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Hu C, He T, Zou B, Li H, Zhao J, Hu C, Cui J, Huang Z, Shu S, Hao Y. Fecal microbiota transplantation in a child with severe ASD comorbidities of gastrointestinal dysfunctions-a case report. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1219104. [PMID: 37663603 PMCID: PMC10469809 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1219104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by social communication impairments and restricted, repetitive behaviors. In addition to behavioral interventions and psychotherapies, and pharmacological interventions, in-depth studies of intestinal microbiota in ASD has obvious abnormalities which may effectively influenced in ASD. Several attempts have been made to indicate that microbiota can reduce the occurrence of ASD effectively. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a type of biological therapy that involves the transplant of intestinal microbiota from healthy donors into the patient's gastrointestinal tract to improve the gut microenvironment. In this case report, we describe a case of child ASD treated by FMT. The patient have poor response to long-term behavioral interventions. After five rounds of FMT, clinical core symptoms of ASD and gastrointestinal(GI) symptoms were significantly altered. Moreover, the multiple levels of functional development of child were also significantly ameliorated. We found that FMT changed the composition of the intestinal microbiota as well as the metabolites, intestinal inflammatory manifestations, and these changes were consistent with the patient's symptoms. This report suggests further FMT studies in ASD could be worth pursuing, and more studies are needed to validate the effectiveness of FMT in ASD and its mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Hu
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tianyi He
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Biao Zou
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Heli Li
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinzhu Zhao
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chen Hu
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinru Cui
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhihua Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sainan Shu
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Hao
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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2
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Hill-Yardin EL, Grabrucker AM, Franks AE. Editorial: Interactions of the nervous system with bacteria, volume II. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1125176. [PMID: 36755735 PMCID: PMC9900134 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1125176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa L. Hill-Yardin
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia,Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia,*Correspondence: Elisa L. Hill-Yardin ✉
| | - Andreas M. Grabrucker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland,Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland,Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Ashley E. Franks
- School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
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3
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Sabo SL, Lahr JM, Offer M, Weekes ALA, Sceniak MP. GRIN2B-related neurodevelopmental disorder: current understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2023; 14:1090865. [PMID: 36704660 PMCID: PMC9873235 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2022.1090865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The GRIN2B-related neurodevelopmental disorder is a rare disease caused by mutations in the GRIN2B gene, which encodes the GluN2B subunit of NMDA receptors. Most individuals with GRIN2B-related neurodevelopmental disorder present with intellectual disability and developmental delay. Motor impairments, autism spectrum disorder, and epilepsy are also common. A large number of pathogenic de novo mutations have been identified in GRIN2B. However, it is not yet known how these variants lead to the clinical symptoms of the disease. Recent research has begun to address this issue. Here, we describe key experimental approaches that have been used to better understand the pathophysiology of this disease. We discuss the impact of several distinct pathogenic GRIN2B variants on NMDA receptor properties. We then critically review pivotal studies examining the synaptic and neurodevelopmental phenotypes observed when disease-associated GluN2B variants are expressed in neurons. These data provide compelling evidence that various GluN2B mutants interfere with neuronal differentiation, dendrite morphogenesis, synaptogenesis, and synaptic plasticity. Finally, we identify important open questions and considerations for future studies aimed at understanding this complex disease. Together, the existing data provide insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie GRIN2B-related neurodevelopmental disorder and emphasize the importance of comparing the effects of individual, disease-associated variants. Understanding the molecular, cellular and circuit phenotypes produced by a wide range of GRIN2B variants should lead to the identification of core neurodevelopmental phenotypes that characterize the disease and lead to its symptoms. This information could help guide the development and application of effective therapeutic strategies for treating individuals with GRIN2B-related neurodevelopmental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasta L. Sabo
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States,Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States,Program in Neuroscience, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States,*Correspondence: Shasta L. Sabo
| | - Jessica M. Lahr
- Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States
| | - Madelyn Offer
- Program in Neuroscience, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States
| | - Anika LA Weekes
- Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States
| | - Michael P. Sceniak
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States
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4
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Bagnall R, Cadman A, Russell A, Brosnan M, Otte M, Maras KL. Police suspect interviews with autistic adults: The impact of truth telling versus deception on testimony. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1117415. [PMID: 37034927 PMCID: PMC10074602 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1117415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigative interviews by police are socially and cognitively demanding encounters, likely presenting significant challenges to those on the autism spectrum. Behavioral and communication differences mean that autistic people may also be more likely to be perceived as deceptive in the context of an investigative interview. In the present study, 32 autistic and 33 (age and IQ-matched) non-autistic adults took part in a novel virtual burglary scenario in either an 'innocent' or 'guilty' condition. In a subsequent mock-police interview, innocent suspects were instructed to tell the truth about what they did, while guilty suspects were instructed to lie in order to convince the interviewer of their innocence. In the mock-interviews, innocent autistic mock-suspects reported fewer details that would support their innocence than non-autistic mock-suspects, although both innocent and guilty autistic and non-autistic mock-suspects reported similar levels of investigation-relevant information and had similar levels of statement-evidence consistency. In post-interview questionnaires, innocent and guilty autistic mock-suspects self-reported greater difficulty in understanding interview questions, higher anxiety and perceived the interview as less supportive than non-autistic participants. Implications for investigative interviewing with autistic suspects and cues to deception are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Bagnall
- Centre for Applied Autism Research, Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Ralph Bagnall,
| | - Aimee Cadman
- Centre for Applied Autism Research, Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Ailsa Russell
- Centre for Applied Autism Research, Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Brosnan
- Centre for Applied Autism Research, Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Otte
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Katie L. Maras
- Centre for Applied Autism Research, Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
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5
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Chhabra S, Nardi L, Leukel P, Sommer CJ, Schmeisser MJ. Striatal increase of dopamine receptor 2 density in idiopathic and syndromic mouse models of autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1110525. [PMID: 36970280 PMCID: PMC10030619 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1110525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a wide range of neurodevelopmental phenotypes united by impaired social interaction and repetitive behavior. Environmental and genetic factors are associated with the pathogenesis of ASD, while other cases are classified as idiopathic. The dopaminergic system has a profound impact in the modulation of motor and reward-motivated behaviors, and defects in dopaminergic circuits are implicated in ASD. In our study, we compare three well-established mouse models of ASD, one idiopathic, the BTBR strain, and two syndromic, Fmr1 and Shank3 mutants. In these models, and in humans with ASD, alterations in dopaminergic metabolism and neurotransmission were highlighted. Still, accurate knowledge about the distribution of dopamine receptor densities in the basal ganglia is lacking. Using receptor autoradiography, we describe the neuroanatomical distribution of D1 and D2 receptors in dorsal and ventral striatum at late infancy and adulthood in the above-mentioned models. We show that D1 receptor binding density is different among the models irrespective of the region. A significant convergence in increased D2 receptor binding density in the ventral striatum at adulthood becomes apparent in BTBR and Shank3 lines, and a similar trend was observed in the Fmr1 line. Altogether, our results confirm the involvement of the dopaminergic system, showing defined alterations in dopamine receptor binding density in three well-established ASD lines, which may provide a plausible explanation to some of the prevalent traits of ASD. Moreover, our study provides a neuroanatomical framework to explain the utilization of D2-acting drugs such as Risperidone and Aripiprazole in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuti Chhabra
- Institute of Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Leonardo Nardi
- Institute of Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Petra Leukel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Clemens J. Sommer
- Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael J. Schmeisser
- Institute of Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- *Correspondence: Michael J. Schmeisser,
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6
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Tang B, Levine M, Adamek JH, Wodka EL, Caffo BS, Ewen JB. Evaluating causal psychological models: A study of language theories of autism using a large sample. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1060525. [PMID: 36910768 PMCID: PMC9998497 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1060525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
We used a large convenience sample (n = 22,223) from the Simons Powering Autism Research (SPARK) dataset to evaluate causal, explanatory theories of core autism symptoms. In particular, the data-items collected supported the testing of theories that posited altered language abilities as cause of social withdrawal, as well as alternative theories that competed with these language theories. Our results using this large dataset converge with the evolution of the field in the decades since these theories were first proposed, namely supporting primary social withdrawal (in some cases of autism) as a cause of altered language development, rather than vice versa. To accomplish the above empiric goals, we used a highly theory-constrained approach, one which differs from current data-driven modeling trends but is coherent with a very recent resurgence in theory-driven psychology. In addition to careful explication and formalization of theoretical accounts, we propose three principles for future work of this type: specification, quantification, and integration. Specification refers to constraining models with pre-existing data, from both outside and within autism research, with more elaborate models and more veridical measures, and with longitudinal data collection. Quantification refers to using continuous measures of both psychological causes and effects, as well as weighted graphs. This approach avoids "universality and uniqueness" tests that hold that a single cognitive difference could be responsible for a heterogeneous and complex behavioral phenotype. Integration of multiple explanatory paths within a single model helps the field examine for multiple contributors to a single behavioral feature or to multiple behavioral features. It also allows integration of explanatory theories across multiple current-day diagnoses and as well as typical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohao Tang
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Jack H Adamek
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ericka L Wodka
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States.,School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Brian S Caffo
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Joshua B Ewen
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States.,School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
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7
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Gabarron E, Skafle I, Nordahl-Hansen A, Wynn R. Social media interventions for autistic individuals: Systematic review. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1089452. [PMID: 36937710 PMCID: PMC10014977 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1089452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Research on the use of digital technologies for delivering behavioral interventions has shown mixed evidence on their efficacy for improving both autistic symptoms and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Little knowledge exists on the specific use or efficacy of using social media in interventions aimed at autistic individuals. Objective To review and describe the current existing evidence-based research on the use of social media in interventions aimed at autistic individuals. Methods A search was conducted across 8 databases (PubMed; EMBASE; Cochrane Library; PsycInfo; ERIC; Education Source; Web of Science; and IEEE Xplore). We included primary studies and reviews that dealt with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); described interventions that use social media; and reported results from the intervention. The quality of the evidence of the included primary studies was graded according to the GRADE criteria, and the risk of bias in systematic reviews was assessed by drawing on the AMSTAR guidelines. Results were synthesized and sorted by quality of evidence. Results A total of nine articles were included in this review: eight primary studies (five non-randomized interventions and three randomized interventions) and one systematic review. The total number of participants with an ASD-diagnosis in the included studies was 164 (aged 5 to 22 years old). Studies weighted as being of moderate quality of evidence have reported significant positive effects in the groups that received the social media interventions: increased social engagement and participation in life situations; increased physical activity level; increased improvement on occupational performance, specified goals, and behavioral problems; and decreased plaque scores coupled with parent reports of intervention success. None of the studies have reported any negative effects linked to social media interventions. Conclusion There is very little evidence of good quality on the use of social media in interventions aimed at autistic individuals. While there is a need for more high-quality studies, all the included studies, with one exception found positive results of the interventions. These findings are encouraging, suggesting that social media-based interventions may in fact be useful for supporting behavioral changes in autistic individuals. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=337185, identifier CRD42022337185.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elia Gabarron
- Department of Education, ICT and Learning, Østfold University College, Halden, Norway
- Norwegian Centre for E-health Research, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- *Correspondence: Elia Gabarron,
| | - Ingjerd Skafle
- Faculty of Health, Welfare and Organisation, Østfold University College, Fredrikstad, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anders Nordahl-Hansen
- Department of Education, ICT and Learning, Østfold University College, Halden, Norway
| | - Rolf Wynn
