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Stott J, Wright T, Holmes J, Wilson J, Griffiths-Jones S, Foster D, Wright B. A systematic review of non-coding RNA genes with differential expression profiles associated with autism spectrum disorders. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287131. [PMID: 37319303 PMCID: PMC10270643 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS To identify differential expression of shorter non-coding RNA (ncRNA) genes associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). BACKGROUND ncRNA are functional molecules that derive from non-translated DNA sequence. The HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) have approved ncRNA gene classes with alignment to the reference human genome. One subset is microRNA (miRNA), which are highly conserved, short RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by direct post-transcriptional repression of messenger RNA. Several miRNA genes are implicated in the development and regulation of the nervous system. Expression of miRNA genes in ASD cohorts have been examined by multiple research groups. Other shorter classes of ncRNA have been examined less. A comprehensive systematic review examining expression of shorter ncRNA gene classes in ASD is timely to inform the direction of research. METHODS We extracted data from studies examining ncRNA gene expression in ASD compared with non-ASD controls. We included studies on miRNA, piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA), small NF90 (ILF3) associated RNA (snaR), small nuclear RNA (snRNA), small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), vault RNA (vtRNA) and Y RNA. The following electronic databases were searched: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ERIC, AMED and CINAHL for papers published from January 2000 to May 2022. Studies were screened by two independent investigators with a third resolving discrepancies. Data was extracted from eligible papers. RESULTS Forty-eight eligible studies were included in our systematic review with the majority examining miRNA gene expression alone. Sixty-four miRNA genes had differential expression in ASD compared to controls as reported in two or more studies, but often in opposing directions. Four miRNA genes had differential expression in the same direction in the same tissue type in at least 3 separate studies. Increased expression was reported in miR-106b-5p, miR-155-5p and miR-146a-5p in blood, post-mortem brain, and across several tissue types, respectively. Decreased expression was reported in miR-328-3p in bloods samples. Seven studies examined differential expression from other classes of ncRNA, including piRNA, snRNA, snoRNA and Y RNA. No individual ncRNA genes were reported in more than one study. Six studies reported differentially expressed snoRNA genes in ASD. A meta-analysis was not possible because of inconsistent methodologies, disparate tissue types examined, and varying forms of data presented. CONCLUSION There is limited but promising evidence associating the expression of certain miRNA genes and ASD, although the studies are of variable methodological quality and the results are largely inconsistent. There is emerging evidence associating differential expression of snoRNA genes in ASD. It is not currently possible to say whether the reports of differential expression in ncRNA may relate to ASD aetiology, a response to shared environmental factors linked to ASD such as sleep and nutrition, other molecular functions, human diversity, or chance findings. To improve our understanding of any potential association, we recommend improved and standardised methodologies and reporting of raw data. Further high-quality research is required to shine a light on possible associations, which may yet yield important information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Stott
- Child Oriented Mental Health Intervention Collaborative (COMIC), University of York in Collaboration with Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, York, United Kingdom
- Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, Foss Park Hospital, York, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Wright
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Clinical Genetics Service, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jannah Holmes
- Child Oriented Mental Health Intervention Collaborative (COMIC), University of York in Collaboration with Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, York, United Kingdom
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
| | - Julie Wilson
- Department of Mathematics, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
| | - Sam Griffiths-Jones
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah Foster
- Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, Foss Park Hospital, York, United Kingdom
| | - Barry Wright
- Child Oriented Mental Health Intervention Collaborative (COMIC), University of York in Collaboration with Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, York, United Kingdom
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
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2
