Department of Psychology and Graduate Neuroscience Program, University of California, Riverside, USA
| | - Kelli C Dominick
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 4002, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Craig A Erickson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA. .,Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 4002, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
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17
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Swanson MR, Hazlett HC. White matter as a monitoring biomarker for neurodevelopmental disorder intervention studies. J Neurodev Disord 2019; 11:33. [PMID: 31839003 PMCID: PMC6912948 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-019-9295-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early intervention is a valuable tool to support the development of toddlers with neurodevelopmental disorders. With recent research advances in early identification that allow for pre-symptomatic detection of autism in infancy, scientists are looking forward to intervention during infancy. These advances may be supported by the identification of biologically based treatment and outcome measures that are sensitive and dimensional. The purpose of this review is to evaluate white matter neurodevelopment as a monitoring biomarker for early treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as used as exemplars. White matter has unique neurobiology, including a prolonged period of dynamic development. This developmental pattern may make white matter especially responsive to treatment. White matter develops aberrantly in children with ASD and FXS. Histologic studies in rodents have provided targets for FXS pharmacological intervention. However, pharmaceutical clinical trials in humans failed to garner positive clinical results. In this article, we argue that the use of neurobiological monitoring biomarkers may overcome some of these limitations, as they are objective, not susceptible to placebo effects, and are dimensional in nature. SHORT CONCLUSION As the field moves towards earlier detection and early intervention for neurodevelopmental disorders, we encourage scientists to consider the advantages of using neurobiological features as monitoring biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan R Swanson
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, GR41, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080-3021, USA.
| | - Heather C Hazlett
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA
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18
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Díez-León M, Kitchenham L, Duprey R, Bailey CDC, Choleris E, Lewis M, Mason G. Neurophysiological correlates of stereotypic behaviour in a model carnivore species. Behav Brain Res 2019; 373:112056. [PMID: 31288059 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Stereotypic behaviour (SB) is common in animals housed in farm, zoo or laboratory conditions, including captive Carnivora (e.g. wild ursids and felids). Neurobiological data on housing-induced SBs come from four species (macaques, two rodent species, and horses), and suggest basal ganglia (BG) dysfunction. We investigated whether similar patterns occur in Carnivora via a model, American mink, because their SB is distinctive in form and timing. We raised 32 males in non-enriched (NE) or enriched (E) cages for 2 years, and assessed two forms of SB: 1) Carnivora-typical locomotor-and-whole-body ('loco') SBs (e.g. pacing, weaving); 2) scrabbling with the forepaws. Neuronal activity was analysed via cytochrome oxidase (CO) staining of the dorsal striatum (caudate; putamen), globus pallidus (externus, GPe; internus, GPi), STN, and nucleus accumbens (NAc); and the GPe:GPi ratio (GPr) calculated to assess relative activation of direct and indirect pathways. NE mink stereotyped more, and had lower GPr CO-staining indicating relatively lower indirect pathway activation. However, no single BG area was affected by housing and nor did GPr values covary with SB. Independent of housing, elevated NAc CO-staining predicted more loco SB, while scrabbling, probably because it negatively correlated with loco SB, negatively covaried with NAc CO-staining in NE subjects. These results thus implicate the NAc in individual differences in mink SB. However, because they cannot explain why NE subjects showed more SB, they provide limited support for the BG dysfunction hypothesis for this species' housing-induced SB. More research is therefore needed to understand how barren housing causes SB in captive Carnivora.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Díez-León
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, UK.
| | - L Kitchenham
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Canada
| | - R Duprey
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, USA
| | - C D C Bailey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Canada
| | - E Choleris
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Canada
| | - M Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, USA
| | - G Mason
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Canada
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19
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Weston CSE. Four Social Brain Regions, Their Dysfunctions, and Sequelae, Extensively Explain Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptomatology. Brain Sci 2019; 9:E130. [PMID: 31167459 PMCID: PMC6627615 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9060130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a challenging neurodevelopmental disorder with symptoms in social, language, sensory, motor, cognitive, emotional, repetitive behavior, and self-sufficient living domains. The important research question examined is the elucidation of the pathogenic neurocircuitry that underlies ASD symptomatology in all its richness and heterogeneity. The presented model builds on earlier social brain research, and hypothesizes that four social brain regions largely drive ASD symptomatology: amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), temporoparietal cortex (TPC), and insula. The amygdala's contributions to ASD largely derive from its major involvement in fine-grained intangible knowledge representations and high-level guidance of gaze. In addition, disrupted brain regions can drive disturbance of strongly interconnected brain regions to produce further symptoms. These and related effects are proposed to underlie abnormalities of the visual cortex, inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), caudate nucleus, and hippocampus as well as associated symptoms. The model is supported by neuroimaging, neuropsychological, neuroanatomical, cellular, physiological, and behavioral evidence. Collectively, the model proposes a novel, parsimonious, and empirically testable account of the pathogenic neurocircuitry of ASD, an extensive account of its symptomatology, a novel physiological biomarker with potential for earlier diagnosis, and novel experiments to further elucidate the mechanisms of brain abnormalities and symptomatology in ASD.