- Department of Education, ICT and Learning, Østfold University College, Halden, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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8
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Mahony C, O'Ryan C. A molecular framework for autistic experiences: Mitochondrial allostatic load as a mediator between autism and psychopathology. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:985713. [PMID: 36506457 PMCID: PMC9732262 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.985713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular autism research is evolving toward a biopsychosocial framework that is more informed by autistic experiences. In this context, research aims are moving away from correcting external autistic behaviors and toward alleviating internal distress. Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs) are associated with high rates of depression, suicidality and other comorbid psychopathologies, but this relationship is poorly understood. Here, we integrate emerging characterizations of internal autistic experiences within a molecular framework to yield insight into the prevalence of psychopathology in ASC. We demonstrate that descriptions of social camouflaging and autistic burnout resonate closely with the accepted definitions for early life stress (ELS) and chronic adolescent stress (CAS). We propose that social camouflaging could be considered a distinct form of CAS that contributes to allostatic overload, culminating in a pathophysiological state that is experienced as autistic burnout. Autistic burnout is thought to contribute to psychopathology via psychological and physiological mechanisms, but these remain largely unexplored by molecular researchers. Building on converging fields in molecular neuroscience, we discuss the substantial evidence implicating mitochondrial dysfunction in ASC to propose a novel role for mitochondrial allostatic load in the relationship between autism and psychopathology. An interplay between mitochondrial, neuroimmune and neuroendocrine signaling is increasingly implicated in stress-related psychopathologies, and these molecular players are also associated with neurodevelopmental, neurophysiological and neurochemical aspects of ASC. Together, this suggests an increased exposure and underlying molecular susceptibility to ELS that increases the risk of psychopathology in ASC. This article describes an integrative framework shaped by autistic experiences that highlights novel avenues for molecular research into mechanisms that directly affect the quality of life and wellbeing of autistic individuals. Moreover, this framework emphasizes the need for increased access to diagnoses, accommodations, and resources to improve mental health outcomes in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Colleen O'Ryan
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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9
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Li Q, Zhao W, Kendrick KM. Affective touch in the context of development, oxytocin signaling, and autism. Front Psychol 2022; 13:967791. [PMID: 36506943 PMCID: PMC9728590 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.967791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Touch represents one of our most important senses throughout life and particularly in the context of our social and emotional experiences. In this review, we draw on research on touch processing from both animal models and humans. Firstly, we briefly describe the cutaneous touch receptors and neural processing of both affective and discriminative touch. We then outline how our sense of touch develops and summarize increasing evidence demonstrating how essential early tactile stimulation is for the development of brain and behavior, with a particular focus on effects of tactile stimulation in infant animals and pediatric massage and Kangaroo care in human infants. Next, the potential mechanisms whereby early tactile stimulation influences both brain and behavioral development are discussed, focusing on its ability to promote neural plasticity changes and brain interhemispheric communication, development of social behavior and bonding, and reward sensitivity through modulation of growth factor, oxytocin, and opioid signaling. Finally, we consider the implications of evidence for atypical responses to touch in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and discuss existing evidence and future priorities for establishing potential beneficial effects of interventions using massage or pharmacological treatments targeting oxytocin or other neurochemical systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Li
- School of Foreign Language, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China,Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Weihua Zhao
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Keith M. Kendrick
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Keith M. Kendrick,
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10
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Ng-Cordell E, Rai A, Peracha H, Garfield T, Lankenau SE, Robins DL, Berkowitz SJ, Newschaffer C, Kerns CM. A Qualitative Study of Self and Caregiver Perspectives on How Autistic Individuals Cope With Trauma. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:825008. [PMID: 35911211 PMCID: PMC9329569 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.825008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coping can moderate the relationship between trauma exposure and trauma symptoms. There are many conceptualisations of coping in the general population, but limited research has considered how autistic individuals cope, despite their above-average rates of traumatic exposure. Objectives To describe the range of coping strategies autistic individuals use following traumatic events. Methods Fourteen autistic adults and 15 caregivers of autistic individuals, recruited via stratified purposive sampling, completed semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to describe how they/their child attempted to cope with events they perceived as traumatic. Using an existing theoretical framework and reflexive thematic analysis, coping strategies were identified, described, and organized into themes. Results Coping strategies used by autistic individuals could be organized into 3 main themes: (1) Engaging with Trauma, (2) Disengaging from Trauma, and (3) Self-Regulatory Coping. After the three main themes were developed, a fourth integrative theme, Diagnostic Overshadowing, was created to capture participants' reports of the overlap or confusion between coping and autism-related behaviors. Conclusions Autistic individuals use many strategies to cope with trauma, many of which are traditionally recognized as coping, but some of which may be less easily recognized given their overlap with autism-related behaviors. Findings highlight considerations for conceptualizing coping in autism, including factors influencing how individuals cope with trauma, and how aspects of autism may shape or overlap with coping behavior. Research building on these findings may inform a more nuanced understanding of how autistic people respond to adversity, and how to support coping strategies that promote recovery from trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Ng-Cordell
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anika Rai
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hira Peracha
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tamara Garfield
- A. J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Stephen E. Lankenau
- Department of Community Health and Prevention, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Diana L. Robins
- A. J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Craig Newschaffer
- A. J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Connor M. Kerns
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- A. J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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11
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DeRosa H, Richter T, Wilkinson C, Hunter RG. Bridging the Gap Between Environmental Adversity and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: The Role of Transposable Elements. Front Genet 2022; 13:813510. [PMID: 35711940 PMCID: PMC9196244 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.813510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Long regarded as “junk DNA,” transposable elements (TEs) have recently garnered much attention for their role in promoting genetic diversity and plasticity. While many processes involved in mammalian development require TE activity, deleterious TE insertions are a hallmark of several psychiatric disorders. Moreover, stressful events including exposure to gestational infection and trauma, are major risk factors for developing psychiatric illnesses. Here, we will provide evidence demonstrating the intersection of stressful events, atypical TE expression, and their epigenetic regulation, which may explain how neuropsychiatric phenotypes manifest. In this way, TEs may be the “bridge” between environmental perturbations and psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly DeRosa
- Psychology Department, Developmental Brain Sciences Program, College of Liberal Arts, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Troy Richter
- Psychology Department, Developmental Brain Sciences Program, College of Liberal Arts, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Cooper Wilkinson
- Psychology Department, Developmental Brain Sciences Program, College of Liberal Arts, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Richard G Hunter
- Psychology Department, Developmental Brain Sciences Program, College of Liberal Arts, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
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12
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Hartmann H, Lengersdorff L, Hitz HH, Stepnicka P, Silani G. Emotional Ego- and Altercentric Biases in High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: Behavioral and Neurophysiological Evidence. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:813969. [PMID: 35250667 PMCID: PMC8894325 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.813969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-other distinction is a crucial aspect of social cognition, as it allows us to differentiate our own mental and emotional states from those of others. Research suggests that this ability might be impaired in individuals on the autism spectrum, but convincing evidence of self-other distinction difficulties in the emotional domain is lacking. Here we aimed at evaluating emotional self-other distinction abilities in autistic and non-autistic adults, in two behavioral pilot studies and one fMRI study. By using a newly developed virtual ball-tossing game that induced simultaneous positive and negative emotional states in each participant and another person, we were able to measure emotional egocentric and altercentric biases (namely the tendency to ascribe self-/other-related emotions to others/ourselves, respectively). Despite no behavioral differences, individuals on the autism spectrum showed decreased activation (1) in the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) during active overcoming of the emotional egocentric bias vs. passive game viewing, and (2) in the right supramarginal gyrus (rSMG) during ego- vs. altercentric biases, compared to neurotypical participants. These results suggest a different recruitment of these two regions in autistic individuals when dealing with conflicting emotional states of oneself and another person. Furthermore, they highlight the importance of considering different control conditions when interpreting the involvement of rTPJ and rSMG during self-other distinction processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Hartmann
- Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Lengersdorff
- Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hannah H. Hitz
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Stepnicka
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Giorgia Silani
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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13
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Vyas Y, Cheyne JE, Lee K, Jung Y, Cheung PY, Montgomery JM. Shankopathies in the Developing Brain in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:775431. [PMID: 35002604 PMCID: PMC8727517 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.775431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The SHANK family of proteins play critical structural and functional roles in the postsynaptic density (PSD) at excitatory glutamatergic synapses. Through their multidomain structure they form a structural platform across the PSD for protein–protein interactions, as well as recruiting protein complexes to strengthen excitatory synaptic transmission. Mutations in SHANKs reflect their importance to synapse development and plasticity. This is evident in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting in behavioural changes including repetitive behaviours, lack of sociability, sensory issues, learning, and language impairments. Human genetic studies have revealed ASD mutations commonly occur in SHANKs. Rodent models expressing these mutations display ASD behavioural impairments, and a subset of these deficits are rescued by reintroduction of Shank in adult animals, suggesting that lack of SHANK during key developmental periods can lead to permanent changes in the brain’s wiring. Here we explore the differences in synaptic function and plasticity from development onward in rodent Shank ASD models. To date the most explored brain regions, relate to the behavioural changes observed, e.g., the striatum, hippocampus, sensory, and prefrontal cortex. In addition, less-studied regions including the hypothalamus, cerebellum, and peripheral nervous system are also affected. Synaptic phenotypes include weakened but also strengthened synaptic function, with NMDA receptors commonly affected, as well as changes in the balance of excitation and inhibition especially in cortical brain circuits. The effects of shankopathies in activity-dependent brain wiring is an important target for therapeutic intervention. We therefore highlight areas of research consensus and identify remaining questions and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukti Vyas
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Juliette E Cheyne
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Lee
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yewon Jung
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Pang Ying Cheung
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Johanna M Montgomery
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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14
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Roberts TPL, Bloy L, Liu S, Ku M, Blaskey L, Jackel C. Magnetoencephalography Studies of the Envelope Following Response During Amplitude-Modulated Sweeps: Diminished Phase Synchrony in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 15:787229. [PMID: 34975438 PMCID: PMC8714804 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.787229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prevailing theories of the neural basis of at least a subset of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) include an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission. These circuitry imbalances are commonly probed in adults using auditory steady-state responses (ASSR, driven at 40 Hz) to elicit coherent electrophysiological responses (EEG/MEG) from intact circuitry. Challenges to the ASSR methodology occur during development, where the optimal ASSR driving frequency may be unknown. An alternative approach (more agnostic to driving frequency) is the amplitude-modulated (AM) sweep in which the amplitude of a tone (with carrier frequency 500 Hz) is modulated as a sweep from 10 to 100 Hz over the course of ∼15 s. Phase synchrony of evoked responses, measured via intra-trial coherence, is recorded (by EEG or MEG) as a function of frequency. We applied such AM sweep stimuli bilaterally to 40 typically developing and 80 children with ASD, aged 6–18 years. Diagnoses were confirmed by DSM-5 criteria as well as autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS) observational assessment. Stimuli were presented binaurally during MEG recording and consisted of 20 AM swept stimuli (500 Hz carrier; sweep 10–100 Hz up and down) with a duration of ∼30 s each. Peak intra-trial coherence values and peak response frequencies of source modeled responses (auditory cortex) were examined. First, the phase synchrony or inter-trial coherence (ITC) of the ASSR is diminished in ASD; second, hemispheric bias in the ASSR, observed in typical development (TD), is maintained in ASD, and third, that the frequency at which the peak response is obtained varies on an individual basis, in part dependent on age, and with altered developmental trajectories in ASD vs. TD. Finally, there appears an association between auditory steady-state phase synchrony (taken as a proxy of neuronal circuitry integrity) and clinical assessment of language ability/impairment. We concluded that (1) the AM sweep stimulus provides a mechanism for probing ASSR in an unbiased fashion, during developmental maturation of peak response frequency, (2) peak frequencies vary, in part due to developmental age, and importantly, (3) ITC at this peak frequency is diminished in ASD, with the degree of ITC disturbance related to clinically assessed language impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy P L Roberts
