1
|
Sakaguchi K, Tawata S. Giftedness and atypical sexual differentiation: enhanced perceptual functioning through estrogen deficiency instead of androgen excess. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1343759. [PMID: 38752176 PMCID: PMC11094242 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1343759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Syndromic autism spectrum conditions (ASC), such as Klinefelter syndrome, also manifest hypogonadism. Compared to the popular Extreme Male Brain theory, the Enhanced Perceptual Functioning model explains the connection between ASC, savant traits, and giftedness more seamlessly, and their co-emergence with atypical sexual differentiation. Overexcitability of primary sensory inputs generates a relative enhancement of local to global processing of stimuli, hindering the abstraction of communication signals, in contrast to the extraordinary local information processing skills in some individuals. Weaker inhibitory function through gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors and the atypicality of synapse formation lead to this difference, and the formation of unique neural circuits that process external information. Additionally, deficiency in monitoring inner sensory information leads to alexithymia (inability to distinguish one's own emotions), which can be caused by hypoactivity of estrogen and oxytocin in the interoceptive neural circuits, comprising the anterior insular and cingulate gyri. These areas are also part of the Salience Network, which switches between the Central Executive Network for external tasks and the Default Mode Network for self-referential mind wandering. Exploring the possibility that estrogen deficiency since early development interrupts GABA shift, causing sensory processing atypicality, it helps to evaluate the co-occurrence of ASC with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, and schizophrenia based on phenotypic and physiological bases. It also provides clues for understanding the common underpinnings of these neurodevelopmental disorders and gifted populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kikue Sakaguchi
- Research Department, National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education (NIAD-QE), Kodaira-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shintaro Tawata
- Graduate School of Human Sciences, Sophia University, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kirian RD, Steinman D, Jewell CM, Zierden HC. Extracellular vesicles as carriers of mRNA: Opportunities and challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Theranostics 2024; 14:2265-2289. [PMID: 38505610 PMCID: PMC10945352 DOI: 10.7150/thno.93115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are produced by all cells in the body. These biological nanoparticles facilitate cellular communication through the transport of diverse cargoes, including small molecules, proteins, and nucleic acids. mRNA cargoes have gained particular interest given their role in the translation of functional proteins. As a biomarker platform, EVs can be found in nearly all biofluids-blood, mucus, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and saliva-providing real-time insight into parent cell and tissue function. mRNAs carried by EVs are protected from degradation, resulting in improved detection compared to free mRNA, and recent work demonstrates promising results in using these mRNA cargoes as biomarkers for cancer, neurological diseases, infectious diseases, and gynecologic and obstetric outcomes. Furthermore, given the innate cargo carrying, targeting, and barrier crossing abilities of EVs, these structures have been proposed as therapeutic carriers of mRNA. Recent advances demonstrate methods for loading mRNAs into EVs for a range of disease indications. Here, we review recent studies using EVs and their mRNA cargoes as diagnostics and therapeutics. We discuss challenges associated with EVs in diagnostic and therapeutic applications and highlight opportunities for future development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert D. Kirian
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742
| | - Darby Steinman
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742
| | - Christopher M. Jewell
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742
- Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Hannah C. Zierden
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742
- Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mustieles V, Lascouts A, Pozo OJ, Haro N, Lyon-Caen S, Jedynak P, Bayat S, Thomsen C, Sakhi AK, Sabaredzovic A, Slama R, Ouellet-Morin I, Philippat C. Longitudinal Associations between Prenatal Exposure to Phthalates and Steroid Hormones in Maternal Hair Samples from the SEPAGES Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:19202-19213. [PMID: 37931007 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
