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Lee H, Jadav N, Wilkinson E, Bal VH. Benefit or Problem: Exploration of How Response Options Affect Self-Reported Behaviors and Interests in Autistic Adults. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:911. [PMID: 38727469 PMCID: PMC11083569 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12090911] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Assessment of restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRB) in autism evaluations often assumes that these behaviors negatively impact the individual. Qualitative studies of first-person accounts indicate the negative impact of the stigma associated with RRBs but also provide insights into the positive aspects. The current study explores how framing response options as negative (i.e., level of problem associated with occurrence) or positive (i.e., level of benefit associated with occurrence) affects RRB self-reports in autistic adults. Sixty-six autistic adults aged 18-59 filled out the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) and a modified RBS-R+, assessing problems and benefits of reported behaviors, respectively. There was a moderate to strong correlation between the forms, each assessing problems and benefits in terms of the number of behaviors endorsed (r = 0.746) and the levels of benefits and problems (r = 0.637). Autistic adults reported a higher number of RRBs in the form that assessed problems, but the number of behaviors was comparable between the forms when counting in the response option of the occurrence of behavior without having a benefit. Despite some variability in the level of problems and the benefits across the subdomains of RRB, autistic adults largely rated comparable levels of associated benefits and problems, highlighting the complexity of RRBs as having both positive and negative impacts. Future screening and diagnostic tools for adults should aim to assess both positive and negative aspects of autistic features to afford a more nuanced understanding of individual experiences while still yielding diagnostically relevant information. Qualitative studies are needed to better understand the complex experiences associated with these behaviors; however, it may be important to ensure that options for endorsement of behaviors without a specific benefit are also needed to ensure some behaviors (e.g., self-injurious behaviors) are not missed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyein Lee
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Nikita Jadav
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA;
| | - Ellen Wilkinson
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA;
| | - Vanessa H. Bal
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Department of Applied Psychology, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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Kopelman JM, Chohan MO, Hsu AI, Yttri EA, Veenstra-VanderWeele J, Ahmari SE. Forebrain EAAT3 Overexpression Increases Susceptibility to Amphetamine-Induced Repetitive Behaviors. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0090-24.2024. [PMID: 38514191 PMCID: PMC11012153 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0090-24.2024] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder characterized by intrusive obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Multiple studies have shown the association of polymorphisms in the SLC1A1 gene with OCD. The most common of these OCD-associated polymorphisms increases the expression of the encoded protein, excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3), a neuronal glutamate transporter. Previous work has shown that increased EAAT3 expression results in OCD-relevant behavioral phenotypes in rodent models. In this study, we created a novel mouse model with targeted, reversible overexpression of Slc1a1 in forebrain neurons. The mice do not have a baseline difference in repetitive behavior but show increased hyperlocomotion following a low dose of amphetamine (3 mg/kg) and increased stereotypy following a high dose of amphetamine (8 mg/kg). We next characterized the effect of amphetamine on striatal cFos response and found that amphetamine increased cFos throughout the striatum in both control and Slc1a1-overexpressing (OE) mice, but Slc1a1-OE mice had increased cFos expression in the ventral striatum relative to controls. We used an unbiased machine classifier to robustly characterize the behavioral response to different doses of amphetamine and found a unique response to amphetamine in Slc1a1-OE mice, relative to controls. Lastly, we found that the differences in striatal cFos expression in Slc1a1-OE mice were driven by cFos expression specifically in D1 neurons, as Slc1a1-OE mice had increased cFos in D1 ventral medial striatal neurons, implicating this region in the exaggerated behavioral response to amphetamine in Slc1a1-OE mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared M Kopelman
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Muhammad O Chohan
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York 10032
| | - Alex I Hsu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Eric A Yttri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York 10032
| | - Susanne E Ahmari
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
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Burton CL, Longaretti A, Zlatanovic A, Gomes GM, Tonini R. Striatal insights: a cellular and molecular perspective on repetitive behaviors in pathology. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1386715. [PMID: 38601025 PMCID: PMC11004256 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1386715] [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: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Animals often behave repetitively and predictably. These repetitive behaviors can have a component that is learned and ingrained as habits, which can be evolutionarily advantageous as they reduce cognitive load and the expenditure of attentional resources. Repetitive behaviors can also be conscious and deliberate, and may occur in the absence of habit formation, typically when they are a feature of normal development in children, or neuropsychiatric disorders. They can be considered pathological when they interfere with social relationships and daily activities. For instance, people affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism spectrum disorder, Huntington's disease and Gilles de la Tourette syndrome can display a wide range of symptoms like compulsive, stereotyped and ritualistic behaviors. The striatum nucleus of the basal ganglia is proposed to act as a master regulator of these repetitive behaviors through its circuit connections with sensorimotor, associative, and limbic areas of the cortex. However, the precise mechanisms within the striatum, detailing its compartmental organization, cellular specificity, and the intricacies of its downstream connections, remain an area of active research. In this review, we summarize evidence across multiple scales, including circuit-level, cellular, and molecular dimensions, to elucidate the striatal mechanisms underpinning repetitive behaviors and offer perspectives on the implicated disorders. We consider the close relationship between behavioral output and transcriptional changes, and thereby structural and circuit alterations, including those occurring through epigenetic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Raffaella Tonini
- Neuromodulation of Cortical and Subcortical Circuits Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
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Soghomonian JJ. The cortico-striatal circuitry in autism-spectrum disorders: a balancing act. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 17:1329095. [PMID: 38273975 PMCID: PMC10808402 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1329095] [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: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The basal ganglia are major targets of cortical inputs and, in turn, modulate cortical function via their projections to the motor and prefrontal cortices. The role of the basal ganglia in motor control and reward is well documented and there is also extensive evidence that they play a key role in social and repetitive behaviors. The basal ganglia influence the activity of the cerebral cortex via two major projections from the striatum to the output nuclei, the globus pallidus internus and the substantia nigra, pars reticulata. This modulation involves a direct projection known as the direct pathway and an indirect projection via the globus pallidus externus and the subthalamic nucleus, known as the indirect pathway. This review discusses the respective contribution of the direct and indirect pathways to social and repetitive behaviors in neurotypical conditions and in autism spectrum disorders.
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Grandits JB, Kent HW, Sanborn SM, Pilcher JJ. The effect of compression on repetitive behaviors and task participation in children with autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1292439. [PMID: 38162972 PMCID: PMC10756671 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1292439] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Compression clothes are marketed to relieve anxiety and decrease hyperactivity in children with autism. However, few studies have examined the impact of compression for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, nine children with autism were observed during Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy sessions while wearing compression clothing. The participants were randomly assigned to wear compression clothing for either their first five sessions or their last five sessions. Videos of the therapy sessions were reviewed and each child's "off task" behavior was identified in the following domains: motor, verbal, and visual. In addition, frequency of the child's repetitive behaviors and external visual stimuli were recorded. The compression clothes failed to increase task participation or reduce the participants' repetitive behavior suggesting that the clothing may not contribute to professional practice of ABA therapy.
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Gandhi T, Liu CC, Adeyelu TT, Canepa CR, Lee CC. Behavioral regulation by perineuronal nets in the prefrontal cortex of the CNTNAP2 mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1114789. [PMID: 36998537 PMCID: PMC10043266 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1114789] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) arise from altered development of the central nervous system, and manifest behaviorally as social interaction deficits and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Alterations to parvalbumin (PV) expressing interneurons have been implicated in the neuropathological and behavioral deficits in autism. In addition, perineuronal nets (PNNs), specialized extracellular matrix structures that enwrap the PV-expressing neurons, also may be altered, which compromises neuronal function and susceptibility to oxidative stress. In particular, the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which regulates several core autistic traits, relies on the normal organization of PNNs and PV-expressing cells, as well as other neural circuit elements. Consequently, we investigated whether PNNs and PV-expressing cells were altered in the PFC of the CNTNAP2 knockout mouse model of ASD and whether these contributed to core autistic-like behaviors in this model system. We observed an overexpression of PNNs, PV-expressing cells, and PNNs enwrapping PV-expressing cells in adult CNTNAP2 mice. Transient digestion of PNNs from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) by injection of chondroitinase ABC in CNTNAP2 mutant mice rescued some of the social interaction deficits, but not the restricted and repetitive behaviors. These findings suggest that the neurobiological regulation of PNNs and PVs in the PFC contribute to social interaction behaviors in neurological disorders including autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Gandhi
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Chin-Chi Liu
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Tolulope T. Adeyelu
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Cade R. Canepa
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Charles C. Lee
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
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Jones A, Kang S, Shaffer RC, Erickson CA, Schmitt LM. Behavioral inflexibility in fragile X syndrome: Accounts from caregivers and self-advocates. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1118652. [PMID: 36874826 PMCID: PMC9978519 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1118652] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Behavioral difficulties in individuals with fragile X Syndrome (FXS) are one of the primary reasons families seek medical and psychological support. Among these, behavioral inflexibility is very common, and when left untreated, can negatively impact quality of life for the individuals with FXS and their families. Behavioral inflexibility refers to the difficulty in changing one's behaviors based on environmental demands or social contexts, thus impeding daily functioning, opportunities for learning, and social interactions. In addition to the individual and family impact, behavioral inflexibility is often recognized as a defining phenotype of FXS and appears to be specific to FXS when compared to other genetic forms of intellectual disability. Despite the pervasiveness and severity of behavioral inflexibility in FXS, there are limited measures that adequately assess behavioral inflexibility in FXS. Methods We conducted semi-structured virtual focus groups with 22 caregivers, 3 self-advocates, and 1 professional to gather key stakeholders' perspectives on and experiences of inflexible behavior observed in FXS. Audio-recordings from focus groups were transcribed using NVivo, then verified and coded. Two trained professionals reviewed codes to extract primary themes. Results Six themes were extracted: (1) Intolerance of change, (2) Intolerance to uncertainty, (3) Repetitive interests and behaviors, (4) Family impact, (5) Change in behavior across the lifespan, and (6) Impact of the COVID pandemic. Our findings show common examples of these themes included intolerance to disruption to routine, perseverative questioning, watching the same things over and over, and caregivers having to extensively pre-plan for events. Discussion The purpose of the current study was to gain key stakeholders' perspectives via focus groups to elicit information and understand patterns of inflexible behaviors in FXS, with the goal of developing a disorder-specific measure to accurately assess behavioral inflexibility across the lifespan and in response to treatment. We were able to capture several phenotypic examples of behavioral inflexibility in FXS as well as their impact on individuals with FXS and their families. The wealth of information gained through our study will aid in our next steps of item generation for measure development of Ratings of Inflexibility in Genetic Disorders associated with Intellectual Disability - Fragile X Syndrome (RIGID-FX).
