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Seneff S, Kyriakopoulos AM, Nigh G. Is autism a PIN1 deficiency syndrome? A proposed etiological role for glyphosate. J Neurochem 2024. [PMID: 38808598 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, the prevalence of which has increased dramatically in the United States over the past two decades. It is characterized by stereotyped behaviors and impairments in social interaction and communication. In this paper, we present evidence that autism can be viewed as a PIN1 deficiency syndrome. Peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase, NIMA-Interacting 1 (PIN1) is a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase, and it has widespread influences in biological organisms. Broadly speaking, PIN1 deficiency is linked to many neurodegenerative diseases, whereas PIN1 over-expression is linked to cancer. Death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) strongly inhibits PIN1, and the hormone melatonin inhibits DAPK1. Melatonin deficiency is strongly linked to autism. It has recently been shown that glyphosate exposure to rats inhibits melatonin synthesis as a result of increased glutamate release from glial cells and increased expression of metabotropic glutamate receptors. Glyphosate's inhibition of melatonin leads to a reduction in PIN1 availability in neurons. In this paper, we show that PIN1 deficiency can explain many of the unique morphological features of autism, including increased dendritic spine density, missing or thin corpus callosum, and reduced bone density. We show how PIN1 deficiency disrupts the functioning of powerful high-level signaling molecules, such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and p53. Dysregulation of both of these proteins has been linked to autism. Severe depletion of glutathione in the brain resulting from chronic exposure to oxidative stressors and extracellular glutamate leads to oxidation of the cysteine residue in PIN1, inactivating the protein and further contributing to PIN1 deficiency. Impaired autophagy leads to increased sensitivity of neurons to ferroptosis. It is imperative that further research be conducted to experimentally validate whether the mechanisms described here take place in response to chronic glyphosate exposure and whether this ultimately leads to autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Seneff
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Greg Nigh
- Immersion Health, Portland, Oregon, USA
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2
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Prem S, Dev B, Peng C, Mehta M, Alibutud R, Connacher RJ, St Thomas M, Zhou X, Matteson P, Xing J, Millonig JH, DiCicco-Bloom E. Dysregulation of mTOR signaling mediates common neurite and migration defects in both idiopathic and 16p11.2 deletion autism neural precursor cells. eLife 2024; 13:e82809. [PMID: 38525876 PMCID: PMC11003747 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82809] [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: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by common behavioral characteristics, raising the possibility of shared pathogenic mechanisms. Yet, vast clinical and etiological heterogeneity suggests personalized phenotypes. Surprisingly, our iPSC studies find that six individuals from two distinct ASD subtypes, idiopathic and 16p11.2 deletion, have common reductions in neural precursor cell (NPC) neurite outgrowth and migration even though whole genome sequencing demonstrates no genetic overlap between the datasets. To identify signaling differences that may contribute to these developmental defects, an unbiased phospho-(p)-proteome screen was performed. Surprisingly despite the genetic heterogeneity, hundreds of shared p-peptides were identified between autism subtypes including the mTOR pathway. mTOR signaling alterations were confirmed in all NPCs across both ASD subtypes, and mTOR modulation rescued ASD phenotypes and reproduced autism NPC-associated phenotypes in control NPCs. Thus, our studies demonstrate that genetically distinct ASD subtypes have common defects in neurite outgrowth and migration which are driven by the shared pathogenic mechanism of mTOR signaling dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smrithi Prem
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Bharati Dev
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Cynthia Peng
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Monal Mehta
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Rohan Alibutud
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Robert J Connacher
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Madeline St Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Xiaofeng Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Paul Matteson
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Jinchuan Xing
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
| | - James H Millonig
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
| | - Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolNew BrunswickUnited States
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Miike T, Oniki K, Toyoura M, Tonooka S, Tajima S, Kinoshita J, Saruwatari J, Konishi Y. Disruption of Circadian Sleep/Wake Rhythms in Infants May Herald Future Development of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Clocks Sleep 2024; 6:170-182. [PMID: 38534800 DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep6010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
We investigated whether the abnormal rhythms in infants are related to the future development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), using a questionnaire from September to October 2016. The parents of 160 children with ASD (male, n = 123; female, n = 37) were recruited from two hospitals in K and H cities, and as a control group, 145 children (male, n = 75; female, n = 70) were recruited from four nursery schools in T city. The associations between ASD and bedtime and waking time on weekdays and weekends in infancy (<1 years of age), at 1-3 years, and at 3-5 years of ages were studied using a multivariable logistic regression analysis. In particular, at <3 years of age, the following factors were associated with an increased prevalence of ASD in the future: (1) short sleep periods (<8 h); (2) taking a long time to fall asleep (>60 min); (3) sleep beginning after 22:00; (4) a wake-up time after 08:00; and (5) frequent (>3 times) and long-term awakening periods (>60 min). The misalignment and/or shift of the circadian rhythm in infants may be one of the precursors and/or risk factors for the future development of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teruhisa Miike
- Hyogo Rehabilitation Central Hospital, Children's Sleep and Development Medical Research Center, Kobe 651-2181, Japan
- Department of Child Development, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Kentaro Oniki
- Division of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Makiko Toyoura
- Hyogo Rehabilitation Central Hospital, Children's Sleep and Development Medical Research Center, Kobe 651-2181, Japan
| | - Shiro Tonooka
- Kagoshima Comprehensive Clinic for Disabled Children, Kagoshima 891-0175, Japan
| | - Seiki Tajima
- Hyogo Rehabilitation Central Hospital, Children's Sleep and Development Medical Research Center, Kobe 651-2181, Japan
| | - Jun Kinoshita
- Japanese Association of Baby Science Learners, Tokushima 770-0052, Japan
| | - Junji Saruwatari
- Division of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Yukuo Konishi
- Center for Baby Science, Doshisha University, Kyoto 619-0225, Japan
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Beker S, Molholm S. Do we all synch alike? Brain-body-environment interactions in ASD. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1275896. [PMID: 38186630 PMCID: PMC10769494 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1275896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by rigidity of routines and restricted interests, and atypical social communication and interaction. Recent evidence for altered synchronization of neuro-oscillatory brain activity with regularities in the environment and of altered peripheral nervous system function in ASD present promising novel directions for studying pathophysiology and its relationship to ASD clinical phenotype. Human cognition and action are significantly influenced by physiological rhythmic processes that are generated by both the central nervous system (CNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Normally, perception occurs in a dynamic context, where brain oscillations and autonomic signals synchronize with external events to optimally receive temporally predictable rhythmic information, leading to improved performance. The recent findings on the time-sensitive coupling between the brain and the periphery in effective perception and successful social interactions in typically developed highlight studying the interactions within the brain-body-environment triad as a critical direction in the study of ASD. Here we offer a novel perspective of autism as a case where the temporal dynamics of brain-body-environment coupling is impaired. We present evidence from the literature to support the idea that in autism the nervous system fails to operate in an adaptive manner to synchronize with temporally predictable events in the environment to optimize perception and behavior. This framework could potentially lead to novel biomarkers of hallmark deficits in ASD such as cognitive rigidity and altered social interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shlomit Beker
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
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5
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Feybesse C, Chokron S, Tordjman S. Melatonin in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Critical Literature Review. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:2017. [PMID: 38001870 PMCID: PMC10669594 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12112017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The article presents a review of the relationships between melatonin and neurodevelopmental disorders. First, the antioxidant properties of melatonin and its physiological effects are considered to understand better the role of melatonin in typical and atypical neurodevelopment. Then, several neurodevelopmental disorders occurring during infancy, such as autism spectrum disorder or neurogenetic disorders associated with autism (including Smith-Magenis syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Rett's syndrome, Tuberous sclerosis, or Williams-Beuren syndrome) and neurodevelopmental disorders occurring later in adulthood like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, are discussed with regard to impaired melatonin production and circadian rhythms, in particular, sleep-wake rhythms. This article addresses the issue of overlapping symptoms that are commonly observed within these different mental conditions and debates the role of abnormal melatonin production and altered circadian rhythms in the pathophysiology and behavioral expression of these neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrille Feybesse
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent (PHUPEA), Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Regnier, 154 rue de Châtillon, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Sylvie Chokron
- Integrative Neuroscience and Cognition Center (INCC), CNRS UMR 8002, Université Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France;
| | - Sylvie Tordjman
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent (PHUPEA), Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Regnier, 154 rue de Châtillon, 35000 Rennes, France
- Integrative Neuroscience and Cognition Center (INCC), CNRS UMR 8002, Université Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France;
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Rennes, 2 Avenue du Professeur Léon Bernard, 35000 Rennes, France
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Doi H, Furui A, Ueda R, Shimatani K, Yamamoto M, Sakurai K, Mori C, Tsuji T. Spatiotemporal patterns of spontaneous movement in neonates are significantly linked to risk of autism spectrum disorders at 18 months old. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13869. [PMID: 37620366 PMCID: PMC10449803 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40368-2] [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: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Infants make spontaneous movements from the prenatal period. Several studies indicate that an atypical pattern of body motion during infancy could be utilized as an early biomarker of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, to date, little is known about whether the body motion pattern in neonates is associated with ASD risk. The present study sought to clarify this point by examining, in a longitudinal design, the link between features of spontaneous movement at about two days after birth and ASD risk evaluated using the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers by their caregivers at 18 months old. The body movement features were quantified by a recently developed markerless system of infant body motion analysis. Logistic regression analysis revealed that ASD risk at 18 months old is associated with the pattern of spontaneous movement at the neonatal stage. Further, logistic regression based on body movement features during sleep shows better performance in classifying high- and low-risk infants than during the awake state. These findings raise the possibility that early signs of ASD risk may emerge at a developmental stage far earlier than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirokazu Doi
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan.
- School of Science and Engineering, Kokushikan University, 4-28-1 Setagaya, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 154-8515, Japan.
