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Vasconcelos C, Perry IS, Gottfried C, Riesgo R, Castro K. Folic acid and autism: updated evidences. Nutr Neurosci 2024:1-35. [PMID: 38968136 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2024.2367855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that impairs communication, socialization, and behavior. The association of ASD with folic acid has been investigated due to the importance of this vitamin for neurological health. This study is an update of the publication 'Folic acid and autism: What do we know?' and aims to systematically review studies examining the relationship between folic acid and ASD. The search resulted in 2,389 studies on folic acid and ASD, which were selected by two reviewers based on their titles and abstracts. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were fully read. The 52 included studies involved 10,429 individuals diagnosed with ASD and assessed the intake of vitamin B6, folic acid, and vitamin B12; serum levels of these vitamins, homocysteine, and methionine; therapeutic interventions using folic acid; and the association between maternal exposure to this vitamin and the risk of ASD. The evidence of insufficient folic acid intake in most individuals with ASD remains consistent in this update. No association was found between maternal exposure to folic acid and the risk of ASD in their children. Despite observed improvements in communication, socialization, and behavior in individuals with ASD following folic acid interventions, it is crucial to consider the individuality and complexity of ASD. Given the relevance of the topic, there remains a need for more high-quality research and clinical trials characterized by rigorous methodological designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane Vasconcelos
- Postgraduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ingrid Schweigert Perry
- Food and Nutrition Research Center (CESAN), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Carmem Gottfried
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Initiative, BR-UK- CA, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rudimar Riesgo
- Postgraduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Child Neurology Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Kamila Castro
- Postgraduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Food and Nutrition Research Center (CESAN), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Child Neurology Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Al-Beltagi M, Saeed NK, Bediwy AS, Elbeltagi R. Metabolomic changes in children with autism. World J Clin Pediatr 2024; 13:92737. [PMID: 38947988 PMCID: PMC11212761 DOI: 10.5409/wjcp.v13.i2.92737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social communication and repetitive behaviors. Metabolomic profiling has emerged as a valuable tool for understanding the underlying metabolic dysregulations associated with ASD. AIM To comprehensively explore metabolomic changes in children with ASD, integrating findings from various research articles, reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case reports, editorials, and a book chapter. METHODS A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed, PubMed Central, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus, LISA, and NLM catalog up until January 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed research articles (83), review articles (145), meta-analyses (6), systematic reviews (6), case reports (2), editorials (2), and a book chapter (1) related to metabolomic changes in children with ASD. Exclusion criteria were applied to ensure the relevance and quality of included studies. RESULTS The systematic review identified specific metabolites and metabolic pathways showing consistent differences in children with ASD compared to typically developing individuals. These metabolic biomarkers may serve as objective measures to support clinical assessments, improve diagnostic accuracy, and inform personalized treatment approaches. Metabolomic profiling also offers insights into the metabolic alterations associated with comorbid conditions commonly observed in individuals with ASD. CONCLUSION Integration of metabolomic changes in children with ASD holds promise for enhancing diagnostic accuracy, guiding personalized treatment approaches, monitoring treatment response, and improving outcomes. Further research is needed to validate findings, establish standardized protocols, and overcome technical challenges in metabolomic analysis. By advancing our understanding of metabolic dysregulations in ASD, clinicians can improve the lives of affected individuals and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Al-Beltagi
- Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31511, Alghrabia, Egypt
- Department of Pediatric, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 26671, Bahrain
- Department of Pediatric, University Medical Center, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Manama, Bahrain, Manama 26671, Bahrain
| | - Nermin Kamal Saeed
- Medical Microbiology Section, Department of Pathology, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Bahrain, Manama 12, Bahrain
- Medical Microbiology Section, Department of Pathology, Irish Royal College of Surgeon, Bahrain, Busaiteen 15503, Muharraq, Bahrain
| | - Adel Salah Bediwy
- Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Alghrabia, Egypt
- Department of Chest Disease, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 26671, Bahrain
- Department of Chest Disease, University Medical Center, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Manama, Manama 26671, Bahrain
| | - Reem Elbeltagi
- Department of Medicine, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain, Busiateen 15503, Muharraq, Bahrain