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Sungeun Kang
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Rebecca C Shaffer
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Craig A Erickson
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Lauren M Schmitt
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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Waite J, Beck SR, Powis L, Oliver C. The Executive Function Account of Repetitive Behavior: Evidence From Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome. Am J Intellect Dev Disabil 2023; 128:49-65. [PMID: 36548376 DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-128.1.49] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we focus on Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS) to explore the associations between executive function deficits and repetitive behaviors. Thirty individuals with RTS completed direct assessments of inhibition, working memory and set-shifting. Informants completed repetitive behavior and executive function questionnaires. Repetitive questions were associated with poorer inhibition and working memory. Stereotypy was associated with poorer inhibition. Adherence to routines was associated with poorer set-shifting, but only on the parental report measure. No other associations were evident. There is evidence of an association between specific repetitive behaviors and executive functioning in RTS, suggesting executive dysfunction may underpin behavioral difference in RTS. The findings point towards specific associations that are of interest for further research across populations in which repetitive behaviors are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Waite
- Jane Waite, College of Health and Life Sciences, School of Psychology, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sarah R Beck
- Sarah R. Beck, Laurie Powis, and Chris Oliver, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Laurie Powis
- Sarah R. Beck, Laurie Powis, and Chris Oliver, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Chris Oliver
- Sarah R. Beck, Laurie Powis, and Chris Oliver, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
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Chaxiong P, Dimian AF, Wolff JJ. Restricted and repetitive behavior in children with autism during the first three years of life: A systematic review. Front Psychol 2022; 13:986876. [PMID: 36389482 PMCID: PMC9661964 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.986876] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Restricted and repetitive behavior (RRB) is a core diagnostic feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Previous research shows that RRB is prevalent early in life and observed in neurotypical development as well. Less is known, however, about early RRB patterns, developmental trajectories, and the relation to outcomes for autistic children. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize findings from studies examining RRB in autistic children from birth through age 3. A detailed protocol was designed a priori based on PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. From the published literature, 41 peer reviewed journal articles were identified and included in this review. Our synthesis of the literature suggests that differences in RRB are evident prior to age 2 in children with or who go onto be diagnosed with autism. These differences were evident for both frequency and intensity of RRB across multiple topographies. There were mixed results regarding functional outcomes associated with early RRB, such as cognitive and adaptive behavior, though relations appeared to become stronger as children aged beyond toddlerhood. Notably, level of RRB appears unrelated to autism severity in young autistic children. A wide range of RRB have been reported to be elevated in autistic children during the first years of life, including repetitive motor behaviors, atypical sensory behaviors, insistence on sameness (IS), and self-injurious behaviors (SIBs). In contrast to studies of older children, RRB in very young autistic children do not appear to be associated with functional outcomes but may be valuable to include in early screening efforts. Systematic review registration https://osf.io/huzf3, unique identifier: doi: 10.17605/OSF.IO/HUZF3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pang Chaxiong
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Adele F. Dimian
- Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jason J. Wolff
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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Mishra A, Singla R, Kumar R, Sharma A, Joshi R, Sarma P, Kaur G, Prajapat M, Bhatia A, Medhi B. Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Improved Core Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder via Modulating Glutamatergic Receptors in the Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus of Rat Brains. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:2942-2961. [PMID: 36166499 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00270] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic neuroinflammation-induced anomalous glutamate receptor activation has been identified as one of the important factors in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Thus, the current study was designed to elucidate the neuroprotective effect of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a haemopoietic growth factor, an anti-inflammatory, and a neuroprotectant to decipher the underlying mechanism(s) in the valproic acid (VPA)-induced experimental model of ASD. Experimentally, the ASD rat model was induced by a single dose of VPA (600 mg/kg; i.p.) on gestation day 12.5 to the pregnant female rats. After birth, pups were treated with vehicle, normal saline 0.9% i.p., risperidone (2.5 mg/kg; i.p.), and G-CSF (10, 35, and 70 μg/kg; i.p.) from postnatal day (PND) 23 to 43. All the groups were subjected to various developmental and behavior tests from birth. The rats were sacrificed on PND 55, and their brain was excised and processed for biochemical parameters (oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, BDNF), histological examination (H&E, Nissl staining), NMDA, and AMPA receptor expression by immunohistochemistry, western blot, and real-time polymerase chain reaction evaluation. Also, the possible interaction of the G-CSF with NMDA and AMPA receptors was evaluated using the in-silico method. The results of the study showed that in VPA-exposed rats, postnatal treatment of G-CSF rescued all the behavioral abnormalities, oxidative stress, and inflammatory parameters in a dose-dependent manner while risperidone did not show any significant results. The in-silico analysis showed the direct interaction of G-CSF with NMDA and AMPA receptors. The upregulated expression of NMDA and AMPA both in the prefrontal cortex as well as hippocampus was alleviated by G-CSF thereby validating its anti-inflammatory and excitoprotective properties. Thus, G-CSF demonstrated neuroprotection against the core symptoms of autism in the VPA-induced rodent model, making it a potential candidate for the treatment of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Mishra
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh160012, India
| | - Rubal Singla
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh160012, India
| | - Rohit Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh160012, India
| | - AmitRaj Sharma
- Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh160012, India
| | - Rupa Joshi
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh160012, India
| | - Phulen Sarma
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh160012, India
| | - Gurjeet Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh160012, India
| | - Manisha Prajapat
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh160012, India
| | - Alka Bhatia
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh160012, India
| | - Bikash Medhi
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh160012, India
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Sun J, Yuan Y, Wu X, Liu A, Wang J, Yang S, Liu B, Kong Y, Wang L, Zhang K, Li Q, Zhang S, Yuan T, Xu TL, Huang J. Excitatory SST neurons in the medial paralemniscal nucleus control repetitive self-grooming and encode reward. Neuron 2022; 110:3356-3373.e8. [PMID: 36070748 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The use of body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) is conceptualized as a means of coping with stress. However, the neurological mechanism by which repetitive behaviors affect anxiety regulation is unclear. Here, we identify that the excitatory somatostatin-positive neurons in the medial paralemniscal nucleus (MPLSST neurons) in mice promote self-grooming and encode reward. MPLSST neurons display prominent grooming-related neuronal activity. Loss of function of MPLSST neurons impairs both self-grooming and post-stress anxiety alleviation. Activation of MPLSST neurons is rewarding and sufficient to drive reinforcement by activating dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and eliciting dopamine release. The neuropeptide SST facilitates the rewarding impact of MPLSST neurons. MPLSST neuron-mediated self-grooming is triggered by the input from the central amygdala (CeA). Our study reveals a dual role of CeA-MPLSST-VTADA circuit in self-grooming and post-stress anxiety regulation and conceptualizes MPLSST neurons as an interface linking the stress and reward systems in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Sun
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xiaohua Wu
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Anqi Liu
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jingjie Wang
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Shuo Yang
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yalei Kong
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Lizhao Wang
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Qian Li
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Siyu Zhang
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Tifei Yuan
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Tian-Le Xu
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ju Huang
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs during early childhood. The change from being normal across several contexts to displaying the behavioral phenotype of ASD occurs in infants and toddlers with autism. Findings provided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based research owing to the developmental phase, including potential pathways underlying the pathogenesis of the condition and the potential for signs and symptomatic risk prediction. The present study focuses on the characteristic features of magnetic resonance imaging autistic brain, how these changes are correlated to autism signs and symptoms and the implications of MRI as a potential tool for the early diagnosis of ASD. PRISMA style was used to conduct this review. Research articles related to the key concepts of this review, which is looking at MRI brain changes in autistic patients, were revised and incorporated with what is known with the pathophysiology of brain regions in relation to signs and symptoms of autism. Studies on brain MRI of autism were revied for major brain features and regions such as brain volume, cortex and hippocampus. This review reveals that brain changes seen in MRI are highly correlated with the signs and symptoms of autism. There are numerous distinct features noted in an autistic brain using MRI. Based on these findings, various developmental brain paths and autistic behavior culminate in a typical diagnosis, and it is possible that addressing these trajectories would improve the accuracy in which children are detected and provide the necessary treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahla L. Faizo
- Radiological Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, KSA
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13
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Askeland RB, Hannigan LJ, Ask H, Ayorech Z, Tesli M, Corfield E, Magnus P, Njølstad PR, Andreassen OA, Davey Smith G, Reichborn-Kjennerud T, Havdahl A. Early manifestations of genetic risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2022; 63:810-819. [PMID: 34605010 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (autism) and schizophrenia are highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting the lives of many individuals. It is important to increase our understanding of how the polygenic risk for neurodevelopmental disorders manifests during childhood in boys and girls. METHODS Polygenic risk scores (PRS) for ADHD, autism and schizophrenia were calculated in a subsample of 15 205 children from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Mother-reported traits of repetitive behavior, social communication, language and motor difficulties, hyperactivity and inattention were measured in children at 6 and 18 months, 3, 5 and 8 years. Linear regression models in a multigroup framework were used to investigate associations between the three PRS and dimensional trait measures in MoBa, using sex as a grouping variable. RESULTS Before the age of 2, the ADHD PRS was robustly associated with hyperactivity and inattention, with increasing strength up to 8 years, and with language difficulties at age 5 and 8. The autism PRS was robustly associated with language difficulties at 18 months, motor difficulties at 36 months, and hyperactivity and inattention at 8 years. We did not identify robust associations for the schizophrenia PRS. In general, the PRS associations were similar in boys and girls. The association between ADHD PRS and hyperactivity at 18 months was, however, stronger in boys. CONCLUSIONS Polygenic risk for autism and ADHD in the general population manifests early in childhood and broadly across behavioral measures of neurodevelopmental traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragna Bugge Askeland
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Laurie J Hannigan
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Nic Waals Institute, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helga Ask
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ziada Ayorech
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Nic Waals Institute, Oslo, Norway
| | - Martin Tesli
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Division of Mental Health and Addiction, NORMENT Centre, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elizabeth Corfield
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Per Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pål Rasmus Njølstad
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Children and Adolescent Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, NORMENT Centre, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, NORMENT Centre, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - George Davey Smith
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexandra Havdahl
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Nic Waals Institute, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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14
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Del Castilo I, Neumann AS, Lemos FS, De Bastiani MA, Oliveira FL, Zimmer ER, Rêgo AM, Hardoim CCP, Antunes LCM, Lara FA, Figueiredo CP, Clarke JR. Lifelong Exposure to a Low-Dose of the Glyphosate-Based Herbicide RoundUp ® Causes Intestinal Damage, Gut Dysbiosis, and Behavioral Changes in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5583. [PMID: 35628394 PMCID: PMC9146949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
RoundUp® (RUp) is a comercial formulation containing glyphosate (N-(phosphono-methyl) glycine), and is the world's leading wide-spectrum herbicide used in agriculture. Supporters of the broad use of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) claim they are innocuous to humans, since the active compound acts on the inhibition of enzymes which are absent in human cells. However, the neurotoxic effects of GBH have already been shown in many animal models. Further, these formulations were shown to disrupt the microbiome of different species. Here, we investigated the effects of a lifelong exposure to low doses of the GBH-RUp on the gut environment, including morphological and microbiome changes. We also aimed to determine whether exposure to GBH-RUp could harm the developing brain and lead to behavioral changes in adult mice. To this end, animals were exposed to GBH-RUp in drinking water from pregnancy to adulthood. GBH-RUp-exposed mice had no changes in cognitive function, but developed impaired social behavior and increased repetitive behavior. GBH-Rup-exposed mice also showed an activation of phagocytic cells (Iba-1-positive) in the cortical brain tissue. GBH-RUp exposure caused increased mucus production and the infiltration of plama cells (CD138-positive), with a reduction in phagocytic cells. Long-term exposure to GBH-RUp also induced changes in intestinal integrity, as demonstrated by the altered expression of tight junction effector proteins (ZO-1 and ZO-2) and a change in the distribution of syndecan-1 proteoglycan. The herbicide also led to changes in the gut microbiome composition, which is also crucial for the establishment of the intestinal barrier. Altogether, our findings suggest that long-term GBH-RUp exposure leads to morphological and functional changes in the gut, which correlate with behavioral changes that are similar to those observed in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Del Castilo
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (I.D.C.); (C.P.F.)