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Gipson TT, Poretti A, Kelley SA, Carson KA, Johnston MV, Huisman TAGM. Characterization of the Basal Ganglia Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Children with Self-Injurious Behavior and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. J Neuroimaging 2019; 29:506-511. [PMID: 31056796 PMCID: PMC6618151 DOI: 10.1111/jon.12628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare, genetic disease that is associated with multiple manifestations including epilepsy and autism. Self‐injurious behaviors (SIBs) also occur in a subset of patients. This study used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in children with TSC for quantitative and volumetric analysis of brain regions that have been associated with SIB in other genetic conditions. METHODS We used DTI to compare 6 children with TSC‐associated SIB and 10 children with TSC without SIB. Atlas‐based analysis of DTI data and calculation of number of voxels; fractional anisotropy (FA); and mean, axial, and radial diffusivity were performed for multiple regions; DTI measures were summarized using medians and interquartile ranges and were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum tests and false discovery rates (FDRs). RESULTS Analysis showed that children with TSC and SIB had reduced numbers of voxels (median) in the bilateral globus pallidus (right: 218 vs. 260, P = .008, FDR = .18; left: 222 vs. 274, P = .002, FDR = .12) and caudate nucleus (right: 712 vs. 896, P = .01, FDR = .26; left: 702 vs. 921, P = .03, FDR = .44) and reduced FA in the bilateral globus pallidus (right: .233 vs. .272, P = .003, FDR = .12; left: .223 vs. .247, P = .004, FDR = .12) and left caudate nucleus (.162 vs. .186, P = .03, FDR = .39) versus children without SIB. No other statistically significant differences were found. CONCLUSIONS These data support a correlation between lower volumes of the globus pallidus and caudate with SIB in children with TSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanjala T Gipson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN.,Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, Memphis, TN
| | - Andrea Poretti
- Division of Pediatric Radiology and Pediatric Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Sarah A Kelley
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Kathryn A Carson
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD.,Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Michael V Johnston
- Departments of Pediatrics, Neurology, Physical Medicine, and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Thierry A G M Huisman
- Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, Memphis, TN
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Pote I, Wang S, Sethna V, Blasi A, Daly E, Kuklisova‐Murgasova M, Lloyd‐Fox S, Mercure E, Busuulwa P, Stoencheva V, Charman T, Williams SCR, Johnson MH, Murphy DGM, McAlonan GM. Familial risk of autism alters subcortical and cerebellar brain anatomy in infants and predicts the emergence of repetitive behaviors in early childhood. Autism Res 2019; 12:614-627. [PMID: 30801993 PMCID: PMC6519039 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition, and infant siblings of children with ASD are at a higher risk of developing autistic traits or an ASD diagnosis, when compared to those with typically developing siblings. Reports of differences in brain anatomy and function in high-risk infants which predict later autistic behaviors are emerging, but although cerebellar and subcortical brain regions have been frequently implicated in ASD, no high-risk study has examined these regions. Therefore, in this study, we compared regional MRI volumes across the whole brain in 4-6-month-old infants with (high-risk, n = 24) and without (low-risk, n = 26) a sibling with ASD. Within the high-risk group, we also examined whether any regional differences observed were associated with autistic behaviors at 36 months. We found that high-risk infants had significantly larger cerebellar and subcortical volumes at 4-6-months of age, relative to low-risk infants; and that larger volumes in high-risk infants were linked to more repetitive behaviors at 36 months. Our preliminary observations require replication in longitudinal studies of larger samples. If correct, they suggest that the early subcortex and cerebellum volumes may be predictive biomarkers for childhood repetitive behaviors. Autism Res 2019, 12: 614-627. © 2019 The Authors. Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research published byWiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Individuals with a family history of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at risk of ASD and related developmental difficulties. This study revealed that 4-6-month-old infants at high-risk of ASD have larger cerebellum and subcortical volumes than low-risk infants, and that larger volumes in high-risk infants are associated with more repetitive behaviors in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Pote
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical EngineeringKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Siying Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering ScienceUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Vaheshta Sethna
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Anna Blasi
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, BirkbeckUniversity of LondonLondonUK
| | - Eileen Daly
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Maria Kuklisova‐Murgasova
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical EngineeringKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Sarah Lloyd‐Fox
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, BirkbeckUniversity of LondonLondonUK
| | - Evelyne Mercure
- Institute of Cognitive NeuroscienceUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Paula Busuulwa
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
- GKT School of Medical EducationKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Vladimira Stoencheva
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Tony Charman
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Steven C. R. Williams
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Mark H. Johnson
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, BirkbeckUniversity of LondonLondonUK
| | - Declan G. M. Murphy
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Grainne M. McAlonan
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College LondonLondonUK
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Srivastava S, Scherrer B, Prohl AK, Filip-Dhima R, Kapur K, Kolevzon A, Buxbaum JD, Berry-Kravis E, Soorya L, Thurm A, Powell CM, Bernstein JA, Warfield SK, Sahin M. Volumetric Analysis of the Basal Ganglia and Cerebellar Structures in Patients with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. Pediatr Neurol 2019; 90:37-43. [PMID: 30396833 PMCID: PMC6309632 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Phelan-McDermid syndrome is caused by haploinsufficiency of SHANK3 on terminal chromosome 22. Knowledge about altered neuroanatomic circuitry in Phelan-McDermid syndrome comes from mouse models showing striatal hypertrophy in the basal ganglia, and from humans with evidence of cerebellar atrophy. To date, no studies have performed volumetric analysis on Phelan-McDermid syndrome patients. METHODS We performed volumetric analysis of baseline brain MRIs of Phelan-McDermid syndrome patients (ages three to 21 years) enrolled in a prospective natural history study (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02461420). Using MRI segmentations carried out with PSTAPLE algorithm, we measured relative volumes (volume of the structure divided by the volume of the brain parenchyma) of basal ganglia and cerebellar structures. We compared these measurements to those of age- and sex-matched healthy controls part of another study. Among the patients, we performed linear regression of each relative volume using Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised total score and Aberrant Behavior Checklist stereotypy score. Eleven patients with Phelan-McDermid syndrome (six females, five males) and 11 healthy controls were in this analysis. RESULTS At time of MRI, the mean age of the patients and controls was 9.24 (5.29) years and 9.00 (4.49) years, respectively (P = 0.66). Compared to controls, patients had decreased caudate (P ≤ 0.013), putamen (P ≤ 0.026), and left pallidum (P = 0.033) relative volumes. Relative volume of cerebellar vermal lobules I to V (beta coefficient = -17119, P = 0.017) decreased with increasing Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised total score. CONCLUSIONS The volumes of the striatum and left pallidum are decreased in individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome. Cerebellar vermis volume may predict repetitive behavior severity in Phelan-McDermid syndrome. These findings warrant further investigation in larger samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Srivastava
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,USA,F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benoit Scherrer
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna K. Prohl
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rajna Filip-Dhima
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,USA
| | - Kush Kapur
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,USA
| | - Alexander Kolevzon
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph D. Buxbaum
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA,Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA,Department of Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth Berry-Kravis
- Department of Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA,Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA,Department of Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Latha Soorya
- Department of Psychiatry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Audrey Thurm
- Pediatrics and Developmental Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Craig M. Powell
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan A Bernstein
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Simon K. Warfield
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Hall SS, Hustyi KM, Barnett RP. Examining the influence of social-environmental variables on self-injurious behaviour in adolescent boys with fragile X syndrome. JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH : JIDR 2018; 62:1072-1085. [PMID: 29693293 PMCID: PMC6609101 DOI: 10.1111/jir.12489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common known inherited form of intellectual disability, are at increased risk for showing specific forms of self-injurious behaviour (SIB) such as hand biting and head hitting, suggesting that biological factors associated with the syndrome confers increased risk for SIB. Few studies, however, have examined the extent to which social-environmental variables can influence the occurrence of these behaviours in this population. METHOD Twenty-two adolescent boys with FXS, aged 10 to 18 years were systematically exposed to seven environmental conditions in functional analyses of SIB conducted over 2 days at our research centre. RESULTS Fourteen (63.6%) boys with FXS engaged in SIB during the functional analyses. Ten (45.5%) boys engaged in SIB that was maintained by social-environmental variables, that is, gaining access to attention/tangibles and/or escaping from social interaction, task demands and/or transition demands. For two boys, SIB was undifferentiated across conditions, and for two boys, SIB appeared to be maintained by automatic reinforcement. CONCLUSIONS Social-environmental variables appeared to maintain SIB in a significant proportion of boys with FXS. Given that pharmacological treatments for SIB have limited efficacy in this population, the potential role of social-environmental factors on SIB should be examined before pharmacological treatments are implemented for these behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Hall
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - K M Hustyi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - R P Barnett
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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The neural circuitry of restricted repetitive behavior: Magnetic resonance imaging in neurodevelopmental disorders and animal models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 92:152-171. [PMID: 29802854 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are patterns of behavior that exhibit little variation in form and have no obvious function. RRBs although transdiagonstic are a particularly prominent feature of certain neurodevelopmental disorders, yet relatively little is known about the neural circuitry of RRBs. Past work in this area has focused on isolated brain regions and neurotransmitter systems, but implementing a neural circuit approach has the potential to greatly improve understanding of RRBs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is well-suited to studying the structural and functional connectivity of the nervous system, and is a highly translational research tool. In this review, we synthesize MRI research from both neurodevelopmental disorders and relevant animal models that informs the neural circuitry of RRB. Together, these studies implicate distributed neural circuits between the cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. Despite progress in neuroimaging of RRB, there are many opportunities for conceptual and methodological improvement. We conclude by suggesting future directions for MRI research in RRB, and how such studies can benefit from complementary approaches in neuroscience.