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Anastasescu CM, Gheorman V, Popescu F, Stepan MD, Stoicănescu EC, Gheorman V, Udriștoiu I. A Clinical Study of Urine Amino Acids in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:629. [PMID: 38792651 PMCID: PMC11123416 DOI: 10.3390/life14050629] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Amino acids are organic compounds that enter the protein structure, being involved in the proper functioning of the body. The role of amino acids in the onset of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is yet to be established. Our aim was to identify correlations between urine amino acids and their derivatives and ASD. METHODS We designed a case-control study that consisted of 75 boys and girls, aged between 2 and 12 years. For amino acid profile, we used urine samples that were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). RESULTS Descriptive analysis showed higher values for glutamine, hydroxyproline, tyrosine, aspartic acid, and tryptophan and lower values for serine in the autism group than in the control group. Also, we found that boys with autism had higher values than the boys in the control group for serine, threonine, and aspartic acid. For girls from both groups, we did not find statistically significant values. In terms of age groups, we found significantly higher values for histidine, threonine, valine, methionine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, alpha amino-adipic acid, sarcosine, alanine, and beta-alanine and significantly lower values for proline for both the autism and control groups under 5 years. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study support the assumption that amino acids may have a role in the expression of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Veronica Gheorman
- Department 3 Medical Semiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Florica Popescu
- Pharmacology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Mioara Desdemona Stepan
- Department of Infant Care-Pediatrics-Neonatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Eugen Cristi Stoicănescu
- Pediatry Department, Emergency Clinical Hospital Râmnicu Vâlcea, 200300 Râmnicu Vâlcea, Romania;
| | - Victor Gheorman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (V.G.); (I.U.)
| | - Ion Udriștoiu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (V.G.); (I.U.)
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Jin T, Huang W, Pang Q, He Z, Yuan L, Zhang H, Xing D, Guo S, Zhang T. Inferring the genetic effects of serum homocysteine and vitamin B levels on autism spectral disorder through Mendelian randomization. Eur J Nutr 2024; 63:977-986. [PMID: 38265752 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-024-03329-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The previous studies have suggested that serum homocysteine (Hcy) and vitamin B levels are potentially related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the causality between their concentrations and ASD risk remains unclear. To elucidate this genetic association, we used a Mendelian randomization (MR) design. METHODS For this MR analysis, 47 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)-13 related to Hcy, 13 to folate, 14 to vitamin B6, and 7 to vitamin B12-were obtained from a large-scale Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) database and employed as instrumental variables (IVs). Our study used three approaches to calculate the MR estimates, including inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, MR-Egger method, and weighted median (WM) method. Among these, the IVW method served as our primary MR method. False discovery rate (FDR) was implemented to correct for multiple comparisons. We also performed a series of sensitivity analyses, including Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger's intercept, MR-PRESSO, leave-one-out analysis, and the funnel plot. RESULTS Univariable Mendelian randomization (UVMR) analysis revealed a statistical association between serum vitamin B12 levels and ASD risk (OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.12-2.52, P = 0.01) using the IVW method. However, neither the WM method (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 0.93-2.66, P = 0.09) nor the MR-Egger method (OR = 2.33, 95% CI 0.48-11.19, P = 0.34) was significantly association with higher levels of serum vitamin B12 and ASD risk. Additionally, we found no evidence of causal relationships between serum levels of vitamin B6, folate, Hcy, and ASD risk. After correcting for the FDR, the causality between serum vitamin B12 levels and ASD risk remained significant (q value = 0.0270). Multivariate Mendelian randomization (MVMR) analysis indicated an independent association between elevated serum vitamin B12 levels and the risk of ASD (OR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.03-2.95, P = 0.03) using the IVW method, but this finding was inconsistent when using the WM method (OR = 1.73, 95% CI 0.89-3.36, P = 0.11) and MR-Egger method (OR = 1.60, 95% CI 0.95-2.71, P = 0.08). Furthermore, no causal associations were observed for serum levels of vitamin B6 and folate in MVMR analysis. Sensitivity analyses confirmed that these results were reliable. CONCLUSION Our study indicated that elevated serum vitamin B12 levels might increase the risk of ASD. The potential implications of our results for ASD risk warrant validation in randomized clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Jin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
- Drum Tower Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiongyi Pang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Zitian He
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Linran Yuan
- Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
- University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Haojie Zhang
- Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dalin Xing
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Shunyuan Guo
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
- Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China.