| | - Arthur S. Neumann
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (A.S.N.); (F.S.L.); (F.L.O.)
| | - Felipe S. Lemos
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (A.S.N.); (F.S.L.); (F.L.O.)
| | - Marco A. De Bastiani
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-193, RS, Brazil; (M.A.D.B.); (E.R.Z.)
| | - Felipe L. Oliveira
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (A.S.N.); (F.S.L.); (F.L.O.)
| | - Eduardo R. Zimmer
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-193, RS, Brazil; (M.A.D.B.); (E.R.Z.)
| | - Amanda M. Rêgo
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil; (A.M.R.); (L.C.M.A.); (F.A.L.)
| | - Cristiane C. P. Hardoim
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São Vicente 11380-972, SP, Brazil;
| | - Luis Caetano M. Antunes
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil; (A.M.R.); (L.C.M.A.); (F.A.L.)
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Inovação em Doenças de Populações Negligenciadas, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-361, RJ, Brazil
| | - Flávio A. Lara
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil; (A.M.R.); (L.C.M.A.); (F.A.L.)
| | - Claudia P. Figueiredo
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (I.D.C.); (C.P.F.)
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (A.S.N.); (F.S.L.); (F.L.O.)
| | - Julia R. Clarke
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (I.D.C.); (C.P.F.)
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (A.S.N.); (F.S.L.); (F.L.O.)
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15
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Juarez-Martinez EL, van Andel DM, Sprengers JJ, Avramiea AE, Oranje B, Scheepers FE, Jansen FE, Mansvelder HD, Linkenkaer-Hansen K, Bruining H. Bumetanide Effects on Resting-State EEG in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex in Relation to Clinical Outcome: An Open-Label Study. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:879451. [PMID: 35645706 PMCID: PMC9134117 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.879451] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal excitation-inhibition (E/I) imbalances are considered an important pathophysiological mechanism in neurodevelopmental disorders. Preclinical studies on tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), suggest that altered chloride homeostasis may impair GABAergic inhibition and thereby E/I-balance regulation. Correction of chloride homeostasis may thus constitute a treatment target to alleviate behavioral symptoms. Recently, we showed that bumetanide-a chloride-regulating agent-improved behavioral symptoms in the open-label study Bumetanide to Ameliorate Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Hyperexcitable Behaviors trial (BATSCH trial; Eudra-CT: 2016-002408-13). Here, we present resting-state EEG as secondary analysis of BATSCH to investigate associations between EEG measures sensitive to network-level changes in E/I balance and clinical response to bumetanide. EEGs of 10 participants with TSC (aged 8-21 years) were available. Spectral power, long-range temporal correlations (LRTC), and functional E/I ratio (fE/I) in the alpha-frequency band were compared before and after 91 days of treatment. Pre-treatment measures were compared against 29 typically developing children (TDC). EEG measures were correlated with the Aberrant Behavioral Checklist-Irritability subscale (ABC-I), the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2), and the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R). At baseline, TSC showed lower alpha-band absolute power and fE/I than TDC. Absolute power increased through bumetanide treatment, which showed a moderate, albeit non-significant, correlation with improvement in RBS-R. Interestingly, correlations between baseline EEG measures and clinical outcomes suggest that most responsiveness might be expected in children with network characteristics around the E/I balance point. In sum, E/I imbalances pointing toward an inhibition-dominated network are present in TSC. We established neurophysiological effects of bumetanide although with an inconclusive relationship with clinical improvement. Nonetheless, our results further indicate that baseline network characteristics might influence treatment response. These findings highlight the possible utility of E/I-sensitive EEG measures to accompany new treatment interventions for TSC. Clinical Trial Registration EU Clinical Trial Register, EudraCT 2016-002408-13 (www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2016-002408-13/NL). Registered 25 July 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika L. Juarez-Martinez
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Dorinde M. van Andel
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jan J. Sprengers
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Arthur-Ervin Avramiea
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bob Oranje
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Floortje E. Scheepers
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Floor E. Jansen
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Huibert D. Mansvelder
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Klaus Linkenkaer-Hansen
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hilgo Bruining
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- N=You Neurodevelopmental Precision Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Levvel, Academic Center for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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16
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Wunderlich KL, Hemstreet R, Best L. A retrospective analysis of stereotypy: Applicability of the behavioral subtyping model. J Appl Behav Anal 2022; 55:529-546. [PMID: 34990020 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.902] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent research on automatically reinforced self-injurious behavior (ASIB) has identified specific patterns of responding in functional analyses that correlate with intervention efficacy (Hagopian et al., 2015; Hagopian et al., 2017). Whereas research by Hagopian et al. (2015, 2017) points to an important development in the assessment and treatment of ASIB, it is unclear if the applicability extends to automatically reinforced noninjurious behaviors, including stereotypy. Therefore, the current study replicated the methods of Hagopian et al. (2017), extending this research to published cases of stereotypy and related behavior. The behavioral subtype for each case was identified, and where applicable, the subtype was compared to intervention outcome data. The categorization of data sets as either Subtype 1 or Subtype 2 did not correspond with specific treatment outcomes. Unlike the results of Hagopian et al. (2015, 2017), reinforcement-based interventions were not more likely to be effective for Subtype 1 stereotypy than for Subtype 2 stereotypy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lauren Best
- Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education, University of Georgia
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17
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Chen B, You N, Pan B, He X, Zou X. Application of Clustering Method to Explore the Correlation Between Dominant Flora and the Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Phenotype in Chinese Children. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:760779. [PMID: 34899164 PMCID: PMC8652116 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.760779] [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: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social interactions and repetitive, stereotypic behaviors. Evidence shows that bidirectional communication of the gut-brain axis plays an important role. Here, we recruited 62 patients with ASD in southern China, and performed a cross-sectional study to test the relationship between repeated behavior, gut microbiome composition, and alpha diversity. We divided all participants into two groups based on the clustering results of their microbial compositions and found Veillonella and Ruminococcus as the seed genera in each group. Repetitive behavior differed between clusters, and cluster 2 had milder repetitive symptoms than Cluster 1. Alpha diversity between clusters was significantly different, indicating that cluster 1 had lower alpha diversity and more severe repetitive, stereotypic behaviors. Repetitive behavior had a negative correlation with alpha diversity. We demonstrated that the difference in intestinal microbiome composition and altered alpha diversity can be associated with repetitive, stereotypic behavior in autism. The role of Ruminococcus and Veillonella in ASD is not yet understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biyuan Chen
- Child Development and Behavior Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Na You
- School of Mathematics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bangquan Pan
- School of Mathematics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xueyi He
- School of Mathematics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaobing Zou
- Child Development and Behavior Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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18
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Zhang L, Koller J, Ip CK, Gopalasingam G, Bajaj N, Lee NJ, Enriquez RF, Herzog H. Lack of neuropeptide FF signalling in mice leads to reduced repetitive behavior, altered drinking behavior, and fuel type selection. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21980. [PMID: 34694651 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100703r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Although best known for their involvement in modulating nociception, Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) group peptides have been suggested to fulfil a variety of biological functions such as feeding, anxiety behaviors and thermogenesis. However, evidence supporting these functions of NPFF is mostly pharmacological, leaving the physiological relevance unaddressed. Here we examined the physiological impact of lack of NPFF signalling in both genders using a Npff-/- mouse model. NPFF expression in the mouse is restricted to the spinal cord and brainstem while its cognate receptor NPFFR2 has wider distribution throughout the brain. Both male and female Npff-/- mice showed reduced repetitive behaviors evidenced in the marble burying test and self-grooming test. A decrease in anxiety-related behaviors in the Npff-/- mice was also observe in the open field test and to a lesser degree in an elevated plus maze test. Moreover, both male and female Npff-/- mice exhibited increased water intake resulting from increases in drinking size, rather than number of drinking events. During a fasting-refeeding challenge, Npff-/- mice of both genders displayed alterations in reparatory exchange ratio that reflect a greater fuel type flexibility. Npff-/- mice were otherwise wild-type-like regarding body weight, body composition, feeding behaviors, locomotion or energy expenditure. Together, these findings reveal the important physiological roles of NPFF signalling in the regulation of anxiety-related and repetitive behaviors, fluid homeostasis and oxidative fuel selection, highlighting the therapeutical potential of the NPFF system in a number of behavioral and metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.,St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Julia Koller
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.,St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chi Kin Ip
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.,St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gopana Gopalasingam
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nikita Bajaj
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicola J Lee
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.,St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ronaldo F Enriquez
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Herbert Herzog
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, University of NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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19
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Nettleton JE, Klancic T, Schick A, Choo AC, Cheng N, Shearer J, Borgland SL, Rho JM, Reimer RA. Prebiotic, Probiotic, and Synbiotic Consumption Alter Behavioral Variables and Intestinal Permeability and Microbiota in BTBR Mice. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1833. [PMID: 34576728 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9091833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Given that prebiotics have been shown to improve gut microbiota composition, gastrointestinal symptoms and select behaviors in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we hypothesized that prebiotic supplementation would improve sociability, communication, and repetitive behaviors in a murine model of ASD. We also examined the effect of a synbiotic (probiotic + prebiotic). Juvenile male BTBR mice were randomized to: (1) control; (2) probiotic (1 × 1010 CFU/d Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14®; now known as Limosilactobacillus reuteri); (3) prebiotic (10% oligofructose-enriched inulin); (4) prebiotic + probiotic (n = 12/group) administered through food for 3 weeks. Sociability, communication, repetitive behavior, intestinal permeability and gut microbiota were assessed. Probiotic and symbiotic treatments improved sociability (92 s and 70 s longer in stranger than empty chamber) and repetitive behaviors (50% lower frequency), whereas prebiotic intake worsened sociability (82 s less in stranger chamber) and increased the total time spent self-grooming (96 s vs. 80 s CTR), but improved communication variables (4.6 ms longer call duration and 4 s higher total syllable activity). Mice consuming probiotics or synbiotics had lower intestinal permeability (30% and 15% lower than CTR). Prebiotic, probiotic, and symbiotic treatments shifted gut microbiota to taxa associated with improved gut health. L.reuteri may help alleviate ASD behavioral symptom severity and improve gut health. The potential use of prebiotics in an ASD population warrants further research.