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Luke Bloy
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Matthew Ku
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lisa Blaskey
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Carissa Jackel
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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15
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by variable impairment of social communication and repetitive behaviors, highly restricted interests, and/or sensory behaviors beginning early in life. Many individuals with ASD have dysfunction of microglia, which may be closely related to neuroinflammation, making microglia play an important role in the pathogenesis of ASD. Mounting evidence indicates that microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, are required for proper brain function, especially in the maintenance of neuronal circuitry and control of behavior. Dysfunction of microglia will ultimately affect the neural function in a variety of ways, including the formation of synapses and alteration of excitatory-inhibitory balance. In this review, we provide an overview of how microglia actively interact with neurons in physiological conditions and modulate the fate and functions of synapses. We put a spotlight on the multi-dimensional neurodevelopmental roles of microglia, especially in the essential influence of synapses, and discuss how microglia are currently thought to influence ASD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Hu
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Heli Li
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinhui Li
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoping Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Hao
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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16
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Davico C, Marcotulli D, Cudia VF, Arletti L, Ghiggia A, Svevi B, Faraoni C, Amianto F, Ricci F, Vitiello B. Emotional Dysregulation and Adaptive Functioning in Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorder or Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:846146. [PMID: 35479499 PMCID: PMC9035819 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.846146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Emotional dysregulation (ED), defined by deficits in the ability to monitor and modulate the valence, intensity, and expression of emotions, is typically expressed with irritability, tantrums, mood fluctuations, and self-harm in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although ED does not represent a diagnostic feature of ASD, its manifestations are an important contributor to functional impairment and clinical referral. This study aims to examine the relationship between ED and adaptive functioning in preschoolers clinically referred for ASD or other neurodevelopmental disorders. METHODS A sample of 100 children (74% males, mean age 39.4 ± 12.3 months), consecutively referred to a university clinic for neurodevelopmental disorders, received clinical assessments of psychopathology with the CBCL and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, of ED- with the CBCL-Attention, Anxious/Depressed, and Aggression index (CBCL-AAA), of autism symptom severity with the ADOS-2 Calibrated Severity Score (ADOS-CSS), and of global developmental/cognitive delay (GDD) with the WPPSI-IV or other age-appropriate standardized scales. Adaptive functioning was measured with the ABAS-II. Sixty-five children met DSM-5 criteria for ASD. Multivariate regression models were applied to evaluate the relative contribution of ED, ASD severity and GDD to the ABAS-II general (GAC), conceptual (CAD), social (SAD), and practical (PAD) adaptive functioning domains. RESULTS Overall (n = 100), lower adaptive functioning was associated with higher CBCL-AAA (p = 0.003), higher ADOS-CSS (p < 0.001), and presence of GDD (p = 0.023). In the ASD group (n = 65), worse CAD was predicted by GDD (p = 0.016), and worse SAD and PAD by higher ADOS-CSS (p = 0.032) and ED (p = 0.002). No sex differences were detected in the study variables. CONCLUSION Together with the severity of global developmental delay and of autism symptoms, ED is a significant contributor to impairment in adaptive functioning among young children with a neurodevelopmental disorder and, in particular, with ASD. ED could represent a specific target for early interventions aimed at enhancing adaptive functioning in early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Davico
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Daniele Marcotulli
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Francesca Cudia
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Luca Arletti
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Ada Ghiggia
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Barbara Svevi
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Faraoni
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Federica Ricci
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Benedetto Vitiello
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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17
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Barbier A, Chen JH, Huizinga JD. Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children Is Not Associated With Abnormal Autonomic Nervous System Function: Hypothesis and Theory. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:830234. [PMID: 35370829 PMCID: PMC8964964 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.830234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The quest to understand the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has led to extensive literature that purports to provide evidence for autonomic dysfunction based on heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV), in particular respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), a measure of parasympathetic functioning. Many studies conclude that autism is associated with vagal withdrawal and sympathetic hyperactivation based on HRV and electrodermal analyses. We will argue that a critical analysis of the data leads to the hypothesis that autonomic nervous system dysfunction is not a dominant feature of autism. Most children with ASD have normal parasympathetic baseline values and normal autonomic responses to social stimuli. The existing HRV and electrodermal data cannot lead to the conclusion of an over-excitation of the sympathetic nervous system. A small subgroup of ASD children in experimental settings has relatively low RSA values and relatively high heart rates. The data suggest that this is likely associated with a relatively high level of anxiety during study conditions, associated with co-morbidities such as constipation, or due to the use of psychoactive medication. Many studies interpret their data to conform with a preferred hypothesis of autonomic dysfunction as a trait of autism, related to the polyvagal theory, but the HRV evidence is to the contrary. HRV analysis may identify children with ASD having autonomic dysfunction due to co-morbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Barbier
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Ji-Hong Chen
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jan D Huizinga
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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18
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St George-Hyslop F, Kivisild T, Livesey FJ. The role of contactin-associated protein-like 2 in neurodevelopmental disease and human cerebral cortex evolution. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1017144. [PMID: 36340692 PMCID: PMC9630569 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1017144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2) gene is associated with multiple neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), and specific language impairment (SLI). Experimental work has shown that CNTNAP2 is important for neuronal development and synapse formation. There is also accumulating evidence for the differential use of CNTNAP2 in the human cerebral cortex compared with other primates. Here, we review the current literature on CNTNAP2, including what is known about its expression, disease associations, and molecular/cellular functions. We also review the evidence for its role in human brain evolution, such as the presence of eight human accelerated regions (HARs) within the introns of the gene. While progress has been made in understanding the function(s) of CNTNAP2, more work is needed to clarify the precise mechanisms through which CNTNAP2 acts. Such information will be crucial for developing effective treatments for CNTNAP2 patients. It may also shed light on the longstanding question of what makes us human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances St George-Hyslop
- Zayed Centre for Research Into Rare Disease in Children, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Toomas Kivisild
- Estonian Biocentre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederick J Livesey
- Zayed Centre for Research Into Rare Disease in Children, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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19
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Rong P, Zhao S, Fu Q, Chen M, Yang L, Song Y, Zhang X, Ma R. Case report: One child with an autism spectrum disorder who had chronically elevated serum levels of CK and CK-MB. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:995237. [PMID: 36147964 PMCID: PMC9485572 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.995237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Some patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit elevated serum creatine kinase levels, which are believed to be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Although a few articles have reported this situation in the past and the increase mostly ranges from 100 to 300 U/L, there is a paucity of previous study focusing on the serum creatine kinase MB isoenzyme. This article discusses a 5-year-old girl with ASD, whose serum creatine kinase and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme have been rising for nearly 2 years, fluctuating at 584-993 and 111-625 U/L respectively. Except for behavioral and language symptoms associated with ASD, the child appears normal in other aspects. The child's laboratory tests showed no abnormality, except that the serum levels of lactic acid was slightly higher than normal (1.89 mmol/L, normal 1.33-1.78 mmol/L). The child was prescribed with a traditional Chinese medicine during the process and the serum creatine kinase MB isoenzyme level decreased dramatically to 111 U/L after the treatment. This study firstly recorded the serum creatine kinase levels and the MB isoenzyme in patients with autism spectrum disorder for nearly 2 years, indicating that patients with ASD may experience long-term increases in serum creatine kinase and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme, and that the traditional Chinese medicine decoction Xinfukang can temporarily reduce the serum creatine kinase MB isoenzyme level in patients. Nevertheless, the effect is not sustained. Therefore, it is of great importance to conduct long-term longitudinal studies so as to elucidate the potential mechanism responsible for long-term elevation of serum creatine kinase level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Rong
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuyi Zhao
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Qianfang Fu
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Mengrui Chen
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Libin Yang
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Yifei Song
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Xilian Zhang
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Rong Ma
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
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20
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Pacione L. Telehealth-delivered caregiver training for autism: Recent innovations. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:916532. [PMID: 36620655 PMCID: PMC9811175 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.916532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Providing treatment to children with autism is a global health priority, and research demonstrates that caregivers can be trained in techniques to promote their child's social interaction, communication, play, positive behavior and skills. These caregiver-mediated interventions have been shown to promote a number of positive outcomes in children with autism, as well as their caregivers. When provided by telehealth, data indicate that caregiver training is acceptable and feasible, and associated with similar positive outcomes as live face-to-face training. Telehealth innovations, which have accelerated during the COVID-19 era, have demonstrated advantages over in-person delivery of services in terms of cost effectiveness and increased accessibility, however, more research is needed on feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness for different populations in different contexts. This brief review will highlight recent caregiver skills training interventions for autism that have been successfully adapted or designed for telehealth delivery. Telehealth interventions that are scalable, adaptable, caregiver-mediated, open-access, and delivered as part of a stepped care model, have the potential to address the global treatment gap for families of children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Considerations relevant to the global scale-up of caregiver-mediated interventions will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pacione
- Division of Child and Youth Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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21
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Garrido-Torres N, Cerrillos L, García Cerro S, Pérez Gómez A, Canal-Rivero M, de Felipe B, Alameda L, Marqués Rodríguez R, Anillo S, Praena J, Duque Sánchez C, Roca C, Paniagua M, López Díaz A, Romero-García R, Olbrich P, Puertas Albarracín MDP, Reguera Pozuelo P, Sosa IL, Moreno Dueñas MB, Pineda Cachero R, Zamudio Juan L, García Rumi V, Guerrero Benitez M, Figueroa R, Martín Rendón AM, Partida A, Rodríguez Cocho MI, Gallardo Trujillo C, Gallego Jiménez I, García Spencer S, Gómez Verdugo M, Bermejo Fernández C, Pérez Benito M, Castillo Reina RE, Cejudo López A, Sánchez Tomás C, Chacón Gamero MÁ, Rubio A, Moreno Mellado A, Ramos Herrero V, Starr E, González Fernández de Palacios M, García Victori E, Pavón Delgado A, Fernández Cuervo I, Arias Ruiz A, Menéndez Gil IE, Domínguez Gómez I, Coca Mendoza I, Ayesa-Arriola R, Fañanas L, Leza JC, Cisneros JM, Sánchez Céspedes J, Ruiz-Mateos E, Crespo-Facorro B, Ruiz-Veguilla M. Examining the immune signatures of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy and the impact on neurodevelopment: Protocol of the SIGNATURE longitudinal study. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:899445. [PMID: 36619503 PMCID: PMC9811261 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.899445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic represents a valuable opportunity to carry out cohort studies that allow us to advance our knowledge on pathophysiological mechanisms of neuropsychiatric diseases. One of these opportunities is the study of the relationships between inflammation, brain development and an increased risk of suffering neuropsychiatric disorders. Based on the hypothesis that neuroinflammation during early stages of life is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and confers a greater risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders, we propose a cohort study of SARS-CoV-2-infected pregnant women and their newborns. The main objective of SIGNATURE project is to explore how the presence of prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection and other non-infectious stressors generates an abnormal inflammatory activity in the newborn. The cohort of women during the COVID-19 pandemic will be psychological and biological monitored during their pregnancy, delivery, childbirth and postpartum. The biological information of the umbilical cord (foetus blood) and peripheral blood from the mother will be obtained after childbirth. These samples and the clinical characterisation of the cohort of mothers and newborns, are tremendously valuable at this time. This is a protocol report and no analyses have been conducted yet, being currently at, our study is in the recruitment process step. At the time of this publication, we have identified 1,060 SARS-CoV-2 infected mothers and all have already given birth. From the total of identified mothers, we have recruited 537 SARS-COV-2 infected women and all of them have completed the mental health assessment during pregnancy. We have collected biological samples from 119 mothers and babies. Additionally, we have recruited 390 non-infected pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalia Garrido-Torres
- Mental Health Unit, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, Seville, Spain.,Translational Psychiatry Group, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Seville, Spain.,Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Lucas Cerrillos