We assessed phthalate-hormone associations in 382 pregnant women of the new-generation SEPAGES cohort (2014-2017, France) using improved exposure and outcome assessments. Metabolites from seven phthalate compounds and the replacement di(isononyl)cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) were measured in within-subject pools of repeated urine samples collected at the second and third pregnancy trimesters (≈21 samples/trimester). Metabolites from five steroid hormones were measured in maternal hair samples collected at delivery, reflecting cumulative levels over the previous weeks to months. Adjusted linear regression and Bayesian weighted quantile sum (BWQS) mixture models were performed. Each doubling in third-trimester urinary mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) concentrations was associated with an average increase of 13.3% (95% CI: 2.65, 24.9) for ∑cortisol, 10.0% (95% CI: 0.26, 20.7) for ∑cortisone, 17.3% (95% CI: 1.67, 35.4) for 11-dehydrocorticosterone, and 16.2% (95% CI: 2.20, 32.1) for testosterone, together with a suggestive 10.5% (95% CI: -1.57, 24.1) increase in progesterone levels. Each doubling in second-trimester urinary di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP) concentrations was inversely associated with testosterone levels (-11.6%; 95% CI: -21.6, -0.31). For most hormones, a nonsignificant trend toward a positive phthalate mixture effect was observed in the third but not in the second trimester. Our study showed that exposure to some phthalate metabolites, especially MBzP, may affect adrenal and reproductive hormone levels during pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Mustieles
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health (EDES), Institute for Advanced Biosciences, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Aurélien Lascouts
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health (EDES), Institute for Advanced Biosciences, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Oscar J Pozo
- Applied Metabolomics Research Group, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Noemí Haro
- Applied Metabolomics Research Group, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sarah Lyon-Caen
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health (EDES), Institute for Advanced Biosciences, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Paulina Jedynak
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health (EDES), Institute for Advanced Biosciences, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Sam Bayat
- Department of Pulmonology and Physiology, CHU Grenoble Alpes, 38700 Grenoble, France
- Grenoble Alpes University - Inserm UA07, 38400 Grenoble, France
| | - Cathrine Thomsen
- Department of Food Safety, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Amrit K Sakhi
- Department of Food Safety, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Azemira Sabaredzovic
- Department of Food Safety, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Rémy Slama
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health (EDES), Institute for Advanced Biosciences, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Isabelle Ouellet-Morin
- Research Center, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, H1N 3M5 Québec, Canada; School of Criminology, Université de Montréal, H3C 3J7 Québec, Canada
| | - Claire Philippat
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health (EDES), Institute for Advanced Biosciences, 38000 Grenoble, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bilder DA, Worsham W, Sullivan S, Esplin MS, Burghardt P, Fraser A, Bakian AV. Sex-specific and sex-independent steroid-related biomarkers in early second trimester maternal serum associated with autism. Mol Autism 2023; 14:30. [PMID: 37573326 PMCID: PMC10422808 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00562-5] [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: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to maternal metabolic conditions associated with inflammation and steroid dysregulation has previously been linked to increased autism risk. Steroid-related maternal serum biomarkers have also provided insight into the in utero steroid environment for offspring who develop autism. OBJECTIVE This study examines the link between autism among offspring and early second trimester maternal steroid-related serum biomarkers from pregnancies enriched for prenatal metabolic syndrome (PNMS) exposure. STUDY DESIGN Early second trimester maternal steroid-related serum biomarkers (i.e., estradiol, free testosterone, total testosterone, and sex hormone binding globulin) were compared between pregnancies corresponding to offspring with (N = 68) and without (N = 68) autism. Multiple logistic regression analyses were stratified by sex and gestational duration. One-way ANCOVA with post hoc tests was performed for groups defined by autism status and PNMS exposure. RESULTS Increased estradiol was significantly associated with autism only in males (AOR = 1.13 per 100 pg/ml, 95% CI 1.01-1.27, p = 0.036) and only term pregnancies (AOR = 1.17 per 100 pg/ml, 95% CI 1.04-1.32, p = 0.010). Autism status was significantly associated with decreased sex hormone binding globulin (AOR = 0.65 per 50 nmol/L, 95% CI 0.55-0.78, p < 0.001) overall and when stratified by sex and term pregnancy status. The inverse association between sex hormone binding globulin and autism was independent of PNMS exposure. LIMITATIONS The relative racial and ethnic homogeneity of Utah's population limits the generalizability of study results. Although significant differences by autism status were identified in concentrations of sex hormone binding globulin overall and of estradiol in participant subgroups, differences by PNMS exposure failed to reach statistical significance, which may reflect insufficient statistical power. CONCLUSION Both elevated maternal serum estradiol in males only and low maternal serum sex hormone binding globulin in both sexes are associated with increased autism risk. Further investigation is merited to identify how steroid, metabolic, and inflammatory processes can interact to influence neurodevelopment in early second trimester.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Bilder
- University of Utah Huntsman Mental Health Institute, 383 Colorow Drive, Room 360, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA.