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25
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Swanson MR, Wolff JJ, Shen MD, Styner M, Estes A, Gerig G, McKinstry RC, Botteron KN, Piven J, Hazlett HC. Development of White Matter Circuitry in Infants With Fragile X Syndrome. JAMA Psychiatry 2018; 75:505-513. [PMID: 29617515 PMCID: PMC6026861 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2018.0180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder and the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability in males. However, there are no published data on brain development in children with FXS during infancy. OBJECTIVE To characterize the development of white matter at ages 6, 12, and 24 months in infants with FXS compared with that of typically developing controls. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Longitudinal behavioral and brain imaging data were collected at 1 or more time points from 27 infants with FXS and 73 typically developing controls between August 1, 2008, and June 14, 2016, at 2 academic medical centers. Infants in the control group had no first- or second-degree relatives with intellectual or psychiatric disorders, including FXS and autism spectrum disorder. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Nineteen major white matter pathways were defined in common atlas space based on anatomically informed methods. Diffusion parameters, including fractional anisotropy, were compared between groups using linear mixed effects modeling. Fiber pathways showing group differences were subsequently examined in association with direct measures of verbal and nonverbal development. RESULTS There were significant differences in the development of 12 of 19 fiber tracts between the 27 infants with FXS (22 boys and 5 girls) and the 73 infants in the control group (46 boys and 27 girls), with lower fractional anisotropy in bilateral subcortical-frontal, occipital-temporal, temporal-frontal, and cerebellar-thalamic pathways, as well as 4 of 6 subdivisions of the corpus callosum. For all 12 of these pathways, there were significant main effects between groups but not for the interaction of age × group, indicating that lower fractional anisotropy was present and stable from age 6 months in infants with FXS. Lower fractional anisotropy values in the uncinate fasciculi were correlated with lower nonverbal developmental quotient in the FXS group (left uncinate, F = 10.06; false discovery rate-corrected P = .03; right uncinate, F = 21.8; P = .004). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The results substantiate in human infants the essential role of fragile X gene expression in the early development of white matter. The findings also suggest that the neurodevelopmental effects of FXS are well established at 6 months of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan R. Swanson
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Jason J. Wolff
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Mark D. Shen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Martin Styner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Annette Estes
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Guido Gerig
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn
| | - Robert C. McKinstry
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Kelly N. Botteron
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri,Department of Radiology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Joseph Piven
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Wolff JJ, Jacob S, Elison JT. The journey to autism: Insights from neuroimaging studies of infants and toddlers. Dev Psychopathol 2018; 30:479-495. [PMID: 28631578 PMCID: PMC5834406 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579417000980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
By definition, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that emerges during early childhood. It is during this time that infants and toddlers transition from appearing typical across multiple domains to exhibiting the behavioral phenotype of ASD. Neuroimaging studies focused on this period of development have provided crucial knowledge pertaining to this process, including possible mechanisms underlying pathogenesis of the disorder and offering the possibility of prodromal or presymptomatic prediction of risk. In this paper, we review findings from structural and functional brain imaging studies of ASD focused on the first years of life and discuss implications for next steps in research and clinical applications.
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Potential Risk Factors for the Development of Self-Injurious Behavior among Infants at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 47:1403-1415. [PMID: 28220358 PMCID: PMC5385192 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3057-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Prevalence of self-injurious behavior (SIB) is as high as 50% among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Identification of risk factors for the development of SIB is critical to early intervention and prevention. However, there is little empirical research utilizing a prospective design to identify early risk factors for SIB. The purpose of this study was to evaluate behavioral characteristics predicting SIB at age 2 years among 235 infants at high familial risk for ASD. Logistic regression results indicated that presence of SIB or proto-SIB and lower developmental functioning at age 12 months significantly predicted SIB at 24 months. A pattern of persistent SIB over this period was associated with a diagnosis of autism and poorer cognitive and adaptive outcomes.
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Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading inherited form of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, and patients can present with severe behavioural alterations, including hyperactivity, impulsivity and anxiety, in addition to poor language development and seizures. FXS is a trinucleotide repeat disorder, in which >200 repeats of the CGG motif in FMR1 leads to silencing of the gene and the consequent loss of its product, fragile X mental retardation 1 protein (FMRP). FMRP has a central role in gene expression and regulates the translation of potentially hundreds of mRNAs, many of which are involved in the development and maintenance of neuronal synaptic connections. Indeed, disturbances in neuroplasticity is a key finding in FXS animal models, and an imbalance in inhibitory and excitatory neuronal circuits is believed to underlie many of the clinical manifestations of this disorder. Our knowledge of the proteins that are regulated by FMRP is rapidly growing, and this has led to the identification of multiple targets for therapeutic intervention, some of which have already moved into clinical trials or clinical practice.