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20
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Miller M, Sun S, Iosif AM, Young GS, Belding A, Tubbs A, Ozonoff S. Repetitive behavior with objects in infants developing autism predicts diagnosis and later social behavior as early as 9 months. J Abnorm Psychol 2021; 130:665-675. [PMID: 34553961 PMCID: PMC8480432 DOI: 10.1037/abn0000692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated repetitive behavior with objects in infants at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from 9 to 36 months of age, and associations between early repetitive behavior and social engagement. Infant siblings of children with ASD (high-risk) or typical development (low-risk) were administered a task eliciting repetitive object use at 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, and 36 months of age. Infants (n = 147) were classified into 1 of 3 outcome groups at 36 months: Low-Risk Non-ASD (n = 58), High-Risk Non-ASD (n = 72), and ASD (n = 17). Behavior was coded from video for frequencies of unusual visual inspection, spinning, and rotating behaviors. Differences in unusual visual inspection were most prominent, consistent, and present earliest: At 9 months, the ASD group engaged in this behavior more frequently than both other groups, persisting through 36 months. Differences in frequencies of spinning and rotating were later-appearing, more time-limited, and/or related to familial ASD risk rather than ultimate diagnosis. Sensitivity and specificity estimates for the presence of unusual visual inspection at 9 months of age were in the moderate range (.60 and .68, respectively) for ASD versus Low-Risk Non-ASD comparisons, generally increasing over time. Unusual visual inspection at 9 months predicted 12-month social behavior controlling for 9-month social behavior, but not vice versa, with no evidence of moderation by ASD diagnosis. In summary, unusual visual inspection of objects is present and stable by 9 months of age in infants developing ASD and predicts reduced social engagement three-months later. Close monitoring of this behavior may aid early detection. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ana-Maria Iosif
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Biostatistics
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21
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Wang JF, Han JH, Zhang ZC. Behavioral analyses in mouse models of autism spectrum disorders. Yi Chuan 2021; 43:501-519. [PMID: 33972219 DOI: 10.16288/j.yczz.20-391] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is a group of genetically-related developmental disorders of the nervous system. Patients mainly present with core symptoms such as social behavior defects, repetitive stereotyped behaviors, and learning and memory disorders. The mouse models are critical for the studies of the pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies of autism spectrum disorder. The assessments of mouse behaviors provide understandings of the effects of different genetic manipulations as well as pathogenic mechanisms of these diseases. This article describes various mouse behavioral assays corresponding to the core symptoms of ASD patients and provides a detailed description of protocols, cautions, and data analysis for those assays, thereby helping researchers to establish their own experimental designs. In addition, behavioral phenotypes of currently known ASD mouse models are summarized to provide a reference for researchers in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Fei Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Jun Hai Han
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Zi Chao Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
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22
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Abstract
Autism is a highly heterogeneous condition, genetically and phenotypically. This diversity of causation and presentation has impeded its definition, recognition, assessment, and treatment. Current diagnostic criteria for autism involve two domains, restricted interests and repetitive behavior (RRBs) and social deficits, whose relationship remains unclear. I suggest that the large suite of traits associated with autism can be usefully conceptualized under the single rubric of "pattern," a term that connects autism with basic brain and cognitive functions and structures its phenotypes within a single theoretical framework. Autism thus involves increases and enhancements to pattern perception, pattern recognition, pattern maintenance, pattern generation, pattern processing, and pattern seeking. RRBs result from increased and imbalanced pattern-related perception and cognition, and social alterations result in part from the usual lack of clear pattern in social interactions, combined with the interference of RRBs with social development. This framework has strong implications for assessment of social and non-social autism-related traits, personalized therapy, and priorities for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Crespi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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23
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Seiffe A, Ramirez MF, Barrios CD, Albarrán MM, Depino AM. Early estradiol exposure masculinizes disease-relevant behaviors in female mice. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 53:2483-2499. [PMID: 33497491 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15130] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Most psychiatric disorders show a sex bias in incidence, symptomatology, and/or response to treatment. Males are more susceptible to neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit activity disorder, while women are more prone to major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders after puberty. A striking difference between males and females in humans and other mammals is that males undergo a process of brain masculinization due to the early exposure to gonadal hormones. In rodents, this developmental organization of the brain is essential for adult males to express the appropriate sexual behaviors in the presence of a receptive female. Our goal was to determine whether this process of brain masculinization influences behaviors relevant to psychiatric disorders. To this aim, we studied sex differences and the effect of neonatal 17β-estradiol benzoate treatment of female mice on different disease-relevant behaviors. Our analysis includes postnatal behavior, juvenile play, and adult tests for sociability, repetitive behaviors, anxiety, and depression. Our results show that the sex differences observed in exploration, repetitive behaviors, and depression-related behaviors are largely reduced when females are neonatally treated with 17β-estradiol benzoate. These results suggest a role of neonatal sex steroids in the development of disease-relevant behaviors and provide evidence supporting a role for perinatal exposure to estrogens and androgens on the development and manifestation of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Araceli Seiffe
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mauro Federico Ramirez
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Claudio Darío Barrios
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Milagros Albarrán
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Amaicha Mara Depino
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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24
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Gandhi T, Lee CC. Neural Mechanisms Underlying Repetitive Behaviors in Rodent Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 14:592710. [PMID: 33519379 PMCID: PMC7840495 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.592710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is comprised of several conditions characterized by alterations in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the heterogeneous development of ASD behaviors. Several rodent models display ASD-like phenotypes, including repetitive behaviors. In this review article, we discuss the potential neural mechanisms involved in repetitive behaviors in rodent models of ASD and related neuropsychiatric disorders. We review signaling pathways, neural circuits, and anatomical alterations in rodent models that display robust stereotypic behaviors. Understanding the mechanisms and circuit alterations underlying repetitive behaviors in rodent models of ASD will inform translational research and provide useful insight into therapeutic strategies for the treatment of repetitive behaviors in ASD and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Gandhi
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
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25
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Lasch C, Wolff JJ, Elison JT. Examining criterion-oriented validity of the Repetitive Behavior Scales for Early Childhood (RBS-EC) and the Video-Referenced Rating of Reciprocal Social Behavior (vrRSB). Dev Psychopathol 2020; 32:779-89. [PMID: 31455435 DOI: 10.1017/S0954579419001159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Improved characterization of quantitative traits and dimensionally distributed complex behaviors during toddlerhood may improve early identification of autism spectrum disorder and related neurodevelopmental disorders. Parents of 205 community-ascertained toddlers (age: mean = 20.2, SD = 2.6 months) completed the Repetitive Behavior Scales for Early Childhood (RBS-EC) and the Video-Referenced Rating of Reciprocal Social Behavior (vrRSB), with longitudinal follow-up of behavioral assessments and/or another round of parent-report questionnaires. Criterion validity was examined both concurrently and longitudinally using the Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment (ITSEA) as a criterion anchor. Reciprocal social behavior as measured by the vrRSB was significantly associated with social competence as measured by the ITSEA, longitudinally and concurrently. Reciprocal social behavior was not associated with the externalizing subscale on the ITSEA, providing evidence of discriminant validity. Higher-order repetitive behaviors (restricted interests; rituals and routines) as measured by RBS-EC subscales were associated with the dysregulation and internalizing subscales of the ITSEA, longitudinally and concurrently. All RBS-EC subscales (excepting repetitive motor) were associated concurrently and longitudinally with the dysregulation subscale of the ITSEA. We report evidence of criterion-oriented and discriminant validity for the constructs/domains captured by the RBS-EC and vrRSB. These instruments may be particularly useful in characterizing dimensional variability across the typical-to-atypical continuum.
