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Bustos F, Findlay GM. Therapeutic validation and targeting of signalling networks that are dysregulated in intellectual disability. FEBS J 2023; 290:1454-1460. [PMID: 35212144 PMCID: PMC10952735 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID) represents a major burden on healthcare systems in the developed world. However, there is a disconnect between our knowledge of genes that are mutated in ID and our understanding of the underpinning molecular mechanisms that cause these disorders. We argue that elucidating the signalling and transcriptional networks that are dysregulated in patients will afford new therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Bustos
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases GroupSanford ResearchSioux FallsSDUSA
- Department of PediatricsSanford School of MedicineUniversity of South DakotaSioux FallsSDUSA
| | - Greg M. Findlay
- The MRC Protein Phosphorylation & Ubiquitylation UnitSchool of Life SciencesThe University of DundeeDundeeUK
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Hu Y, Liu F, Peng W, Song S, Zhang C, Meng X. Overexpression of miR-99a in hippocampus leads to impairment of reversal learning in mice. Behav Brain Res 2022; 416:113542. [PMID: 34425183 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
As one of the most common human genetic disorders, Down syndrome (DS) is characterized by a mild-to-moderate cognitive disability, which mainly results from genes overexpression on chromosome 21. The expression of miR-99a, a gene harboring on chromosome 21, is increased by 50 folds in DS brain samples. This study aims to investigate the effect of miR-99a overexpression in the hippocampus on mouse behaviors and explore the underlying mechanisms. Lentivirus vectors were delivered into the hippocampus for focal miR-99a overexpression in mice. Then behaviors were observed by an open field, elevated plus maze, rotarod motor test, and Morris water maze. The genes affected by miR-99a were identified by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) in samples isolated from the hippocampus injected with lentivirus-GFP-miR-99a or lentivirus-GFP vectors. It was found that the expression of miR-99a with intrahippocampal delivery of lentivirus-GFP-miR-99a resulted in reversal learning impairment in mice although it had no influence on motor function and anxiety. Meanwhile, RNA-seq results showed that 92 genes including mRNAs and microRNAs were significantly regulated by miR-99a, consistent with qRT-PCR consequence. Moreover, dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-99a could directly bind to the 3'-untranslated regions (3'UTR) of target genes (Clic6 and Kcnj13) with an inhibitory effect on their activity. Furthermore, we also found that miR-99a overexpression affected different biological processes by bioinformatic analyses. Our study showed that miR-99a overexpression in the hippocampus leads to cognitive impairment through regulating the expressions of various genes, which reveals a novel function of miR-99a and provides new insights into understanding the pathophysiologic process of DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Hu
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Brain Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Wenpeng Peng
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Shuxin Song
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Chun Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xianfang Meng
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Brain Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Pak TK, Carter CS, Zhang Q, Huang SC, Searby C, Hsu Y, Taugher RJ, Vogel T, Cychosz CC, Genova R, Moreira NN, Stevens H, Wemmie JA, Pieper AA, Wang K, Sheffield VC. A mouse model of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome has impaired fear memory, which is rescued by lithium treatment. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009484. [PMID: 33886537 PMCID: PMC8061871 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary cilia are microtubule-based organelles present on most cells that regulate many physiological processes, ranging from maintaining energy homeostasis to renal function. However, the role of these structures in the regulation of behavior remains unknown. To study the role of cilia in behavior, we employ mouse models of the human ciliopathy, Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS). Here, we demonstrate that BBS mice have significant impairments in context fear conditioning, a form of associative learning. Moreover, we show that postnatal deletion of BBS gene function, as well as congenital deletion, specifically in the forebrain, impairs context fear conditioning. Analyses indicated that these behavioral impairments are not the result of impaired hippocampal long-term potentiation. However, our results indicate that these behavioral impairments are the result of impaired hippocampal neurogenesis. Two-week treatment with lithium chloride partially restores the proliferation of hippocampal neurons which leads to a rescue of context fear conditioning. Overall, our results identify a novel role of cilia genes in hippocampal neurogenesis and long-term context fear conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas K. Pak
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Neuroscience Program, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Calvin S. Carter