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Biosca-Brull J, Pérez-Fernández C, Mora S, Carrillo B, Pinos H, Conejo NM, Collado P, Arias JL, Martín-Sánchez F, Sánchez-Santed F, Colomina MT. Relationship between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Pesticides: A Systematic Review of Human and Preclinical Models. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18105190. [PMID: 34068255 PMCID: PMC8153127 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex set of neurodevelopmental pathologies characterized by impoverished social and communicative abilities and stereotyped behaviors. Although its genetic basis is unquestionable, the involvement of environmental factors such as exposure to pesticides has also been proposed. Despite the systematic analyses of this relationship in humans, there are no specific reviews including both human and preclinical models. The present systematic review summarizes, analyzes, and discusses recent advances in preclinical and epidemiological studies. We included 45 human and 16 preclinical studies. These studies focused on Organophosphates (OP), Organochlorine (OC), Pyrethroid (PT), Neonicotinoid (NN), Carbamate (CM), and mixed exposures. Preclinical studies, where the OP Chlorpyrifos (CPF) compound is the one most studied, pointed to an association between gestational exposure and increased ASD-like behaviors, although the data are inconclusive with regard to other ages or pesticides. Studies in humans focused on prenatal exposure to OP and OC agents, and report cognitive and behavioral alterations related to ASD symptomatology. The results of both suggest that gestational exposure to certain OP agents could be linked to the clinical signs of ASD. Future experimental studies should focus on extending the analysis of ASD-like behaviors in preclinical models and include exposure patterns similar to those observed in human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Biosca-Brull
- Department of Psychology, Research Center for Behavior Assessment (CRAMC), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain;
- Research in Neurobehavior, Health (NEUROLAB), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Cristian Pérez-Fernández
- Department of Psychology, Health Research Center (CEINSA), Almeria University, 04120 Almeria, Spain; (C.P.-F.); (S.M.)
| | - Santiago Mora
- Department of Psychology, Health Research Center (CEINSA), Almeria University, 04120 Almeria, Spain; (C.P.-F.); (S.M.)
| | - Beatriz Carrillo
- Department of Psychobiology, University Institute of Research-UNED-Institute of Health Carlos III (IMIENS), National Distance Education University (UNED), 28015 Madrid, Spain; (B.C.); (H.P.); (P.C.)
| | - Helena Pinos
- Department of Psychobiology, University Institute of Research-UNED-Institute of Health Carlos III (IMIENS), National Distance Education University (UNED), 28015 Madrid, Spain; (B.C.); (H.P.); (P.C.)
| | - Nelida Maria Conejo
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), University of Oviedo, 33011 Oviedo, Spain; (N.M.C.); (J.L.A.)
| | - Paloma Collado
- Department of Psychobiology, University Institute of Research-UNED-Institute of Health Carlos III (IMIENS), National Distance Education University (UNED), 28015 Madrid, Spain; (B.C.); (H.P.); (P.C.)
| | - Jorge L. Arias
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), University of Oviedo, 33011 Oviedo, Spain; (N.M.C.); (J.L.A.)
| | - Fernando Martín-Sánchez
- National Scholl of Public Health, Institute of Health Carlos III, University Institute of Research-UNED-Institute of Health Carlos III (IMIENS), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Fernando Sánchez-Santed
- Department of Psychology, Health Research Center (CEINSA), Almeria University, 04120 Almeria, Spain; (C.P.-F.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence: (F.S.-S.); (M.T.C.)
| | - Maria Teresa Colomina
- Department of Psychology, Research Center for Behavior Assessment (CRAMC), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain;
- Research in Neurobehavior, Health (NEUROLAB), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
- Correspondence: (F.S.-S.); (M.T.C.)
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3
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Bressan P, Kramer P. Mental Health, Mitochondria, and the Battle of the Sexes. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9020116. [PMID: 33530498 PMCID: PMC7911591 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9020116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper presents a broad perspective on how mental disease relates to the different evolutionary strategies of men and women and to growth, metabolism, and mitochondria—the enslaved bacteria in our cells that enable it all. Several mental disorders strike one sex more than the other; yet what truly matters, regardless of one’s sex, is how much one’s brain is “female” and how much it is “male”. This appears to be the result of an arms race between the parents over how many resources their child ought to extract from the mother, hence whether it should grow a lot or stay small and undemanding. An uneven battle alters the child’s risk of developing not only insulin resistance, diabetes, or cancer, but a mental disease as well. Maternal supremacy increases the odds of a psychosis-spectrum disorder; paternal supremacy, those of an autism-spectrum one. And a particularly lopsided struggle may invite one or the other of a series of syndromes that come in pairs, with diametrically opposite, excessively “male” or “female” characteristics. By providing the means for this tug of war, mitochondria take center stage in steadying or upsetting the precarious balance on which our mental health is built.