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Socha MW, Flis W, Wartęga M. Epigenetic Genome Modifications during Pregnancy: The Impact of Essential Nutritional Supplements on DNA Methylation. Nutrients 2024; 16:678. [PMID: 38474806 DOI: 10.3390/nu16050678] [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: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is an extremely stressful period in a pregnant woman's life. Currently, women's awareness of the proper course of pregnancy and its possible complications is constantly growing. Therefore, a significant percentage of women increasingly reach for various dietary supplements during gestation. Some of the most popular substances included in multi-ingredient supplements are folic acid and choline. Those substances are associated with positive effects on fetal intrauterine development and fewer possible pregnancy-associated complications. Recently, more and more attention has been paid to the impacts of specific environmental factors, such as diet, stress, physical activity, etc., on epigenetic modifications, understood as changes occurring in gene expression without the direct alteration of DNA sequences. Substances such as folic acid and choline may participate in epigenetic modifications by acting via a one-carbon cycle, leading to the methyl-group donor formation. Those nutrients may indirectly impact genome phenotype by influencing the process of DNA methylation. This review article presents the current state of knowledge on the use of folic acid and choline supplementation during pregnancy, taking into account their impacts on the maternal-fetal unit and possible pregnancy outcomes, and determining possible mechanisms of action, with particular emphasis on their possible impacts on epigenetic modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej W Socha
- Department of Perinatology, Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Łukasiewicza 1, 85-821 Bydgoszcz, Poland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Adalbert's Hospital in Gdańsk, Copernicus Healthcare Entity, Jana Pawła II 50, 80-462 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Wojciech Flis
- Department of Perinatology, Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Łukasiewicza 1, 85-821 Bydgoszcz, Poland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Adalbert's Hospital in Gdańsk, Copernicus Healthcare Entity, Jana Pawła II 50, 80-462 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Mateusz Wartęga
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
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Miao Z, Chen L, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Zhang H. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Probio-M8 alleviates abnormal behavior and regulates gut microbiota in a mouse model suffering from autism. mSystems 2024; 9:e0101323. [PMID: 38108654 PMCID: PMC10804959 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01013-23] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Probiotics can effectively improve a variety of neurological diseases, but there is little research on autism, and the specific mechanism is unclear. In this study, shotgun metagenomics analysis was used to investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Probio-M8 on autism. The results showed that Probio-M8 treatment significantly alleviated valproate (VPA)-induced autism in mice, with autistic symptoms characterized by increased stereotyped behaviors such as grooming, reduced learning ability, and decreased desire to socialize. Further studies have found that Probio-M8 can alleviate autism by optimizing gut microbiota diversity and regulating metabolic levels. Probio-M8 regulates gut microbiota structure by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium globosum and Akkermansia muciniphila. In addition, Probio-M8 regulates metabolic activity by increasing levels of choline, which corrects CAZy disorders. In conclusion, Probio-M8 is therapeutic in the VPA-induced autism mouse model by regulating the gut microbiome and metabolic levels.IMPORTANCEIndividuals with autism often exhibit symptoms of social invariance, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and repetitive behaviors. However, early intervention and treatment can be effective in improving social skills and mitigating autism symptoms, including behaviors related to irritability. Although taking medication for autism may lead to side effects such as weight gain, probiotics can be an ideal intervention for alleviating these symptoms. In this study, we investigated the effects of Probio-M8 intervention on the behavior of autistic mice using an open-field test, a three-chamber sociability test, and a novel object recognition test. Metagenomic analysis revealed differences in gut microbiota diversity among groups, predicted changes in metabolite levels, and functionally annotated CAZy. Additionally, we analyzed serum neurotransmitter levels and found that probiotics were beneficial in mitigating neurotransmitter imbalances in mice with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuangzhuang Miao
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Lin Chen
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), Beijing, China
| | - Jiachao Zhang
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Heping Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