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Longitudinal identification of clinically distinct neurophenotypes in young children with fragile X syndrome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:10767-10772. [PMID: 28923933 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1620994114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS), due to mutations of the FMR1 gene, is the most common known inherited cause of developmental disability. The cognitive, behavioral, and neurological phenotypes observed in affected individuals can vary considerably, making it difficult to predict outcomes and determine the need for interventions. We sought to examine early structural brain growth as a potential marker for identification of clinically meaningful subgroups. Participants included 42 very young boys with FXS who completed a T1-weighted anatomical MRI and cognitive/behavioral assessment at two longitudinal time points, with mean ages of 2.89 y and 4.91 y. Topological data analysis (TDA), an unsupervised approach to multivariate pattern analysis, was applied to the longitudinal anatomical data to identify coherent but heretofore unknown subgroups. TDA revealed two large subgroups within the study population based solely on longitudinal MRI data. Post hoc comparisons of cognition, adaptive functioning, and autism severity scores between these groups demonstrated that one group was consistently higher functioning on all measures at both time points, with pronounced and significant unidirectional differences (P < 0.05 for time point 1 and/or time point 2 for each measure). These results support the existence of two longitudinally defined, neuroanatomically distinct, and clinically relevant phenotypes among boys with FXS. If confirmed by additional analyses, such information may be used to predict outcomes and guide design of targeted therapies. Furthermore, TDA of longitudinal anatomical MRI data may represent a useful method for reliably and objectively defining subtypes within other neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Grzadzinski R, Lord C, Sanders SJ, Werling D, Bal VH. Children with autism spectrum disorder who improve with fever: Insights from the Simons Simplex Collection. Autism Res 2017; 11:175-184. [PMID: 28861935 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Literature indicates that some children with ASD may show behavioral improvements during fever; however, little is known about the behavioral profiles of these children. This study aims to (a) investigate the subset of children who show parent-reported behavioral improvements associated with fever and (b) compare the demographic, behavioral, and genetic characteristics of this subset of children to children whose parents report no change during fever. Parents of 2,152 children from the Simons Simplex Collection provided information about whether and in which areas their child improved during fever. Children were randomly assigned into discovery or replication samples. In discovery analyses, children who reportedly improved with fever (Improve Group) were compared to those who reportedly did not improve (No Improve Group) on demographics, medical history, ASD symptoms, adaptive skills, and presence of de novo ASD-associated mutations. Significant and marginal results from discovery analyses were tested in the replication sample. Parent reports of 17% of children indicated improvements during fever across a range of domains. Discovery and replication analyses revealed that the Improve Group had significantly lower non-verbal cognitive skills (NVIQ) and language levels and more repetitive behaviors. Groups did not differ on demographic variables, parent-report of current ASD symptoms or the presence of de novo mutations. Understanding the profiles of children who improve during episodes of fever may provide insights into innovative treatments for ASD. Autism Res 2018, 11: 175-184. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY This study explored characteristics of children with ASD who are reported to improve during fever. Parents of 17% of children with ASD report improvements across a range of domains during fever including cognition, communication, repetitive behaviors, social interaction, and behavior. Children who are reported to improve during fever have significantly lower non-verbal cognitive skills and language levels and more repetitive behaviors. Understanding the profiles of children who improve during episodes of fever may provide insights into new treatments for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Grzadzinski
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, Weill Cornell Medicine, 21 Bloomingdale Road, White Plains, NY, 10605 (R.G., C.L.).,Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th Street, New York, NY, 10027 (R.G.)
| | - Catherine Lord
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, Weill Cornell Medicine, 21 Bloomingdale Road, White Plains, NY, 10605 (R.G., C.L.)
| | - Stephan J Sanders
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143 (S.J.S., D.W., V.H.B.)
| | - Donna Werling
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143 (S.J.S., D.W., V.H.B.)
| | - Vanessa H Bal
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143 (S.J.S., D.W., V.H.B.)
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Carlisi CO, Norman LJ, Lukito SS, Radua J, Mataix-Cols D, Rubia K. Comparative Multimodal Meta-analysis of Structural and Functional Brain Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2017; 82:83-102. [PMID: 27887721 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) share inhibitory control deficits possibly underlying poor control over stereotyped and repetitive and compulsive behaviors, respectively. However, it is unclear whether these symptom profiles are mediated by common or distinct neural profiles. This comparative multimodal meta-analysis assessed shared and disorder-specific neuroanatomy and neurofunction of inhibitory functions. METHODS A comparative meta-analysis of 62 voxel-based morphometry and 26 functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of inhibitory control was conducted comparing gray matter volume and activation abnormalities between patients with ASD (structural MRI: 911; fMRI: 188) and OCD (structural MRI: 928; fMRI: 247) and control subjects. Multimodal meta-analysis compared groups across voxel-based morphometry and fMRI. RESULTS Both disorders shared reduced function and structure in the rostral and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex including the anterior cingulate. OCD patients had a disorder-specific increase in structure and function of left basal ganglia (BG) and insula relative to control subjects and ASD patients, who had reduced right BG and insula volumes versus OCD patients. In fMRI, ASD patients showed disorder-specific reduced left dorsolateral-prefrontal activation and reduced posterior cingulate deactivation, whereas OCD patients showed temporoparietal underactivation. CONCLUSIONS The multimodal comparative meta-analysis shows shared and disorder-specific abnormalities. Whereas the rostrodorsomedial prefrontal cortex was smaller in structure and function in both disorders, this was concomitant with increased structure and function in BG and insula in OCD patients, but a reduction in ASD patients, presumably reflecting a disorder-specific frontostriatoinsular dysregulation in OCD in the form of poor frontal control over overactive BG, and a frontostriatoinsular maldevelopment in ASD with reduced structure and function in this network. Disorder-differential mechanisms appear to drive overlapping phenotypes of inhibitory control abnormalities in patients with ASD and OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina O Carlisi
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Luke J Norman
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Steve S Lukito
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joaquim Radua
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Mataix-Cols
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katya Rubia
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Klein M, van Donkelaar M, Verhoef E, Franke B. Imaging genetics in neurodevelopmental psychopathology. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2017; 174:485-537. [PMID: 29984470 PMCID: PMC7170264 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders are defined by highly heritable problems during development and brain growth. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and intellectual disability (ID) are frequent neurodevelopmental disorders, with common comorbidity among them. Imaging genetics studies on the role of disease-linked genetic variants on brain structure and function have been performed to unravel the etiology of these disorders. Here, we reviewed imaging genetics literature on these disorders attempting to understand the mechanisms of individual disorders and their clinical overlap. For ADHD and ASD, we selected replicated candidate genes implicated through common genetic variants. For ID, which is mainly caused by rare variants, we included genes for relatively frequent forms of ID occurring comorbid with ADHD or ASD. We reviewed case-control studies and studies of risk variants in healthy individuals. Imaging genetics studies for ADHD were retrieved for SLC6A3/DAT1, DRD2, DRD4, NOS1, and SLC6A4/5HTT. For ASD, studies on CNTNAP2, MET, OXTR, and SLC6A4/5HTT were found. For ID, we reviewed the genes FMR1, TSC1 and TSC2, NF1, and MECP2. Alterations in brain volume, activity, and connectivity were observed. Several findings were consistent across studies, implicating, for example, SLC6A4/5HTT in brain activation and functional connectivity related to emotion regulation. However, many studies had small sample sizes, and hypothesis-based, brain region-specific studies were common. Results from available studies confirm that imaging genetics can provide insight into the link between genes, disease-related behavior, and the brain. However, the field is still in its early stages, and conclusions about shared mechanisms cannot yet be drawn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke Klein
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein van Donkelaar
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen Verhoef
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara Franke