| | - Whitney Worsham
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | - M Sean Esplin
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | - Alison Fraser
- University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Amanda V Bakian
- University of Utah Huntsman Mental Health Institute, 383 Colorow Drive, Room 360, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bölte S, Neufeld J, Marschik PB, Williams ZJ, Gallagher L, Lai MC. Sex and gender in neurodevelopmental conditions. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:136-159. [PMID: 36747038 PMCID: PMC10154737 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00774-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Health-related conditions often differ qualitatively or quantitatively between individuals of different birth-assigned sexes and gender identities, and/or with different gendered experiences, requiring tailored care. Studying the moderating and mediating effects of sex-related and gender-related factors on impairment, disability, wellbeing and health is of paramount importance especially for neurodivergent individuals, who are diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions with uneven sex/gender distributions. Researchers have become aware of the myriad influences that sex-related and gender-related variables have on the manifestations of neurodevelopmental conditions, and contemporary work has begun to investigate the mechanisms through which these effects are mediated. Here we describe topical concepts of sex and gender science, summarize current knowledge, and discuss research and clinical challenges related to autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other neurodevelopmental conditions. We consider sex and gender in the context of epidemiology, behavioural phenotypes, neurobiology, genetics, endocrinology and neighbouring disciplines. The available evidence supports the view that sex and gender are important contributors to the biological and behavioural variability in neurodevelopmental conditions. Methodological caveats such as frequent conflation of sex and gender constructs, inappropriate measurement of these constructs and under-representation of specific demographic groups (for example, female and gender minority individuals and people with intellectual disabilities) limit the translational potential of research so far. Future research and clinical implementation should integrate sex and gender into next-generation diagnostics, mechanistic investigations and support practices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sven Bölte
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Curtin Autism Research Group, Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - Janina Neufeld
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study (SCAS), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Peter B Marschik
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen and Leibniz ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, Göttingen, Germany
- iDN - interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Zachary J Williams
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Louise Gallagher
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Child and Youth Mental Health Collaborative at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, and Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Meng-Chuan Lai
- Child and Youth Mental Health Collaborative at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, and Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Amestoy A, Baudrillard C, Briot K, Pizano A, Bouvard M, Lai MC. Steroid hormone pathways, vitamin D and autism: a systematic review. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2023; 130:207-241. [PMID: 36752873 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-022-02582-6] [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: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The origins of the male preponderance in autism incidence remain unclear. The idea that perinatal factors associated with sex differentiation (e.g., steroid hormone pathways) may increase the possibility of the emergence of autism is complementary to the hypothesis that female individuals are intrinsically less likely to develop autism. Empirical evidence for the mechanistic roles of in utero steroid hormones in autism etiology is accumulating but inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review using rigorous criteria for the measurements of steroids and vitamin D exposure, to summarize the potential contributing roles of prenatal and early postnatal steroids and vitamin D alterations to the emergence of autism. We searched PubMed, PsychInfo, Scopus, and included 22 studies for qualitative synthesis. Among them, six studies examined the association of autism diagnoses in offspring and levels of steroids and precursor steroid hormones in the fetal environment, eight studies examined the associations between autism and maternal and fetal blood vitamin D levels during pregnancy and at birth, and eight studies examined the associations between offspring autism diagnoses and maternal hyperandrogenemia diagnosed before pregnancy. We identified promising and complex results regarding the relations between steroid metabolism and autism. The interpretation of findings was limited by the mostly observational study designs, insufficient investigation of the effects of offspring sex, confounders and their cumulative effects on the development of the child, and unclear impact of the timing of steroids exposure and their effects on fetal neurodevelopment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anouck Amestoy
- Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience, UMR 5287, University of Bordeaux, CNRS, INCIA, Bordeaux, France.
- Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de L'enfant Et de L'adolescent, Bordeaux Cedex, France.
| | - Claire Baudrillard
- Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de L'enfant Et de L'adolescent, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Kellen Briot
- Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de L'enfant Et de L'adolescent, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Adrien Pizano
- Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de L'enfant Et de L'adolescent, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Manuel Bouvard
- Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience, UMR 5287, University of Bordeaux, CNRS, INCIA, Bordeaux, France
- Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de L'enfant Et de L'adolescent, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Meng-Chuan Lai
- The Margaret and Wallace McCain Centre for Child, Youth & Family Mental Health and Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Autism Research Unit, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Xiao L, Feng J, Zhang W, Pan J, Wang M, Zhang C, Li L, Su X, Yao P. Autism-like behavior of murine offspring induced by prenatal exposure to progestin is associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction due to claudin-1 suppression. FEBS J 2023. [PMID: 36855792 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16761] [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: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are associated with the contribution of many prenatal risk factors; in particular, the sex hormone progestin and vitamin D receptor (VDR) are associated with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in ASD development, although the related mechanism remains unclear. We investigated the possible role and mechanism of progestin 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC) exposure-induced GI dysfunction and autism-like behaviours (ALB) in mouse offspring. An intestine-specific VDR-deficient mouse model was established for prenatal treatment, while transplantation of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCT) with related gene manipulation was used for postnatal treatment for 17-OHPC exposure-induced GI dysfunction and ALB in mouse offspring. The in vivo mouse experiments found that VDR deficiency mimics prenatal 17-OHPC exposure-mediated GI dysfunction, but has no effect on 17-OHPC-mediated autism-like behaviours (ALB) in mouse offspring. Furthermore, prenatal 17-OHPC exposure induces CLDN1 suppression in intestine epithelial cells, and transplantation of HSCT with CLDN1 expression ameliorates prenatal 17-OHPC exposure-mediated GI dysfunction, but has no effect on 17-OHPC-mediated ALB in offspring. In conclusion, prenatal 17-OHPC exposure triggers GI dysfunction in autism-like mouse offspring via CLDN1 suppression, providing a possible explanation for the involvement of CLDN1 and VDR in prenatal 17-OHPC exposure-mediated GI dysfunction with ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Xiao
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Foshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, The Second School of Clinical Medicine of Southern Medical University, Foshan, China
| | - Jianqing Feng
- Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, China
| | - Wanhua Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Foshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, The Second School of Clinical Medicine of Southern Medical University, Foshan, China
| | - Jie Pan
- Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, China
| | - Min Wang
- Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Long Island University (Post), Brookville, NY, USA
| | - Ling Li
- Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, China
| | - Xi Su
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Foshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, The Second School of Clinical Medicine of Southern Medical University, Foshan, China
| | - Paul Yao
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Foshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, The Second School of Clinical Medicine of Southern Medical University, Foshan, China.,Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Durán-Carabali LE, Da Silva JL, Colucci ACM, Netto CA, De Fraga LS. Protective effect of sex steroid hormones on morphological and cellular outcomes after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia: A meta-analysis of preclinical studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 145:105018. [PMID: 36572200 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.105018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sex steroid hormones play an important role in fetal development, brain functioning and neuronal protection. Growing evidence highlights the positive effects of these hormones against brain damage induced by neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI). This systematic review with meta-analysis aims to verify the efficacy of sex steroid hormones in preventing HI-induced brain damage in rodent models. The protocol was registered at PROSPERO and a total of 22 articles were included. Moderate to large effects were observed in HI animals treated with sex steroid hormones in reducing cerebral infarction size and cell death, increasing neuronal survival, and mitigating neuroinflammatory responses and astrocyte reactivity. A small effect was evidenced for cognitive function, but no significant effect for motor function; moreover, a high degree of heterogeneity was observed. In summary, data suggest that sex steroid hormones, such as progesterone and 17β estradiol, improve morphological and cellular outcomes following neonatal HI. Further research is paramount to examine neurological function during HI recovery and standardization of methodological aspects is imperative to reduce the risk of spurious findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L E Durán-Carabali