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Lorgen-Ritchie M, Murray AD, Staff R, Ferguson-Smith AC, Richards M, Horgan GW, Phillips LH, Hoad G, McNeil C, Ribeiro A, Haggarty P. Imprinting methylation predicts hippocampal volumes and hyperintensities and the change with age in later life. Sci Rep 2021; 11:943. [PMID: 33441584 PMCID: PMC7806645 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78062-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic imprinting is important for neurogenesis and brain function. Hippocampal volumes and brain hyperintensities in late life have been associated with early life circumstances. Epigenetic imprinting may underpin these associations. Methylation was measured at 982 sites in 13 imprinted locations in blood samples from a longitudinal cohort by bisulphite amplicon sequencing. Hippocampal volumes and hyperintensities were determined at age 64y and 72y using MRI. Hyperintensities were determined in white matter, grey matter and infratentorial regions. Permutation methods were used to adjust for multiple testing. At 64y, H19/IGF2 and NESPAS methylation predicted hippocampal volumes. PEG3 predicted hyperintensities in hippocampal grey matter, and white matter. GNASXL predicted grey matter hyperintensities. Changes with age were predicted for hippocampal volume (MEST1, KvDMR, L3MBTL, GNASXL), white matter (MEST1, PEG3) and hippocampal grey matter hyperintensities (MCTS2, GNASXL, NESPAS, L3MBTL, MCTS2, SNRPN, MEST1). Including childhood cognitive ability, years in education, or socioeconomic status as additional explanatory variables in regression analyses did not change the overall findings. Imprinting methylation in multiple genes predicts brain structures, and their change over time. These findings are potentially relevant to the development of novel tests of brain structure and function across the life-course, strategies to improve cognitive outcomes, and our understanding of early influences on brain development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Lorgen-Ritchie
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Alison D Murray
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | | | | | - Marcus Richards
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, University College London, London, UK
| | - Graham W Horgan
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Louise H Phillips
- School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Gwen Hoad
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Chris McNeil
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Antonio Ribeiro
- Centre for Genome-Enabled Biology and Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, UK
| | - Paul Haggarty
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK.
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5
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Lorgen-Ritchie M, Murray AD, Ferguson-Smith AC, Richards M, Horgan GW, Phillips LH, Hoad G, Gall I, Harrison K, McNeill G, Ito M, Haggarty P. Imprinting methylation in SNRPN and MEST1 in adult blood predicts cognitive ability. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211799. [PMID: 30707743 PMCID: PMC6358095 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is important for normal brain development and aberrant imprinting has been associated with impaired cognition. We studied the imprinting status in selected imprints (H19, IGF2, SNRPN, PEG3, MEST1, NESPAS, KvDMR, IG-DMR and ZAC1) by pyrosequencing in blood samples from longitudinal cohorts born in 1936 (n = 485) and 1921 (n = 223), and anterior hippocampus, posterior hippocampus, periventricular white matter, and thalamus from brains donated to the Aberdeen Brain Bank (n = 4). MEST1 imprint methylation was related to childhood cognitive ability score (-0.416 95% CI -0.792,-0.041; p = 0.030), with the strongest effect evident in males (-0.929 95% CI -1.531,-0.326; p = 0.003). SNRPN imprint methylation was also related to childhood cognitive ability (+0.335 95%CI 0.008,0.663; p = 0.045). A significant association was also observed for SNRPN methylation and adult crystallised cognitive ability (+0.262 95%CI 0.007,0.517; p = 0.044). Further testing of significant findings in a second cohort from the same region, but born in 1921, resulted in similar effect sizes and greater significance when the cohorts were combined (MEST1; -0.371 95% CI -0.677,-0.065; p = 0.017; SNRPN; +0.361 95% CI 0.079,0.643; p = 0.012). For SNRPN and MEST1 and four other imprints the methylation levels in blood and in the five brain regions were similar. Methylation of the paternally expressed, maternally methylated genes SNRPN and MEST1 in adult blood was associated with cognitive ability in childhood. This is consistent with the known importance of the SNRPN containing 15q11-q13 and the MEST1 containing 7q31-34 regions in cognitive function. These findings, and their sex specific nature in MEST1, point to new mechanisms through which complex phenotypes such as cognitive ability may be inherited. These mechanisms are potentially relevant to both the heritable and non-heritable components of cognitive ability. The process of epigenetic imprinting—within SNRPN and MEST1 in particular—and the factors that influence it, are worthy of further study in relation to the determinants of cognitive ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Lorgen-Ritchie