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Budimirovic DB, Berry-Kravis E, Erickson CA, Hall SS, Hessl D, Reiss AL, King MK, Abbeduto L, Kaufmann WE. Updated report on tools to measure outcomes of clinical trials in fragile X syndrome. J Neurodev Disord 2017; 9:14. [PMID: 28616097 PMCID: PMC5467057 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-017-9193-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fragile X syndrome (FXS) has been the neurodevelopmental disorder with the most active translation of preclinical breakthroughs into clinical trials. This process has led to a critical assessment of outcome measures, which resulted in a comprehensive review published in 2013. Nevertheless, the disappointing outcome of several recent phase III drug trials in FXS, and parallel efforts at evaluating behavioral endpoints for trials in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), has emphasized the need for re-assessing outcome measures and revising recommendations for FXS. METHODS After performing an extensive database search (PubMed, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)/National Institutes of Health (NIH)'s www.ClinicalTrials.gov, etc.) to determine progress since 2013, members of the Working Groups who published the 2013 Report evaluated the available outcome measures for FXS and related neurodevelopmental disorders using the COSMIN grading system of levels of evidence. The latter has also been applied to a British survey of endpoints for ASD. In addition, we also generated an informal classification of outcome measures for use in FXS intervention studies as instruments appropriate to detect shorter- or longer-term changes. RESULTS To date, a total of 22 double-blind controlled clinical trials in FXS have been identified through www.ClinicalTrials.gov and an extensive literature search. The vast majority of these FDA/NIH-registered clinical trials has been completed between 2008 and 2015 and has targeted the core excitatory/inhibitory imbalance present in FXS and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Limited data exist on reliability and validity for most tools used to measure cognitive, behavioral, and other problems in FXS in these trials and other studies. Overall, evidence for most tools supports a moderate tool quality grading. Data on sensitivity to treatment, currently under evaluation, could improve ratings for some cognitive and behavioral tools. Some progress has also been made at identifying promising biomarkers, mainly on blood-based and neurophysiological measures. CONCLUSION Despite the tangible progress in implementing clinical trials in FXS, the increasing data on measurement properties of endpoints, and the ongoing process of new tool development, the vast majority of outcome measures are at the moderate quality level with limited information on reliability, validity, and sensitivity to treatment. This situation is not unique to FXS, since reviews of endpoints for ASD have arrived at similar conclusions. These findings, in conjunction with the predominance of parent-based measures particularly in the behavioral domain, indicate that endpoint development in FXS needs to continue with an emphasis on more objective measures (observational, direct testing, biomarkers) that reflect meaningful improvements in quality of life. A major continuous challenge is the development of measurement tools concurrently with testing drug safety and efficacy in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejan B. Budimirovic
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Kennedy Krieger Institute and Child Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 716 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Elizabeth Berry-Kravis
- Departments of Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, 1725 West Harrison, Suite 718, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Craig A. Erickson
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 4002, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Scott S. Hall
- Division of Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
| | - David Hessl
- MIND Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis Medical Center, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Allan L. Reiss
- Division of Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences, Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Radiology and Pediatrics, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
| | - Margaret K. King
- Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, Geisinger Health System, Present address: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, US Medical, One Health Plaza, East Hanover, NJ 07936 USA
| | - Leonard Abbeduto
- MIND Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis Medical Center, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Walter E. Kaufmann
- Center for Translational Research, Greenwood Genetic Center, 113 Gregor Mendel Circle, Greenwood, SC 29646 USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115 USA
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35
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Wolff JJ, Swanson MR, Elison JT, Gerig G, Pruett JR, Styner MA, Vachet C, Botteron KN, Dager SR, Estes AM, Hazlett HC, Schultz RT, Shen MD, Zwaigenbaum L, Piven J. Neural circuitry at age 6 months associated with later repetitive behavior and sensory responsiveness in autism. Mol Autism 2017; 8:8. [PMID: 28316772 PMCID: PMC5351210 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0126-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Restricted and repetitive behaviors are defining features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Under revised diagnostic criteria for ASD, this behavioral domain now includes atypical responses to sensory stimuli. To date, little is known about the neural circuitry underlying these features of ASD early in life. Methods Longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging data were collected from 217 infants at high familial risk for ASD. Forty-four of these infants were diagnosed with ASD at age 2. Targeted cortical, cerebellar, and striatal white matter pathways were defined and measured at ages 6, 12, and 24 months. Dependent variables included the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised and the Sensory Experiences Questionnaire. Results Among children diagnosed with ASD, repetitive behaviors and sensory response patterns were strongly correlated, even when accounting for developmental level or social impairment. Longitudinal analyses indicated that the genu and cerebellar pathways were significantly associated with both repetitive behaviors and sensory responsiveness but not social deficits. At age 6 months, fractional anisotropy in the genu significantly predicted repetitive behaviors and sensory responsiveness at age 2. Cerebellar pathways significantly predicted later sensory responsiveness. Exploratory analyses suggested a possible disordinal interaction based on diagnostic status for the association between fractional anisotropy and repetitive behavior. Conclusions Our findings suggest that restricted and repetitive behaviors contributing to a diagnosis of ASD at age 2 years are associated with structural properties of callosal and cerebellar white matter pathways measured during infancy and toddlerhood. We further identified that repetitive behaviors and unusual sensory response patterns co-occur and share common brain-behavior relationships. These results were strikingly specific given the absence of association between targeted pathways and social deficits. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13229-017-0126-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason J Wolff
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Meghan R Swanson
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Jed T Elison
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Guido Gerig
- Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, New York City, NY USA
| | - John R Pruett
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Martin A Styner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Clement Vachet
- Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Kelly N Botteron
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Stephen R Dager
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Annette M Estes
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Heather C Hazlett
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Robert T Schultz
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Mark D Shen
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | | | - Joseph Piven
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
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Bechard AR, Bliznyuk N, Lewis MH. The development of repetitive motor behaviors in deer mice: Effects of environmental enrichment, repeated testing, and differential mediation by indirect basal ganglia pathway activation. Dev Psychobiol 2017; 59:390-399. [PMID: 28181216 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the mechanisms mediating the development of repetitive behaviors in human or animals. Deer mice reared with environmental enrichment (EE) exhibit fewer repetitive behaviors and greater indirect basal ganglia pathway activation as adults than those reared in standard cages. The developmental progression of these behavioral and neural circuitry changes has not been characterized. We assessed the development of repetitive behavior in deer mice using both a longitudinal and cohort design. Repeated testing negated the expected effect of EE, but cohort analyses showed that progression of repetitive behavior was arrested after 1 week of EE and differed significantly from controls after 3 weeks. Moreover, EE reductions in repetitive behavior were associated with increasing activation of indirect pathway nuclei in males across adolescence, but not females. These findings provide the first assessment of developmental trajectories within EE and support indirect pathway mediation of repetitive behavior in male deer mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison R Bechard
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Nikolay Bliznyuk
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Mark H Lewis
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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37