- Department of Pediatrics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Qihong Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Sunny C. Huang
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Charles Searby
- Department of Pediatrics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Ying Hsu
- Department of Pediatrics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Rebecca J. Taugher
- Department of Psychiatry, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Tim Vogel
- Department of Pediatrics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Christopher C. Cychosz
- Department of Orthopedics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Rachel Genova
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Nina N. Moreira
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Hanna Stevens
- Neuroscience Program, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - John A. Wemmie
- Neuroscience Program, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Andrew A. Pieper
- Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Geriatric Psychiatry, GRECC, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center; Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Institute for Transformative Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University, New York, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Val C. Sheffield
- Neuroscience Program, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
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Verma V, Paul A, Amrapali Vishwanath A, Vaidya B, Clement JP. Understanding intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders from common mouse models: synapses to behaviour. Open Biol 2019; 9:180265. [PMID: 31185809 PMCID: PMC6597757 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.180265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Normal brain development is highly dependent on the timely coordinated actions of genetic and environmental processes, and an aberration can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of co-occurring NDDs that affect between 3% and 5% of the world population, thus presenting a great challenge to society. This problem calls for the need to understand the pathobiology of these disorders and to design new therapeutic strategies. One approach towards this has been the development of multiple analogous mouse models. This review discusses studies conducted in the mouse models of five major monogenic causes of ID and ASDs: Fmr1, Syngap1, Mecp2, Shank2/3 and Neuroligins/Neurnexins. These studies reveal that, despite having a diverse molecular origin, the effects of these mutations converge onto similar or related aetiological pathways, consequently giving rise to the typical phenotype of cognitive, social and emotional deficits that are characteristic of ID and ASDs. This convergence, therefore, highlights common pathological nodes that can be targeted for therapy. Other than conventional therapeutic strategies such as non-pharmacological corrective methods and symptomatic alleviation, multiple studies in mouse models have successfully proved the possibility of pharmacological and genetic therapy enabling functional recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijaya Verma
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research , Jakkur, Bengaluru 560 064, Karnataka, India
| | - Abhik Paul
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research , Jakkur, Bengaluru 560 064, Karnataka, India
| | - Anjali Amrapali Vishwanath
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research , Jakkur, Bengaluru 560 064, Karnataka, India
| | - Bhupesh Vaidya
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research , Jakkur, Bengaluru 560 064, Karnataka, India
| | - James P Clement
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research , Jakkur, Bengaluru 560 064, Karnataka, India
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Kazeminasab S, Taskiran II, Fattahi Z, Bazazzadegan N, Hosseini M, Rahimi M, Oladnabi M, Haddadi M, Celik A, Ropers HH, Najmabadi H, Kahrizi K. CNKSR1 gene defect can cause syndromic autosomal recessive intellectual disability. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2018; 177:691-699. [PMID: 30450701 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies has led to an exponential increase in the identification of novel disease-causing genes in highly heterogeneous diseases. A novel frameshift mutation in CNKSR1 gene was detected by Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) in an Iranian family with syndromic autosomal recessive intellectual disability (ARID). CNKSR1 encodes a connector enhancer of kinase suppressor of Ras 1, which acts as a scaffold component for receptor tyrosine kinase in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades. CNKSR1 interacts with proteins which have already been shown to be associated with intellectual disability (ID) in the MAPK signaling pathway and promotes cell migration through RhoA-mediated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation. Lack of CNKSR1 transcripts and protein was observed in lymphoblastoid cells derived from affected patients using qRT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. Furthermore, RNAi-mediated knockdown of cnk, the CNKSR1 orthologue in Drosophila melanogaster brain, led to defects in eye and mushroom body (MB) structures. In conclusion, our findings support the possible role of CNKSR1 in brain development which can lead to cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Kazeminasab