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - Susana García Cerro
- Translational Psychiatry Group, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Seville, Spain.,Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Pérez Gómez
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, CSIC, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Manuel Canal-Rivero
- Mental Health Unit, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, Seville, Spain.,Translational Psychiatry Group, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Seville, Spain.,Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Beatriz de Felipe
- Congenital Immunity Disorders Group de Alteraciones Congénitas de Inmunidad, Seville Biomedical Research Institute, Seville, Spain.,Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Department, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Luis Alameda
- Translational Psychiatry Group, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Seville, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Seville, Seville, Spain.,Service of General Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Renata Marqués Rodríguez
- Department of Pediatrics, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital / Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Seville, Spain
| | - Sergio Anillo
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - Julia Praena
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - Cristina Duque Sánchez
- Department of Pediatrics, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital / Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Seville, Spain
| | - Cristina Roca
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, CSIC, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - María Paniagua
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, CSIC, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Alvaro López Díaz
- Translational Psychiatry Group, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Seville, Spain.,Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Rafael Romero-García
- Translational Psychiatry Group, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Seville, Spain.,Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, CSIC, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Peter Olbrich
- Congenital Immunity Disorders Group de Alteraciones Congénitas de Inmunidad, Seville Biomedical Research Institute, Seville, Spain
| | | | - Pablo Reguera Pozuelo
- Translational Psychiatry Group, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Seville, Spain
| | - Irene Luján Sosa
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - María Begoña Moreno Dueñas
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - Rocío Pineda Cachero
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - Lidia Zamudio Juan
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - Verónica García Rumi
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - Mercedes Guerrero Benitez
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - Rosario Figueroa
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio Manuel Martín Rendón
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio Partida
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - María Isabel Rodríguez Cocho
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - Carmen Gallardo Trujillo
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - Isabel Gallego Jiménez
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - Sarah García Spencer
- Department of Pediatrics, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital / Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Seville, Spain
| | - Marta Gómez Verdugo
- Department of Pediatrics, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital / Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Seville, Spain
| | - Cintia Bermejo Fernández
- Department of Pediatrics, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital / Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Seville, Spain
| | - María Pérez Benito
- Department of Pediatrics, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital / Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Seville, Spain
| | | | - Angela Cejudo López
- Department of family medicine, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Primary Care Health Centers, Seville, Spain
| | - Candela Sánchez Tomás
- Department of family medicine, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Primary Care Health Centers, Seville, Spain
| | | | - Ana Rubio
- Mental Health Unit, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, Seville, Spain
| | - Amanda Moreno Mellado
- Translational Psychiatry Group, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Seville, Spain
| | - Víctor Ramos Herrero
- Translational Psychiatry Group, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Seville, Spain
| | - Ella Starr
- Translational Psychiatry Group, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Seville, Spain
| | | | - Elena García Victori
- Department of Pediatrics, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital / Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio Pavón Delgado
- Department of Pediatrics, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital / Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Seville, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Rosa Ayesa-Arriola
- Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla - Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - Lourdes Fañanas
- Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan C Leza
- Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense Madrid, CIBERSAM, Imas12, IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Cisneros
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, CSIC, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Javier Sánchez Céspedes
- Viral Diseases and Infections in Immunodeficiencies Research Group, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital/CSIC/University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Ezequiel Ruiz-Mateos
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, CSIC, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Benedicto Crespo-Facorro
- Mental Health Unit, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, Seville, Spain.,Translational Psychiatry Group, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Seville, Spain.,Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Miguel Ruiz-Veguilla
- Mental Health Unit, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, Seville, Spain.,Translational Psychiatry Group, Seville Biomedical Research Institute (IBiS), Seville, Spain.,Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
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22
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Hemmers J, Baethge C, Vogeley K, Falter-Wagner CM. Are Executive Dysfunctions Relevant for the Autism-Specific Cognitive Profile? Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:886588. [PMID: 35923452 PMCID: PMC9342604 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.886588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Executive functions (EF) have been shown to be important for the understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but dysfunctions of EF are not autism-specific. The specific role of EF in ASD, its relationship to core autism characteristics, such as mentalizing, needs to be explored. Medline- and PsychINFO databases were searched for studies published between 1990 and 2020 that included measures of EF in ASD and typically developing control persons (TD) in combination with either Theory of Mind (ToM) or Weak Central Coherence (WCC) tasks. A pre-registered meta-analysis and cross-study regression was performed including a total of 42 studies (ASD n = 1,546, TD n = 1,206). Results were reported according to PRISMA guidelines. In all cognitive domains, the ASD group showed significantly reduced performance. Importantly, EF subdomains and ToM were not significantly correlated. This finding rules out a significant association between EF subdomains and ToM and questions the relevance of EF dysfunctions for the autism-specific feature of reduced mentalizing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Hemmers
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, Ludwig Maximillians Universitaet (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christopher Baethge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kai Vogeley
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Institute of Neurosciences and Medicine-Cognitive Neuroscience, Research Center Juelich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Christine M Falter-Wagner
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, Ludwig Maximillians Universitaet (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Psychology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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23
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Palumbi R. Editorial: Metabolic profiles of autistic and typically developing children. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1005521. [PMID: 36046160 PMCID: PMC9421290 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1005521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Palumbi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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24
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Bernardino I, Dionísio A, Violante IR, Monteiro R, Castelo-Branco M. Motor Cortex Excitation/Inhibition Imbalance in Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A MRS-TMS Approach. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:860448. [PMID: 35492696 PMCID: PMC9046777 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.860448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Excitatory/inhibitory imbalance has been suggested as a neurobiological substrate of the cognitive symptomatology in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Studies using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) attempted to characterize GABA and Glutamate brain levels in ASD. However mixed findings have been reported. Here, we characterize both neurochemical and physiological aspects of GABA system in ASD by implementing a more comprehensive approach combining MRS and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). A group of 16 young ASD adults and a group of 17 controls participated in this study. We employed one MRS session to assess motor cortex GABA+ and Glutamate+Glutamine (Glx) levels using MEGAPRESS and PRESS sequences, respectively. Additionally, a TMS experiment was implemented including paired-pulse (SICI, ICF and LICI), input-output curve and cortical silent period to probe cortical excitability. Our results showed a significantly increased Glx, with unchanged GABA+ levels in the ASD group compared with controls. Single TMS measures did not differ between groups, although exploratory within-group analysis showed impaired inhibition in SICI5ms, in ASD. Importantly, we observed a correlation between GABA levels and measures of the input-output TMS recruitment curve (slope and MEP amplitude) in the control group but not in ASD, as further demonstrated by direct between group comparisons. In this exploratory study, we found evidence of increased Glx levels which may contribute to ASD excitatory/inhibitory imbalance while highlighting the relevance of conducting further larger-scale studies to investigate the GABA system from complementary perspectives, using both MRS and TMS techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Bernardino
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Dionísio
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês R Violante
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Raquel Monteiro
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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25
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Ben Youssef H, Halayem S, Ghazzai M, Jelili S, Ben Mansour H, Rajhi O, Taamallah A, Ennaifer S, Hajri M, Abbes ZS, Fakhfakh R, Nabli A, Bouden A. Validation of the Tunisian Empathy Scale for Children (TESC) in General Population and Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:903966. [PMID: 35935418 PMCID: PMC9346592 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.903966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several empathy assessment tests have been proposed worldwide but none of them took into account cultural variations that seem to affect empathic manifestations. The aim of this study was to create and validate an empathy assessment questionnaire for school-aged Tunisian children entitled "Tunisian Empathy Scale for Children" (TESC). METHODS An evaluative cross-sectional study was conducted. The questionnaire was administered to parents of 197 neuro-typical children and 31 children with autism without associated intellectual deficits, aged between 7 and 12 years. Validation steps included: face validity, content validity, construct validity, and reliability study. A ROC curve analysis was used to investigate the diagnostic performance of the TESC. RESULTS Face validity was verified with an expert panel. Content validity was examined, and 11 items were removed as irrelevant or not assessable by parents. Exploratory factor analysis extracted four domains that explained 43% of the total variance. All these domains were significantly correlated with the total score (p < 10-3) and are, respectively: empathic behaviors, affective empathy, cognitive empathy, and a combined affective and cognitive domain. The reliability study showed a satisfactory level of internal consistency of the TESC, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.615.The diagnostic performance of the TESC in relation to autism was evaluated by the ROC curve with a sensitivity and specificity of 84.3 and 62.1%, respectively, for a total score of 16. CONCLUSION A 15-item questionnaire assessing empathy in a multidimensional and culturally adapted way was obtained. The psychometric qualities of the TESC were satisfactory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hela Ben Youssef
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Soumeyya Halayem
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Malek Ghazzai
- Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent du Centre Hospitalier de Versailles, Paris, France
| | - Selima Jelili
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hager Ben Mansour
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Olfa Rajhi
- Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent du Centre Hospitalier de Versailles, Paris, France
| | - Amal Taamallah
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Selima Ennaifer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Malek Hajri
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Zeineb Salma Abbes
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Radhouane Fakhfakh
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Abderrahmen Mami Hospital, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Ahmed Nabli
- ReMotion Research and Development, Lille, France
| | - Asma Bouden
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
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26
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Amirova A, CohenMiller A, Sandygulova A. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of children with autism spectrum disorder: Parents' perspectives. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:913902. [PMID: 35958650 PMCID: PMC9359431 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.913902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19-related lockdown interrupted children's learning progress and discontinued social learning and regular activities that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rely on socially and physically. Negative consequences for children with ASD were reported far and wide. To investigate this problem in Kazakhstan, we conducted a mixed-methods study that drew on data from an online survey with 97 parents and semi-structured interviews with 14 parents. While parent-report quantitative results suggest that children were likely to experience negative impacts of the pandemic due to disrupted educational and therapeutic services, qualitative findings confirm that they have experienced an elevated mental health and behavioral challenges during the lockdown. Remote educational and therapeutic services were not helpful as families coped with pandemic-caused problems on their own. We highlight that continued support and care during and after a crisis is vital not only for children with ASD but also for the families under-resourced mentally and socially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Amirova
- Graduate School of Education, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
| | - Anna CohenMiller
- Graduate School of Education, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
| | - Anara Sandygulova
- Department of Robotics and Mechatronics, School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
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27