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26
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Nanegrungsunk D, Ragozzino ME, Xu HL, Haselton KJ, Paisansathan C. Subarachnoid hemorrhage in C57BL/6J mice increases motor stereotypies and compulsive-like behaviors. Neurol Res 2020; 43:239-251. [PMID: 33135605 DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2020.1841481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Long-term behavioral, mood, and cognitive deficits affect over 30% of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of the present study was to examine the neurobehavioral outcomes following endovascular perforation induced SAH in mice. METHODS C57BL/6 J (B6) mice were exposed to endovascular perforation induced SAH or control surgery. Three weeks later, mice received a series of behavioral tests, e.g. motor function, stereotypy, learning, memory, behavioral flexibility, depression and anxiety. The immunohistologic experiment examined neuronalloss in the cortex following SAH. RESULTS SAH mice exhibited increased marble burying and nestlet shredding compared to that of control mice. Although SAH did not affect memory, learning or reversal learning,mice displayed greater overall object exploration in the novel object recognition test, as well as elevated perseveration during probabilistic reversal learning.In the forced swim and open field tests, SAH mice performed comparably to that of control mice. However, SAH mice exhibited an increased frequency in 'jumping' behavior in the open field test. Histological analyses revealed reduced neuron density in the parietal-entorhinal cortices of SAH mice on the injured side compared to that of control mice. DISCUSSION The findings suggest that parietal-entorhinal damage from SAH increases stereotyped motor behaviors and 'compulsive-like' behaviors without affecting cognition (learning and memory) or mood (anxiety and depression). This model can be used to better understand the neuropathophysiology following SAH that contributes to behavioral impairments in survivors with no gross sensory-motor deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danop Nanegrungsunk
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago , Chicago, IL, USA.,Neuroanesthesia Research Laboratory, University of Illinois College of Medicine , Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Michael E Ragozzino
- Department of Psychologyat the University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hao-Liang Xu
- Neuroanesthesia Research Laboratory, University of Illinois College of Medicine , Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kyle J Haselton
- Neuroanesthesia Research Laboratory, University of Illinois College of Medicine , Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Chanannait Paisansathan
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago , Chicago, IL, USA.,Neuroanesthesia Research Laboratory, University of Illinois College of Medicine , Chicago, IL, USA
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27
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Li T, Li Y, Hu Y, Wang Y, Lam CM, Ni W, Wang X, Yi L. Heterogeneity of Visual Preferences for Biological and Repetitive Movements in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res 2020; 14:102-111. [PMID: 32954673 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2366] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have repeatedly reported atypical visual preferences to repetitive movements and deficient perception of biological movements in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, limited research has investigated the heterogeneity of the visual preferences in individuals with ASD. In the current study, we explored the visual preferences to different movement types (repetitive, biological, and random) in children with ASD using a paired preferential looking paradigm. Thirty-nine children with ASD and 37 typically developing (TD) children participated in our study, with their eye movements recorded as the index of visual preferences. We examined the differences of visual preferences between the ASD and TD group, and the heterogeneity of visual preferences within the ASD group. We found group differences between children with ASD and TD children: Overall, the ASD group preferred repetitive movements while the TD group preferred biological movements. We also detected heterogeneity of visual preferences within the ASD group: Although the majority of children with ASD preferred repetitive movements as previous studies reported, 9 out of 39 children with ASD preferred biological movements similarly as their TD peers. Moreover, the visual preference patterns were correlated with autistic symptoms, especially the socio-communicative impairments. Our study provided evidence of heterogeneity of visual attention and main visual preference to repetitive movements in children with ASD. The findings add to the body of literature of the heterogeneous behavioral symptoms and the atypical visual preferences in individuals with ASD. LAY SUMMARY: The current study examined visual preferences to biological, repetitive, and random movements in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We showed a pair of two videos representing two types of movements (random, repetitive, or biological movements) to children with ASD and typically developing children. We found the main visual preferences for repetitive movements and heterogeneity of visual attention within the ASD group. Our findings provide theoretical and methodological implications for future study of the heterogeneity in the ASD population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianbi Li
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yewei Li
- Southern China Center for Statistical Science, Department of Statistical Science, School of Mathematics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yixiao Hu
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuyin Wang
- Department of Psychology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheuk Man Lam
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Ni
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xueqin Wang
- Department of Statistics and Finance, School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Li Yi
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
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28
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Saré RM, Smith CB. Association Between Sleep Deficiencies with Behavioral Problems in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Subtle Sex Differences. Autism Res 2020; 13:1802-1810. [PMID: 32964679 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Sleep problems are prevalent in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several studies have shown an association between sleep problems and severity of ASD-related behaviors. Most of these studies have not addressed potential sex differences either in the prevalence of the sleep problems or in their association with the manifestation of other behavioral issues in ASD. Given the strong prevalence of ASD in males, we thought it important to address whether sex differences exist in this realm. We examined the association of sleep problems with the severity of ASD-behavioral measures in a large data set collected from an online phenotyping project: Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge. We confirmed a high prevalence of sleep problems in ASD and a strong association between sleep problems and severity of other ASD-related behaviors. Furthermore, we were able to detect sex differences in these associations. In children with ASD, there was a slightly stronger association between repetitive behaviors and diagnosed sleep problems in females compared to males. In children without diagnosed ASD (undiagnosed siblings), there was a stronger association between sleep problems and impairments in social communication in males compared to females. These data highlight potential sex differences in the association of sleep problems and behavioral problems in ASD. LAY SUMMARY: We tested for sex differences in the association between sleep deficiencies and behavior in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In children with ASD, we found the association between sleep problems and repetitive behaviors was slightly stronger in females. In siblings without diagnosed ASD, the association between sleep problems and social communication scores was stronger in males. These data suggest that sex might play a role in an association between sleep deficiencies and behavioral impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Michelle Saré
- Section on Neuroadaptation and Protein Metabolism, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Carolyn Beebe Smith
- Section on Neuroadaptation and Protein Metabolism, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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29
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Restrepo B, Angkustsiri K, Taylor SL, Rogers SJ, Cabral J, Heath B, Hechtman A, Solomon M, Ashwood P, Amaral DG, Nordahl CW. Developmental-behavioral profiles in children with autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring gastrointestinal symptoms. Autism Res 2020; 13:1778-1789. [PMID: 32767543 PMCID: PMC7689713 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [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: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are frequently reported in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We evaluated the frequency and severity of GI symptoms in preschool-aged children with ASD compared to participants with typical development (TD). Our goal was to ascertain whether GI symptoms are associated with differences in sex or developmental and behavioral measures. Participants were between 2 and 3.5 years of age and included 255 children with ASD (184 males/71 females) and 129 age-matched TD controls (75 males/54 females). A parent interview was used to assess GI symptoms (abdominal pain, gaseousness/bloating, diarrhea, constipation, pain on stooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, blood in stool or in vomit). Children with GI symptoms in each diagnostic group were compared to children without GI symptoms on measures of developmental, behavioral, and adaptive functioning. GI symptoms were reported more frequently in children with ASD compared to the TD group (47.8% vs. 17.8%, respectively). Children with ASD were also more likely to experience multiple GI symptoms (30.6% vs. 5.4%). GI symptoms were equally common in males and females across both diagnostic groups. There were no statistically significant differences in developmental or adaptive measures based on presence of GI symptoms in either ASD or TD children. Co-occurring GI symptoms were, however, associated with increased self-injurious behaviors, restricted stereotyped behaviors, aggressive behaviors, sleep problems and attention problems in both ASD and TD children. In children with ASD, a higher number of GI symptoms was associated with an increase in self-injurious behaviors, somatic complaints, reduced sleep duration, and increased parasomnias. LAY SUMMARY: ASD is characterized by challenges in social communication and repetitive behaviors. But, people with autism have many other difficulties including gastrointestinal problems. Children with ASD were three times more likely to experience GI symptoms than typically developing peers. Increased GI symptoms are associated with increased problem behaviors such as sleep problems, self-injury, and body aches. Since GI symptoms are often treatable, it is important to recognize them as soon as possible. Both clinicians and parents should become more aware of the high occurrence of GI problems in autistic people. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1778-1789. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibiana Restrepo
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Kathleen Angkustsiri
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Sandra L Taylor
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Sally J Rogers
- MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Jacqueline Cabral
- Department of Community Health, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brianna Heath
- MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Alexa Hechtman
- MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Marjorie Solomon
- MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Paul Ashwood
- Department of Medial Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - David G Amaral
- MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Christine Wu Nordahl
- MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
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30
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Stern ER, Brown C, Ludlow M, Shahab R, Collins K, Lieval A, Tobe RH, Iosifescu DV, Burdick KE, Fleysher L. The buildup of an urge in obsessive-compulsive disorder: Behavioral and neuroimaging correlates. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:1611-1625. [PMID: 31916668 PMCID: PMC7082184 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is highly heterogeneous. While obsessions often involve fear of harm, many patients report uncomfortable sensations and/or urges that drive repetitive behaviors in the absence of a specific fear. Prior work suggests that urges in OCD may be similar to everyday "urges-for-action" (UFA) such as the urge to blink, swallow, or scratch, but very little work has investigated the pathophysiology underlying urges in OCD. In the current study, we used an urge-to-blink approach to model sensory-based urges that could be experimentally elicited and compared across patients and controls using the same task stimuli. OCD patients and controls suppressed eye blinking over a period of 60 s, alternating with free blinking blocks, while brain activity was measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging. OCD patients showed significantly increased activation in several regions during the early phase of eyeblink suppression (first 30 s), including mid-cingulate, insula, striatum, parietal cortex, and occipital cortex, with lingering group differences in parietal and occipital regions during late eyeblink suppression (last 30 s). There were no differences in brain activation during free blinking blocks, and no conditions where OCD patients showed reduced activation compared to controls. In an exploratory analysis of blink counts performed in a subset of subjects, OCD patients were less successful than controls in suppressing blinks. These data indicate that OCD patients exhibit altered brain function and behavior when experiencing and suppressing the urge to blink, raising the possibility that the disorder is associated with a general abnormality in the UFA system that could ultimately be targeted by future treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Stern
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.,Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York
| | - Carina Brown
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.,Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York
| | - Molly Ludlow
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York
| | - Rebbia Shahab
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.,Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York
| | - Katherine Collins
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Alexis Lieval