- Department of Information and Management Systems Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan.
| | - Akira Furui
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8527, Japan.
| | - Rena Ueda
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8527, Japan
| | - Koji Shimatani
- Faculty of Health and Welfare, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, 1-1, Gakuen-machi, Mihara, Hiroshima, 734-8558, Japan
| | - Midori Yamamoto
- Department of Sustainable Health Science, Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Kenichi Sakurai
- Department of Nutrition and Metabolic Medicine, Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Chisato Mori
- Department of Sustainable Health Science, Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
- Department of Bioenvironmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Toshio Tsuji
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8527, Japan.
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Martinez-Cayuelas E, Merino-Andreu M, Losada-Del Pozo R, Gavela-Pérez T, Garcés C, Soriano-Guillén L. Response to Melatonin Treatment in Children With Autism spectrum Disorder and Relationship to Sleep Parameters and Melatonin Levels. J Child Neurol 2023:8830738231173606. [PMID: 37192744 DOI: 10.1177/08830738231173606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Melatonin is one of the most used pharmacologic treatments for sleep problems in autism spectrum disorder, though its relationship with circadian and sleep parameters is still not well stablished. A naturalistic study was conducted in children with autism spectrum disorder, previously drug-naïve, before and after treatment with immediate-release melatonin. Circadian rhythms and sleep parameters were studied using an ambulatory circadian-monitoring device, and saliva samples were collected enabling determination of dim light melatonin onset. Twenty-six children with autism spectrum disorder (age 10.50 ± 2.91) were included. Immediate-release melatonin modified circadian rhythm as indicated by wrist skin temperature, showing an increase at night. A positive correlation was found between time of peak melatonin and sleep efficiency improvement values. Sleep-onset latency and efficiency improved with immediate-release melatonin. Immediate-release melatonin could be an effective treatment to improve sleep onset and restore a typical pattern of wrist temperature, which appears to be lost in autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Martinez-Cayuelas
- Department of Pediatrics, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria- Fundación Jiménez Díaz. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Milagros Merino-Andreu
- Neurophisiology, Sleep Unit, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana, 261. 28046, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebeca Losada-Del Pozo
- Department of Pediatrics, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria- Fundación Jiménez Díaz. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa Gavela-Pérez
- Department of Pediatrics, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria- Fundación Jiménez Díaz. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Garcés
- Lipid Laboratory, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Leandro Soriano-Guillén
- Department of Pediatrics, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria- Fundación Jiménez Díaz. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Ariani A, Ghofar IF, Khotimah H, Nurdiana N, Rahayu M. Asiatic acid in Centella asiatica extract towards morphological development in an intermittent hypoxia intrauterine embryo model and molecular prediction pathway of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor signalling. Open Vet J 2023; 13:629-637. [PMID: 37304601 PMCID: PMC10257456 DOI: 10.5455/ovj.2023.v13.i5.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hypoxia during pregnancy generates oxidative stress that alters the growth and development of the human fetus. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptors are essential for normal fetal growth. Asiatic acid in Centella asiatica (CA) has antioxidant properties to prevent growth impairment in hypoxia. Aims This study aimed to investigate the effect of asiatic acid on the morphological development of an intermittent hypoxia (IH) zebrafish embryo model and analyze molecular docking prediction in IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling. Methods Embryos of zebrafish at 2 hours postfertilization (hpf) were assigned to control negative (C), IH, and combination IH and CA extract groups consisting of 1.25 (IHCA1), 2.5 (IHCA2), and 5 (IHCA3) µg/ml. Hypoxia treatment (conducted 4 hours/day) and CA extract were administered for 3 days (2-72 hpf). The parameters of body length and head length were evaluated at 3, 6, and 9 days postfertilization (dpf). The data were analyzed by a two-way analysis of variance (p < 0.05). Molecular docking was performed to explore the binding affinity of asiatic acid to IGF-1R by Molegro Virtual Docker ver.5 software. Results The body length and head length of embryos in the IH and treatment groups (IHCA) were shorter than those in the control group at 3 dpf (p < 0.05). However, the body length was more prolonged in the IHCA1 group, but the head length was longer in the IHCA2 group than in the IH group at 6 and 9 dpf. Molecular docking showed the reliable interaction of asiatic acid with IGF-1R signaling in an IH animal model. Conclusion The administration of CA extract benefits IH through the development and growth of zebrafish embryos at a dose of 2.5-5 µg/ml. Asiatic acid has a binding affinity for IGF-1R signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariani Ariani
- Doctoral Program of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
- Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
| | | | - Husnul Khotimah
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Nurdiana Nurdiana
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Masruroh Rahayu
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
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9
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Kumar S, Mehan S, Narula AS. Therapeutic modulation of JAK-STAT, mTOR, and PPAR-γ signaling in neurological dysfunctions. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:9-49. [PMID: 36478124 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-022-02272-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The cytokine-activated Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) cascade is a pleiotropic pathway that involves receptor subunit multimerization. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a ubiquitously expressed serine-threonine kinase that perceives and integrates a variety of intracellular and environmental stimuli to regulate essential activities such as cell development and metabolism. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) is a prototypical metabolic nuclear receptor involved in neural differentiation and axon polarity. The JAK-STAT, mTOR, and PPARγ signaling pathways serve as a highly conserved signaling hub that coordinates neuronal activity and brain development. Additionally, overactivation of JAK/STAT, mTOR, and inhibition of PPARγ signaling have been linked to various neurocomplications, including neuroinflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Emerging research suggests that even minor disruptions in these cellular and molecular processes can have significant consequences manifested as neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. Of interest, target modulators have been proven to alleviate neuronal complications associated with acute and chronic neurological deficits. This research-based review explores the therapeutic role of JAK-STAT, mTOR, and PPARγ signaling modulators in preventing neuronal dysfunctions in preclinical and clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Kumar
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Punjab, Moga, India
| | - Sidharth Mehan
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Punjab, Moga, India.
| | - Acharan S Narula
- Narula Research, LLC, 107 Boulder Bluff, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA
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Morris P, Hope E, Foulsham T, Mills JP. Dancing out for a voice; a narrative review of the literature exploring autism, physical activity, and dance. J Bodyw Mov Ther 2023; 33:202-215. [PMID: 36775520 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2022.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterised by profound challenges with social communication and social interaction. Currently, there are few therapeutic interventions that successfully target some of the functionally impairing traits associated with autism. Furthermore, many of these interventions comprise a variety of limitations; including, limited accessibility, extensive durations, or the requirement of a trained professional to deliver the intervention. New research suggests that instead of targeting all traits associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder with a single solution, scientific research should focus on providing therapeutic tools that alleviate functionally impairing facets specific to the individual. Owing to the nature of physical activity, sports, and dance (coordinated movement) these activities could provide opportunities to enhance communication skills and social development in autistic children. Therefore, this paper gives a narrative overview of the literature surrounding communication and coordinated movement; outlining what is meant by communication challenges, exploring the benefits of coordinated movement for traits associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and delineating how coordinated movement elicits positive outcomes for autistic children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe Morris
- School of Sport, Exercise Science and Rehabilitation, University of Essex, UK.
| | - Edward Hope
- School of Sport, Exercise Science and Rehabilitation, University of Essex, UK
| | - Tom Foulsham
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, UK
| | - John P Mills
- School of Sport, Exercise Science and Rehabilitation, University of Essex, UK
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Kalemaj Z, Marino MM, Santini AC, Tomaselli G, Auti A, Cagetti MG, Borsello T, Costantino A, Inchingolo F, Boccellino M, Di Domenico M, Tartaglia GM. Salivary microRNA profiling dysregulation in autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:945278. [PMID: 36340774 PMCID: PMC9629840 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.945278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are the most prevalent neurobiological disorders in children. The etiology comprises genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors such as dysfunction of the immune system. Epigenetic mechanisms are mainly represented by DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs (miRNA). The major explored epigenetic mechanism is mediated by miRNAs which target genes known to be involved in ASD pathogenesis. Salivary poly-omic RNA measurements have been associated with ASD and are helpful to differentiate ASD endophenotypes. This study aims to comprehensively examine miRNA expression in children with ASD and to reveal potential biomarkers and possible disease mechanisms so that they can be used to improve faction between individuals by promoting more personalized therapeutic approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS Saliva samples were collected from 10 subjects: 5 samples of children with ASD and 5 from healthy controls. miRNAs were analyzed using an Illumina Next-Generation-Sequencing (NGS) system. RESULTS Preliminary data highlighted the presence of 365 differentially expressed miRNAs. Pathway analysis, molecular function, biological processes, and target genes of 41 dysregulated miRNAs were assessed, of which 20 were upregulated, and 21 were downregulated in children with ASD compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSION The results of this study represent preliminary but promising data, as the identified miRNA pathways could represent useful biomarkers for the early non-invasive diagnosis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zamira Kalemaj
- UOC Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Dentistry, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Michela Marino
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Tomaselli
- Pharmacological Research Institute Mario Negri-IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Amogh Auti
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Cagetti
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Science, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Borsello
- Pharmacological Research Institute Mario Negri-IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella Costantino
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Inchingolo
- Section of Dental Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Università di Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Boccellino
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Marina Di Domenico
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Gianluca Martino Tartaglia
- UOC Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Dentistry, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Tesfaye R, Huguet G, Schmilovich Z, Renne T, Loum MA, Douard E, Saci Z, Jean-Louis M, Martineau JL, Whelan R, Desrivieres S, Heinz A, Schumann G, Hayward C, Elsabbagh M, Jacquemont S. Investigating the contributions of circadian pathway and insomnia risk genes to autism and sleep disturbances. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:424. [PMID: 36192372 PMCID: PMC9529939 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02188-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleep disturbance is prevalent in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Researchers have posited that circadian dysfunction may contribute to sleep problems or exacerbate ASD symptomatology. However, there is limited genetic evidence of this. It is also unclear how insomnia risk genes identified through GWAS in general populations are related to ASD and common sleep problems like insomnia traits in ASD. We investigated the contribution of copy number variants (CNVs) encompassing circadian pathway genes and insomnia risk genes to ASD risk as well as sleep disturbances in children with ASD. We studied 5860 ASD probands and 2092 unaffected siblings from the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC) and MSSNG database, as well as 7509 individuals from two unselected populations (IMAGEN and Generation Scotland). Sleep duration and insomnia symptoms were parent reported for SSC probands. We identified 335 and 616 rare CNVs encompassing circadian and insomnia risk genes respectively. Deletions and duplications with circadian genes were overrepresented in ASD probands compared to siblings and unselected controls. For insomnia-risk genes, deletions (not duplications) were associated with ASD in both cohorts. Results remained significant after adjusting for cognitive ability. CNVs containing circadian pathway and insomnia risk genes showed a stronger association with ASD, compared to CNVs containing other genes. Circadian genes did not influence sleep duration or insomnia traits in ASD. Insomnia risk genes intolerant to haploinsufficiency increased risk for insomnia when duplicated. CNVs encompassing circadian and insomnia risk genes increase ASD liability with little to no observable impacts on sleep disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rackeb Tesfaye
- McGill University, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, Azrieli Centre for Autism Research, Montreal, Canada.