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Firestein MR, Romeo RD, Winstead H, Goldman DA, Grobman WA, Haas DM, Parry S, Reddy UM, Silver RM, Wapner RJ, Champagne FA. Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and polycystic ovary syndrome are associated with child communication and social skills in a sex-specific and androgen-dependent manner. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1000732. [PMID: 36246897 PMCID: PMC9559211 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1000732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to testosterone is implicated in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and polycystic ovary syndrome are associated with both hyperandrogenism and increased risk for ASD. We examined whether increased maternal testosterone mediates the relationship between these hyperandrogenic disorders (HDs) during pregnancy and child communication and social skills. Maternal plasma was collected during the second trimester and parent-report measures of child communication and social skills were obtained at 4.5-6.5 years of age from 270 participants enrolled in the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-be (nuMoM2b). Our retrospective frequency-matched cohort study design identified 58 mothers with one or both of the HDs and 58 matched controls. Women diagnosed with an HD who carried a female had higher testosterone levels compared to those carrying a male (t(56) = -2.70, p = 0.01). Compared to females controls, females born to women with an HD had significantly higher scores on the Social Communication Questionnaire (t(114) = -2.82, p =0.01). Maternal testosterone partially mediated the relationship between a diagnosis of an HD and SCQ scores among females. These findings point to sex-specific associations of two HDs - hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and polycystic ovary syndrome - on child communication and social skills and a mediating effect of maternal testosterone during pregnancy. Further research is needed to understand placental-mediated effects of maternal testosterone on child brain development and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan R. Firestein
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Morgan R. Firestein,
| | - Russell D. Romeo
- Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience and Behavior, Barnard College of Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Hailey Winstead
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Danielle A. Goldman
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - William A. Grobman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - David M. Haas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Samuel Parry
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Uma M. Reddy
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Robert M. Silver
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Ronald J. Wapner
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Frances A. Champagne
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
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28
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Abstract
Recent advances in longitudinal methodologies for observational studies have contributed to a better understanding of Autism as a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by within-person and between-person variability over time across behavioral domains. However, this finer-grained approach to the study of developmental variability has yet to be applied to Autism intervention science. The widely adopted experimental designs in the field-randomized control trials and quasi-experimental designs-hold value for inferring treatment effects; at the same time, they are limited in elucidating what works for whom, why, and when, given the idiosyncrasies of neurodevelopmental disorders where predictors and outcomes are often dynamic in nature. This perspective paper aims to serve as a primer for Autism intervention scientists to rethink the way we approach predictors of treatment response and treatment-related change using a dynamic lens. We discuss several empirical gaps, and potential methodological challenges and opportunities pertaining to: (1) capturing finer-grained treatment effects in specific behavioral domains as indexed by micro-level within-person changes during and beyond intervention; and (2) examining and modeling dynamic prediction of treatment response. Addressing these issues can contribute to enhanced study designs and methodologies that generate evidence to inform the development of more personalized interventions and stepped care approaches for individuals on the heterogeneous spectrum of Autism with changing needs across development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Ju Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Eric Duku
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Stelios Georgiades
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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29
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Beversdorf DQ, Anagnostou E, Hardan A, Wang P, Erickson CA, Frazier TW, Veenstra-VanderWeele J. Editorial: Precision medicine approaches for heterogeneous conditions such as autism spectrum disorders (The need for a biomarker exploration phase in clinical trials - Phase 2m). Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1079006. [PMID: 36741580 PMCID: PMC9893852 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1079006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David Q Beversdorf
- Departments of Radiology, Neurology, and Psychological Sciences, William and Nancy Thompson Endowed Chair in Radiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Antonio Hardan
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Paul Wang
- Clinical Research Associates LLC, Simons Foundation, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Craig A Erickson
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Thomas W Frazier
- Department of Psychology, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,NewYork-Presbyterian Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, New York, NY, United States
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30
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Chakraborti M, Gitimoghaddam M, McKellin WH, Miller AR, Collet JP. Understanding the Implications of Peer Support for Families of Children With Neurodevelopmental and Intellectual Disabilities: A Scoping Review. Front Public Health 2021; 9:719640. [PMID: 34888278 PMCID: PMC8649771 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.719640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Families are integrally involved in day-to-day caregiving of children with neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities (NDID). Given the widespread and increasing prevalence of children with NDID and the impact of family caregiving on psychological, social, and economic implications for both the child and family, understanding and supporting these families is an important public health concern. Objective: We conducted a scoping review on peer support networks to understand their implications on families. Considering increasing prevalence of NDID's, understanding the implications of existing networks is critical to improve and nurture future support networks that can complement and reduce the burden on existing formal support systems. Design: A comprehensive search of multiple databases was conducted. Articles were screened by two reviewers and any disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. We explored existing research on parent-to-parent peer support networks, which included networks that developed informally as well as those that involved a formal facilitator for the group interpersonal processes. There were no limits on the study design, date and setting of the articles. We included all research studies in English that included an identifier for (i) "peer support networks," (ii) "children with neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities" and (iii) "family caregiver outcomes." Results: We identified 36 articles. Majority of the studies were conducted in North America, and were face to face networks. They included families of children with a wide range of NDIDs. Relevant information extracted from different studies highlighted peer support network characteristics and development process, needs of family caregivers attending these networks, factors affecting caregiver participation and the impact of peer support networks on family caregivers. These networks represent a way to strengthen family caregivers, developing resilience and social interactions. Family caregivers sharing similar experiences support one another and provide critical information to each other. Although results are encouraging, future studies incorporating improved study designs are needed to better evaluate the effectiveness of peer support networks. Furthermore, studies where peer support networks develop organically while the child is supported are warranted. Conclusion: Although results obtained are encouraging, our findings support the need for further research studies of peer support networks with better designs and more detailed description of the factors involved in the development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Chakraborti
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mojgan Gitimoghaddam
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - William H. McKellin
- Department of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anton Rodney Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jean-Paul Collet
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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31
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Victor AK, Donaldson M, Johnson D, Miller W, Reiter LT. Molecular Changes in Prader-Willi Syndrome Neurons Reveals Clues About Increased Autism Susceptibility. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:747855. [PMID: 34776864 PMCID: PMC8586424 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.747855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by hormonal dysregulation, obesity, intellectual disability, and behavioral problems. Most PWS cases are caused by paternal interstitial deletions of 15q11.2-q13.1, while a smaller number of cases are caused by chromosome 15 maternal uniparental disomy (PW-UPD). Children with PW-UPD are at higher risk for developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than the neurotypical population. In this study, we used expression analysis of PW-UPD neurons to try to identify the molecular cause for increased autism risk. Methods: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) from neurotypical control and PWS subjects were differentiated to neurons for mRNA sequencing. Significantly differentially expressed transcripts among all groups were identified. Downstream protein analysis including immunocytochemistry and immunoblots were performed to confirm the transcript level data and pathway enrichment findings. Results: We identified 9 transcripts outside of the PWS critical region (15q11.2-q13.1) that may contribute to core PWS phenotypes. Moreover, we discovered a global reduction in mitochondrial transcripts in the PW-UPD + ASD group. We also found decreased mitochondrial abundance along with mitochondrial aggregates in the cell body and neural projections of +ASD neurons. Conclusion: The 9 transcripts we identified common to all PWS subtypes may reveal PWS specific defects during neurodevelopment. Importantly, we found a global reduction in mitochondrial transcripts in PW-UPD + ASD neurons versus control and other PWS subtypes. We then confirmed mitochondrial defects in neurons from individuals with PWS at the cellular level. Quantification of this phenotype supports our hypothesis that the increased incidence of ASD in PW-UPD subjects may arise from mitochondrial defects in developing neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kaitlyn Victor
- IPBS Program, Neuroscience Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Martin Donaldson
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Daniel Johnson
- Molecular Bioinformatics Core, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Winston Miller
- Molecular Bioinformatics Core, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Lawrence T Reiter
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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32
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Cifre I, Miller Flores MT, Penalba L, Ochab JK, Chialvo DR. Revisiting Nonlinear Functional Brain Co-activations: Directed, Dynamic, and Delayed. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:700171. [PMID: 34712111 PMCID: PMC8546168 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.700171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The center stage of neuro-imaging is currently occupied by studies of functional correlations between brain regions. These correlations define the brain functional networks, which are the most frequently used framework to represent and interpret a variety of experimental findings. In the previous study, we first demonstrated that the relatively stronger blood oxygenated level dependent (BOLD) activations contain most of the information relevant to understand functional connectivity, and subsequent work confirmed that a large compression of the original signals can be obtained without significant loss of information. In this study, we revisit the correlation properties of these epochs to define a measure of nonlinear dynamic directed functional connectivity (nldFC) across regions of interest. We show that the proposed metric provides at once, without extensive numerical complications, directed information of the functional correlations, as well as a measure of temporal lags across regions, overall offering a different and complementary perspective in the analysis of brain co-activation patterns. In this study, we provide further details for the computations of these measures and for a proof of concept based on replicating existing results from an Autistic Syndrome database, and discuss the main features and advantages of the proposed strategy for the study of brain functional correlations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Cifre
- Facultat de Psicologia, Ciències de l'Educació i de l'Esport, Blanquerna, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain.,Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences (CEMSC3), Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria T Miller Flores
- Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences (CEMSC3), Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucia Penalba
- Facultat de Psicologia, Ciències de l'Educació i de l'Esport, Blanquerna, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jeremi K Ochab
- Institute of Theoretical Physics and Mark Kac Center for Complex Systems Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Dante R Chialvo
- Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences (CEMSC3), Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Uchigashima M, Cheung A, Futai K. Neuroligin-3: A Circuit-Specific Synapse Organizer That Shapes Normal Function and Autism Spectrum Disorder-Associated Dysfunction. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:749164. [PMID: 34690695 PMCID: PMC8526735 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.749164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemical synapses provide a vital foundation for neuron-neuron communication and overall brain function. By tethering closely apposed molecular machinery for presynaptic neurotransmitter release and postsynaptic signal transduction, circuit- and context- specific synaptic properties can drive neuronal computations for animal behavior. Trans-synaptic signaling via synaptic cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) serves as a promising mechanism to generate the molecular diversity of chemical synapses. Neuroligins (Nlgns) were discovered as postsynaptic CAMs that can bind to presynaptic CAMs like Neurexins (Nrxns) at the synaptic cleft. Among the four (Nlgn1-4) or five (Nlgn1-3, Nlgn4X, and Nlgn4Y) isoforms in rodents or humans, respectively, Nlgn3 has a heterogeneous expression and function at particular subsets of chemical synapses and strong association with non-syndromic autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several lines of evidence have suggested that the unique expression and function of Nlgn3 protein underlie circuit-specific dysfunction characteristic of non-syndromic ASD caused by the disruption of Nlgn3 gene. Furthermore, recent studies have uncovered the molecular mechanism underlying input cell-dependent expression of Nlgn3 protein at hippocampal inhibitory synapses, in which trans-synaptic signaling of specific alternatively spliced isoforms of Nlgn3 and Nrxn plays a critical role. In this review article, we overview the molecular, anatomical, and physiological knowledge about Nlgn3, focusing on the circuit-specific function of mammalian Nlgn3 and its underlying molecular mechanism. This will provide not only new insight into specific Nlgn3-mediated trans-synaptic interactions as molecular codes for synapse specification but also a better understanding of the pathophysiological basis for non-syndromic ASD associated with functional impairment in Nlgn3 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motokazu Uchigashima
- Department of Cellular Neuropathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Amy Cheung
- Department of Neurobiology, Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Kensuke Futai