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Zohreh Fattahi
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Niloofar Bazazzadegan
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Hosseini
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Rahimi
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Oladnabi
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Haddadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
| | - Arzu Celik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hans-Hilger Ropers
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Max-Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hossein Najmabadi
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kimia Kahrizi
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Kouskou M, Thomson DM, Brett RR, Wheeler L, Tate RJ, Pratt JA, Chamberlain LH. Disruption of the Zdhhc9 intellectual disability gene leads to behavioural abnormalities in a mouse model. Exp Neurol 2018; 308:35-46. [PMID: 29944857 PMCID: PMC6104741 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Protein S-acylation is a widespread post-translational modification that regulates the trafficking and function of a diverse array of proteins. This modification is catalysed by a family of twenty-three zDHHC enzymes that exhibit both specific and overlapping substrate interactions. Mutations in the gene encoding zDHHC9 cause mild-to-moderate intellectual disability, seizures, speech and language impairment, hypoplasia of the corpus callosum and reduced volume of sub-cortical structures. In this study, we have undertaken behavioural phenotyping, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and isolation of S-acylated proteins to investigate the effect of disruption of the Zdhhc9 gene in mice in a C57BL/6 genetic background. Zdhhc9 mutant male mice exhibit a range of abnormalities compared with their wild-type littermates: altered behaviour in the open-field test, elevated plus maze and acoustic startle test that is consistent with a reduced anxiety level; a reduced hang time in the hanging wire test that suggests underlying hypotonia but which may also be linked to reduced anxiety; deficits in the Morris water maze test of hippocampal-dependent spatial learning and memory; and a 36% reduction in corpus callosum volume revealed by MRI. Surprisingly, membrane association and S-acylation of H-Ras was not disrupted in either whole brain or hippocampus of Zdhhc9 mutant mice, suggesting that other substrates of this enzyme are linked to the observed changes. Overall, this study highlights a key role for zDHHC9 in brain development and behaviour, and supports the utility of the Zdhhc9 mutant mouse line to investigate molecular and cellular changes linked to intellectual disability and other deficits in the human population. Zdhhc9 mutant mice display hypotonia and reduced anxiety. Zdhhc9 mutant mice have an altered performance in the Morris water maze. Zdhhc9 mutant mice have reduced corpus callosum volume. Membrane binding and S-acylation of H-Ras is not affected in Zdhhc9 mutant brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Kouskou
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - David M Thomson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Ros R Brett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Lee Wheeler
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Rothwelle J Tate
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Judith A Pratt
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Luke H Chamberlain
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, United Kingdom.
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Rho GTPases in Intellectual Disability: From Genetics to Therapeutic Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19061821. [PMID: 29925821 PMCID: PMC6032284 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rho-class small GTPases are implicated in basic cellular processes at nearly all brain developmental steps, from neurogenesis and migration to axon guidance and synaptic plasticity. GTPases are key signal transducing enzymes that link extracellular cues to the neuronal responses required for the construction of neuronal networks, as well as for synaptic function and plasticity. Rho GTPases are highly regulated by a complex set of activating (GEFs) and inactivating (GAPs) partners, via protein:protein interactions (PPI). Misregulated RhoA, Rac1/Rac3 and cdc42 activity has been linked with intellectual disability (ID) and other neurodevelopmental conditions that comprise ID. All genetic evidences indicate that in these disorders the RhoA pathway is hyperactive while the Rac1 and cdc42 pathways are consistently hypoactive. Adopting cultured neurons for in vitro testing and specific animal models of ID for in vivo examination, the endophenotypes associated with these conditions are emerging and include altered neuronal networking, unbalanced excitation/inhibition and altered synaptic activity and plasticity. As we approach a clearer definition of these phenotype(s) and the role of hyper- and hypo-active GTPases in the construction of neuronal networks, there is an increasing possibility that selective inhibitors and activators might be designed via PPI, or identified by screening, that counteract the misregulation of small GTPases and result in alleviation of the cognitive condition. Here we review all knowledge in support of this possibility.