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Lee M, Martin GE, Berry-Kravis E, Losh M. A developmental, longitudinal investigation of autism phenotypic profiles in fragile X syndrome. J Neurodev Disord 2016; 8:47. [PMID: 28050218 PMCID: PMC5203725 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-016-9179-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeting overlapping behavioral phenotypes in neurogenetic disorders can help elucidate gene-behavior relationships. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been studied as a model for this approach, and important areas of phenotypic overlap and divergence have been documented. However, few studies have examined how the manifestation of ASD-related phenotypes in FXS may change over development, a question which has important implications for conceptualizing shared etiologies of these disorders and their constituent phenotypes. The goal of this study was to characterize ASD phenotypes in boys and girls with FXS across development, as well as to compare individual component phenotypes among boys with FXS and boys with idiopathic ASD (ASD-O) over time. METHODS Sixty-five boys and girls with FXS and 19 boys with ASD-O completed a battery of diagnostic, cognitive, and language assessments at two time points (mean 2.5 years apart). Nonparametric tests assessed changes in diagnostic classification in FXS over time, and hierarchical linear modeling and repeated measures assessed changes in individual ASD symptoms in FXS over time. Additionally, ANCOVAs compared ASD symptom severity and component phenotypes in boys with FXS-O, FXS-ASD, and ASD-O at both time points. RESULTS Overall, ASD symptom manifestation for children with FXS significantly increased over time, and developmental predictors varied based on the domain of symptoms assessed. The greatest degree of overlap was observed between boys with FXS-ASD and ASD-O in the domain of reciprocal social communication across time points, whereas boys with ASD-O demonstrated greater impairment in restricted and repetitive behaviors at the later time point. CONCLUSIONS ASD symptoms increased in FXS with age, and social language impairment emerged as a potential core shared feature of FXS and ASD that may help elucidate underlying molecular genetic variation related to phenotypic variance, and aid intervention planning for subgroups of children showing distinct phenotypes. Results highlight the value of a developmental perspective, and longitudinal data in particular, in evaluating shared behavioral phenotypes across genetic conditions, lending insight into underlying cognitive, neural, and genetic mechanisms associated with key developmental phenotypes in ASD and FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Gary E. Martin
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, St. John’s University, Staten Island, NY USA
| | | | - Molly Losh
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL USA
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Mühle C, Kreczi J, Rhein C, Richter-Schmidinger T, Alexopoulos P, Doerfler A, Lenz B, Kornhuber J. Additive sex-specific influence of common non-synonymous DISC1 variants on amygdala, basal ganglia, and white cortical surface area in healthy young adults. Brain Struct Funct 2016; 222:881-894. [PMID: 27369464 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-016-1253-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) gene is known for its role in the development of mental disorders. It is also involved in neurodevelopment, cognition, and memory. To investigate the association between DISC1 variants and brain morphology, we analyzed the influence of the three common non-synonymous polymorphisms in DISC1 on specific brain structures in healthy young adults. The volumes of brain regions were determined in 145 subjects by magnetic resonance imaging and automated analysis using FreeSurfer. Genotyping was performed by high resolution melting of amplified products. In an additive genetic model, rs6675281 (Leu607Phe), rs3738401 (Arg264Gln), and rs821616 (Ser704Cys) significantly explained the volume variance of the amygdala (p = 0.007) and the pallidum (p = 0.004). A higher cumulative portion of minor alleles was associated with larger volumes of the amygdala (p = 0.005), the pallidum (p = 0.001), the caudate (p = 0.024), and the putamen (p = 0.007). Sex-stratified analysis revealed a strong genetic effect of rs6675281 on putamen and pallidum in females but not in males and an opposite influence of rs3738401 on the white cortical surface in females compared to males. The strongest single association was found for rs821616 and the amygdala volume in male subjects (p < 0.001). No effect was detected for the nucleus accumbens. We report-to our knowledge-for the first time a significant and sex-specific influence of common DISC1 variants on volumes of the basal ganglia, the amygdala and on the cortical surface area. Our results demonstrate that the additive model of all three polymorphisms outperforms their single analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Mühle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Jakob Kreczi
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Cosima Rhein
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tanja Richter-Schmidinger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Panagiotis Alexopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar of the Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Arnd Doerfler
- Department of Neuroradiology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Lenz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
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Peixoto RT, Wang W, Croney DM, Kozorovitskiy Y, Sabatini BL. Early hyperactivity and precocious maturation of corticostriatal circuits in Shank3B(-/-) mice. Nat Neurosci 2016; 19:716-724. [PMID: 26928064 PMCID: PMC4846490 DOI: 10.1038/nn.4260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Some autistic individuals exhibit abnormal development of the caudate nucleus and associative cortical areas, suggesting potential dysfunction of cortico-basal ganglia (BG) circuits. Using optogenetic and electrophysiological approaches in mice, we identified a narrow postnatal period that is characterized by extensive glutamatergic synaptogenesis in striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs) and a concomitant increase in corticostriatal circuit activity. SPNs during early development have high intrinsic excitability and respond strongly to cortical afferents despite sparse excitatory inputs. As a result, striatum and corticostriatal connectivity are highly sensitive to acute and chronic changes in cortical activity, suggesting that early imbalances in cortical function alter BG development. Indeed, a mouse model of autism with deletions in Shank3 (Shank3B(-/-)) shows early cortical hyperactivity, which triggers increased SPN excitatory synapse and corticostriatal hyperconnectivity. These results indicate that there is a tight functional coupling between cortex and striatum during early postnatal development and suggest a potential common circuit dysfunction that is caused by cortical hyperactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui T. Peixoto
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Wengang Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Donyell M. Croney
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Bernardo L. Sabatini
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115
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40
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Shapira J, Birenboim R, Shoshani M, Abdel-Kader A, Behar O, Moskovitz M, Ben-Attar Y, Chaushu S, Becker A. Overcoming the oral aspects of -self-mutilation: description of a method. SPECIAL CARE IN DENTISTRY 2016; 36:282-7. [PMID: 27105292 DOI: 10.1111/scd.12181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Self-injurious behavior (SIB) is a serious and chronic condition frequently seen in special needs populations, affecting 10% to 17% of individuals diagnosed with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. A 2.5-year-old infant with SIB, whose presenting symptoms were severe tongue and lip lacerations accompanied by much hemorrhage, is presented here to illustrate the problem and to show how this may be prevented. MATERIALS AND METHODS An appliance is described which effectively limits the damage caused by SIB and permits rapid healing of existing injuries. RESULTS The method provides for a stable, retentive, and comfortable device on the infant's undererupted and largely nonretentive crowns of the deciduous teeth as well as for all permanent teeth in children, adolescents, and adults. CONCLUSIONS The appliance has been successfully employed for the past 10 years in patients with SIB who have attended for treatment in the Special Needs Clinic in our Department.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Shapira
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Ravit Birenboim
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michael Shoshani
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Arin Abdel-Kader
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ofra Behar
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Moti Moskovitz
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yaniv Ben-Attar
- Dental Laboratory, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Stella Chaushu
- Department of Orthodontics, Hebrew University - Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Adrian Becker
- Department of Orthodontics, Hebrew University - Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
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41
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Saffin JM, Tohid H. Walk like me, talk like me. The connection between mirror neurons and autism spectrum disorder. NEUROSCIENCES (RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA) 2016; 21:108-19. [PMID: 27094520 PMCID: PMC5107264 DOI: 10.17712/nsj.2016.2.20150472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Understanding social cognition has become a hallmark in deciphering autism spectrum disorder. Neurobiological theories are taking precedence in causation studies as researchers look to abnormalities in brain development as the cause of deficits in social behavior, cognitive processes, and language. Following their discovery in the 1990s, mirror neurons have become a dominant theory for that the mirror neuron system may play a critical role in the pathophysiology of various symptoms of autism. Over the decades, the theory has evolved from the suggestion of a broken mirror neuron system to impairments in mirror neuron circuitry. The mirror neuron system has not gained total support due to inconsistent findings; a comprehensive analysis of the growing body of research could shed light on the benefits, or the disadvantage of continuing to study mirror neurons and their connection to autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian M. Saffin