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Basiri R, Seidu B, Rudich M. Exploring the Interrelationships between Diabetes, Nutrition, Anxiety, and Depression: Implications for Treatment and Prevention Strategies. Nutrients 2023; 15:4226. [PMID: 37836510 PMCID: PMC10574484 DOI: 10.3390/nu15194226] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Across the world, diabetes, depression, and anxiety symptoms have gained widespread recognition as significant public health issues. Recent research has unveiled a mutually influential relationship between diabetes and these two mental health conditions, where each disorder impacts the course and outcomes of the others. The role of nutrition emerges as pivotal in preventing and treating depression, anxiety, and diabetes. A thorough literature review was undertaken to investigate the reciprocal effects between anxiety, depression, and diabetes, including their impact on the development and severity of each condition. Additionally, the effects of nutrition on the prevention and management of depression, anxiety, diabetes, and related complications in at-risk individuals were assessed. Our findings show that mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and are associated with poorer glycemic control, increased diabetes-related complications, and higher mortality rates. Conversely, diabetes is also linked with an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety. The biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to the comorbidity between these two conditions are complex and multifaceted. Therefore, an integrated approach to the management of both conditions is critical for improving patient outcomes and reducing the overall burden of disease. Nutritional interventions should be utilized to reduce the risk of diabetes in patients with anxiety and depression as well as enhance mental health in patients with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raedeh Basiri
- Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
- Institute for Biohealth Innovation, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Blessing Seidu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Mark Rudich
- Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
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Derbyshire E, Maes M. The Role of Choline in Neurodevelopmental Disorders-A Narrative Review Focusing on ASC, ADHD and Dyslexia. Nutrients 2023; 15:2876. [PMID: 37447203 DOI: 10.3390/nu15132876] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders appear to be rising in prevalence, according to the recent Global Burden of Disease Study. This rise is likely to be multi-factorial, but the role of certain nutrients known to facilitate neurodevelopment should be considered. One possible contributing factor could be attributed to deficits in choline intake, particularly during key stages of neurodevelopment, which includes the first 1000 days of life and childhood. Choline, a key micronutrient, is crucial for optimal neurodevelopment and brain functioning of offspring. The present narrative review discusses the main research, describing the effect of choline in neurodevelopmental disorders, to better understand its role in the etiology and management of these disorders. In terms of findings, low choline intakes and reduced or altered choline status have been reported in relevant population subgroups: pregnancy (in utero), children with autism spectrum disorders, people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and those with dyslexia. In conclusion, an optimal choline provision may offer some neuronal protection in early life and help to mitigate some cognitive effects in later life attributed to neurodevelopmental conditions. Research indicates that choline may act as a modifiable risk factor for certain neurodevelopmental conditions. Ongoing research is needed to unravel the mechanisms and explanations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Maes
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 4002, Thailand
- Research Institute, Medical University of Plovdiv, 10330 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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Wang L, Wang B, Wu C, Wang J, Sun M. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Neurodevelopmental Risk Factors, Biological Mechanism, and Precision Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24031819. [PMID: 36768153 PMCID: PMC9915249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous, behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disorder. Over the past two decades, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders has progressively increased, however, no clear diagnostic markers and specifically targeted medications for autism have emerged. As a result, neurobehavioral abnormalities, neurobiological alterations in ASD, and the development of novel ASD pharmacological therapy necessitate multidisciplinary collaboration. In this review, we discuss the development of multiple animal models of ASD to contribute to the disease mechanisms of ASD, as well as new studies from multiple disciplines to assess the behavioral pathology of ASD. In addition, we summarize and highlight the mechanistic advances regarding gene transcription, RNA and non-coding RNA translation, abnormal synaptic signaling pathways, epigenetic post-translational modifications, brain-gut axis, immune inflammation and neural loop abnormalities in autism to provide a theoretical basis for the next step of precision therapy. Furthermore, we review existing autism therapy tactics and limits and present challenges and opportunities for translating multidisciplinary knowledge of ASD into clinical practice.
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