- Department of Neurobiology, Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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Chai AP, Chen XF, Xu XS, Zhang N, Li M, Li JN, Zhang L, Zhang D, Zhang X, Mao RR, Ding YQ, Xu L, Zhou QX. A Temporal Activity of CA1 Neurons Underlying Short-Term Memory for Social Recognition Altered in PTEN Mouse Models of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:699315. [PMID: 34335191 PMCID: PMC8319669 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.699315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory-guided social recognition identifies someone from previous encounters or experiences, but the mechanisms of social memory remain unclear. Here, we find that a short-term memory from experiencing a stranger mouse lasting under 30 min interval is essential for subsequent social recognition in mice, but that interval prolonged to hours by replacing the stranger mouse with a familiar littermate. Optogenetic silencing of dorsal CA1 neuronal activity during trials or inter-trial intervals disrupted short-term memory-guided social recognition, without affecting the ability of being sociable or long-term memory-guided social recognition. Postnatal knockdown or knockout of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-associated phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene in dorsal hippocampal CA1 similarly impaired neuronal firing rate in vitro and altered firing pattern during social recognition. These PTEN mice showed deficits in social recognition with stranger mouse rather than littermate and exhibited impairment in T-maze spontaneous alternation task for testing short-term spatial memory. Thus, we suggest that a temporal activity of dorsal CA1 neurons may underlie formation of short-term memory to be critical for organizing subsequent social recognition but that is possibly disrupted in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Ping Chai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and Laboratory of Learning and Memory, and KIZ-SU Joint Laboratory of Animal Model and Drug Development, Kunming Institute of Zoology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xue-Feng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and Laboratory of Learning and Memory, and KIZ-SU Joint Laboratory of Animal Model and Drug Development, Kunming Institute of Zoology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Xiao-Shan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and Laboratory of Learning and Memory, and KIZ-SU Joint Laboratory of Animal Model and Drug Development, Kunming Institute of Zoology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Na Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, China
| | - Meng Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and Laboratory of Learning and Memory, and KIZ-SU Joint Laboratory of Animal Model and Drug Development, Kunming Institute of Zoology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Jin-Nan Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and Laboratory of Learning and Memory, and KIZ-SU Joint Laboratory of Animal Model and Drug Development, Kunming Institute of Zoology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dai Zhang
- Institute of Mental Health, The Sixth Hospital of Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Rong-Rong Mao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and Laboratory of Learning and Memory, and KIZ-SU Joint Laboratory of Animal Model and Drug Development, Kunming Institute of Zoology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yu-Qiang Ding
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and Laboratory of Learning and Memory, and KIZ-SU Joint Laboratory of Animal Model and Drug Development, Kunming Institute of Zoology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi-Xin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and Laboratory of Learning and Memory, and KIZ-SU Joint Laboratory of Animal Model and Drug Development, Kunming Institute of Zoology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
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Pavlopoulou G. Corrigendum: A Good Night's Sleep: Learning About Sleep From Autistic Adolescents' Personal Accounts. Front Psychol 2021; 12:657385. [PMID: 33897566 PMCID: PMC8058704 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.657385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Pavlopoulou
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Institute of Education, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, United Kingdom
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36
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Abstract
Background Sleep is a strong predictor of quality of life and has been related to cognitive and behavioral functioning. However, research has shown that most autistic people experience sleep problems throughout their life. The most common sleep problems include sleep onset delay, frequent night-time wakings and shorter total sleep time. Despite the importance of sleep on many domains, it is still unclear from first-hand accounts what helps autistic people to sleep. The purpose of this study is to explore together with autistic adolescents their sleep-related practices before bedtime and during the day which contribute to a good night’s sleep. Methods Fifty-four autistic adolescents collaborated with an academic researcher in a novel adapted photo-elicitation methodology, rooted in a Lifeworld framework. The adolescents were invited to collect and analyze their data. The data were also presented in a community knowledge exchange event. Results Several self-reported practices that facilitate better nocturnal sleep were identified. Those were organized into two thematics: Evening/bedtime factors and Day time factors. These included practices such as personalized sensory and relaxation tools before bed and during night-time, engaging in a range of physical activities during daytime and accommodating personal time to engage with highly preferred and intense focus activities and hobbies. It also included spending time in predictable and fun ways with family members before bedtime. Conclusion This is the first time that a study uses a novel methodological approach based on personal accounts elicited by photos rooted in a Lifeworld framework to describe personal sleep-related practices before bedtime and during the day to identify a “good night of sleep” in autistic adolescents. The outcomes from the current study showed that sleep facilitating factors are in a direct contrast to the sleep hygiene recommendations. Therefore, it is thus important for the sleep practitioners and healthcare providers to move beyond providing standardized sleep hygiene interventions. A Lifeworld led care model that pays attention to personal experiences, promotes sense of agency, evaluates both autism-specific strengths and struggles could and should complement biomedical approaches. Lay Summary This is the first study to examine autistic adolescents’ self-reported sleep habits and factors which facilitate autistic adolescents’ sleep by employing adapted photo-elicitation interviews. This study is innovative in at least three ways. First, it examines the factors that may facilitate a good night’s sleep through personal accounts of autistic adolescents. Second, this is the first sleep study to adopt a collaborative, flexible approach to understanding positive sleep factors in the lives of autistic adolescents. This study employed a personalized approach into collecting, categorizing, coding, and analyzing qualitative data allowing autistic adolescents and the researcher to work together across key stages of data collection and data analysis. Third, we adopted a theoretical framework that allows us to consider autistic adolescents in both agency and vulnerability positions when it comes to their sleep difficulties. Our results highlight that sleep should be treated individually and in relation to the environmental and personal factors that affect each autistic person. Hence, researchers and professionals may benefit from working collaboratively with autistic adolescents with the aim to identify individual strengths and adopt a positive narrative around sleep. Furthermore, it is important to further examine both the daytime and evening factors that may affect bedtime and the quality and quantity of sleep as well as the role of intense focused interests and physical activities that cultivate positive feelings and help autistic people to relax before bedtime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Pavlopoulou
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Institute of Education, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, United Kingdom
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Briot K, Pizano A, Bouvard M, Amestoy A. New Technologies as Promising Tools for Assessing Facial Emotion Expressions Impairments in ASD: A Systematic Review. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:634756. [PMID: 34025469 PMCID: PMC8131507 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.634756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to recognize and express emotions from facial expressions are essential for successful social interactions. Facial Emotion Recognition (FER) and Facial Emotion Expressions (FEEs), both of which seem to be impaired in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and contribute to socio-communicative difficulties, participate in the diagnostic criteria for ASD. Only a few studies have focused on FEEs processing and the rare behavioral studies of FEEs in ASD have yielded mixed results. Here, we review studies comparing the production of FEEs between participants with ASD and non-ASD control subjects, with a particular focus on the use of automatic facial expression analysis software. A systematic literature search in accordance with the PRISMA statement identified 20 reports published up to August 2020 concerning the use of new technologies to evaluate both spontaneous and voluntary FEEs in participants with ASD. Overall, the results highlight the importance of considering socio-demographic factors and psychiatric co-morbidities which may explain the previous inconsistent findings, particularly regarding quantitative data on spontaneous facial expressions. There is also reported evidence for an inadequacy of FEEs in individuals with ASD in relation to expected emotion, with a lower quality and coordination of facial muscular movements. Spatial and kinematic approaches to characterizing the synchrony, symmetry and complexity of facial muscle movements thus offer clues to identifying and exploring promising new diagnostic targets. These findings have allowed hypothesizing that there may be mismatches between mental representations and the production of FEEs themselves in ASD. Such considerations are in line with the Facial Feedback Hypothesis deficit in ASD as part of the Broken Mirror Theory, with the results suggesting impairments of neural sensory-motor systems involved in processing emotional information and ensuring embodied representations of emotions, which are the basis of human empathy. In conclusion, new technologies are promising tools for evaluating the production of FEEs in individuals with ASD, and controlled studies involving larger samples of patients and where possible confounding factors are considered, should be conducted in order to better understand and counter the difficulties in global emotional processing in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellen Briot
- Medical Sciences Department, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Bordeaux, France.,Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience (INCIA), UMR 5287, CNRS, Bordeaux, France
| | - Adrien Pizano
- Medical Sciences Department, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Bordeaux, France.,Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience (INCIA), UMR 5287, CNRS, Bordeaux, France
| | - Manuel Bouvard
- Medical Sciences Department, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Bordeaux, France.,Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience (INCIA), UMR 5287, CNRS, Bordeaux, France
| | - Anouck Amestoy
- Medical Sciences Department, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Bordeaux, France.,Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience (INCIA), UMR 5287, CNRS, Bordeaux, France
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Beversdorf DQ, Sohl K, Levitskiy D, Tennant P, Goin-Kochel RP, Shaffer RC, Confair A, Middleton FA, Hicks SD. Saliva RNA Biomarkers of Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Children With Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Potential Implications for Precision Medicine. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:824933. [PMID: 35126215 PMCID: PMC8811462 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.824933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are common in children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A limited understanding of the biologic factors that predispose this population to GI disorders has prevented development of individualized therapies to address this important medical issue. The goal of the current study was to determine if elements of the salivary micro-transcriptome could provide insight into the biologic perturbations unique to children with ASD-related GI disturbance. This cohort study included 898 children (ages 18-73 months) with ASD, non-ASD developmental delay (DD), or typical development (TD). The saliva micro-transcriptome of each child was assessed with RNA-seq. Outputs were aligned to microbial and human databases. A Kruskal Wallis analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare levels of 1821 micro-transcriptome features across neurodevelopmental status (ASD, DD, or TD) and GI presence or absence. An ANOVA was also used to compare micro-transcriptome levels among GI sub-groups (constipation, reflux, food intolerance, other GI condition, no GI condition), and to identify RNAs that differed among children taking three common GI medications (probiotics, reflux medication, or laxatives). Relationships between features identified in ANOVA testing were examined for associations with scores on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. GI disturbance rates were higher among children with ASD than peers with TD but were similar to those with DD. Five piwi-interacting RNAs and three microbial RNAs displayed an interaction between developmental status and GI disturbance. Fifty-seven salivary RNAs differed between GI sub-groups-with microRNA differences between food intolerance and reflux groups being most common. Twelve microRNAs displayed an effect of GI disturbance and showed association with GI medication uses and measures of behavior. These 12 microRNAs displayed enrichment for 13 physiologic pathways, including metabolism/digestion long-term depression, and neurobiology of addiction. This study identifies salivary micro-transcriptome features with differential expression among children with ASD-related GI disturbance. A subset of the RNAs displays relationships with treatment modality and are associated with autistic behaviors. The pathobiologic targets of the micro-transcriptome markers may serve as targets for individualized therapeutic interventions aimed at easing pain and behavioral difficulties seen in ASD-related GI disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristin Sohl
- University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | | | | | - Robin P Goin-Kochel
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics and Autism, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rebecca C Shaffer
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Alexandra Confair
- Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Frank A Middleton
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, The State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Steven D Hicks
- Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
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Roberts TPL, Bloy L, Liu S, Ku M, Blaskey L, Jackel C. Magnetoencephalography Studies of the Envelope Following Response During Amplitude-Modulated Sweeps: Diminished Phase Synchrony in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Hum Neurosci 2021. [PMID: 34975438 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021a.787229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Prevailing theories of the neural basis of at least a subset of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) include an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission. These circuitry imbalances are commonly probed in adults using auditory steady-state responses (ASSR, driven at 40 Hz) to elicit coherent electrophysiological responses (EEG/MEG) from intact circuitry. Challenges to the ASSR methodology occur during development, where the optimal ASSR driving frequency may be unknown. An alternative approach (more agnostic to driving frequency) is the amplitude-modulated (AM) sweep in which the amplitude of a tone (with carrier frequency 500 Hz) is modulated as a sweep from 10 to 100 Hz over the course of ∼15 s. Phase synchrony of evoked responses, measured via intra-trial coherence, is recorded (by EEG or MEG) as a function of frequency. We applied such AM sweep stimuli bilaterally to 40 typically developing and 80 children with ASD, aged 6-18 years. Diagnoses were confirmed by DSM-5 criteria as well as autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS) observational assessment. Stimuli were presented binaurally during MEG recording and consisted of 20 AM swept stimuli (500 Hz carrier; sweep 10-100 Hz up and down) with a duration of ∼30 s each. Peak intra-trial coherence values and peak response frequencies of source modeled responses (auditory cortex) were examined. First, the phase synchrony or inter-trial coherence (ITC) of the ASSR is diminished in ASD; second, hemispheric bias in the ASSR, observed in typical development (TD), is maintained in ASD, and third, that the frequency at which the peak response is obtained varies on an individual basis, in part dependent on age, and with altered developmental trajectories in ASD vs. TD. Finally, there appears an association between auditory steady-state phase synchrony (taken as a proxy of neuronal circuitry integrity) and clinical assessment of language ability/impairment. We concluded that (1) the AM sweep stimulus provides a mechanism for probing ASSR in an unbiased fashion, during developmental maturation of peak response frequency, (2) peak frequencies vary, in part due to developmental age, and importantly, (3) ITC at this peak frequency is diminished in ASD, with the degree of ITC disturbance related to clinically assessed language impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy P L Roberts