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York
| | - Russell H Tobe
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York
| | - Dan V Iosifescu
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.,Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York
| | - Katherine E Burdick
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lazar Fleysher
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
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31
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Lecavalier L, Bodfish J, Harrop C, Whitten A, Jones D, Pritchett J, Faldowski R, Boyd B. Development of the Behavioral Inflexibility Scale for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities. Autism Res 2020; 13:489-499. [PMID: 31904198 PMCID: PMC8293897 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Behavior inflexibility (BI) refers to rigid patterns of behavior that contrast with the need to be adaptable to changing environmental demands. We developed a parent-reported outcome measure of BI for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities with a multi-step iterative process. A pool of 62 candidate items was generated through expert panel feedback, review of existing scales and focus groups. A consensus process was used to generate the final 38 items. Parents of 943 children (age range, 3-18 years; average, 11.4 years; 79% boys) with ASD completed an online survey. One hundred thirty-three parents rated their child twice within 3 weeks (average = 16.5 days). A series of factor analyses suggested that the 38 items measured a single construct. Scores had a weak correlation with level of functioning (-0.12) and did not differ based on sex. Scores had a negligible correlation with age (-0.07), although measurement invariance was not supported. The mean total score for the Behavioral Inflexibility Scale (BIS) was normally distributed. Internal consistency was α = 0.97 and temporal stability was r = 0.92. Correlations with parent ratings on the subscales of the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised varied from 0.48 to 0.89. The correlation with parent ratings on the Social Communication Questionnaire total score was 0.52. Our data show that BI in children with ASD ranges significantly from mild to severe and that the 38-item BIS is valid and reliable. Autism Res 2020, 13: 489-499. © 2020 The Authors. Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: We developed a parent-completed rating scale of behavior inflexibility (BI) for children with developmental disabilities using a multistep process. The Behavioral Inflexibility Scale (BIS) contains 38 questions rated on a 6-point scale. Parents of 943 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) completed an online survey. We examined associations between the BIS and other scales and demographic variables. The BIS is valid and reliable. BI in children with ASD ranges from mild to severe.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Clare Harrop
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | | | | | | | - Richard Faldowski
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Brian Boyd
- University of Kansas, Kansas City, Kansas
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32
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Kang YQ, Song XR, Wang GF, Su YY, Li PY, Zhang X. Sleep Problems Influence Emotional/Behavioral Symptoms and Repetitive Behavior in Preschool-Aged Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Unique Social Context of China. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:273. [PMID: 32372982 PMCID: PMC7179767 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleep disturbances are common in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but research on this topic is still limited in China. In the current study, we evaluated the prevalence of sleep problems in preschool-aged children with ASD and to examine the correlations between sleep disturbances and emotional/behavioral symptoms and repetitive behavior in the unique social context of China. This study recruited 475 preschool-aged children aged 3-6 years old, including 252 children with ASD (mean age 5.13 ± 1.15, 80.6% male) and 223 age-matched typically developing (TD) children (mean age 5.12 ± 0.97, 74.9% male). The parents of all children completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Childhood Sleep Habits Questionnaire. The parents of 114 ASD children completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Repetitive Behavioral Questionnaire-2 (RBQ-2). The prevalence of sleep problems in preschool-aged children with ASD in this study was 81.7%, which was higher than that in TD children (61.0%). The scores for bedtime resistance, sleep anxiety, sleep duration, parasomnias, and sleep onset delay in the ASD group were significantly higher than those in the TD group (t=-7.664, P=0.000; t=-10.477, P=0.000; t=-4.133, P=0.000; Z=-3.916, P=0.000; Z=-7.093, P=0.000; respectively). Sleep onset delay explained 17.3% of the variance (adjusted R2 = 0.173) in the total SDQ score of children with ASD, and bedtime resistance explained a large proportion of total RBQ-2 score variance (adjusted R2 = 0.206). The high rate of sleep disturbances in preschool-aged children with ASD emphasizes the importance of screening for sleep problems in this population. Attention should also be directed toward formulating good sleep hygiene practices for preschool-aged children in the particular social context and cultural setting of China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Qi Kang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiao-Rong Song
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Geng-Fu Wang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Su
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Experimental Teaching Center of Preventive Medicine, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Pei-Ying Li
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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Yoo T, Cho H, Park H, Lee J, Kim E. Shank3 Exons 14-16 Deletion in Glutamatergic Neurons Leads to Social and Repetitive Behavioral Deficits Associated With Increased Cortical Layer 2/3 Neuronal Excitability. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:458. [PMID: 31649512 PMCID: PMC6795689 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [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: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Shank3, an abundant excitatory postsynaptic scaffolding protein, has been associated with multiple brain disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS). However, how cell type-specific Shank3 deletion affects disease-related neuronal and brain functions remains largely unclear. Here, we investigated the impacts of Shank3 deletion in glutamatergic neurons on synaptic and behavioral phenotypes in mice and compared results with those previously obtained from mice with global Shank3 mutation and GABAergic neuron-specific Shank3 mutation. Neuronal excitability was abnormally increased in layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in mice with a glutamatergic Shank3 deletion, similar to results obtained in mice with a global Shank3 deletion. In addition, excitatory synaptic transmission was abnormally increased in layer 2/3 neurons in mice with a global, but not a glutamatergic, Shank3 deletion, suggesting that Shank3 in glutamatergic neurons are important for the increased neuronal excitability, but not for the increased excitatory synaptic transmission. Neither excitatory nor inhibitory synaptic transmission was altered in the dorsal striatum of Shank3-deficient glutamatergic neurons, a finding that contrasts with the decreased excitatory synaptic transmission in global and Shank3-deficient GABAergic neurons. Behaviorally, glutamatergic Shank3-deficient mice displayed abnormally increased direct social interaction and repetitive self-grooming, similar to global and GABAergic Shank3-deficient mice. These results suggest that glutamatergic and GABAergic Shank3 deletions lead to distinct synaptic and neuronal changes in cortical layer 2/3 and dorsal striatal neurons, but cause similar social and repetitive behavioral abnormalities likely through distinct mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taesun Yoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Heejin Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Haram Park
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jiseok Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
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Kayser RR, Snorrason I, Haney M, Lee FS, Simpson HB. The Endocannabinoid System: A New Treatment Target for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2019; 4:77-87. [PMID: 32656342 DOI: 10.1089/can.2018.0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling illness that is associated with significant functional impairment. Although evidence-based pharmacotherapies exist, currently available medications are ineffective in some patients and may cause intolerable side effects in others. There is an urgent need for new treatments. Discussion: A growing body of basic and clinical research has showed that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a role in anxiety, fear, and repetitive behaviors. At the same time, some patients with OCD who smoke cannabis anecdotally report that it relieves their symptoms and mitigates anxiety, and several case reports describe patients whose OCD symptoms improved after they were treated with cannabinoids. Taken together, these findings suggest that the ECS could be a potential target for novel medications for OCD. In this study, we review evidence from both animal and human studies that suggests that the ECS may play a role in OCD and related disorders. We also describe findings from studies in which cannabinoid drugs were shown to impact symptoms of these conditions. Conclusions: An emerging body of evidence suggests that the ECS plays a role in OCD symptoms and may be a target for the development of novel medications. Further exploration of this topic through well-designed human trials is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reilly R Kayser
- Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
| | - Ivar Snorrason
- Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
| | - Margaret Haney
- Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
| | - Francis S Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - H Blair Simpson
- Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
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Cai Y, Zhong H, Li X, Xiao R, Wang L, Fan X. The Liver X Receptor Agonist TO901317 Ameliorates Behavioral Deficits in Two Mouse Models of Autism. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:213. [PMID: 31139052 PMCID: PMC6527842 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability characterized by social deficits and repetitive stereotyped behaviors. There are currently no drugs available for the treatment of the core symptoms of ASD, suggesting an urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. The neurobiology of autism is complex, but emerging research indicates that defects in hippocampal neurogenesis are associated with ASD in both humans and mouse models of ASD, leading to the suggestion that restoring neurogenesis may be a novel therapeutic approach for ASD. Here, we found that postnatal treatment with TO901317 (TO), a potent liver X receptor (LXR) agonist, typically activated LXRβ and its target genes in the hippocampus, and alleviated the social deficits and stereotypical behaviors in BTBR T+ tf/J (BTBR) and valproic acid (VPA)-induced mouse models. In addition, we further confirmed that TO postnatal treatment also rescued the inhibition of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in these two models. In summary, our study suggests that LXR agonist targeting hippocampal neurogenesis may represent a novel potential therapy for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Cai
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongyu Zhong
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Rui Xiao
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lian Wang
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Wolff JJ, Dimian AF, Botteron KN, Dager SR, Elison JT, Estes AM, Hazlett HC, Schultz RT, Zwaigenbaum L, Piven J. A longitudinal study of parent-reported sensory responsiveness in toddlers at-risk for autism. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2019; 60:314-324. [PMID: 30350375 PMCID: PMC8919956 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atypical sensory responsivity and sensory interests are now included in the DSM 5 diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) under the broad domain of restricted and repetitive behavior (RRB). However, relatively little is known about the emergence of sensory-related features and their relation to conventionally defined RRB in the first years of life. METHODS Prospective, longitudinal parent-report data using the Sensory Experiences Questionnaire (SEQ) were collected for 331 high-risk toddlers (74 of whom met diagnostic criteria for ASD at age 2) and 135 low-risk controls. Longitudinal profiles for SEQ scores were compared between groups across ages 12-24 months. Associations between SEQ measures and measures of RRB subtypes (based on the Repetitive Behavior Scale, Revised) were also examined. RESULTS Longitudinal profiles for all SEQ scores significantly differed between groups. SEQ scores were elevated for the ASD group from age 12 months, with differences becoming more pronounced across the 12-24 month interval. At both 12 and 24 months, most measures derived from the SEQ were significantly associated with all subtypes of RRB. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that differences in sensory responsivity may be evident in high-risk infants later diagnosed with ASD in early toddlerhood, and that the magnitude of these differences increases over the second year of life. The high degree of association between SEQ scores and RRB supports the conceptual alignment of these features but also raises questions as to explanatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason J. Wolff
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Adele F. Dimian
- Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kelly N. Botteron
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stephen R. Dager
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jed T. Elison
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, MN, USA
| | - Annette M. Estes
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Heather C. Hazlett
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Robert T. Schultz
- Center for Autism Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Joseph Piven
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Wang L, Cai Y, Fan X. Metformin Administration During Early Postnatal Life Rescues Autistic-Like Behaviors in the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J Mouse Model of Autism. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:290. [PMID: 30555309 PMCID: PMC6281763 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability characterized by impaired social interactions, stereotypical repetitive behavior and restricted interests. Although the global incidence of ASD has increased over time, the etiology of ASD is poorly understood, and there is no effective pharmacological intervention for treating ASD. Recent studies have suggested that metformin has the potential to treat ASD. Thus, in this study, we assessed the therapeutic effects of early metformin treatment in a BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mouse model of ASD. We observed that early metformin administration significantly reversed social approach deficits, attenuated repetitive grooming and reduced marble burying in BTBR mice. Metformin did not change the general locomotor activity or anxiety-like behavior in both BTBR and C57BL/6J (B6) mice. Our findings suggest that early metformin treatment may have beneficial effects on ameliorating behavioral deficits in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Wang