| | - Guillaume Huguet
- UHC Sainte-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Thomas Renne
- UHC Sainte-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Mor Absa Loum
- UHC Sainte-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Elise Douard
- UHC Sainte-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Zohra Saci
- UHC Sainte-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Jean Luc Martineau
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM U A10 "Trajectoires développementales en psychiatrie", Université Paris-Saclay, Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Centre Borelli, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Rob Whelan
- Global Brain Health Institute and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sylvane Desrivieres
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Precision Medicine (PONS), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, SGDP Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gunter Schumann
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Precision Medicine (PONS), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, SGDP Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- PONS Research Group, Dept of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Charite Mitte, Humboldt University, Berlin and Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany, and Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Caroline Hayward
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, United Kingdom
- Generation Scotland, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, United Kingdom
| | - Mayada Elsabbagh
- McGill University, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, Azrieli Centre for Autism Research, Montreal, Canada
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Transcriptomic analysis in the striatum reveals the involvement of Nurr1 in the social behavior of prenatally valproic acid-exposed male mice. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:324. [PMID: 35945212 PMCID: PMC9363495 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02056-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that exhibits neurobehavioral deficits characterized by abnormalities in social interactions, deficits in communication as well as restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. The basal ganglia is one of the brain regions implicated as dysfunctional in ASD. In particular, the defects in corticostriatal function have been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of ASD. Surface deformation of the striatum in the brains of patients with ASD and their correlation with behavioral symptoms was reported in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. We demonstrated that prenatal valproic acid (VPA) exposure induced synaptic and molecular changes and decreased neuronal activity in the striatum. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), we analyzed transcriptome alterations in striatal tissues from 10-week-old prenatally VPA-exposed BALB/c male mice. Among the upregulated genes, Nurr1 was significantly upregulated in striatal tissues from prenatally VPA-exposed mice. Viral knockdown of Nurr1 by shRNA significantly rescued the reduction in dendritic spine density and the number of mature dendritic spines in the striatum and markedly improved social deficits in prenatally VPA-exposed mice. In addition, treatment with amodiaquine, which is a known ligand for Nurr1, mimicked the social deficits and synaptic abnormalities in saline-exposed mice as observed in prenatally VPA-exposed mice. Furthermore, PatDp+/- mice, a commonly used ASD genetic mouse model, also showed increased levels of Nurr1 in the striatum. Taken together, these results suggest that the increase in Nurr1 expression in the striatum is a mechanism related to the changes in synaptic deficits and behavioral phenotypes of the VPA-induced ASD mouse model.
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14
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Raghavan R, Anand NS, Wang G, Hong X, Pearson C, Zuckerman B, Xie H, Wang X. Association between cord blood metabolites in tryptophan pathway and childhood risk of autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:270. [PMID: 35810183 PMCID: PMC9271093 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01992-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in tryptophan and serotonin have been implicated in various mental disorders; but studies are limited on child neurodevelopmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This prospective cohort study examined the associations between levels of tryptophan and select metabolites (5-methoxytryptophol (5-MTX), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), serotonin, N-acetyltrytophan) in cord plasma (collected at birth) and physician-diagnosed ASD, ADHD and other developmental disabilities (DD) in childhood. The study sample (n = 996) derived from the Boston Birth Cohort, which included 326 neurotypical children, 87 ASD, 269 ADHD, and 314 other DD children (mutually exclusive). These participants were enrolled at birth and followed-up prospectively (from October 1, 1998 to June 30, 2018) at the Boston Medical Center. Higher levels of cord 5-MTX was associated with a lower risk of ASD (aOR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.77) and ADHD (aOR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.96) per Z-score increase, after adjusting for potential confounders. Similarly, children with cord 5-MTX ≥ 25th percentile (vs. <25th percentile) had a reduction in ASD (aOR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.49) and ADHD risks (aOR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.70). In contrast, higher levels of cord tryptophan, 5-HTP and N-acetyltryptophan were associated with higher risk of ADHD, with aOR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.51; aOR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.61; and aOR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.53, respectively, but not with ASD and other DD. Cord serotonin was not associated with ASD, ADHD, and other DD. Most findings remained statistically significant in the sensitivity and subgroup analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramkripa Raghavan
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Center on Early Life Origins of Disease, Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Neha S. Anand
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Center on Early Life Origins of Disease, Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Guoying Wang
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Center on Early Life Origins of Disease, Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Xiumei Hong
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Center on Early Life Origins of Disease, Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Colleen Pearson
- grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA USA
| | - Barry Zuckerman
- grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA USA
| | - Hehuang Xie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Fralin Life Sciences Institute at Virginia Technology, Blacksburg, VA USA
| | - Xiaobin Wang
- Center on Early Life Origins of Disease, Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Martinez-Cayuelas E, Gavela-Pérez T, Rodrigo-Moreno M, Merino-Andreu M, Vales-Villamarín C, Pérez-Nadador I, Garcés C, Soriano-Guillén L. Melatonin Rhythm and Its Relation to Sleep and Circadian Parameters in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Neurol 2022; 13:813692. [PMID: 35775056 PMCID: PMC9237227 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.813692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sleep problems are prevalent among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and a role has been attributed to melatonin in this multifactorial comorbidity. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 41 autistic children and adolescents (9.9 ± 3.02) and 24 children and adolescents with a normal intellectual function (8.42 ± 2.43) were used as controls. Subjects were matched for sex, body mass index, and pubertal stage, and all were drug-naive. Circadian and sleep parameters were studied using an ambulatory circadian monitoring (ACM) device, and saliva samples were collected around the onset of sleep to determine dim light melatonin onset (DLMO). Results Prepubertal individuals with ASD presented later DLMO and an earlier decline in melatonin during adolescence. A relationship was found between melatonin and both sleep and circadian parameters. Participants and controls with later DLMOs were more likely to have delayed sleep onset times. In the ASD group, subjects with the later daytime midpoint of temperature had a later DLMO. Later melatonin peak time and DLMO time were related to lower general motor activity and lower stability of its rhythms. Conclusion The melatonin secretion pattern was different in individuals with ASD, and it showed a relationship with sleep and circadian parameters. Alterations in DLMO have not been previously reported in ASD with the exception of more variable DLMO timing; however, high variability in the study design and sample characteristics prevents direct comparison. The ACM device enabled the measurement of circadian rhythm, a scarcely described parameter in autistic children. When studied in combination with other measures such as melatonin, ACM can offer further knowledge on sleep problems in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Martinez-Cayuelas
- Department of Pediatrics, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias- Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Elena Martinez-Cayuelas
| | - Teresa Gavela-Pérez
- Department of Pediatrics, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias- Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Rodrigo-Moreno
- Department of Pediatrics, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias- Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Claudia Vales-Villamarín
- Lipid Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Iris Pérez-Nadador
- Lipid Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Garcés
- Lipid Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Leandro Soriano-Guillén
- Department of Pediatrics, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias- Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Wynn CJ, Barrett TS, Borrie SA. Rhythm Perception, Speaking Rate Entrainment, and Conversational Quality: A Mediated Model. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2022; 65:2187-2203. [PMID: 35617456 PMCID: PMC9567410 DOI: 10.1044/2022_jslhr-21-00293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Acoustic-prosodic entrainment, defined as the tendency for individuals to modify their speech behaviors to more closely align with the behaviors of their conversation partner, plays an important role in successful interaction. From a mechanistic perspective, acoustic-prosodic entrainment is, by its very nature, a rhythmic activity. Accordingly, it is highly plausible that an individual's rhythm perception abilities play a role in their ability to successfully entrain. Here, we examine the impact of rhythm perception in speaking rate entrainment and subsequent conversational quality. METHOD A round-robin paradigm was used to collect 90 dialogues from neurotypical adults. Additional assessments determined participants' rhythm perception abilities, social competence, and partner familiarity (i.e., whether the conversation partners knew each other prior to the interaction. Mediation analysis was used to examine the relationships between rhythm perception scores, speaking rate entrainment (using a measure of static local synchrony), and a measure of conversational success (i.e., conversational quality) based on third-party listener observations. Findings were compared to the same analysis with three additional predictive factors: participant gender, partner familiarity, and social competence. RESULTS Results revealed a relationship between rhythm perception and speaking rate entrainment. In unfamiliar conversation partners, there was a relationship between speaking rate entrainment and conversational quality. The relationships between entrainment and each of the three additional factors (i.e., gender, partner familiarity, and social competence) were nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS In unfamiliar conversation partners, better rhythm perception abilities were indicative of increased conversational quality mediated by higher levels of speaking rate entrainment. These results support theoretical postulations specifying rhythm perception abilities as a component of acoustic-prosodic entrainment, which, in turn, facilitates conversational success. Knowledge of this relationship contributes to the development of a causal framework for considering a mechanism by which rhythm perception deficits in clinical populations may impact conversational success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille J. Wynn
- Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education, Utah State University, Logan, UT
| | | | - Stephanie A. Borrie
- Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education, Utah State University, Logan, UT
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17
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Mehra S, Ul Ahsan A, Seth E, Chopra M. Critical Evaluation of Valproic Acid-Induced Rodent Models of Autism: Current and Future Perspectives. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:1259-1273. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02033-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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18
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Dell'Osso L, Massoni L, Battaglini S, Cremone IM, Carmassi C, Carpita B. Biological correlates of altered circadian rhythms, autonomic functions and sleep problems in autism spectrum disorder. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2022; 21:13. [PMID: 35534878 PMCID: PMC9082467 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-022-00390-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by a complex and multifaceted neurobehavioral syndrome. In the last decades, several studies highlighted an increased prevalence of sleep problems in ASD, which would be associated with autonomic system and circadian rhythm disruption. The present review aimed to summarize the available literature about sleep problems in ASD subjects and about the possible biological factors implicated in circadian rhythm and autonomic system deregulation in this population, as well as possible therapeutic approaches. Shared biological underpinnings between ASD symptoms and altered circadian rhythms/autonomic functions are also discussed. Studies on sleep showed how ASD subjects typically report more problems regarding insufficient sleep time, bedtime resistance and reduced sleep pressure. A link between sleep difficulties and irritability, deficits in social skills and behavioral problems was also highlighted. Among the mechanisms implicated, alteration in genes related to circadian rhythms, such as CLOCK genes, and in melatonin levels were reported. ASD subjects also showed altered hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic functions, generally with a tendency towards hyperarousal and hyper sympathetic state. Intriguingly, some of these biological alterations in ASD individuals were not associated only with sleep problems but also with more autism-specific clusters of symptoms, such as communication impairment or repetitive behaviors Although among the available treatments melatonin showed promising results, pharmacological studies for sleep problems in ASD need to follow more standardized protocols to reach more repeatable and reliable results. Further research should investigate the issue of sleep problems in ASD in a broader perspective, taking into account shared pathophysiological mechanisms for core and associated symptoms of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Dell'Osso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa, Italy
| | - Leonardo Massoni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Battaglini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ivan Mirko Cremone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa, Italy
| | - Barbara Carpita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa, Italy.