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Luke Bloy
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Matthew Ku
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lisa Blaskey
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Carissa Jackel
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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40
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Barbaro J, Masi A, Gilbert M, Nair R, Abdullahi I, Descallar J, Dissanayake C, Eastwood J, Hasan I, Jalaludin B, Karlov L, Khan F, Kohlhoff J, Liaw ST, Lingam R, Mendoza Diaz A, Ong N, Tam CWM, Unwin K, Woolfenden S, Eapen V. A Multistate Trial of an Early Surveillance Program for Autism Within General Practices in Australia. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:640359. [PMID: 33968847 PMCID: PMC8102783 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.640359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The early detection of developmental conditions such as autism is vital to ensure children can access appropriate and timely evidence-based supports, services, and interventions. Children who have undetected developmental conditions early in life are more likely to develop later health, developmental, learning, and behavioral issues, which in turn can have a cumulative effect over the life course. Methods: The current protocol describes a multi-site, cluster randomized control trial comparing a developmental surveillance pathway for autism to usual care, using opportunistic visits to general practitioners (GPs). Units of randomization are GP clinics across two Australian states (New South Wales and Victoria), with thirty clinics within each state, each of which will aim to recruit approximately forty children aged between ~18- and 24-months, for a total of ~2,400 participants. Children will be randomized to two clusters; namely, an autism surveillance pathway (ASP) or surveillance as usual (SaU). The screening process for the ASP arm involves primary and secondary screenings for developmental concerns for autism, using both parent and GP reports and observations. Children in both arms who show signs of developmental concerns for autism will be offered a full developmental assessment by the research team at 24 months of age to determine the efficacy of developmental surveillance in successfully identifying children with autism. Trial Registration: The trial is registered with ANZCTR (ACTRN12619001200178) and reporting of the trial results will be according to recommendations in the CONSORT Statement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Barbaro
- Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public Health, College of Science, Health & Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.,Cooperative Research Centre for Living With Autism (Autism CRC), The University of Queensland, Indooroopilly, QLD, Australia
| | - Anne Masi
- Cooperative Research Centre for Living With Autism (Autism CRC), The University of Queensland, Indooroopilly, QLD, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Melissa Gilbert
- Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public Health, College of Science, Health & Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Radhika Nair
- Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public Health, College of Science, Health & Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Ifrah Abdullahi
- Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public Health, College of Science, Health & Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Joseph Descallar
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia.,South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Cheryl Dissanayake
- Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public Health, College of Science, Health & Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.,Cooperative Research Centre for Living With Autism (Autism CRC), The University of Queensland, Indooroopilly, QLD, Australia
| | - John Eastwood
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Women and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Iqbal Hasan
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bin Jalaludin
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lisa Karlov
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Academic Unit of Psychiatry, Infant Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Feroza Khan
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jane Kohlhoff
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - S T Liaw
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Raghu Lingam
- Population Child Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Antonio Mendoza Diaz
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Academic Unit of Psychiatry, Infant Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Natalie Ong
- Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chun Wah Michael Tam
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Primary and Integrated Care Unit, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Katy Unwin
- Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public Health, College of Science, Health & Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Sue Woolfenden
- Population Child Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Valsamma Eapen
- Cooperative Research Centre for Living With Autism (Autism CRC), The University of Queensland, Indooroopilly, QLD, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia.,Academic Unit of Psychiatry, Infant Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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41
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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.
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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
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42
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Fong HX, Cornish K, Kirk H, Ilias K, Shaikh MF, Golden KJ. Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown in Malaysia: An Examination of the Psychological Well-Being of Parent-Child Dyads and Child Behavior in Families With Children on the Autism Spectrum. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:733905. [PMID: 34721108 PMCID: PMC8555492 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.733905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns have adversely impacted children on the autism spectrum and their families, especially in Malaysia where this population is often marginalized. The current quantitative research aimed to investigate the impact of the Malaysian COVID-19 lockdown on the behavior and psychological distress of children formally diagnosed with an autism spectrum condition (ASC) as well as the psychological distress and well-being of their parents, in comparison with a typically developing (TD) control group. Methods: The children's ages ranged between 5 and 17 years. The sample included 72 ASC parent-child dyads and 62 TD parent-child dyads. The primary caregiver completed an online survey including the following: demographic and diagnostic information; ASC symptoms; children's inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, perceived stress, depression, and anxiety; parents' perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and well-being based on their experience pre- and mid-lockdown (March 18th to June 9th 2020) in Malaysia. Results: Among the ASC group, no significant pre- and mid-lockdown change was found in ASC symptoms (p > 0.05). There were no significant gender differences (boys/girls) in all the child scales. The 2 [diagnosis (ASC, TD)] × 2 [lockdown (pre-lockdown, mid-lockdown)] mixed-model ANOVAs revealed main effects of lockdown on children's attention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, anxiety, and parents' perceived stress, depression, and psychological well-being (p < 0.005). There was a main effect of diagnosis in all child and parent variables, except parents' perceived stress (p >0.005). However, there was no significant interaction effect between diagnosis and lockdown (p >0.005). All child behavior (inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity) and child psychological distress (anxiety, depression, and perceived stress) were significantly correlated in both the ASC and TD groups (p < 0.005). On the other hand, only some of the parent variables were significantly correlated with child variables (p < 0.0045) in the ASC group while none of the parent variables were significantly correlated with the child variables (p > 0.005) in the TD group. Conclusion: The results provide preliminary evidence indicating negative effects of the Malaysian lockdown on both children on the autism spectrum and TD children, as well as their parents. These quantitative results will be triangulated with the qualitative interview data to provide a holistic understanding of the impact of the pandemic, informing translational policy and practice recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xian Fong
- Department of Psychology, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Kim Cornish
- School of Psychological Sciences and Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Hannah Kirk
- School of Psychological Sciences and Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Kartini Ilias
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Farooq Shaikh
- Neuropharmacology Research Strength, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Karen Jennifer Golden
- Department of Psychology, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia.,Neuropharmacology Research Strength, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
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43
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Ribeiro FT, de Serro-Azul MIS, Lorena FB, do Nascimento BPP, Arnold AJT, Barbosa GHL, Ribeiro MO, Cysneiros RM. Increased Endocannabinoid Signaling Reduces Social Motivation in Intact Rats and Does Not Affect Animals Submitted to Early-Life Seizures. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:560423. [PMID: 33362484 PMCID: PMC7756094 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.560423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The early life status epilepticus (SE) causes high anxiety and chronic socialization abnormalities, revealed by a low preference for social novelty and deficit in social discrimination. This study investigated the involvement of the endocannabinoid system on the sociability in this model, due to its role in social motivation regulation. Male Wistar rats at postnatal day 9 were subjected to pilocarpine-induced neonatal SE and controls received saline. From P60 the groups received vehicle or JZL195 2 h before each behavioral test to increase endocannabinoids availability. In the sociability test, animals subjected to neonatal SE exhibited impaired sociability, characterized by social discrimination deficit, which was unaffected by the JZL195 treatment. In contrast, JZL195-treated control rats showed low sociability and impaired social discrimination. The negative impact of JZL195 over the sociability in control rats and the lack of effect in animals subjected to neonatal SE was confirmed in the social memory paradigm. In this paradigm, as expected for vehicle-treated control rats, the investigation toward the same social stimulus decreased with the sequential exposition and increased toward a novel stimulus. In animals subjected to neonatal SE, regardless of the treatment, as well as in JZL195-treated control rats, the investigation toward the same social stimulus was significantly reduced with no improvement toward a novel stimulus. Concerning the locomotion, the JZL195 increased it only in control rats. After behavioral tests, brain tissues of untreated animals were used for CB1 receptor quantification by Elisa and for gene expression by RT-PCR: no difference between control and experimental animals was noticed. The results reinforce the evidence that the early SE causes chronic socialization abnormalities, revealed by the low social interest for novelty and impaired social discrimination. The dual FAAH/MAGL inhibitor (JZL195) administration before the social encounter impaired the social interaction in intact rats with no effect in animals subjected to early-life seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Teixeira Ribeiro
- Developmental Disabilities Postgraduate Program, Laboratory of Neurobiology and Metabolism, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcia Ivany Silva de Serro-Azul
- Developmental Disabilities Postgraduate Program, Laboratory of Neurobiology and Metabolism, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Beraldo Lorena
- Postgraduate Program in Translational Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Alexandre José Tavolari Arnold
- Developmental Disabilities Postgraduate Program, Laboratory of Neurobiology and Metabolism, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Geraldo Henrique Lemos Barbosa
- Developmental Disabilities Postgraduate Program, Laboratory of Neurobiology and Metabolism, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Miriam Oliveira Ribeiro
- Developmental Disabilities Postgraduate Program, Laboratory of Neurobiology and Metabolism, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roberta Monterazzo Cysneiros
- Developmental Disabilities Postgraduate Program, Laboratory of Neurobiology and Metabolism, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo, Brazil
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44
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Filice F, Janickova L, Henzi T, Bilella A, Schwaller B. The Parvalbumin Hypothesis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:577525. [PMID: 33390904 PMCID: PMC7775315 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.577525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-a type of neurodevelopmental disorder-is increasing and is around 2% in North America, Asia, and Europe. Besides the known genetic link, environmental, epigenetic, and metabolic factors have been implicated in ASD etiology. Although highly heterogeneous at the behavioral level, ASD comprises a set of core symptoms including impaired communication and social interaction skills as well as stereotyped and repetitive behaviors. This has led to the suggestion that a large part of the ASD phenotype is caused by changes in a few and common set of signaling pathways, the identification of which is a fundamental aim of autism research. Using advanced bioinformatics tools and the abundantly available genetic data, it is possible to classify the large number of ASD-associated genes according to cellular function and pathways. Cellular processes known to be impaired in ASD include gene regulation, synaptic transmission affecting the excitation/inhibition balance, neuronal Ca2+ signaling, development of short-/long-range connectivity (circuits and networks), and mitochondrial function. Such alterations often occur during early postnatal neurodevelopment. Among the neurons most affected in ASD as well as in schizophrenia are those expressing the Ca2+-binding protein parvalbumin (PV). These mainly inhibitory interneurons present in many different brain regions in humans and rodents are characterized by rapid, non-adaptive firing and have a high energy requirement. PV expression is often reduced at both messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels in human ASD brain samples and mouse ASD (and schizophrenia) models. Although the human PVALB gene is not a high-ranking susceptibility/risk gene for either disorder and is currently only listed in the SFARI Gene Archive, we propose and present supporting evidence for the Parvalbumin Hypothesis, which posits that decreased PV level is causally related to the etiology of ASD (and possibly schizophrenia).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Beat Schwaller
- Section of Medicine, Anatomy, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
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45