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Lyall K, Yau VM, Hansen R, Kharrazi M, Yoshida CK, Calafat AM, Windham G, Croen LA. Prenatal Maternal Serum Concentrations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Association with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2018; 126:017001. [PMID: 29298162 PMCID: PMC6014693 DOI: 10.1289/ehp1830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging work has examined neurodevelopmental outcomes following prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), but few studies have assessed associations with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). OBJECTIVES Our objective was to estimate associations of maternal prenatal PFAS concentrations with ASD and intellectual disability (ID) in children. METHODS Participants were from a population-based nested case-control study of children born from 2000 to 2003 in southern California, including children diagnosed with ASD (n=553), ID without autism (n=189), and general population (GP) controls (n=433). Concentrations of eight PFAS from stored maternal sera collected at 15-19 wk gestational age were quantified and compared among study groups. We used logistic regression to obtain adjusted odds ratios for the association between prenatal PFAS concentrations (parameterized continuously and as quartiles) and ASD versus GP controls, and separately for ID versus GP controls. RESULTS Geometric mean concentrations of most PFAS were lower in ASD and ID groups relative to GP controls. ASD was not significantly associated with prenatal concentrations of most PFAS, though significant inverse associations were found for perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) [adjusted ORs for the highest vs. lowest quartiles 0.62 (95% CI: 0.41, 0.93) and 0.64 (95% CI: 0.43, 0.97), respectively]. Results for ID were similar. CONCLUSIONS Results from this large case-control study with prospectively collected prenatal measurements do not support the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to PFAS is positively associated with ASD or ID. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1830.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vincent M Yau
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Robin Hansen
- MIND Institute and the Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Martin Kharrazi
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, USA
| | | | - Antonia M Calafat
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Gayle Windham
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California, USA
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De Giorgio A. The roles of motor activity and environmental enrichment in intellectual disability. Somatosens Mot Res 2017; 34:34-43. [PMID: 28140743 DOI: 10.1080/08990220.2016.1278204] [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] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In people with intellectual disabilities, an enriched environment can stimulate the acquisition of motor skills and could partially repair neuronal impairment thanks to exploration and motor activity. A deficit in environmental and motor stimulation leads to low scores in intelligence tests and can cause serious motor skill problems. Although studies in humans do not give much evidence for explaining basic mechanisms of intellectual disability and for highlighting improvements due to enriched environmental stimulation, animal models have been valuable in the investigation of these conditions. Here, we discuss the role of environmental enrichment in four intellectual disabilities: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), Down, Rett, and Fragile X syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea De Giorgio
- a Department of Psychology , eCampus University , Novedrate , Italy.,b Department of Psychology , Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Milano , Italy
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10
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Mawson AR. Toward a theory of childhood learning disorders, hyperactivity, and aggression. ISRN PSYCHIATRY 2012; 2012:589792. [PMID: 23762766 PMCID: PMC3671718 DOI: 10.5402/2012/589792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2012] [Accepted: 06/14/2012] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Learning disorders are often associated with persistent hyperactivity and aggression and are part of a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders. A potential clue to understanding these linked phenomena is that physical exercise and passive forms of stimulation are calming, enhance cognitive functions and learning, and are recommended as complementary treatments for these problems. The theory is proposed that hyperactivity and aggression are intense stimulation-seeking behaviors (SSBs) driven by increased brain retinergic activity, and the stimulation thus obtained activates opposing nitrergic systems which inhibit retinergic activity, induce a state of calm, and enhance cognition and learning. In persons with cognitive deficits and associated behavioral disorders, the retinergic system may be chronically overactivated and the nitrergic system chronically underactivated due to environmental exposures occurring pre- and/or postnatally that affect retinoid metabolism or expression. For such individuals, the intensity of stimulation generated by SSB may be insufficient to activate the inhibitory nitrergic system. A multidisciplinary research program is needed to test the model and, in particular, to determine the extent to which applied physical treatments can activate the nitrergic system directly, providing the necessary level of intensity of sensory stimulation to substitute for that obtained in maladaptive and harmful ways by SSB, thereby reducing SSB and enhancing cognitive skills and performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony R. Mawson
- School of Health Sciences, College of Public Service, Jackson State University, 350 West Woodrow Wilson Drive, Room 229, Jackson, MS 39213, USA
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11
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Rocha-e-Silva M, Toledo SPA. Multiple endocrine neoplasias: an overview of recent progress. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2012; 67 Suppl 1:1. [PMID: 22584697 PMCID: PMC3328815 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2012(sup01)01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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