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19
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Abstract
AIMS Sleep disturbance is an important factor in the pathophysiology and progression of psychiatric disorders, but whether it is a cause, or a downstream effect is still not clear. METHODS To investigate causal relationships between three sleep-associated traits and seven psychiatric diseases, we used genetic variants related to insomnia, chronotype and sleep duration to perform a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomisation analysis. Summary-level data on psychiatric disorders were extracted from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. Effect estimates were obtained by using the inverse-variance-weighted (IVW), weights modified IVW, weighted-median methods, MR-Egger regression, MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) test and Robust Adjusted Profile Score (RAPS). RESULTS The causal odds ratio (OR) estimate of genetically determined insomnia was 1.33 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22-1.45; p = 5.03 × 10-11) for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 1.31 (95% CI 1.25-1.37; p = 6.88 × 10-31) for major depressive disorder (MDD) and 1.32 (95% CI 1.23-1.40; p = 1.42 × 10-16) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There were suggestive inverse associations of morningness chronotype with risk of MDD and schizophrenia (SCZ). Genetically predicted sleep duration was also nominally associated with the risk of bipolar disorder (BD). Conversely, PTSD and MDD were associated with an increased risk of insomnia (OR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.10, p = 7.85 × 10-4 for PTSD; OR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.14-1.64; p = 0.001 for MDD). A suggestive inverse association of ADHD and MDD with sleep duration was also observed. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide evidence of potential causal relationships between sleep disturbance and psychiatric disorders. This suggests that abnormal sleep patterns may serve as markers for psychiatric disorders and offer opportunities for prevention and management in psychiatric disorders.
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20
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Sadikova E, Dovgan K, Mazurek MO. Longitudinal Examination of Sleep Problems and Symptom Severity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2022; 53:1673-1681. [PMID: 35384626 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05401-1] [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: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Up to 80% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience sleep problems, which have been associated with more severe presentations of ASD symptoms. We examined the bidirectional link between sleep problems and specific ASD symptoms at two time points within 5 years in a well-characterized sample (659 children with ASD). Using cross-lagged panel analyses, we found evidence for a unidirectional link between baseline ASD symptoms (specifically repetitive behaviors, atypical behaviors, communication, and peer interactions) and future sleep problems, but did not find evidence of a bidirectional relationship. We did not find any longitudinal association between social reciprocity and sleep problems. It is important for providers and caregivers to understand and monitor the link between ASD symptoms and sleep problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Sadikova
- University of Virginia, 417 Emmet Street South, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA.
| | - Kristen Dovgan
- Marist College, 3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, USA
| | - Micah O Mazurek
- University of Virginia, 417 Emmet Street South, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
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21
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Cola M, Zampella CJ, Yankowitz LD, Plate S, Petrulla V, Tena K, Russell A, Pandey J, Schultz RT, Parish-Morris J. Conversational adaptation in children and teens with autism: Differences in talkativeness across contexts. Autism Res 2022; 15:1090-1108. [PMID: 35199482 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2693] [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: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Successful social communication is complex; it relies on effectively deploying and continuously revising one's behavior to fit the needs of a given conversation, partner, and context. For example, a skilled conversationalist may instinctively become less talkative with a quiet partner and more talkative with a chattier one. Prior research suggests that behavioral flexibility across social contexts can be a particular challenge for individuals with autism spectrum condition (ASC), and that difficulty adapting to the changing needs of a conversation contributes to communicative breakdowns and poor social outcomes. In this study, we examine whether reduced conversational adaptation, as measured by talkativeness, differentiates 48 verbally fluent children and teens with ASC from 50 neurotypical (NT) peers matched on age, intelligence quotient, and sex ratio. Participants completed the Contextual Assessment of Social Skills with two novel conversation partners. The first acted interested in the conversation and talked more (Interested condition), while the second acted bored and talked less (Bored condition). Results revealed that NT participants emulated their conversation partner's behavior by being more talkative in the Interested condition as compared to the Bored condition (z = 9.92, p < 0.001). In contrast, the ASC group did not differentially adapt their behavior to the Bored versus Interested context, instead remaining consistently talkative in both (p = 0.88). The results of this study have implications for understanding social communication and behavioral adaptation in ASC, and may be valuable for clinicians interested in improving conversational competence in verbally fluent individuals with autism. LAY SUMMARY: Social communication-including everyday conversations-can be challenging for individuals on the autism spectrum. In successful conversations, people tend to adjust aspects of their language to be more similar to their partners'. In this study, we found that children and teens with autism did not change their own talkativeness in response to a social partner who was more or less talkative, whereas neurotypical peers did. These findings have clinical implications for improving conversational competence in verbally fluent individuals with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith Cola
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Psychology, La Salle University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Casey J Zampella
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lisa D Yankowitz
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Samantha Plate
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Victoria Petrulla
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kimberly Tena
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alison Russell
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Juhi Pandey
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert T Schultz
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Julia Parish-Morris
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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22
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Al Dera H. Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorders and associated comorbidities: A pathophysiological review. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 148:112688. [PMID: 35149383 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that develop in early life due to interaction between several genetic and environmental factors and lead to alterations in brain function and structure. During the last decades, several mechanisms have been placed to explain the pathogenesis of autism. Unfortunately, these are reported in several studies and reviews which make it difficult to follow by the reader. In addition, some recent molecular mechanisms related to ASD have been unrevealed. This paper revises and highlights the major common molecular mechanisms responsible for the clinical symptoms seen in people with ASD, including the roles of common genetic factors and disorders, neuroinflammation, GABAergic signaling, and alterations in Ca+2 signaling. Besides, it covers the major molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in initiating the epileptic seizure, including the alterations in the GABAergic and glutamate signaling, vitamin and mineral deficiency, disorders of metabolism, and autoimmunity. Finally, this review also discusses sleep disorder patterns and the molecular mechanisms underlying them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussain Al Dera
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine at King Saud, Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Nadeem MS, Murtaza BN, Al-Ghamdi MA, Ali A, Zamzami MA, Khan JA, Ahmad A, Rehman MU, Kazmi I. Autism - A Comprehensive Array of Prominent Signs and Symptoms. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1418-1433. [PMID: 33494665 DOI: 10.2174/1381612827666210120095829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a multifaceted neurodevelopmental condition characterized by multiple psychological and physiological impairments in young children. According to the recent reports, 1 out of every 58 newly-born children is suffering from autism. The aetiology of the disorder is complex and poorly understood, hindering the adaptation of targeted and effective therapies. There are no well- established diagnostic biomarkers for autism. Hence the analysis of symptoms by the pediatricians plays a critical role in the early intervention. METHODS In the present report, we have emphasized 24 behavioral, psychological and clinical symptoms of autism. RESULTS Impaired social interaction, restrictive and narrow interests, anxiety, depression; aggressive, repetitive, rigid and self-injurious behavior, lack of consistency, short attention span, fear, shyness and phobias, hypersensitivity and rapid mood alterations, high level of food and toy selectivity; inability to establish friendships or follow the instructions; fascination by round spinning objects and eating non-food materials are common psychological characteristics of autism. Speech or hearing impairments, poor cognitive function, gastrointestinal problems, weak immunity, disturbed sleep and circadian rhythms, weak motor neuromuscular interaction, lower level of serotonin and neurotransmitters, headache and body pain are common physiological symptoms. CONCLUSION A variable qualitative and quantitative impact of this wide range of symptoms is perceived in each autistic individual, making him/her distinct, incomparable and exceptional. Selection and application of highly personalized medical and psychological therapies are therefore recommended for the management and treatment of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shahid Nadeem
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bibi Nazia Murtaza
- Department of Zoology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Maryam A Al-Ghamdi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Akbar Ali
- College of Pharmacy, Northern Border University Rafha 1321, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mazin A Zamzami
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jalaluddin A Khan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aftab Ahmad
- College of Pharmacy, Northern Border University Rafha 1321, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mujaddad Ur Rehman
- Department of Zoology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Imran Kazmi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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24
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Sharma A, Mehan S. Targeting PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling in the prevention of autism. Neurochem Int 2021; 147:105067. [PMID: 33992742 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2021.105067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling pathway represents an essential signaling mechanism for mammalian enzyme-related receptors in transducing signals or biological processes such as cell development, differentiation, cell survival, protein synthesis, and metabolism. Upregulation of the PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling pathway involves many human brain abnormalities, including autism and other neurological dysfunctions. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with behavior and psychiatric illness. This research-based review discusses the functional relationship between the neuropathogenic factors associated with PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Ultimately causes autism-like conditions associated with genetic alterations, neuronal apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. Therefore, inhibition of the PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling pathway may have an effective therapeutic value for autism treatment. The current review also summarizes the involvement of PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling pathway inhibitors in the treatment of autism and other neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Sharma
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Sidharth Mehan
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India.