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Alison D. Murray
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marcus Richards
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Graham W. Horgan
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | - Gwen Hoad
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Ishbel Gall
- Department of Pathology, N.H.S. Grampian, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Kristina Harrison
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Geraldine McNeill
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Mitsuteru Ito
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Haggarty
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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6
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Lorgen-Ritchie M, Murray AD, Ferguson-Smith AC, Richards M, Horgan GW, Phillips LH, Hoad G, Gall I, Harrison K, McNeill G, Ito M, Haggarty P. Imprinting methylation in SNRPN and MEST1 in adult blood predicts cognitive ability. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211799. [PMID: 30707743 PMCID: PMC6358095 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211799 10.1371/journal.pone.0215422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is important for normal brain development and aberrant imprinting has been associated with impaired cognition. We studied the imprinting status in selected imprints (H19, IGF2, SNRPN, PEG3, MEST1, NESPAS, KvDMR, IG-DMR and ZAC1) by pyrosequencing in blood samples from longitudinal cohorts born in 1936 (n = 485) and 1921 (n = 223), and anterior hippocampus, posterior hippocampus, periventricular white matter, and thalamus from brains donated to the Aberdeen Brain Bank (n = 4). MEST1 imprint methylation was related to childhood cognitive ability score (-0.416 95% CI -0.792,-0.041; p = 0.030), with the strongest effect evident in males (-0.929 95% CI -1.531,-0.326; p = 0.003). SNRPN imprint methylation was also related to childhood cognitive ability (+0.335 95%CI 0.008,0.663; p = 0.045). A significant association was also observed for SNRPN methylation and adult crystallised cognitive ability (+0.262 95%CI 0.007,0.517; p = 0.044). Further testing of significant findings in a second cohort from the same region, but born in 1921, resulted in similar effect sizes and greater significance when the cohorts were combined (MEST1; -0.371 95% CI -0.677,-0.065; p = 0.017; SNRPN; +0.361 95% CI 0.079,0.643; p = 0.012). For SNRPN and MEST1 and four other imprints the methylation levels in blood and in the five brain regions were similar. Methylation of the paternally expressed, maternally methylated genes SNRPN and MEST1 in adult blood was associated with cognitive ability in childhood. This is consistent with the known importance of the SNRPN containing 15q11-q13 and the MEST1 containing 7q31-34 regions in cognitive function. These findings, and their sex specific nature in MEST1, point to new mechanisms through which complex phenotypes such as cognitive ability may be inherited. These mechanisms are potentially relevant to both the heritable and non-heritable components of cognitive ability. The process of epigenetic imprinting-within SNRPN and MEST1 in particular-and the factors that influence it, are worthy of further study in relation to the determinants of cognitive ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Lorgen-Ritchie
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Alison D. Murray
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marcus Richards
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Graham W. Horgan
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | - Gwen Hoad
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Ishbel Gall
- Department of Pathology, N.H.S. Grampian, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Kristina Harrison
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Geraldine McNeill
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Mitsuteru Ito
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Haggarty
