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Al-Beltagi M, Saeed NK, Bediwy AS, Elbeltagi R. Metabolomic changes in children with autism. World J Clin Pediatr 2024; 13:92737. [DOI: 10.5409/wjcp.v13.i2.92737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social communication and repetitive behaviors. Metabolomic profiling has emerged as a valuable tool for understanding the underlying metabolic dysregulations associated with ASD.
AIM To comprehensively explore metabolomic changes in children with ASD, integrating findings from various research articles, reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case reports, editorials, and a book chapter.
METHODS A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed, PubMed Central, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus, LISA, and NLM catalog up until January 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed research articles (83), review articles (145), meta-analyses (6), systematic reviews (6), case reports (2), editorials (2), and a book chapter (1) related to metabolomic changes in children with ASD. Exclusion criteria were applied to ensure the relevance and quality of included studies.
RESULTS The systematic review identified specific metabolites and metabolic pathways showing consistent differences in children with ASD compared to typically developing individuals. These metabolic biomarkers may serve as objective measures to support clinical assessments, improve diagnostic accuracy, and inform personalized treatment approaches. Metabolomic profiling also offers insights into the metabolic alterations associated with comorbid conditions commonly observed in individuals with ASD.
CONCLUSION Integration of metabolomic changes in children with ASD holds promise for enhancing diagnostic accuracy, guiding personalized treatment approaches, monitoring treatment response, and improving outcomes. Further research is needed to validate findings, establish standardized protocols, and overcome technical challenges in metabolomic analysis. By advancing our understanding of metabolic dysregulations in ASD, clinicians can improve the lives of affected individuals and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Al-Beltagi
- Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31511, Alghrabia, Egypt
- Department of Pediatric, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 26671, Bahrain
- Department of Pediatric, University Medical Center, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Manama, Bahrain, Manama 26671, Bahrain
| | - Nermin Kamal Saeed
- Medical Microbiology Section, Department of Pathology, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Bahrain, Manama 12, Bahrain
- Medical Microbiology Section, Department of Pathology, Irish Royal College of Surgeon, Bahrain, Busaiteen 15503, Muharraq, Bahrain
| | - Adel Salah Bediwy
- Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Alghrabia, Egypt
- Department of Chest Disease, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 26671, Bahrain
- Department of Chest Disease, University Medical Center, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Manama, Manama 26671, Bahrain
| | - Reem Elbeltagi
- Department of Medicine, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain, Busiateen 15503, Muharraq, Bahrain
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Pouyan Mehr D, Faraji N, Rezaei S, Keshavarz P. Single-locus and Haplotype Associations of GRIN2B Gene with Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients in Guilan, Iran. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:607-614. [PMID: 36399225 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05818-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are described as generalized developmental disorders, with an average age of onset of 36 months. Genetic and environmental factors may contribute to this multifactorial disorder. The present study aimed to investigate the association of three GRIN2B polymorphisms, including rs1019385, rs1024893, and rs3764028, with ASDs. Based on the results, there was a significant difference regarding the genotype frequency of rs3764028 polymorphism between the control and case (ASD) groups (P = 0.027). According to the recessive model, this variant was associated with ASDs (P = 0.23). None of the eight haplotype models with frequencies above 0.5 showed significant differences between the case and control groups in terms of allelic frequency. The present results showed that the rs376028 variant was directly related to the phenotypic symptoms of ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donya Pouyan Mehr
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Niloofar Faraji
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Sajjad Rezaei
- Department of Psychology, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Parvaneh Keshavarz
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
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Burke S. Hypoxia, NSAIDs, and autism: A biocultural analysis of stressors in gametogenesis. Am J Hum Biol 2024:e24042. [PMID: 38282542 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.24042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Cultural and generational trends have increasingly favored "anti-inflammatory" action, innovating a new class of analgesic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the 20th century. The modern human body has been molded over evolutionary time and while acknowledging inflammation can be pathologically entwined, it also serves an important role in healthy folliculogenesis and ovulation, shaping cues that drive needed vascular change. This review argues that because of anti-inflammatory action, the cultural invention of NSAIDs represents a particular stressor on female reproductive-age bodies, interacting with natural, underlying variation and placing limits on healthy growth and development in the follicles, creating potential autism risk through hypoxia and mutagenic or epigenetic effects. Since testes are analogs to ovaries, the biological grounding extends naturally to spermatogenesis. This review suggests the introduction of over-the-counter NSAIDs in the 1980s failed to recognize the unique functioning of reproductive-age bodies, challenging the cyclical inflammation needed for healthy gamete development. NSAIDs are framed as one (notable) stressor in an anti-inflammatory era focused on taming the risks of inflammation in modern human life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacie Burke
- Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Torres EB, Varkey H, Vero J, London E, Phan H, Kittler P, Gordon A, Delgado RE, Delgado CF, Simpson EA. Sensing echoes: temporal misalignment in auditory brainstem responses as the earliest marker of neurodevelopmental derailment. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgac315. [PMID: 36798622 PMCID: PMC9927073 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders are on the rise worldwide, with diagnoses that detect derailment from typical milestones by 3 to 4.5 years of age. By then, the circuitry in the brain has already reached some level of maturation that inevitably takes neurodevelopment through a different course. There is a critical need then to develop analytical methods that detect problems much earlier and identify targets for treatment. We integrate data from multiple sources, including neonatal auditory brainstem responses (ABR), clinical criteria detecting autism years later in those neonates, and similar ABR information for young infants and children who also received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders, to produce the earliest known digital screening biomarker to flag neurodevelopmental derailment in neonates. This work also defines concrete targets for treatment and offers a new statistical approach to aid in guiding a personalized course of maturation in line with the highly nonlinear, accelerated neurodevelopmental rates of change in early infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannah Varkey
- Psychology Department, Rutgers University, 152 Frelinghuysen Rd., Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Joe Vero
- Psychology Department, Rutgers University, 152 Frelinghuysen Rd., Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Eric London
- New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (IBR), 1050 Forest Hill Rd., Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
| | - Ha Phan
- New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (IBR), 1050 Forest Hill Rd., Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
| | - Phyllis Kittler
- New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (IBR), 1050 Forest Hill Rd., Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
| | - Anne Gordon
- New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (IBR), 1050 Forest Hill Rd., Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
| | - Rafael E Delgado
- Intelligent Hearing Systems Corp, 6860 SW 81st St, Miami, FL, 33143, USA
| | - Christine F Delgado
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, PO Box 248185, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Simpson
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, PO Box 248185, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA
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Wood KA, Goriely A. The impact of paternal age on new mutations and disease in the next generation. Fertil Steril 2022; 118:1001-1012. [PMID: 36351856 PMCID: PMC10909733 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Advanced paternal age is associated with an increased risk of fathering children with genetic disorders and other adverse reproductive consequences. However, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain largely unexplored. In this review, we focus on the impact of paternal age on de novo mutations that are an important contributor to genetic disease and can be studied both indirectly through large-scale sequencing studies and directly in the tissue in which they predominantly arise-the aging testis. We discuss the recent data that have helped establish the origins and frequency of de novo mutations, and highlight experimental evidence about the close link between new mutations, parental age, and genetic disease. We then focus on a small group of rare genetic conditions, the so-called "paternal age effect" disorders that show a strong association between paternal age and disease prevalence, and discuss the underlying mechanism ("selfish selection") and implications of this process in more detail. More broadly, understanding the causes and consequences of paternal age on genetic risk has important implications both for individual couples and for public health advice given that the average age of fatherhood is steadily increasing in many developed nations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Wood
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Goriely
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Martinez ME, Stohn JP, Mutina EM, Whitten RJ, Hernandez A. Thyroid hormone elicits intergenerational epigenetic effects on adult social behavior and fetal brain expression of autism susceptibility genes. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1055116. [PMID: 36419462 PMCID: PMC9676973 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1055116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic mutations identified in genome-wide association studies can only explain a small percentage of the cases of complex, highly heritable human conditions, including neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders. This suggests that intergenerational epigenetic effects, possibly triggered by environmental circumstances, may contribute to their etiology. We previously described altered DNA methylation signatures in the sperm of mice that experienced developmental overexposure to thyroid hormones as a result of a genetic defect in hormone clearance (DIO3 deficiency). Here we studied fetal brain gene expression and adult social behavior in genetically normal F2 generation descendants of overexposed mice. The brain of F2 generation E13.5 fetuses exhibited abnormal expression of genes associated with autism in humans, including Auts2, Disc1, Ldlr, Per2, Shank3, Oxtr, Igf1, Foxg1, Cd38, Grid2, Nrxn3, and Reln. These abnormal gene expression profiles differed depending on the sex of the exposed ancestor. In the three-chamber social box test, adult F2 generation males manifested significantly decreased interest in social interaction and social novelty, as revealed by decrease total time, distance traveled and time immobile in the area of interaction with novel strangers. F1 generation mice, compared to appropriate controls also exhibited altered profiles in fetal brain gene expression, although these profiles were substantially different to those in the F2 generation. Likewise adult F1 generation mice showed some abnormalities in social behavior that were sexually dimorphic and milder than those in F2 generation mice. Our results indicate that developmental overexposure to thyroid hormone causes intergenerational epigenetic effects impacting social behavior and the expression of autism-related genes during early brain development. Our results open the possibility that altered thyroid hormone states, by eliciting changes in the epigenetic information of the germ line, contribute to the susceptibility and the missing-but heriTables-etiology of complex neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by social deficits, including autism and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Martinez
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, United States
| | - Julia Patrizia Stohn
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, United States
| | - Elizabeth M. Mutina
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, United States
| | - Rayne J. Whitten
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, United States
| | - Arturo Hernandez
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, United States
- Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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