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25
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Dumas G, Goubran‐Botros H, Matondo M, Pagan C, Boulègue C, Chaze T, Chamot‐Rooke J, Maronde E, Bourgeron T. Mass-spectrometry analysis of the human pineal proteome during night and day and in autism. J Pineal Res 2021; 70:e12713. [PMID: 33368564 PMCID: PMC8047921 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The human pineal gland regulates day-night dynamics of multiple physiological processes, especially through the secretion of melatonin. Using mass-spectrometry-based proteomics and dedicated analysis tools, we identify proteins in the human pineal gland and analyze systematically their variation throughout the day and compare these changes in the pineal proteome between control specimens and donors diagnosed with autism. Results reveal diverse regulated clusters of proteins with, among others, catabolic carbohydrate process and cytoplasmic membrane-bounded vesicle-related proteins differing between day and night and/or control versus autism pineal glands. These data show novel and unexpected processes happening in the human pineal gland during the day/night rhythm as well as specific differences between autism donor pineal glands and those from controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Dumas
- Human Genetics and Cognitive FunctionsInstitut PasteurUMR 3571 CNRSUniversity Paris DiderotParisFrance
- Precision Psychiatry and Social Physiology laboratoryCHU Ste‐Justine Research CenterDepartment of PsychiatryUniversity of MontrealQuebecQCCanada
| | - Hany Goubran‐Botros
- Human Genetics and Cognitive FunctionsInstitut PasteurUMR 3571 CNRSUniversity Paris DiderotParisFrance
| | - Mariette Matondo
- Institut PasteurUnité de Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie (MSBio)Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT)USR 2000 CNRSParisFrance
| | - Cécile Pagan
- Paris Descartes UniversityParisFrance
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie MoléculaireINSERM U942Hôpital LariboisièreAPHPParisFrance
| | - Cyril Boulègue
- Institut PasteurUnité de Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie (MSBio)Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT)USR 2000 CNRSParisFrance
| | - Thibault Chaze
- Institut PasteurUnité de Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie (MSBio)Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT)USR 2000 CNRSParisFrance
| | - Julia Chamot‐Rooke
- Institut PasteurUnité de Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie (MSBio)Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT)USR 2000 CNRSParisFrance
| | - Erik Maronde
- Institute for Anatomy IIFaculty of MedicineGoethe UniversityFrankfurtGermany
| | - Thomas Bourgeron
- Human Genetics and Cognitive FunctionsInstitut PasteurUMR 3571 CNRSUniversity Paris DiderotParisFrance
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26
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Morris PO, Hope E, Foulsham T, Mills JP. Dance, rhythm, and autism spectrum disorder: An explorative study. ARTS IN PSYCHOTHERAPY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aip.2020.101755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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27
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Koshiba M, Watarai-Senoo A, Karino G, Ozawa S, Kamei Y, Honda Y, Tanaka I, Kodama T, Usui S, Tokuno H. A Susceptible Period of Photic Day-Night Rhythm Loss in Common Marmoset Social Behavior Development. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 14:539411. [PMID: 33603653 PMCID: PMC7884770 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.539411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders such as pervasive developmental disorders is rapidly increasing worldwide. Although these developmental disorders are known to be influenced by an individual’s genetic background, the potential biological responses to early life’s environmental exposure to both physical and psychological factors must also be considered. Many studies have acknowledged the influence of shorter time for rest at night and the simultaneous occurrence of various kinds of complications involving developmental disorders. In a prior study, we examined how a common marmoset’s (Callithrix jacchus) psychosocial development was affected when it was reared under constant daylight from birth and then reared individually by humans nursing them under constant light (LL) during their juvenile development stages. The behaviors of these marmosets were compared with those of normal day-night cycle (LD) marmosets using a multivariate analysis based on principal component analysis (PCA). That study found that LL marmosets relatively elicited egg-like calls (Ecall) and side-to-side shakes of the upper body with rapid head rotation through adulthood frequently. Based on the PCA, these behaviors were interpreted as “alert” or “hyperactive” states. However, we did not clarify susceptible periods of the photic rhythm loss experience and the psychological development output. In this study we summarize the following studies in our model animal colonies involving 30 animals (11 female, 19 males) to further explore critical age states of inquiry about each social behavior profiling. We compared social behaviors of three age stages, juvenile, adolescent and young adult equivalent to one another in four LL experience conditions, LL (postnatal day (P) 0 to around 150), Middle (P60–149, 90 days), Late (P150–239, 90 days), and LD (no experience). In the most representative 1st and 2nd principal component scores, the shifting to higher frequency of alert behaviors developed at the adult stage in LL, Middle, then Late in turn. The no LL experience group, LD, generally featured higher frequency of local preference of high position compared to LL experience present groups, in adulthood. This limited model primate study might inspire different developmental age sensitive mechanisms of neuronal network to control socio-emotional functions by utilizing the multivariate visualization method, BOUQUET. This study could potentially contribute to nurturing educational designs for social developmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamiko Koshiba
- Engineering Department, Yamaguchi University, Ube City, Japan.,Pediatrics, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan.,Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Genta Karino
- Pediatrics, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shimpei Ozawa
- Pediatrics, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Kamei
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Honda
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya, Japan
| | - Ikuko Tanaka
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya, Japan
| | - Tohru Kodama
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya, Japan
| | - Setsuo Usui
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya, Japan
| | - Hironobu Tokuno
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya, Japan
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28
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The influence of circadian rhythms and aerobic glycolysis in autism spectrum disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:400. [PMID: 33199680 PMCID: PMC7669888 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01086-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Intellectual abilities and their clinical presentations are extremely heterogeneous in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The main causes of ASD remain unclear. ASD is frequently associated with sleep disorders. Biologic rhythms are complex systems interacting with the environment and controlling several physiological pathways, including brain development and behavioral processes. Recent findings have shown that the deregulation of the core clock neurodevelopmental signaling is correlated with ASD clinical presentation. One of the main pathways involved in developmental cognitive disorders is the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway. Circadian clocks have a main role in some tissues by driving circadian expression of genes involved in physiologic and metabolic functions. In ASD, the increase of the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway is enhancing by the dysregulation of circadian rhythms. ASD progression is associated with a major metabolic reprogramming, initiated by aberrant WNT/β-catenin pathway, the aerobic glycolysis. This review focuses on the interest of circadian rhythms dysregulation in metabolic reprogramming in ASD through the aberrant upregulation of the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway.
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29
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Varma P, Conduit R, Junge M, Jackson ML. Examining Sleep and Mood in Parents of Children with Sleep Disturbances. Nat Sci Sleep 2020; 12:865-874. [PMID: 33154690 PMCID: PMC7608549 DOI: 10.2147/nss.s271140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The current study examined sleep and mood associations in parents of children with sleep disturbances across a sample of typically developing children and children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The mediating effect of children's sleep on the relationship between parents' sleep and mood was also assessed. The study explored differences in parents' sleep based on whether 1) the child had a sleep disturbance, and 2) the child was typically developing or had a neurodevelopmental disorder. METHODS A total of 293 parents of children aged 2-12 years completed an online questionnaire. Parental sleep was examined using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale and the Pre-sleep Arousal Scale, and mood was assessed using the Profile of Mood States-short form. Measures for children included the Child's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. RESULTS Across the overall sample, children's sleep disturbances were associated with parents' sleep disturbances, accounting for 22% of the change in parental sleep quality. Children's sleep partially mediated parents' sleep and mood. Significant differences were observed for sleep and mood outcomes in parents of children with sleep disturbances (CSHQ scores ≥41). However, no significant differences were reported for children's sleep disturbances and parents' sleep quality based on whether the child was typically developing or had a neurodevelopmental disorder. CONCLUSION Parents of children with sleep disturbances experience poor sleep and high pre-sleep arousal, indicative of insomnia. Given that these parents experience cognitive arousal and insomnia, it is recommended that parents' sleep problems are addressed and treated in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prerna Varma
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Russell Conduit
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Moira Junge
- Sleep Health Foundation, Blacktown, Sydney, Australia
| | - Melinda L Jackson
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
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30
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Lampi A, Fitzpatrick P, Romero V, Amaral J, Schmidt RC. Understanding the Influence of Social and Motor Context on the Co-occurring Frequency of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 50:1479-1496. [PMID: 30051188 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3698-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The social and motor context in which restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) occur in autism and their relationship to social traits are not well-understood. Participants with and without autism completed tasks that varied in social and motor engagement and RRB frequency was measured. Motor and verbal RRBs were most common, RRBs varied based on motor and social context for participants with autism, and social engagement was associated with lower motor and verbal RRBs. Significant correlations between RRBs and autism severity, social synchrony, and nonverbal mental age were also found. This research confirms the importance of context for understanding RRBs during on-going tasks and raises questions about whether the factors that elicit vocal and motor RRBs are unique for individual children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Lampi
- Department of Psychology, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA
| | - Paula Fitzpatrick
- Department of Psychology, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA.