- From the Department of Psychology (Saffin), Northern Arizona University, Arizona, and the Department of Neurology (Tohid), University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA, the Center for Mind & Brain (Tohid), the Department of Neurology (Tohid), University of California, Davis, Davis, and the Department of Psychiatry (Tohid), Napa State Hospital, California, United States of America
| | - Hassaan Tohid
- From the Department of Psychology (Saffin), Northern Arizona University, Arizona, and the Department of Neurology (Tohid), University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA, the Center for Mind & Brain (Tohid), the Department of Neurology (Tohid), University of California, Davis, Davis, and the Department of Psychiatry (Tohid), Napa State Hospital, California, United States of America,Address correspondence and reprint request to: Dr. Hassaan Tohid, Center for Mind and Brain, Fairfield, California, United States of America. E-mail:
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Qiu T, Chang C, Li Y, Qian L, Xiao CY, Xiao T, Xiao X, Xiao YH, Chu KK, Lewis MH, Ke X. Two years changes in the development of caudate nucleus are involved in restricted repetitive behaviors in 2-5-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2016; 19:137-43. [PMID: 26999477 PMCID: PMC6988613 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2016.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Revised: 09/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Caudate nucleus volume is enlarged in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is associated with restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs). However, the trajectory of caudate nucleus volume in RRBs of young children remains unclear. Caudate nucleus volume was measured in 36 children with ASD and 18 matched 2-3-year-old subjects with developmentally delayed (DD) at baseline (Time 1) and at 2-year follow-up (Time 2). The differential growth rate in caudate nucleus volume was calculated. Further, the relationships between the development of caudate nucleus volume and RRBs were analyzed. Our results showed that caudate nucleus volume was significantly larger in the ASD group at both time points and the magnitude of enlargement was greater at Time 2. The rate of caudate nucleus growth during this 2-year interval was faster in children with ASD than DD. Right caudate nucleus volume growth was negatively correlated with RRBs. Findings from this study suggest developmental abnormalities of caudate nucleus volume in ASD. Longitudinal MRI studies are needed to explore the correlation between atypical growth patterns of caudate nucleus and phenotype of RRBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Qiu
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China; Child Health care Department, Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214002, China
| | - Chen Chang
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Yun Li
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Lu Qian
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Chao Yong Xiao
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Ting Xiao
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Xiang Xiao
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Yun Hua Xiao
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Kang Kang Chu
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Mark H Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
| | - Xiaoyan Ke
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
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Minshawi NF, Hurwitz S, Morriss D, McDougle CJ. Multidisciplinary assessment and treatment of self-injurious behavior in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability: integration of psychological and biological theory and approach. J Autism Dev Disord 2015; 45:1541-68. [PMID: 25395094 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-014-2307-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this review is to consider the psychological (largely behavioral) and biological [neurochemical, medical (including genetic), and pharmacological] theories and approaches that contribute to current thinking about the etiology and treatment of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual disability. Algorithms for the assessment and treatment of SIB in this context, respectively, from a multidisciplinary, integrative perspective are proposed and challenges and opportunities that exist in clinical and research settings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha F Minshawi
- Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center, James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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44
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Roine U, Roine T, Salmi J, Nieminen-von Wendt T, Tani P, Leppämäki S, Rintahaka P, Caeyenberghs K, Leemans A, Sams M. Abnormal wiring of the connectome in adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Mol Autism 2015; 6:65. [PMID: 26677408 PMCID: PMC4681075 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-015-0058-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recent brain imaging findings suggest that there are widely distributed abnormalities affecting the brain connectivity in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Using graph theoretical analysis, it is possible to investigate both global and local properties of brain’s wiring diagram, i.e., the connectome. Methods We acquired diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data from 14 adult males with high-functioning ASD and 19 age-, gender-, and IQ-matched controls. As with diffusion tensor imaging-based tractography, it is not possible to detect complex (e.g., crossing) fiber configurations, present in 60–90 % of white matter voxels; we performed constrained spherical deconvolution-based whole brain tractography. Unweighted and weighted structural brain networks were then reconstructed from these tractography data and analyzed with graph theoretical measures. Results In subjects with ASD, global efficiency was significantly decreased both in the unweighted and the weighted networks, normalized characteristic path length was significantly increased in the unweighted networks, and strength was significantly decreased in the weighted networks. In the local analyses, betweenness centrality of the right caudate was significantly increased in the weighted networks, and the strength of the right superior temporal pole was significantly decreased in the unweighted networks in subjects with ASD. Conclusions Our findings provide new insights into understanding ASD by showing that the integration of structural brain networks is decreased and that there are abnormalities in the connectivity of the right caudate and right superior temporal pole in subjects with ASD. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13229-015-0058-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika Roine
- Brain and Mind Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 2 C, FI-02150 Espoo, Finland ; Advanced Magnetic Imaging Centre, Aalto University, Otakaari 5, FI-02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Timo Roine
- iMinds-Vision Lab, Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk (Antwerp), Belgium
| | - Juha Salmi
- Brain and Mind Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 2 C, FI-02150 Espoo, Finland ; Faculty of Arts, Psychology and Theology, Åbo Akademi University, Fabriksgatan 2, FI-20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Taina Nieminen-von Wendt
- Neuropsychiatric Rehabilitation and Medical Centre Neuromental, Kaupintie 11 A, FI-00440 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pekka Tani
- Clinic for Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Tukholmankatu 8 F, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sami Leppämäki
- Clinic for Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Tukholmankatu 8 F, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland ; Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pertti Rintahaka
- Clinic for Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Tukholmankatu 8 F, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Karen Caeyenberghs
- School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, Locked Bag 4115, Fitzroy MDC, VIC 3065 Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alexander Leemans
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mikko Sams
- Brain and Mind Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 2 C, FI-02150 Espoo, Finland ; Advanced Magnetic Imaging Centre, Aalto University, Otakaari 5, FI-02150 Espoo, Finland
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Whitehouse CM, Lewis MH. Repetitive Behavior in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Clinical and Translational Findings. THE BEHAVIOR ANALYST 2015; 38:163-178. [PMID: 26543319 PMCID: PMC4629512 DOI: 10.1007/s40614-015-0029-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Repetitive behavior refers to a highly heterogeneous set of responses associated with a wide range of conditions, including normative development. Treatment studies for aberrant repetitive behavior are limited although one promising approach involves conceptualizing such behavior as a generalized inflexibility or lack of variability in responding. Relatively little is known about the neurobiological mechanisms that mediate the development and expression of repetitive behavior, information critical to the design of effective pharmacotherapies, early interventions, and prevention strategies. We will review clinical findings in repetitive behavior as well as findings from animal models highlighting environmental factors and the role of cortical-basal ganglia circuitry in mediating the development and expression of these behaviors. Findings from animal models have included identification of a specific neural pathway important in mediating repetitive behavior. Moreover, pharmacological studies that support the importance of this pathway have led to the identification of novel potential therapeutic targets. Expanding the evidence base for environmental enrichment-derived interventions and focusing on generalized variability in responding will aid in addressing the broader problem of rigidity or inflexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina M. Whitehouse