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Maij DLR, van Harreveld F, Gervais W, Schrag Y, Mohr C, van Elk M. Mentalizing skills do not differentiate believers from non-believers, but credibility enhancing displays do. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182764. [PMID: 28832606 PMCID: PMC5568287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to mentalize has been marked as an important cognitive mechanism enabling belief in supernatural agents. In five studies we cross-culturally investigated the relationship between mentalizing and belief in supernatural agents with large sample sizes (over 67,000 participants in total) and different operationalizations of mentalizing. The relative importance of mentalizing for endorsing supernatural beliefs was directly compared with credibility enhancing displays-the extent to which people observed credible religious acts during their upbringing. We also compared autistic with neurotypical adolescents. The empathy quotient and the autism-spectrum quotient were not predictive of belief in supernatural agents in all countries (i.e., The Netherlands, Switzerland and the United States), although we did observe a curvilinear effect in the United States. We further observed a strong influence of credibility enhancing displays on belief in supernatural agents. These findings highlight the importance of cultural learning for acquiring supernatural beliefs and ask for reconsiderations of the importance of mentalizing.
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Affiliation(s)
- David. L. R. Maij
- University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Frenk van Harreveld
- University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Will Gervais
- University of Kentucky, Department of Psychology, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Yann Schrag
- University of Lausanne, Institute of Psychology, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christine Mohr
- University of Lausanne, Institute of Psychology, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michiel van Elk
- University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Meltzer A, Van de Water J. The Role of the Immune System in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017; 42:284-298. [PMID: 27534269 PMCID: PMC5143489 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 301] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in communication and social skills as well as repetitive and stereotypical behaviors. While much effort has focused on the identification of genes associated with autism, research emerging within the past two decades suggests that immune dysfunction is a viable risk factor contributing to the neurodevelopmental deficits observed in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Further, it is the heterogeneity within this disorder that has brought to light much of the current thinking regarding the subphenotypes within ASD and how the immune system is associated with these distinctions. This review will focus on the two main axes of immune involvement in ASD, namely dysfunction in the prenatal and postnatal periods. During gestation, prenatal insults including maternal infection and subsequent immunological activation may increase the risk of autism in the child. Similarly, the presence of maternally derived anti-brain autoantibodies found in ~20% of mothers whose children are at risk for developing autism has defined an additional subphenotype of ASD. The postnatal environment, on the other hand, is characterized by related but distinct profiles of immune dysregulation, inflammation, and endogenous autoantibodies that all persist within the affected individual. Further definition of the role of immune dysregulation in ASD thus necessitates a deeper understanding of the interaction between both maternal and child immune systems, and the role they have in diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amory Meltzer
- Division of Rheumatology/Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Judy Van de Water
- Division of Rheumatology/Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- NIEHS Center for Children's Environmental Health, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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Genetic architecture, epigenetic influence and environment exposure in the pathogenesis of Autism. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2016; 58:958-67. [PMID: 26490976 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-015-4941-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a spectral neurodevelopment disorder affecting approximately 1% of the population. ASD is characterized by impairments in reciprocal social interaction, communication deficits and restricted patterns of behavior. Multiple factors, including genetic/genomic, epigenetic/epigenomic and environmental, are thought to be necessary for autism development. Recent reviews have provided further insight into the genetic/genomic basis of ASD. It has long been suspected that epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, chromatin structures and long non-coding RNAs may play important roles in the pathology of ASD. In addition to genetic/genomic alterations and epigenetic/epigenomic influences, environmental exposures have been widely accepted as an important role in autism etiology, among which immune dysregulation and gastrointestinal microbiota are two prominent ones.