| | - Veronica Romero
- Center for Cognition, Action and Perception, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Psychology, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Joseph Amaral
- Center for Cognition, Action and Perception, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Boston Children's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - R C Schmidt
- Department of Psychology, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA
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31
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Miike T, Toyoura M, Tonooka S, Konishi Y, Oniki K, Saruwatari J, Tajima S, Kinoshita J, Nakai A, Kikuchi K. Neonatal irritable sleep-wake rhythm as a predictor of autism spectrum disorders. Neurobiol Sleep Circadian Rhythms 2020; 9:100053. [PMID: 33364522 PMCID: PMC7752733 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbscr.2020.100053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, it has been suggested that sleep problems in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) not only are associated symptoms, but may be deeply related to ASD pathogenesis. Common clinical practice relating to developmental disorders, has shown that parents of children with ASD have often stated that it is more difficult to raise children in the neonatal period because these children exhibit sleep problems. This study investigated the possibility that abnormal neonatal sleep-wake rhythms are related to future ASD development. We administered questionnaires to assess parent(s) of children with ASD and controls. A retrospective analysis was conducted among 121 children with ASD (94 male and 27 female children) recruited from the K-Development Support Center for Children (K-ASD), 56 children with ASD (40 male and 16 female children) recruited from the H-Children's Sleep and Development Medical Research Center (H-ASD) and 203 children (104 male and 99 female children) recruited from four nursery schools in T-city (control). Irritable/over-reactive types of sleep-wake rhythms that cause difficulty in raising children, such as 1) frequently waking up, 2) difficulty falling asleep, 3) short sleep hours, and 4) continuous crying and grumpiness, were observed more often in ASD groups than in the control group. Additionally, the number of the mothers who went to bed after midnight during pregnancy was higher in the ASD groups than in the control group. Sleep-wake rhythm abnormalities in neonates may be considerable precursors to future development of ASD. Formation of ultradian and postnatal circadian rhythms should be given more attention when considering ASD development. Although this is a retrospective study, the results suggest that a prospective study regarding this issue may be important in understanding and discovering intervention areas that may contribute to preventing and/or properly treating ASD. Neonatal irritable-type sleep-wake rhythmabnormalities are important precursors for futureASD development. Maternal lack of sleep and irregular lifestyle isrelated to increased risk of possibly developingfuture ASD. There is a possibility that proper intervention toabnormal sleep-wake rhythm may prevent thesubsequent onset of ASD. It is more logical to understand and interpret ASD,based on circadian rhythm and pineal glandfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teruhisa Miike
- Hyogo Rehabilitation Central Hospital, Children's Sleep and Development Medical Research Center, Kobe, Japan.,Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Makiko Toyoura
- Hyogo Rehabilitation Central Hospital, Children's Sleep and Development Medical Research Center, Kobe, Japan
| | - Shiro Tonooka
- Kagoshima Comprehensive Clinic for Disabled Children, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yukuo Konishi
- Hyogo Rehabilitation Central Hospital, Children's Sleep and Development Medical Research Center, Kobe, Japan.,Doshisha University, Center for Baby Science, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kentaro Oniki
- Division of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Junji Saruwatari
- Division of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Seiki Tajima
- Hyogo Rehabilitation Central Hospital, Children's Sleep and Development Medical Research Center, Kobe, Japan.,Department of Child Psychiatry, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Jun Kinoshita
- Hyogo Rehabilitation Central Hospital, Children's Sleep and Development Medical Research Center, Kobe, Japan.,Japanese Association of Baby Science Learners, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Akio Nakai
- Hyogo Rehabilitation Central Hospital, Children's Sleep and Development Medical Research Center, Kobe, Japan.,Mukogawa Women's University, The Center for the Study of Child Development, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Kikuchi
- Hyogo Rehabilitation Central Hospital, Children's Sleep and Development Medical Research Center, Kobe, Japan
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32
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We review evidence for the presence, quality, and correlates of interpersonal synchrony in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across four domains: motor, conversational, physiological, and neural. We also propose cognitive and neural mechanisms for the disruption of interpersonal synchrony and investigate synchrony as a mechanism of intervention in ASD. RECENT FINDINGS Across domains, synchrony is present but reduced or atypical in individuals with ASD during interactions with individuals with typical development (TD). Atypical synchrony may reflect the contribution of both intrapersonal mechanisms, such as atypical motor timing, and interpersonal mechanisms, such as atypical interindividual coupling. Research suggests evidence for synchrony interventions leading to improvements in some aspects of social behavior. Understanding synchrony in ASD has the potential to lead to biomarkers and interventions to support social functioning. However, further research should clarify mechanisms of atypical synchrony in ASD including taking features of the dyad into account.
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33
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Ganesan H, Balasubramanian V, Iyer M, Venugopal A, Subramaniam MD, Cho SG, Vellingiri B. mTOR signalling pathway - A root cause for idiopathic autism? BMB Rep 2020. [PMID: 31186084 PMCID: PMC6675248 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2019.52.7.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental monogenic disorder with a strong genetic influence. Idiopathic autism could be defined as a type of autism that does not have a specific causative agent. Among signalling cascades, mTOR signalling pathway plays a pivotal role not only in cell cycle, but also in protein synthesis and regulation of brain homeostasis in ASD patients. The present review highlights, underlying mechanism of mTOR and its role in altered signalling cascades as a triggering factor in the onset of idiopathic autism. Further, this review discusses how distorted mTOR signalling pathway stimulates truncated translation in neuronal cells and leads to downregulation of protein synthesis at dendritic spines of the brain. This review concludes by suggesting downstream regulators such as p70S6K, eIF4B, eIF4E of mTOR signalling pathway as promising therapeutic targets for idiopathic autistic individuals. [BMB Reports 2019; 52(7): 424-433].
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Affiliation(s)
- Harsha Ganesan
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Venkatesh Balasubramanian
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mahalaxmi Iyer
- Department of Zoology, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore 641043, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Anila Venugopal
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mohana Devi Subramaniam
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai 600006, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ssang-Goo Cho
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Balachandar Vellingiri
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
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34
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Torres EB, Rai R, Mistry S, Gupta B. Hidden Aspects of the Research ADOS Are Bound to Affect Autism Science. Neural Comput 2020; 32:515-561. [PMID: 31951797 DOI: 10.1162/neco_a_01263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The research-grade Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule (ADOS) is a broadly used instrument that informs and steers much of the science of autism. Despite its broad use, little is known about the empirical variability inherently present in the scores of the ADOS scale or their appropriateness to define change and its rate, to repeatedly use this test to characterize neurodevelopmental trajectories. Here we examine the empirical distributions of research-grade ADOS scores from 1324 records in a cross-section of the population comprising participants with autism between five and 65 years of age. We find that these empirical distributions violate the theoretical requirements of normality and homogeneous variance, essential for independence between bias and sensitivity. Further, we assess a subset of 52 typical controls versus those with autism and find a lack of proper elements to characterize neurodevelopmental trajectories in a coping nervous system changing at nonuniform, nonlinear rates. Repeating the assessments over four visits in a subset of the participants with autism for whom verbal criteria retained the same appropriate ADOS modules over the time span of the four visits reveals that switching the clinician changes the cutoff scores and consequently influences the diagnosis, despite maintaining fidelity in the same test's modules, room conditions, and tasks' fluidity per visit. Given the changes in probability distribution shape and dispersion of these ADOS scores, the lack of appropriate metric spaces to define similarity measures to characterize change and the impact that these elements have on sensitivity-bias codependencies and on longitudinal tracking of autism, we invite a discussion on readjusting the use of this test for scientific purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth B Torres
- Psychology Department; Computer Science, Center for Biomedical Imagining and Modeling; and Rutgers University Center for Cognitive Science, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, U.S.A.
| | - Richa Rai
- Psychology Department, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, U.S.A.
| | - Sejal Mistry
- Mathematics Department, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, U.S.A.
| | - Brenda Gupta
- Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ 07043, U.S.A.
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35
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Pinato L, Galina Spilla CS, Markus RP, da Silveira Cruz-Machado S. Dysregulation of Circadian Rhythms in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 25:4379-4393. [DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666191102170450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background:
The alterations in neurological and neuroendocrine functions observed in the autism
spectrum disorder (ASD) involves environmentally dependent dysregulation of neurodevelopment, in interaction
with multiple coding gene defects. Disturbed sleep-wake patterns, as well as abnormal melatonin and glucocorticoid
secretion, show the relevance of an underlying impairment of the circadian timing system to the behavioral
phenotype of ASD. Thus, understanding the mechanisms involved in the circadian dysregulation in ASD could
help to identify early biomarkers to improve the diagnosis and therapeutics as well as providing a significant
impact on the lifelong prognosis.
Objective:
In this review, we discuss the organization of the circadian timing system and explore the connection
between neuroanatomic, molecular, and neuroendocrine responses of ASD and its clinical manifestations. Here
we propose interconnections between circadian dysregulation, inflammatory baseline and behavioral changes in
ASD. Taking into account, the high relevancy of melatonin in orchestrating both circadian timing and the maintenance
of physiological immune quiescence, we raise the hypothesis that melatonin or analogs should be considered
as a pharmacological approach to suppress inflammation and circadian misalignment in ASD patients.
Strategy:
This review provides a comprehensive update on the state-of-art of studies related to inflammatory
states and ASD with a special focus on the relationship with melatonin and clock genes. The hypothesis raised
above was analyzed according to the published data.