- />Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
- />McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
| | - Mark H. Lewis
- />Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
- />McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
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Mosconi MW, Wang Z, Schmitt LM, Tsai P, Sweeney JA. The role of cerebellar circuitry alterations in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:296. [PMID: 26388713 PMCID: PMC4555040 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum has been repeatedly implicated in gene expression, rodent model and post-mortem studies of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). How cellular and molecular anomalies of the cerebellum relate to clinical manifestations of ASD remains unclear. Separate circuits of the cerebellum control different sensorimotor behaviors, such as maintaining balance, walking, making eye movements, reaching, and grasping. Each of these behaviors has been found to be impaired in ASD, suggesting that multiple distinct circuits of the cerebellum may be involved in the pathogenesis of patients' sensorimotor impairments. We will review evidence that the development of these circuits is disrupted in individuals with ASD and that their study may help elucidate the pathophysiology of sensorimotor deficits and core symptoms of the disorder. Preclinical studies of monogenetic conditions associated with ASD also have identified selective defects of the cerebellum and documented behavioral rescues when the cerebellum is targeted. Based on these findings, we propose that cerebellar circuits may prove to be promising targets for therapeutic development aimed at rescuing sensorimotor and other clinical symptoms of different forms of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Mosconi
- Clinical Child Psychology Program and Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, University of Kansas Lawrence, KS, USA ; Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Zheng Wang
- Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Lauren M Schmitt
- Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Peter Tsai
- Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA
| | - John A Sweeney
- Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA
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Weisz ED, Monyak RE, Jongens TA. Deciphering discord: How Drosophila research has enhanced our understanding of the importance of FMRP in different spatial and temporal contexts. Exp Neurol 2015; 274:14-24. [PMID: 26026973 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most common heritable form of intellectual impairment as well as the leading monogenetic cause of autism. In addition to its canonical definition as a neurodevelopmental disease, recent findings in the clinic suggest that FXS is a systemic disorder that is characterized by a variety of heterogeneous phenotypes. Efforts to study FXS pathogenesis have been aided by the development and characterization of animal models of the disease. Research efforts in Drosophila melanogaster have revealed key insights into the mechanistic underpinnings of FXS. While much remains unknown, it is increasingly apparent that FXS involves a myriad of spatially and temporally specific alterations in cellular function. Consequently, the literature is filled with numerous discordant findings. Researchers and clinicians alike must be cognizant of this dissonance, as it will likely be important for the design of preclinical studies to assess the efficacy of therapeutic strategies to improve the lives of FXS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana D Weisz
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Rachel E Monyak
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Thomas A Jongens
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
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Devitt NM, Gallagher L, Reilly RB. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS): Two Overlapping Disorders Reviewed through Electroencephalography-What Can be Interpreted from the Available Information? Brain Sci 2015; 5:92-117. [PMID: 25826237 PMCID: PMC4493458 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci5020092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Fragile X syndrome (FXS) are neurodevelopmental disorders with different but potentially related neurobiological underpinnings, which exhibit significant overlap in their behavioural symptoms. FXS is a neurogenetic disorder of known cause whereas ASD is a complex genetic disorder, with both rare and common genetic risk factors and likely genetic and environmental interaction effects. A comparison of the phenotypic presentation of the two disorders may highlight those symptoms that are more likely to be under direct genetic control, for example in FXS as opposed to shared symptoms that are likely to be under the control of multiple mechanisms. This review is focused on the application and analysis of electroencephalography data (EEG) in ASD and FXS. Specifically, Event Related Potentials (ERP) and resting state studies (rEEG) studies investigating ASD and FXS cohorts are compared. This review explores the electrophysiological similarities and differences between the two disorders in addition to the potentially associated neurobiological mechanisms at play. A series of pertinent research questions which are suggested in the literature are also posed within the review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh Mc Devitt
- School of Medicine, Trinity College, the University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Louise Gallagher
- School of Medicine, Trinity College, the University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Trinity College Institute for Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James' Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
- Linn Dara Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Cherry Orchard Hospital Dublin 10, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Richard B Reilly
- School of Medicine, Trinity College, the University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Trinity College Institute for Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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Lainhart JE. Brain imaging research in autism spectrum disorders: in search of neuropathology and health across the lifespan. Curr Opin Psychiatry 2015; 28:76-82. [PMID: 25602243 PMCID: PMC4465432 DOI: 10.1097/yco.0000000000000130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Advances in brain imaging research in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are rapidly occurring, and the amount of neuroimaging research has dramatically increased over the past 5 years. In this review, advances during the past 12 months and longitudinal studies are highlighted. RECENT FINDINGS Cross-sectional neuroimaging research provides evidence that the neural underpinnings of the behavioral signs of ASD involve not only dysfunctional integration of information across distributed brain networks but also basic dysfunction in primary cortices.Longitudinal studies of ASD show abnormally enlarged brain volumes and increased rates of brain growth during early childhood in only a small minority of ASD children. There is evidence of disordered development of white matter microstructure and amygdala growth, and at 2 years of age, network inefficiencies in posterior cerebral regions.From older childhood into adulthood, atypical age-variant and age-invariant changes in the trajectories of total and regional brain volumes and cortical thickness are apparent at the group level. SUMMARY There is evidence of abnormalities in posterior lobes and posterior brain networks during the first 2 years of life in ASD and, even in older children and adults, dysfunction in primary cortical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet E. Lainhart
- Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior, and Autism & Developmental Disorders Clinic, Waisman Center, and Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Anatomical likelihood estimation meta-analysis of grey and white matter anomalies in autism spectrum disorders. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2014; 7:525-36. [PMID: 25844306 PMCID: PMC4375647 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2014.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Revised: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by impairments in social communication and restrictive, repetitive behaviors. While behavioral symptoms are well-documented, investigations into the neurobiological underpinnings of ASD have not resulted in firm biomarkers. Variability in findings across structural neuroimaging studies has contributed to difficulty in reliably characterizing the brain morphology of individuals with ASD. These inconsistencies may also arise from the heterogeneity of ASD, and wider age-range of participants included in MRI studies and in previous meta-analyses. To address this, the current study used coordinate-based anatomical likelihood estimation (ALE) analysis of 21 voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies examining high-functioning individuals with ASD, resulting in a meta-analysis of 1055 participants (506 ASD, and 549 typically developing individuals). Results consisted of grey, white, and global differences in cortical matter between the groups. Modeled anatomical maps consisting of concentration, thickness, and volume metrics of grey and white matter revealed clusters suggesting age-related decreases in grey and white matter in parietal and inferior temporal regions of the brain in ASD, and age-related increases in grey matter in frontal and anterior-temporal regions. White matter alterations included fiber tracts thought to play key roles in information processing and sensory integration. Many current theories of pathobiology ASD suggest that the brains of individuals with ASD may have less-functional long-range (anterior-to-posterior) connections. Our findings of decreased cortical matter in parietal-temporal and occipital regions, and thickening in frontal cortices in older adults with ASD may entail altered cortical anatomy, and neurodevelopmental adaptations.
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