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Clemmensen L, van Os J, Drukker M, Munkholm A, Rimvall MK, Væver M, Rask CU, Bartels-Velthuis AA, Skovgaard AM, Jeppesen P. Psychotic experiences and hyper-theory-of-mind in preadolescence--a birth cohort study. Psychol Med 2016; 46:87-101. [PMID: 26347066 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291715001567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge on the risk mechanisms of psychotic experiences (PE) is still limited. The aim of this population-based study was to explore developmental markers of PE with a particular focus on the specificity of hyper-theory-of-mind (HyperToM) as correlate of PE as opposed to correlate of any mental disorder. METHOD We assessed 1630 children from the Copenhagen Child Cohort 2000 regarding PE and HyperToM at the follow-up at 11-12 years. Mental disorders were diagnosed by clinical ratings based on standardized parent-, teacher- and self-reported psychopathology. Logistic regression analyses were performed to test the correlates of PE and HyperToM, and the specificity of correlates of PE v. correlates of any Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) mental disorder. RESULTS Univariate analyses showed the following correlates of PE: familial psychiatric liability; parental mental illness during early child development; change in family composition; low family income; regulatory problems in infancy; onset of puberty; bullying; concurrent mental disorder; and HyperToM. When estimating the adjusted effects, only low family income, concurrent mental disorder, bullying and HyperToM remained significantly associated with PE. Further analyses of the specificity of these correlates with regard to outcome revealed that HyperToM was the only variable specifically associated with PE without concurrent mental disorder. Finally, HyperToM did not share any of the investigated precursors with PE. CONCLUSIONS HyperToM may have a specific role in the risk trajectories of PE, being specifically associated with PE in preadolescent children, independently of other family and child risk factors associated with PE and overall psychopathology at this age.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Clemmensen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center,Mental Health Services,the Capital Region of Denmark,Denmark
| | - J van Os
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology,Maastricht University Medical Centre,Maastricht,The Netherlands
| | - M Drukker
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology,Maastricht University Medical Centre,Maastricht,The Netherlands
| | - A Munkholm
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center,Mental Health Services,the Capital Region of Denmark,Denmark
| | - M K Rimvall
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center,Mental Health Services,the Capital Region of Denmark,Denmark
| | - M Væver
- Department of Psychology,University of Copenhagen,Copenhagen,Denmark
| | - C U Rask
- The Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital,Aarhus,Denmark
| | - A A Bartels-Velthuis
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center for Psychiatry,Groningen,The Netherlands
| | - A M Skovgaard
- Department of Public Health,University of Copenhagen,Copenhagen,Denmark
| | - P Jeppesen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center,Mental Health Services,the Capital Region of Denmark,Denmark
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11
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Main PA, Thomas P, Angley MT, Young R, Esterman A, King CE, Fenech MF. Lack of Evidence for Genomic Instability in Autistic Children as Measured by the Cytokinesis-Block Micronucleus Cytome Assay. Autism Res 2014; 8:94-104. [DOI: 10.1002/aur.1428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Penelope A.E. Main
- Sansom Institute of Health Research; University of South Australia; Adelaide Australia
- Department of Animal, Food and Health Sciences; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation; Adelaide Australia
| | - Philip Thomas
- Department of Animal, Food and Health Sciences; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation; Adelaide Australia
| | - Manya T. Angley
- Sansom Institute of Health Research; University of South Australia; Adelaide Australia
| | - Robyn Young
- Finders University of South Australia; Adelaide Australia
| | - Adrian Esterman
- School of Nursing and Midwifery; University of South Australia; Adelaide Australia
- Centre for Research Excellence in Chronic Disease; James Cook University; Townsville Australia
| | - Catherine E. King
- Sansom Institute of Health Research; University of South Australia; Adelaide Australia
| | - Michael F. Fenech
- Department of Animal, Food and Health Sciences; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation; Adelaide Australia
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12
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Kirkovski M, Enticott PG, Fitzgerald PB. A review of the role of female gender in autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 2014; 43:2584-603. [PMID: 23525974 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-013-1811-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
This paper reviews the literature exploring gender differences associated with the clinical presentation of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The potentially mediating effect of comorbid psychopathology, biological and neurodevelopmental implications on these gender differences is also discussed. A vastly heterogeneous condition, while females on the lower-functioning end of the spectrum appear to be more severely affected, an altered clinical manifestation of the disorder among high-functioning females may consequently result in many being un- or mis-diagnosed. To date, there is strong bias in the literature towards the clinical presentation of ASD in males. It is imperative that future research explores gender differences across the autism spectrum, in order to improve researchers', clinicians' and the public's understanding of this debilitating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Kirkovski