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yulong Cai
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Dai YC, Zhang HF, Schön M, Böckers TM, Han SP, Han JS, Zhang R. Neonatal Oxytocin Treatment Ameliorates Autistic-Like Behaviors and Oxytocin Deficiency in Valproic Acid-Induced Rat Model of Autism. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:355. [PMID: 30356897 PMCID: PMC6190900 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [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: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impaired social communication and repetitive/stereotyped behaviors. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) plays a critical role in regulating social behaviors in the central nervous system, as indicated in both human and animal studies. We hypothesized that central OXT deficit is one of causes of etiology of ASD, which may be responsible for the social impairments. To test our hypothesis, central OXT system was examined in valproic acid (VPA)-induced rat model of autism (VPA rat). Our results showed that adolescent VPA rats exhibited a lower level of OXT mRNA and fewer OXT-ir cells in the hypothalamus than control rats. Additionally, OXT concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was reduced. The number of OXT-ir cells in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of neonatal VPA rats was also lower. Autistic-like behaviors were observed in these animals as well. We found that an acute intranasal administration of exogenous OXT restored the social preference of adolescent VPA rats. Additionally, early postnatal OXT treatment had long-term effects ameliorating the social impairments and repetitive behaviors of VPA rats until adolescence. This was accompanied by an increase in OXT-ir cells. Taken together, we demonstrated there was central OXT deficiency in the VPA-induced rat model of autism, and showed evidence that early postnatal OXT treatment had a long-term therapeutic effect on the autistic-like behaviors in VPA rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chuan Dai
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Feng Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Michael Schön
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tobias M Böckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Song-Ping Han
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Wuxi HANS Health Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Wuxi, China
| | - Ji-Sheng Han
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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Yoo T, Cho H, Lee J, Park H, Yoo YE, Yang E, Kim JY, Kim H, Kim E. GABA Neuronal Deletion of Shank3 Exons 14-16 in Mice Suppresses Striatal Excitatory Synaptic Input and Induces Social and Locomotor Abnormalities. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:341. [PMID: 30356810 PMCID: PMC6189516 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [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: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Shank3 is an excitatory postsynaptic scaffolding protein implicated in multiple brain disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS). Although previous neurobiological studies on Shank3 and Shank3-mutant mice have revealed diverse roles of Shank3 in the regulation of synaptic, neuronal and brain functions, whether Shank3 expression in specific cell types distinctly contributes to mouse phenotypes remains largely unclear. In the present study, we generated two Shank3-mutant mouse lines (exons 14–16) carrying global and GABA neuron-specific deletions and characterized their electrophysiological and behavioral phenotypes. These mouse lines show similar decreases in excitatory synaptic input onto dorsolateral striatal neurons. In addition, the abnormal social and locomotor behaviors observed in global Shank3-mutant mice are strongly mimicked by GABA neuron-specific Shank3-mutant mice, whereas the repetitive and anxiety-like behaviors are only partially mimicked. These results suggest that GABAergic Shank3 (exons 14–16) deletion has strong influences on striatal excitatory synaptic transmission and social and locomotor behaviors in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taesun Yoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Heejin Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jiseok Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Haram Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Ye-Eun Yoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Esther Yang
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicie, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin Yong Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicie, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicie, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
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40
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Titeux E, Gilbert C, Briand A, Cochet-Faivre N. From Feline Idiopathic Ulcerative Dermatitis to Feline Behavioral Ulcerative Dermatitis: Grooming Repetitive Behaviors Indicators of Poor Welfare in Cats. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:81. [PMID: 29713639 PMCID: PMC5911546 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Feline idiopathic head-and-neck dermatitis—also named feline idiopathic ulcerative dermatitis (IUD)—is considered as a rare skin disease of unknown origin. It is usually associated with a crusted, non-healing, self-induced ulcer occurring most commonly on the dorsal or lateral neck or between the scapula where self-grooming by scratching occurs. Usually, IUD is diagnosed after exclusion of other causes of pruritus. In feline medicine, self-induced alopecia is recognized as a behavioral disorder (abnormal repetitive behavior) due to excessive licking, which is an amplification of a normal maintenance behavior. Such repetitive behaviors, like self-induced alopecia or self-induced wounds, are named stereotypies and considered as indicators of poor welfare. The objectives of our study were to determine, first, if the repetitive behavior associated with self-induced wounds was related to a poor welfare, and, second, if improving the welfare in the cat’s environment would lead to healing, thanks to environmental enrichment. We recruited 13 cats diagnosed with IUD by a dermatologist. These cats were referred to a behaviorist for welfare evaluation. A welfare score was attributed using a new 21-point welfare scale. The median score of the 13 IUD cats was 16, while the median score of 35 healthy cats was 7 (significant difference, p < 0.001). Major modifications of the cat’s environment and the human–cat relationship were then recommended for IUD cats. Within 15 days after environment modifications, ulcerative lesions were healed and welfare scores improved significantly (median score of 6, significantly different from the score before environmental modifications), being similar to healthy cats (no significant differences). Only one cat was treated with a psychotropic drug, owners being reluctant to improve environmental modifications. These results suggest that feline IUD is a behavioral disorder indicative of poor welfare and that it requires management by behavior specialists, proposing environmental modifications. We hence propose to rename this affection to “behavioral ulcerative dermatitis,” given that welfare scores were significantly different from healthy cats, and that environmental modifications modified welfare scores and lead to successful healing in all cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Titeux
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Unité Ethologie, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Caroline Gilbert
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Unité Ethologie, Maisons-Alfort, France.,UMR 7179, CNRS/MNHN, laboratoire MECADEV, Brunoy, France
| | - Amaury Briand
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Unité Dermatologie, CHUVA, Maisons-Alfort, France.,Advetia, Paris, France
| | - Noëlle Cochet-Faivre
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Unité Dermatologie, CHUVA, Maisons-Alfort, France.,Advetia, Paris, France.,Clinique vétérinaire des Halles, Strasbourg, France
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41
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Lewis MH, Lindenmaier Z, Boswell K, Edington G, King MA, Muehlmann AM. Subthalamic nucleus pathology contributes to repetitive behavior expression and is reversed by environmental enrichment. Genes Brain Behav 2018; 17:e12468. [PMID: 29457676 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Repetitive motor behaviors are common in neurodevelopmental, psychiatric and neurological disorders. Despite their prevalence in certain clinical populations, our understanding of the neurobiological cause of repetitive behavior is lacking. Likewise, not knowing the pathophysiology has precluded efforts to find effective drug treatments. Our comparisons between mouse strains that differ in their expression of repetitive behavior showed an important role of the subthalamic nucleus (STN). In mice with high rates of repetitive behavior, we found significant differences in dendritic spine density, gene expression and neuronal activation in the STN. Taken together, these data show a hypoglutamatergic state. Furthermore, by using environmental enrichment to reduce repetitive behavior, we found evidence of increased glutamatergic tone in the STN with our measures of spine density and gene expression. These results suggest the STN is a major contributor to repetitive behavior expression and highlight the potential of drugs that increase STN function to reduce repetitive behavior in clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Z Lindenmaier
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - K Boswell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - G Edington
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - M A King
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - A M Muehlmann
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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Abbott AE, Linke AC, Nair A, Jahedi A, Alba LA, Keown CL, Fishman I, Müller RA. Repetitive behaviors in autism are linked to imbalance of corticostriatal connectivity: a functional connectivity MRI study. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2018; 13:32-42. [PMID: 29177509 PMCID: PMC5793718 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsx129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The neural underpinnings of repetitive behaviors (RBs) in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), ranging from cognitive to motor characteristics, remain unknown. We assessed RB symptomatology in 50 ASD and 52 typically developing (TD) children and adolescents (ages 8-17 years), examining intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) of corticostriatal circuitry, which is important for reward-based learning and integration of emotional, cognitive and motor processing, and considered impaired in ASDs. Connectivity analyses were performed for three functionally distinct striatal seeds (limbic, frontoparietal and motor). Functional connectivity with cortical regions of interest was assessed for corticostriatal circuit connectivity indices and ratios, testing the balance of connectivity between circuits. Results showed corticostriatal overconnectivity of limbic and frontoparietal seeds, but underconnectivity of motor seeds. Correlations with RBs were found for connectivity between the striatal motor seeds and cortical motor clusters from the whole-brain analysis, and for frontoparietal/limbic and motor/limbic connectivity ratios. Division of ASD participants into high (n = 17) and low RB subgroups (n = 19) showed reduced frontoparietal/limbic and motor/limbic circuit ratios for high RB compared to low RB and TD groups in the right hemisphere. Results suggest an association between RBs and an imbalance of corticostriatal iFC in ASD, being increased for limbic, but reduced for frontoparietal and motor circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela E Abbott
- Department of Psychology, Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, San Diego State University
| | - Annika C Linke
- Department of Psychology, Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, San Diego State University
| | - Aarti Nair
- Department of Psychology, Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, San Diego State University
- Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Afrooz Jahedi
- Department of Psychology, Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, San Diego State University
- Computational Science Research Center, San Diego State University
| | - Laura A Alba
- Department of Psychology, Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, San Diego State University
| | - Christopher L Keown
- Department of Psychology, Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, San Diego State University
- Computational Science Research Center, San Diego State University
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Inna Fishman
- Department of Psychology, Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, San Diego State University
- Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ralph-Axel Müller
- Department of Psychology, Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, San Diego State University
- Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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Wang L, Cai Y, Fan X. Metformin Administration During Early Postnatal Life Rescues Autistic-Like Behaviors in the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J Mouse Model of Autism. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:290. [PMID: 30555309 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00290/bibtex] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability characterized by impaired social interactions, stereotypical repetitive behavior and restricted interests. Although the global incidence of ASD has increased over time, the etiology of ASD is poorly understood, and there is no effective pharmacological intervention for treating ASD. Recent studies have suggested that metformin has the potential to treat ASD. Thus, in this study, we assessed the therapeutic effects of early metformin treatment in a BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mouse model of ASD. We observed that early metformin administration significantly reversed social approach deficits, attenuated repetitive grooming and reduced marble burying in BTBR mice. Metformin did not change the general locomotor activity or anxiety-like behavior in both BTBR and C57BL/6J (B6) mice. Our findings suggest that early metformin treatment may have beneficial effects on ameliorating behavioral deficits in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Wang