Conclusion:
Current evidence supports the existence of associations between ASD to circadian dysregulation,
behavior problems, increased inflammatory levels of cytokines, sleep disorders, as well as reduced circadian
neuroendocrine responses. Indeed, major effects may be related to a low melatonin rhythm. We propose that
maintaining the proper rhythm of the circadian timing system may be helpful to improve the health and to cope
with several behavioral changes observed in ASD subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Pinato
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 17525-900, Marilia, SP, Brazil
| | - Caio Sergio Galina Spilla
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 17525-900, Marilia, SP, Brazil
| | - Regina Pekelmann Markus
- Laboratory of Chronopharmacology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo (USP), 05508-090, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sanseray da Silveira Cruz-Machado
- Laboratory of Chronopharmacology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo (USP), 05508-090, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Koo HW, Ismail J, Yang WW, Syed Zakaria SZ. Sleep Disturbances in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder at a Malaysian Tertiary Hospital. Front Pediatr 2020; 8:608242. [PMID: 33537265 PMCID: PMC7849202 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.608242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a variety of co-morbid medical problems, including sleep disturbances. Prevalence of sleep disorders has been reported to be higher in this group as compared to the general population. Identifying sleep problems in children with ASD may help increase awareness and improve the overall quality of care for them. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sleep problems and associated factors in a group of Malaysian children aged 6-16 years, with ASD. Method: This is a cross-sectional study at the Child Development Centre of UKM Medical Centre (UKM MC) on ASD children aged 6-16 years. Demographic data was obtained and the Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children (SDSC) questionnaire was completed by the main caregiver. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors related to higher total SDSC scores. Results: A total of 128 patients were recruited (111 boys) with a median age of 8 years 3 months (IQR: 2 years 10 months). Forty-seven (36.7%) of them obtained total SDSC scores in the pathological range with 19 (14.8%) scoring high for overall disturbances and 28 (21.9%) for at least one subtype of sleep disorders: 25 (19.5%) DIMS, 18 (14.1%) SBD, 10 (7.8%) DOES, 5 (3.9%) DOA, 6 (4.7%) SWTD, and 3 (2.3%) SHY. More than half of the children (57.8%) were reported to have sufficient sleep duration of 8-11 h, but longer sleep latency of at least 15 min (82.8%). Half of the ASD children also had co-morbidities in which one-third (34.4%) had attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Using logistic regression analysis, four factors were significantly associated with higher total SDSC scores; female gender (p = 0.016), older age group (11-16 years old) (p = 0.039), shorter sleep length (p = 0.043), and longer sleep latency (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of sleep disturbances is high among Malaysian children with ASD, especially DIMS. Female gender, older age group, shorter sleep length, and longer sleep latency were found to be associated with the sleep disturbances. Evaluation of sleep problems should form part of the comprehensive care of children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho Wai Koo
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Tunku Azizah, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Juriza Ismail
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wai Wai Yang
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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How did I get so late so soon? A review of time processing and management in autism. Behav Brain Res 2019; 374:112121. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Kapp SK, Steward R, Crane L, Elliott D, Elphick C, Pellicano E, Russell G. 'People should be allowed to do what they like': Autistic adults' views and experiences of stimming. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2019; 23:1782-1792. [PMID: 30818970 PMCID: PMC6728747 DOI: 10.1177/1362361319829628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
'Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements' are characterised as core features in the diagnosis of autism, yet many autistic adults (and the neurodiversity movement) have reclaimed them as 'stimming'. Supported by a growing body of scientific research, autistic adults argue that these behaviours may serve as useful coping mechanisms, yet little research has examined stimming from the perspective of autistic adults. Through interviews and focus groups, we asked 32 autistic adults to share their perceptions and experiences of stimming, including the reasons they stim, any value doing so may hold for them and their perceptions of others' reactions to stimming. Using thematic analysis, we identified two themes: stimming as (1) a self-regulatory mechanism and (2) lacking in social acceptance, but can become accepted through understanding. Autistic adults highlighted the importance of stimming as an adaptive mechanism that helps them to soothe or communicate intense emotions or thoughts and thus objected to treatment that aims to eliminate the behaviour.
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Takumi T, Tamada K, Hatanaka F, Nakai N, Bolton PF. Behavioral neuroscience of autism. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 110:60-76. [PMID: 31059731 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Several genetic causes of ASD have been identified and this has enabled researchers to construct mouse models. Mouse behavioral tests reveal impaired social interaction and communication, as well as increased repetitive behavior and behavioral inflexibility in these mice, which correspond to core behavioral deficits observed in individuals with ASD. However, the connection between these behavioral abnormalities and the underlying dysregulation in neuronal circuits and synaptic function is poorly understood. Moreover, different components of the ASD phenotype may be linked to dysfunction in different brain regions, making it even more challenging to chart the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in ASD. Here we summarize the research on mouse models of ASD and their contribution to understanding pathophysiological mechanisms. Specifically, we emphasize abnormal serotonin production and regulation, as well as the disruption in circadian rhythms and sleep that are observed in a subset of ASD, and propose that spatiotemporal disturbances in brainstem development may be a primary cause of ASD that propagates towards the cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | | | - Nobuhiro Nakai
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Patrick F Bolton
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
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Reframing schizophrenia and autism as bodily self-consciousness disorders leading to a deficit of theory of mind and empathy with social communication impairments. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 103:401-413. [PMID: 31029711 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Prior observations and studies suggest self-consciousness disorders in schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), two neurodevelopmental disorders sharing social communication impairments. First, the relationships between schizophrenia and autism are explored regarding social communication impairments. Then, self-consciousness disorders in schizophrenia and autism are described and discussed in relation with impairments of body self leading to impairments of self-other differentiation, a deficit of theory of mind and empathy, and their consequences on social communication. Also, neurological dysfunction involved possibly in self-consciousness disorders in schizophrenia and autism is presented. In conclusion, a new model is proposed integrating results of studies presented here and stating the existence of bodily self-consciousness disorders in schizophrenia and autism associated with altered/absent intermodal sensory integration (especially visual-kinesthetic-tactile integration). This would result in problems of self-other differentiation, leading in turn to a deficit of theory of mind and empathy as well as social communication impairments. This model opens new perspectives to understand better self-consciousness disorders and social communication impairments in schizophrenia and ASD and to develop therapeutic strategies.
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Interrupted Time Experience in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Empirical Evidence from Content Analysis. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 49:22-33. [PMID: 30284137 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3771-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Although the experience of time is of central relevance for psychopathology, qualitative approaches to study the inner experience of time have been largely neglected in autism research. We present results from qualitative data acquired from 26 adults with high functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Employing inductive content analysis we identified a distinct pattern of interrupted time experience in ASD. Individuals with ASD seemed to implement structured and routine behavior by future planning to guarantee that the present passed uninterrupted. We reason that the success of corresponding compensatory mechanisms determines the development of distress and noticeable symptoms. Considering recent theories on Bayesian perceptual inference we relate the syndrome of interrupted time experience to the putative neuronal mechanisms underlying time experience.
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Carmassi C, Palagini L, Caruso D, Masci I, Nobili L, Vita A, Dell'Osso L. Systematic Review of Sleep Disturbances and Circadian Sleep Desynchronization in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Toward an Integrative Model of a Self-Reinforcing Loop. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:366. [PMID: 31244687 PMCID: PMC6581070 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A compelling number of studies, conducted in both children and adults, have reported an association between sleep disturbances/circadian sleep alterations and autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, the data are sparse and the nature of this link is still unclear. The present review aimed to systematically collect the literature data relevant on sleep disturbances and circadian sleep dysrhythmicity related to ASD across all ages and to provide an integrative theoretical framework of their association. Methods: A systematic review of the MEDLINE, PubMed, and Cochrane databases was conducted from November 2018 to February 2019. The search strategies used were MeSH headings and keywords for "sleep-wake circadian rhythms" OR "circadian sleep disorders" OR "sleep-wake pattern" OR "sleep disorders" OR "melatonin" AND "autism spectrum disorder" OR "autism". Results: One hundred and three studies were identified, 15 regarded circadian sleep dysrhythmicity, 74 regarded sleep disturbances, and 17 regarded melatonin alterations in children and adults with ASD. Our findings suggested that autistic subjects frequently present sleep disturbances in particular short sleep duration, low sleep quality/efficiency, and circadian sleep desynchronization such as delayed phases and/or eveningness. Sleep disturbances and circadian sleep alterations have been related to the severity of autistic symptoms. Genetic studies have shown polymorphisms in circadian CLOCK genes and in genes involved in melatonin pathways in subjects with ASD. Conclusions: Sleep disturbances and circadian sleep alterations are frequent in subjects with autistic symptoms. These subjects have shown polymorphisms in clock genes expression and in genes involved in melatonin production. The impairment of circadian sleep regulation may increase the individual's vulnerability to develop symptoms of ASD by altering the sleep regulation in toto, which plays a key role in normal brain development. Even though controversies and "research gaps" are present in literature at this point, we may hypothesize a bidirectional relation between circadian sleep dysfunction and ASD. In particular, circadian sleep dysrhythmicity may predispose to develop ASD symptoms and vice versa within a self-reinforcing feedback loop. By targeting sleep disturbances and circadian sleep dysrhythmicity, we may improve treatment strategies for both children and adults with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Palagini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Danila Caruso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Isabella Masci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lino Nobili
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, IRCCS G. Gaslini Institute, Genova, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience-Rehabilitation-Ophthalmology-Genetics-Child and Maternal Health (DINOGMI), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Antonio Vita
- Psychiatry Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Liliana Dell'Osso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Abstract
Many processes in the human body - including brain function - are regulated over the 24-hour cycle, and there are strong associations between disrupted circadian rhythms (for example, sleep-wake cycles) and disorders of the CNS. Brain disorders such as autism, depression and Parkinson disease typically develop at certain stages of life, and circadian rhythms are important during each stage of life for the regulation of processes that may influence the development of these disorders. Here, we describe circadian disruptions observed in various brain disorders throughout the human lifespan and highlight emerging evidence suggesting these disruptions affect the brain. Currently, much of the evidence linking brain disorders and circadian dysfunction is correlational, and so whether and what kind of causal relationships might exist are unclear. We therefore identify remaining questions that may direct future research towards a better understanding of the links between circadian disruption and CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan W Logan
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Colleen A McClung
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Tordjman S, Golse B, Botbol M. Role of synchronized physiological and interpersonal rhythms in typical and atypical development. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 110:417-419. [PMID: 29246386 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphysparis.2017.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Tordjman
- Laboratoire Psychologie de la Perception, Université Paris Descartes and CNRS UMR 8158, Paris, France; Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent de Rennes (PHUPEA), Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier (CHGR) and Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Bernard Golse
- Service Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Necker Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Michel Botbol