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Bogari NM, Al-Allaf FA, Aljohani A, Taher MM, Qutub NA, Alhelfawi S, Alobaidi A, Alqudah DM, Banni H, Dairi G, Amin AA. The Co-existence of ADHD With Autism in Saudi Children: An Analysis Using Next-Generation DNA Sequencing. Front Genet 2020; 11:548559. [PMID: 33384710 PMCID: PMC7770135 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.548559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders. Several studies have confirmed the co-existence of other neuropsychiatric disorders with ADHD. Out of 106 individuals suspected to have ADHD, eight Saudi Arabian pediatric patients were diagnosed with ADHD using a dual assessment procedure based on highly significant scores from the international criteria for diagnosis; (full form DMS) DSM-5. Then, these patients were examined for the co-existence of autism and ADHD using different international diagnostic protocols. Four patients with combined ADHD and autism and four ADHD patients without autism were examined for the presence of genetic variants. Six variants (chr1:98165091, chr6:32029183, chr6:32035603, chr6:32064098, chr8:2909992, chr16:84213434) were identified in 75% of the patients with ADHD and autism, indicating that these genes may have a possible role in causing autism. Five variants (The chr2:116525960, chr15:68624396, chr15:91452595, chr15:92647645, and chr16:82673047) may increase to the severity of ADHD. This study recommends screening these eleven variants in ADHD cases and their relevant controls to confirm the prevalence in the Saudi population. It is recommended that future studies examine the 11 variants in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda M. Bogari
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal A. Al-Allaf
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashwag Aljohani
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohiuddin M. Taher
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
- Science and Technology Unit, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nermeen A. Qutub
- Special Need Department, School of Education, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suhair Alhelfawi
- Special Need Department, School of Education, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
- Institute of Education, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Amal Alobaidi
- Sinad City for Special Education, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Derar M. Alqudah
- Special Need Department, School of Education, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hussain Banni
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ghida Dairi
- Medicine and Medical Sciences Research Center, Deanship of Scientific Research, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amr A. Amin
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
- Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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46
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De Ridder J, Lavanga M, Verhelle B, Vervisch J, Lemmens K, Kotulska K, Moavero R, Curatolo P, Weschke B, Riney K, Feucht M, Krsek P, Nabbout R, Jansen AC, Wojdan K, Domanska-Pakieła D, Kaczorowska-Frontczak M, Hertzberg C, Ferrier CH, Samueli S, Benova B, Aronica E, Kwiatkowski DJ, Jansen FE, Jóźwiak S, Van Huffel S, Lagae L. Prediction of Neurodevelopment in Infants With Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Using Early EEG Characteristics. Front Neurol 2020; 11:582891. [PMID: 33178126 PMCID: PMC7596378 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.582891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a multisystem genetic disorder with a high risk of early-onset epilepsy and a high prevalence of neurodevelopmental comorbidities, including intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, TSC is an interesting disease model to investigate early biomarkers of neurodevelopmental comorbidities when interventions are favourable. We investigated whether early EEG characteristics can be used to predict neurodevelopment in infants with TSC. The first recorded EEG of 64 infants with TSC, enrolled in the international prospective EPISTOP trial (recorded at a median gestational age 42 4/7 weeks) was first visually assessed. EEG characteristics were correlated with ASD risk based on the ADOS-2 score, and cognitive, language, and motor developmental quotients (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III) at the age of 24 months. Quantitative EEG analysis was used to validate the relationship between EEG background abnormalities and ASD risk. An abnormal first EEG (OR = 4.1, p-value = 0.027) and more specifically a dysmature EEG background (OR = 4.6, p-value = 0.017) was associated with a higher probability of ASD traits at the age of 24 months. This association between an early abnormal EEG and ASD risk remained significant in a multivariable model, adjusting for mutation and treatment (adjusted OR = 4.2, p-value = 0.029). A dysmature EEG background was also associated with lower cognitive (p-value = 0.029), language (p-value = 0.001), and motor (p-value = 0.017) developmental quotients at the age of 24 months. Our findings suggest that early EEG characteristics in newborns and infants with TSC can be used to predict neurodevelopmental comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie De Ridder
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mario Lavanga
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), STADIUS Centre for Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing and Data Analytics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Birgit Verhelle
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Vervisch
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien Lemmens
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katarzyna Kotulska
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Romina Moavero
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Systems Medicine Department, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy.,Child Neurology Unit, Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Department, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Curatolo
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Systems Medicine Department, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Bernhard Weschke
- Department of Child Neurology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kate Riney
- Neuroscience Unit, Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,University of Queensland School of Clinical Medicine, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Martha Feucht
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pavel Krsek
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Rima Nabbout
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Reference Centre for Rare Epilepsies, Imagine Institute, Necker- Enfants Malades Hospital, University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Anna C Jansen
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Konrad Wojdan
- Transition Technologies, Warsaw, Poland.,Institute of Heat Engineering, Warsaw University and Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Domanska-Pakieła
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Christoph Hertzberg
- Diagnose und Behandlungszentrum für Kinder und Jugendliche, Vivantes Klinikum Neuköln, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cyrille H Ferrier
- Department of Child Neurology, Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Sharon Samueli
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbora Benova
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Universitair Medisch Centrum, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, Netherlands
| | - David J Kwiatkowski
- Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Floor E Jansen
- Department of Child Neurology, Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Sergiusz Jóźwiak
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland.,Department of Child Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sabine Van Huffel
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), STADIUS Centre for Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing and Data Analytics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieven Lagae
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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47
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Wundrach D, Martinetti LE, Stafford AM, Bilinovich SM, Angara K, Prokop JW, Crandall SR, Vogt D. A Human TSC1 Variant Screening Platform in Gabaergic Cortical Interneurons for Genotype to Phenotype Assessments. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:573409. [PMID: 33071758 PMCID: PMC7539171 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.573409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The TSC1 and TSC2 genes are connected to multiple syndromes from Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with uncertainty if genetic variants cause all or subsets of phenotypes based on the location and type of change. For TSC1, few have addressed if non-TSC associated genetic variants have direct contributions to changes in neurological genotype-to-phenotype impacts, including elevated rates of ASD and seizures. Dominant variants cause TSC, yet TSC1 has many heritable variants not dominant for TSC that are poorly understood in neurological function, with some associated with ASD. Herein, we examined how missense variants in TSC1, R336W, T360N, T393I, S403L, and H732Y, impacted the development of cortical inhibitory interneurons, cell-types whose molecular, cellular, and physiological properties are altered after the loss of mouse TSC1. We found these variants complemented a known phenotype caused by loss of TSC1, increased cell size. However, distinct variants, particularly S403L showed deficits in complementing an increase in parvalbumin levels and exhibited smaller amplitude after hyperpolarizations. Overall, these data show that subtle phenotypes can be induced by some TSC1 missense variants and provide an in vivo system to assess TSC1 variants’ neurological impact better.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean Wundrach
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Luis E Martinetti
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - April M Stafford
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Stephanie M Bilinovich
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Kartik Angara
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Jeremy W Prokop
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Center for Research in Autism, Intellectual and other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Shane R Crandall
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Daniel Vogt
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Center for Research in Autism, Intellectual and other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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48
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Valiyamattam GJ, Katti H, Chaganti VK, O’Haire ME, Sachdeva V. Do Animals Engage Greater Social Attention in Autism? An Eye Tracking Analysis. Front Psychol 2020; 11:727. [PMID: 32612549 PMCID: PMC7309441 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visual atypicalities in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are a well documented phenomenon, beginning as early as 2-6 months of age and manifesting in a significantly decreased attention to the eyes, direct gaze and socially salient information. Early emerging neurobiological deficits in perceiving social stimuli as rewarding or its active avoidance due to the anxiety it entails have been widely purported as potential reasons for this atypicality. Parallel research evidence also points to the significant benefits of animal presence for reducing social anxiety and enhancing social interaction in children with autism. While atypicality in social attention in ASD has been widely substantiated, whether this atypicality persists equally across species types or is confined to humans has not been a key focus of research insofar. METHODS We attempted a comprehensive examination of the differences in visual attention to static images of human and animal faces (40 images; 20 human faces and 20 animal faces) among children with ASD using an eye tracking paradigm. 44 children (ASD n = 21; TD n = 23) participated in the study (10,362 valid observations) across five regions of interest (left eye, right eye, eye region, face and screen). RESULTS Results obtained revealed significantly greater social attention across human and animal stimuli in typical controls when compared to children with ASD. However in children with ASD, a significantly greater attention allocation was seen to animal faces and eye region and lesser attention to the animal mouth when compared to human faces, indicative of a clear attentional preference to socially salient regions of animal stimuli. The positive attentional bias toward animals was also seen in terms of a significantly greater visual attention to direct gaze in animal images. CONCLUSION Our results suggest the possibility that atypicalities in social attention in ASD may not be uniform across species. It adds to the current neural and biomarker evidence base of the potentially greater social reward processing and lesser social anxiety underlying animal stimuli as compared to human stimuli in children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Harish Katti
- Centre for Neuroscience, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | | | - Marguerite E. O’Haire
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Virender Sachdeva
- Child Sight Institute, Nimmagadda Prasad Children’s Eye Care Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, GMRV Campus, Visakhapatnam, India
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Alexander JM, Pirone A, Jacob MH. Excessive β-Catenin in Excitatory Neurons Results in Reduced Social and Increased Repetitive Behaviors and Altered Expression of Multiple Genes Linked to Human Autism. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2020; 12:14. [PMID: 32296324 PMCID: PMC7136516 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2020.00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple human autism risk genes are predicted to converge on the β-catenin (β-cat)/Wnt pathway. However, direct tests to link β-cat up- or down-regulation with autism are largely lacking, and the associated pathophysiological changes are poorly defined. Here we identify excessive β-cat as a risk factor that causes expression changes in several genes relevant to human autism. Our studies utilize mouse lines with β-cat dysregulation in forebrain excitatory neurons, identified as cell types with a convergent expression of autism-linked genes in both human and mouse brains. We show that mice expressing excessive β-cat display behavioral and molecular changes, including decreased social interest, increased repetitive behaviors, reduced parvalbumin and altered expression levels of additional genes identified as potential risk factors for human autism. These behavioral and molecular phenotypes are averted by reducing β-cat in neurons predisposed by gene mutations to express elevated β-cat. Using next-generation sequencing of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), we identify 87 dysregulated genes that are shared between mouse lines with excessive β-cat and autism-like behaviors, but not mouse lines with reduced β-cat and normal social behavior. Our findings provide critical new insights into β-cat, Wnt pathway dysregulation in the brain causing behavioral phenotypes relevant to the disease and the molecular etiology which includes several human autism risk genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Michael Alexander
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Antonella Pirone
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michele H Jacob
- Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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50
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Kapra O, Rotem R, Gross R. The Association Between Prenatal Exposure to Antidepressants and Autism: Some Research and Public Health Aspects. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:555740. [PMID: 33329095 PMCID: PMC7719777 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.555740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Use of antidepressants (ADs) in general, and in pregnant notwithstanding, has been increasing globally in recent decades. Associations with a wide range of adverse perinatal and childhood outcomes following prenatal ADs exposure have been observed in registry-based studies, with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) frequently reported. Studies using animal models, sibling analyses, and negative control approaches, have linked dysfunctional serotonin metabolism with ASD, but did not convincingly tease apart the role of maternal mental health from that of ADs. As work to decipher the nature of the AD-ASD association continues, this review raises some public health concerns pertinent to a hypothetical conclusion that this association is causal, including the need to identify specific gestation periods with higher risk, the importance of precise assessment of the ASD potential prevention that might be attributed to AD discontinuation, and the estimation of risks associated with prenatal exposure to untreated depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ori Kapra
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ran Rotem
- School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States.,Morris Kahn Maccabi Health Data Science Institute, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Raz Gross
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Department of Psychiatry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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