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Level 4, 607 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia,
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Genomic imprinting is an epigenetically-driven phenomenon that responds to environmental stimuli to determine the fetal growth trajectory. This review aims at describing the transgenerational meaning of genomic imprinting while supporting the study of genomic imprinting in placenta for the determination of an important biomarker of chronic and developmental disorders in children as driven by the environment. RECENT FINDINGS Recent work has shown that genomic imprinting reaches beyond the basic significance of an epigenetic mark regulating gene expression. Genomic imprinting has been theorized as the main determinant of epigenetic inheritance. Concomitantly, new studies in the field of molecular epidemiology became available that tie the fetal growth trajectory to genomic imprinting in response to environmental stimuli, making of genomic imprinting the driving force of the fetal growth. When carried out in placenta, the effector of the intrauterine environment as conveyed by the maternal exposure to the general life environment, the study of genomic imprinting may reveal critical information on alterations of the fetal growth trajectory. SUMMARY The study of genomic imprinting profiles in placentas from birth cohorts of individuals exposed to different environmental stimuli can provide a new, much needed, tool for the elaboration of effective public health intervention plans for child health.
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14
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Main PAE, Thomas P, Esterman A, Fenech MF. Necrosis is increased in lymphoblastoid cell lines from children with autism compared with their non-autistic siblings under conditions of oxidative and nitrosative stress. Mutagenesis 2014; 28:475-84. [PMID: 23766106 DOI: 10.1093/mutage/get025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental conditions characterised by impairments in reciprocal social interaction, communication and stereotyped behaviours. As increased DNA damage events have been observed in a range of other neurological disorders, it was hypothesised that they would be elevated in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) obtained from children with autism compared with their non-autistic siblings. Six case-sibling pairs of LCLs from children with autistic disorder and their non-autistic siblings were obtained from the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) and cultured in standard RPMI-1640 tissue culture medium. Cells were exposed to medium containing either 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 µM hydrogen peroxide (an oxidative stressor) or 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 µM s-nitroprusside (a nitric oxide producer) for 1h. Following exposure, the cells were microscopically scored for DNA damage, cytostasis and cytotoxicity biomarkers as measured using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay. Necrosis was significantly increased in cases relative to controls when exposed to oxidative and nitrosative stress (P = 0.001 and 0.01, respectively). Nuclear division index was significantly lower in LCLs from children with autistic disorder than their non-autistic siblings when exposed to hydrogen peroxide (P = 0.016), but there was no difference in apoptosis, micronucleus frequency, nucleoplasmic bridges or nuclear buds. Exposure to s-nitroprusside significantly increased the number of micronuclei in non-autistic siblings compared with cases (P = 0.003); however, other DNA damage biomarkers, apoptosis and nuclear division did not differ significantly between groups. The findings of this study show (i) that LCLs from children with autism are more sensitive to necrosis under conditions of oxidative and nitrosative stress than their non-autistic siblings and (ii) refutes the hypothesis that children with autistic disorder are abnormally susceptible to DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penelope A E Main
- Sansom Institute of Health Research, University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, Australia
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Gadow KD, DeVincent CJ. Comparison of children with autism spectrum disorder with and without schizophrenia spectrum traits: gender, season of birth, and mental health risk factors. J Autism Dev Disord 2013; 42:2285-96. [PMID: 22361923 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-012-1473-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with and without co-occurring schizophrenia spectrum traits (SST) were examined for differences in co-occurring psychiatric symptoms, background characteristics, and mental health risk factors. Participating mothers and teachers completed a DSM-IV-referenced rating scale and a background questionnaire (mothers only) describing 147 children (6-12 years) with ASD. There was a clear pattern of group differences in co-occurring psychiatric symptom severity (+SST > SST-) and background characteristics. Children with impairing SST had more mental health risk factors. Girls were more likely to be classified SST according to mothers' ratings. Children born in spring-summer were more likely to be classified non-SST by teachers' ratings. Findings provide tentative evidence that SST may be a useful marker of behavioral heterogeneity within the ASD clinical phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth D Gadow
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (Pediatrics), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8790, USA.