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yulong Cai
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted interests/repetitive behaviors, for which there are currently no approved drug treatments. The core symptoms of ASD vary widely in severity and are often accompanied by other neuropsychiatric disorders. Drug discovery has been challenging because of the lack of understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of ASD as well as the heterogeneity of symptoms and symptom severity. Areas covered: In this review, the author discusses animal models of ASD used as targets for drug discovery, focusing primarily on non-syndromic models, primarily rodents. They highlight the wide range of drug targets examined in animal models. While very little of this work has resulted in drug therapy for the behavioral symptoms of ASD yet, it has increased our knowledge of the biology of ASD that is critical for driving drug discovery and has already provided many new drug targets for investigation. Expert opinion: The information gathered from the animal models of ASD is increasing our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology for ASD and is leading to better therapeutic targets. However, the issue of small sample size, heterogeneity within clinical samples, and a lack of replicable outcome measures must be addressed to move forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn K Chadman
- a Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory , NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities , Staten Island , NY , USA
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Shafer RL, Newell KM, Lewis MH, Bodfish JW. A Cohesive Framework for Motor Stereotypy in Typical and Atypical Development: The Role of Sensorimotor Integration. Front Integr Neurosci 2017; 11:19. [PMID: 28890690 PMCID: PMC5575145 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2017.00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stereotyped motor behavior manifests as rhythmic, repetitive movements. It is common in several neurologic and psychiatric disorders where it is considered maladaptive. However, it also occurs early in typical development where it serves an adaptive function in the development of complex, controlled motor behavior. Currently, no framework accounts for both adaptive and maladaptive forms of motor stereotypy. We propose a conceptual model that implicates sensorimotor mechanisms in the phenomenology of adaptive and maladaptive stereotypy. The extensive structural and functional connectivity between sensory and motor neural circuits evidences the importance of sensory integration in the production of controlled movement. In support of our model, motor stereotypy in normative development occurs when the sensory and motor brain regions are immature and the infant has limited sensory and motor experience. With maturation and experience, complex movements develop and replace simple, stereotyped movements. This developmental increase in motor complexity depends on the availability of sensory feedback indicating that the integration of sensory information with ongoing movement allows individuals to adaptively cater their movements to the environmental context. In atypical development, altered neural function of sensorimotor circuitry may limit an individual's ability to integrate sensory feedback to adapt movements to appropriately respond to environmental conditions. Consequently, the motor repertoire would remain relatively simple, resulting in the persistence of motor stereotypy. A framework that considers motor stereotypy as a manifestation of low motor complexity resulting from poor sensorimotor integration has many implications for research, identification and treatment of motor stereotypy in a variety of developmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin L Shafer
- Vanderbilt Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN, United States
| | - Karl M Newell
- Department of Kinesiology, University of GeorgiaAthens, GA, United States
| | - Mark H Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, United States
| | - James W Bodfish
- Vanderbilt Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN, United States.,Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, TN, United States
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Delprato A, Algéo MP, Bonheur B, Bubier JA, Lu L, Williams RW, Chesler EJ, Crusio WE. QTL and systems genetics analysis of mouse grooming and behavioral responses to novelty in an open field. Genes Brain Behav 2017; 16:790-799. [PMID: 28544613 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The open field is a classic test used to assess exploratory behavior, anxiety and locomotor activity in rodents. Here, we mapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs) underlying behaviors displayed in an open field, using a panel of 53 BXD recombinant inbred mouse strains with deep replication (10 per strain and sex). The use of these strains permits the integration and comparison of data obtained in different laboratories, and also offers the possibility to study trait covariance by exploiting powerful bioinformatics tools and resources. We quantified behavioral traits during 20-min test sessions including (1) percent time spent and distance traveled near the wall (thigmotaxis), (2) leaning against the wall, (3) rearing, (4) jumping, (5) grooming duration, (6) grooming frequency, (7) locomotion and (8) defecation. All traits exhibit moderate heritability making them amenable to genetic analysis. We identified a significant QTL on chromosome M.m. 4 at approximately 104 Mb that modulates grooming duration in both males and females (likelihood ratio statistic values of approximately 18, explaining 25% and 14% of the variance, respectively) and a suggestive QTL modulating locomotion that maps to the same locus. Bioinformatic analysis indicates Disabled 1 (Dab1, a key protein in the reelin signaling pathway) as a particularly strong candidate gene modulating these behaviors. We also found 2 highly suggestive QTLs for a sex by strain interaction for grooming duration on chromosomes 13 and 17. In addition, we identified a pairwise epistatic interaction between loci on chromosomes 12 at 36-37 Mb and 14 at 34-36 Mb that influences rearing frequency in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Delprato
- Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France.,Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, CNRS, Pessac, France.,BioScience Project, Wakefield, MA, USA
| | - M-P Algéo
- Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France.,Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, CNRS, Pessac, France
| | - B Bonheur
- Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France.,Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, CNRS, Pessac, France
| | - J A Bubier
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
| | - L Lu
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - R W Williams
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - W E Crusio
- Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France.,Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, CNRS, Pessac, France
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Uljarević M, Hedley D, Alvares GA, Varcin KJ, Whitehouse AJO. Relationship between early motor milestones and severity of restricted and repetitive behaviors in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2017; 10:1163-1168. [PMID: 28301081 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
This study explored the relationships between the later age of achievement of early motor milestones, current motor atypicalities (toe walking), and the severity of restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents of 147 children and adolescents with ASD (Mage = 8.09 years, SD = 4.28; 119 males) completed an early developmental milestones questionnaire and the Social Responsiveness Scale as a measure of Insistence on Sameness (IS) and Repetitive Mannerisms (RM). Two hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to test whether RM and IS behaviors were predicted by early motor milestones, or current toe walking. The final model predicting RM accounted for 15% of the variance (F = 3.02, p = .009), with toe walking as a unique and independent predictor of RM scores (t = 3.568, p = .001). The final model predicting IS accounted for 19.1% of variance in IS scores (F = 4.045, p = .001), with chronological age (CA) (t = 2.92, p = .004), age when first standing (t = 2.09, p = .038), and toe walking (t = 2.53, p = .013) as unique independent predictors. Toe walking (t = 2.4, p = .018) and age when first sitting (t = 2.08, p = .04) predicted the severity of RRBs on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (F = 2.334, p = .036). Our study replicates previous findings on the relationship between concurrent motor impairments and RRBs, and provides the first evidence for the association between RRBs and age of attainment of early motor milestones. Autism Res 2017. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1163-1168. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Uljarević
- School of Psychology and Public Health, Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, La Trobe University, Victoria, 3086, Australia.,Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), Long Pocket, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Darren Hedley
- School of Psychology and Public Health, Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, La Trobe University, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Gail A Alvares
- Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), Long Pocket, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kandice J Varcin
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew J O Whitehouse
- Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), Long Pocket, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Großekathöfer U, Manyakov NV, Mihajlović V, Pandina G, Skalkin A, Ness S, Bangerter A, Goodwin MS. Automated Detection of Stereotypical Motor Movements in Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Recurrence Quantification Analysis. Front Neuroinform 2017; 11:9. [PMID: 28261082 PMCID: PMC5311048 DOI: 10.3389/fninf.2017.00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of recent studies using accelerometer features as input to machine learning classifiers show promising results for automatically detecting stereotypical motor movements (SMM) in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, replicating these results across different types of accelerometers and their position on the body still remains a challenge. We introduce a new set of features in this domain based on recurrence plot and quantification analyses that are orientation invariant and able to capture non-linear dynamics of SMM. Applying these features to an existing published data set containing acceleration data, we achieve up to 9% average increase in accuracy compared to current state-of-the-art published results. Furthermore, we provide evidence that a single torso sensor can automatically detect multiple types of SMM in ASD, and that our approach allows recognition of SMM with high accuracy in individuals when using a person-independent classifier.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Seth Ness
- Janssen Research & Development Titusville, NJ, USA
| | | | - Matthew S Goodwin
- Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University Boston, MA, USA
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Abstract
Habits, both good ones and bad ones, are pervasive in animal behavior. Important frameworks have been developed to understand habits through psychological and neurobiological studies. This work has given us a rich understanding of brain networks that promote habits, and has also helped us to understand what constitutes a habitual behavior as opposed to a behavior that is more flexible and prospective. Mounting evidence from studies using neural recording methods suggests that habit formation is not a simple process. We review this evidence and take the position that habits could be sculpted from multiple dissociable changes in neural activity. These changes occur across multiple brain regions and even within single brain regions. This strategy of classifying components of a habit based on different brain signals provides a potentially useful new way to conceive of disorders that involve overly fixed behaviors as arising from different potential dysfunctions within the brain's habit network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle S Smith
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Ann M Graybiel
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Evans DW, Uljarević M, Lusk LG, Loth E, Frazier T. Development of Two Dimensional Measures of Restricted and Repetitive Behavior in Parents and Children. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2017; 56:51-58. [PMID: 27993229 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2016.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [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: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are a heterogeneous set of behaviors common across a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and neuropsychiatric disorders (NPDs) that extend well into the general population. This study introduces 2 dimensional measurements of RRBs for use in typical and clinical populations from infancy to adulthood. METHOD The Childhood Routines Inventory-Revised (CRI-R) and the Adult Routines Inventory (ARI) were created and administered online to a nationally representative cohort of 3,108 parents with 3,032 children (range 12 months to 17 years 11 months). Twenty-six percent of children and 36% of adults had at least 1 NDD or NPD. RESULTS Principal axis factoring exploratory analysis showed a 2-factor structure for the 2 instruments (motor behaviors/compulsions and rigidity/insistence on sameness). Analyses for convergent and discriminant validity, internal consistency (Cronbach α ≥ 0.94), and test-retest reliability (r ≥ 0.87) indicated strong psychometric properties. Item response theory analyses indicated strong reliability across the score range for the 2 instruments. RRB rates varied across development, peaking between the preschool and school years. Children with NDDs or NPDs (particularly those with autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia/bipolar disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder/tic disorders) had increased RRBs compared with those with no diagnosis. Parent-child (0.69-0.84) and sibling-sibling (0.76-0.87) intraclass correlations indicated high heritability. Children of parents with an NDD or an NPD exhibited more RRBs compared with children of parents without NDDs or NPDs. CONCLUSION The CRI-R and ARI are open-source instruments with excellent psychometric properties and will be useful for developmental, clinical, and family genetic studies and for the identification of prodromal conditions involving RRBs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mirko Uljarević
- Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Laina G Lusk
- Geisinger-Bucknell Autism and Developmental Medicine Institute, Lewisburg, PA
| | - Eva Loth
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas Frazier
- Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health, Cleveland
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