- Service Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, UBO, Brest, France
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Wynn CJ, Borrie SA, Sellers TP. Speech Rate Entrainment in Children and Adults With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 2018; 27:965-974. [PMID: 29800942 PMCID: PMC6195024 DOI: 10.1044/2018_ajslp-17-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Conversational entrainment, a phenomenon whereby people modify their behaviors to match their communication partner, has been evidenced as critical to successful conversation. It is plausible that deficits in entrainment contribute to the conversational breakdowns and social difficulties exhibited by people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study examined speech rate entrainment in children and adult populations with and without ASD. METHOD Sixty participants including typically developing children, children with ASD, typically developed adults, and adults with ASD participated in a quasi-conversational paradigm with a pseudoconfederate. The confederate's speech rate was digitally manipulated to create slow and fast speech rate conditions. RESULTS Typically developed adults entrained their speech rate in the quasi-conversational paradigm, using a faster rate during the fast speech rate conditions and a slower rate during the slow speech rate conditions. This entrainment pattern was not evident in adults with ASD or in children populations. CONCLUSION Findings suggest that speech rate entrainment is a developmentally acquired skill and offers preliminary evidence of speech rate entrainment deficits in adults with ASD. Impairments in this area may contribute to the conversational breakdowns and social difficulties experienced by this population. Future work is needed to advance this area of inquiry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille J Wynn
- Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education, Utah State University, Logan
| | - Stephanie A Borrie
- Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education, Utah State University, Logan
| | - Tyra P Sellers
- Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation, Utah State University, Logan
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Fitzpatrick P, Frazier JA, Cochran D, Mitchell T, Coleman C, Schmidt RC. Relationship Between Theory of Mind, Emotion Recognition, and Social Synchrony in Adolescents With and Without Autism. Front Psychol 2018; 9:1337. [PMID: 30108541 PMCID: PMC6079204 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Difficulty in social communication and interaction is a primary diagnostic feature of ASD. Research has found that adolescents with ASD display various impairments in social behavior such as theory of mind (ToM), emotion recognition, and social synchrony. However, not much is known about the relationships among these dimensions of social behavior. Adolescents with and without ASD participated in the study. ToM ability was measured by viewing social animations of geometric shapes, recognition of facial emotions was measured by viewing pictures of faces, and synchrony ability was measured with a spontaneously arising interpersonal movement task completed with a caregiver and an intentional interpersonal task. Attention and social responsiveness were measured using parent reports. We then examined the relationship between ToM, emotion recognition, clinical measures of attention and social responsiveness, and social synchronization that arises either spontaneously or intentionally. Results indicate that spontaneous synchrony was related to ToM and intentional synchrony was related to clinical measures of attention and social responsiveness. Facial emotion recognition was not related to either ToM or social synchrony. Our findings highlight the importance of biological motion perception and production and attention for more fully understanding the social behavior characteristic of ASD. The findings suggest that the processes underlying difficulties in spontaneous synchrony in ASD are different than the processes underlying difficulties in intentional synchronization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Fitzpatrick
- Department of Psychology, Assumption College, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jean A. Frazier
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - David Cochran
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Teresa Mitchell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Psychology, Brandeis University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Caitlin Coleman
- Department of Psychology, Assumption College, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - R. C. Schmidt
- Department of Psychology, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, United States
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Tangsuwansri C, Saeliw T, Thongkorn S, Chonchaiya W, Suphapeetiporn K, Mutirangura A, Tencomnao T, Hu VW, Sarachana T. Investigation of epigenetic regulatory networks associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by integrated global LINE-1 methylation and gene expression profiling analyses. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201071. [PMID: 30036398 PMCID: PMC6056057 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The exact cause and mechanisms underlying the pathobiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain unclear. Dysregulation of long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1) has been reported in the brains of ASD-like mutant mice and ASD brain tissues. However, the role and methylation of LINE-1 in individuals with ASD remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether LINE-1 insertion is associated with differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and to assess LINE-1 methylation in ASD. METHODS To identify DEGs associated with LINE-1 in ASD, we reanalyzed previously published transcriptome profiles and overlapped them with the list of LINE-1-containing genes from the TranspoGene database. An Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) of DEGs associated with LINE-1 insertion was conducted. DNA methylation of LINE-1 was assessed via combined bisulfite restriction analysis (COBRA) of lymphoblastoid cell lines from ASD individuals and unaffected individuals, and the methylation levels were correlated with the expression levels of LINE-1 and two LINE-1-inserted DEGs, C1orf27 and ARMC8. RESULTS We found that LINE-1 insertion was significantly associated with DEGs in ASD. The IPA showed that LINE-1-inserted DEGs were associated with ASD-related mechanisms, including sex hormone receptor signaling and axon guidance signaling. Moreover, we observed that the LINE-1 methylation level was significantly reduced in lymphoblastoid cell lines from ASD individuals with severe language impairment and was inversely correlated with the transcript level. The methylation level of LINE-1 was also correlated with the expression of the LINE-1-inserted DEG C1orf27 but not ARMC8. CONCLUSIONS In ASD individuals with severe language impairment, LINE-1 methylation was reduced and correlated with the expression levels of LINE-1 and the LINE-1-inserted DEG C1orf27. Our findings highlight the association of LINE-1 with DEGs in ASD blood samples and warrant further investigation. The molecular mechanisms of LINE-1 and the effects of its methylation in ASD pathobiology deserve further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayanin Tangsuwansri
- M.Sc. Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thanit Saeliw
- M.Sc. Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Surangrat Thongkorn
- M.Sc. Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Weerasak Chonchaiya
- Division of Growth and Development and Maximizing Thai Children’s Developmental Potential Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kanya Suphapeetiporn
- Center of Excellence for Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Excellence Center for Medical Genetics, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Apiwat Mutirangura
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Genetics of Cancer and Human Diseases, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tewin Tencomnao
- Age-related Inflammation and Degeneration Research Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Valerie Wailin Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Tewarit Sarachana
- Age-related Inflammation and Degeneration Research Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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A hypothalamic circuit for the circadian control of aggression. Nat Neurosci 2018; 21:717-724. [PMID: 29632359 PMCID: PMC5920747 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-018-0126-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
“Sundowning” in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by early evening agitation and aggression. While such periodicity suggests a circadian origin, whether the circadian clock directly regulates aggressive behavior is unknown. We demonstrate that a daily rhythm in aggression propensity in male mice is gated by GABAergic subparaventricular zone (SPZGABA) neurons, the major postsynaptic targets of the central circadian clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Optogenetic mapping revealed that SPZGABA neurons receive input from vasoactive intestinal polypeptide SCN neurons and innervate neurons in the ventrolateral part of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl) known to regulate aggression. Additionally, VMH-projecting dorsal SPZ neurons are more active during early day than early night, and acute chemogenetic inhibition of SPZGABA transmission phase-dependently increases aggression. Finally, SPZGABA-recipient central VMH neurons directly innervate VMHvl neurons and activation of this intra-VMH circuit drove attack behavior. Altogether, we reveal a functional polysynaptic circuit by which the SCN clock regulates aggression.
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Ueoka I, Kawashima H, Konishi A, Aoki M, Tanaka R, Yoshida H, Maeda T, Ozaki M, Yamaguchi M. Novel Drosophila model for psychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorder by targeting of ATP-binding cassette protein A. Exp Neurol 2017; 300:51-59. [PMID: 29092799 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interactions, as well as restricted, stereotyped patterns of behavior and interests. In addition, alterations in circadian sleep-wake rhythm are common in young children with ASD. Mutations in ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 13 (ABCA13) have been recently identified in a monkey that displays behavior associated with ASD. ABCA13, a member of the ABCA family of proteins, is predicted to transport lipid molecules and is expressed in the human trachea, testis, bone marrow, hippocampus, cortex, and other tissues. However, its physiological function remains unknown. Drosophila CG1718 shows high homology to human ABCA genes including ABCA13 and is thus designated as Drosophila ABCA (dABCA). To elucidate the physiological role of dABCA, we specifically knocked down dABCA in all neurons of flies and investigated their phenotypes. The pan-neuron-specific knockdown of dABCA resulted in increased social space with the closest neighbor in adult male flies but exerted no effect on their climbing ability, indicating that the increase in social space is not due to a defect in their climbing ability. An activity assay with adult male flies revealed that knockdown of dABCA in all neurons induces early onset of evening activity in adult flies followed by relatively high activity during morning peaks, evening peaks, and midday siesta. These phenotypes are similar to defects observed in human ASD patients, suggesting that the established dABCA knockdown flies are a promising model for ASD. In addition, an increase in satellite boutons in presynaptic terminals of motor neurons was observed in dABCA knockdown third instar larvae, suggesting that dABCA regulates the formation and/or maintenance of presynaptic terminals of motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibuki Ueoka
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; The Center for Advanced Insect Research, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kawashima
- Genomic Science Laboratories, Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co. Ltd., 3-1-98 Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
| | - Atsushi Konishi
- Genomic Science Laboratories, Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co. Ltd., 3-1-98 Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
| | - Mikio Aoki
- Genomic Science Laboratories, Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co. Ltd., 3-1-98 Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
| | - Ryo Tanaka
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; The Center for Advanced Insect Research, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Hideki Yoshida
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; The Center for Advanced Insect Research, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Toru Maeda
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Mamiko Ozaki
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Masamitsu Yamaguchi
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; The Center for Advanced Insect Research, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan.
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Lipton JO, Boyle LM, Yuan ED, Hochstrasser KJ, Chifamba FF, Nathan A, Tsai PT, Davis F, Sahin M. Aberrant Proteostasis of BMAL1 Underlies Circadian Abnormalities in a Paradigmatic mTOR-opathy. Cell Rep 2017; 20:868-880. [PMID: 28746872 PMCID: PMC5603761 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by mutations in either the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, whose products form a critical inhibitor of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). Loss of TSC1/2 gene function renders an mTOR-overactivated state. Clinically, TSC manifests with epilepsy, intellectual disability, autism, and sleep dysfunction. Here, we report that mouse models of TSC have abnormal circadian rhythms. We show that mTOR regulates the proteostasis of the core clock protein BMAL1, affecting its translation, degradation, and subcellular localization. This results in elevated levels of BMAL1 and a dysfunctional clock that displays abnormal timekeeping under constant conditions and exaggerated responses to phase resetting. Genetically lowering the dose of BMAL1 rescues circadian behavioral phenotypes in TSC mouse models. These findings indicate that BMAL1 deregulation is a feature of the mTOR-activated state and suggest a molecular mechanism for mitigating circadian phenotypes in a neurodevelopmental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan O Lipton
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Lara M Boyle
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Elizabeth D Yuan
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kevin J Hochstrasser
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Fortunate F Chifamba
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ashwin Nathan
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Peter T Tsai
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 73590, TX 75390, USA
| | - Fred Davis
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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