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Physiology, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - J L Da Silva
- Department of Physiology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - A C M Colucci
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Physiology, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - C A Netto
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Physiology, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - L S De Fraga
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Physiology, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Department of Physiology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gao J, Zou J, Yang L, Zhao J, Wang L, Liu T, Fan X. Alteration of peripheral cortisol and autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:928188. [PMID: 35911217 PMCID: PMC9334910 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.928188] [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: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortisol is the main HPA axis hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex, and influences metabolism, cognition, and behavior. Recently, a plethora of studies have tried to confirm the correlation between peripheral cortisol and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the results were controversial. We assessed the effects of peripheral cortisol on ASD in this study. The included studies were identified according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The pooled Hedges' g and its 95% confidence interval were selected to evaluate the association between peripheral cortisol and ASD. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, meta-regression, and publication bias tests were also undertaken based on the obtained information. There were a total of twelve studies with 375 ASD patients and 335 controls included in our meta-analysis. Obvious heterogeneity across studies was found in the overall analysis. Peripheral cortisol levels were significantly elevated in ASD patients compared with controls in the absence of obvious heterogeneity. A single study did not influence the overall comparison results. Meta-regression analyses revealed that age and gender of the included subjects, sample size, and publication year did not moderate effects on the present results. These findings may provide us some targeted strategies to the diagnosis and treatment of ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junwei Gao
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiao Zou
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinghui Zhao
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lian Wang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tianyao Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sarovic D. A Unifying Theory for Autism: The Pathogenetic Triad as a Theoretical Framework. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:767075. [PMID: 34867553 PMCID: PMC8637925 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.767075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper presents a unifying theory for autism by applying the framework of a pathogenetic triad to the scientific literature. It proposes a deconstruction of autism into three contributing features (an autistic personality dimension, cognitive compensation, and neuropathological risk factors), and delineates how they interact to cause a maladaptive behavioral phenotype that may require a clinical diagnosis. The autistic personality represents a common core condition, which induces a set of behavioral issues when pronounced. These issues are compensated for by cognitive mechanisms, allowing the individual to remain adaptive and functional. Risk factors, both exogenous and endogenous ones, show pathophysiological convergence through their negative effects on neurodevelopment. This secondarily affects cognitive compensation, which disinhibits a maladaptive behavioral phenotype. The triad is operationalized and methods for quantification are presented. With respect to the breadth of findings in the literature that it can incorporate, it is the most comprehensive model yet for autism. Its main implications are that (1) it presents the broader autism phenotype as a non-pathological core personality domain, which is shared across the population and uncoupled from associated features such as low cognitive ability and immune dysfunction, (2) it proposes that common genetic variants underly the personality domain, and that rare variants act as risk factors through negative effects on neurodevelopment, (3) it outlines a common pathophysiological mechanism, through inhibition of neurodevelopment and cognitive dysfunction, by which a wide range of endogenous and exogenous risk factors lead to autism, and (4) it suggests that contributing risk factors, and findings of immune and autonomic dysfunction are clinically ascertained rather than part of the core autism construct.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darko Sarovic
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,MedTech West, Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|