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Gadow KD. Association of schizophrenia spectrum and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms in children with ASD and clinic controls. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2013; 34:1289-1299. [PMID: 23417134 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2013.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Revised: 01/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examines relations between the severity of specific symptoms of schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) and severity of the three defining symptom domains of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children with ASD (N=147) and child psychiatry outpatient referrals (Controls; N=339). METHOD Participants were subdivided into four groups depending on ASD status (±) and whether they met symptom criteria for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (±ADHD). Their mothers and teachers evaluated them with a DSM-IV-referenced rating scale. RESULTS Correlations between schizoid personality symptoms and ASD social skills deficits were moderate to large, and this was true for children with ASD and Controls, regardless of ADHD status, and for mother's and teachers' ratings. Conversely, severity of hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking were minimally correlated with ASD severity with the exception of Controls with ADHD. The disorganized behavior and negative symptoms of schizophrenia evidenced the strongest pattern of associations with ASD symptoms, and this was particularly true for children with co-morbid ADHD (±ASD, all three ASD symptom dimensions), and for teachers' ratings of all four groups. Nevertheless, there was considerable variability in relations for specific symptoms across informants and groups. Correlations between SSD symptom severity and IQ were generally low, particularly among the ASD Only group and for all teacher-rated symptoms. CONCLUSION Associations between ASD and SSD symptoms were often dimension-specific, and this was particularly evident in children without ADHD (±ASD; mothers' ratings). Findings were interpreted as supporting the deconstruction of complex clinical phenotypes as a means of better understanding interrelations among psychiatric syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth D Gadow
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8790, USA.
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Epigenetics: How Genes and Environment Interact. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENOMICS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-23380-7_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Pathology from evolutionary conflict, with a theory of X chromosome versus autosome conflict over sexually antagonistic traits. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108 Suppl 2:10886-93. [PMID: 21690397 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1100921108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary conflicts cause opponents to push increasingly hard and in opposite directions on the regulation of traits. One can see only the intermediate outcome from the balance of the exaggerated and opposed forces. Intermediate expression hides the underlying conflict, potentially misleading one to conclude that trait regulation is designed to achieve efficient and robust expression, rather than arising by the precarious resolution of conflict. Perturbation often reveals the underlying nature of evolutionary conflict. Upon mutation or knockout of one side in the conflict, the other previously hidden and exaggerated push on the trait may cause extreme, pathological expression. In this regard, pathology reveals hidden evolutionary design. We first review several evolutionary conflicts between males and females, including conflicts over mating, fertilization, and the growth rate of offspring. Perturbations of these conflicts lead to infertility, misregulated growth, cancer, behavioral abnormalities, and psychiatric diseases. We then turn to antagonism between the sexes over traits present in both males and females. For many traits, the different sexes favor different phenotypic values, and constraints prevent completely distinct expression in the sexes. In this case of sexual antagonism, we present a theory of conflict between X-linked genes and autosomal genes. We suggest that dysregulation of the exaggerated conflicting forces between the X chromosome and the autosomes may be associated with various pathologies caused by extreme expression along the male-female axis. Rapid evolution of conflicting X-linked and autosomal genes may cause divergence between populations and speciation.
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