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Dalton GD, Siecinski SK, Nikolova VD, Cofer GP, Hornburg KJ, Qi Y, Johnson GA, Jiang YH, Moy SS, Gregory SG. Transcriptome analysis identifies an ASD-Like phenotype in oligodendrocytes and microglia from C58/J amygdala that is dependent on sex and sociability. BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS : BBF 2024; 20:14. [PMID: 38898502 PMCID: PMC11188533 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-024-00240-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders with higher incidence in males and is characterized by atypical verbal/nonverbal communication, restricted interests that can be accompanied by repetitive behavior, and disturbances in social behavior. This study investigated brain mechanisms that contribute to sociability deficits and sex differences in an ASD animal model. METHODS Sociability was measured in C58/J and C57BL/6J mice using the 3-chamber social choice test. Bulk RNA-Seq and snRNA-Seq identified transcriptional changes in C58/J and C57BL/6J amygdala within which DMRseq was used to measure differentially methylated regions in amygdala. RESULTS C58/J mice displayed divergent social strata in the 3-chamber test. Transcriptional and pathway signatures revealed immune-related biological processes differ between C58/J and C57BL/6J amygdala. Hypermethylated and hypomethylated genes were identified in C58/J versus C57BL/6J amygdala. snRNA-Seq data in C58/J amygdala identified differential transcriptional signatures within oligodendrocytes and microglia characterized by increased ASD risk gene expression and predicted impaired myelination that was dependent on sex and sociability. RNA velocity, gene regulatory network, and cell communication analysis showed diminished oligodendrocyte/microglia differentiation. Findings were verified using Bulk RNA-Seq and demonstrated oxytocin's beneficial effects on myelin gene expression. LIMITATIONS Our findings are significant. However, limitations can be noted. The cellular mechanisms linking reduced oligodendrocyte differentiation and reduced myelination to an ASD phenotype in C58/J mice need further investigation. Additional snRNA-Seq and spatial studies would determine if effects in oligodendrocytes/microglia are unique to amygdala or if this occurs in other brain regions. Oxytocin's effects need further examination to understand its' potential as an ASD therapeutic. CONCLUSIONS Our work demonstrates the C58/J mouse model's utility in evaluating the influence of sex and sociability on the transcriptome in concomitant brain regions involved in ASD. Our single-nucleus transcriptome analysis elucidates potential pathological roles of oligodendrocytes and microglia in ASD. This investigation provides details regarding regulatory features disrupted in these cell types, including transcriptional gene dysregulation, aberrant cell differentiation, altered gene regulatory networks, and changes to key pathways that promote microglia/oligodendrocyte differentiation. Our studies provide insight into interactions between genetic risk and epigenetic processes associated with divergent affiliative behavior and lack of positive sociability.
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Affiliation(s)
- George D Dalton
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Stephen K Siecinski
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Viktoriya D Nikolova
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA
| | - Gary P Cofer
- Center for In Vivo Microscopy, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | | | - Yi Qi
- Center for In Vivo Microscopy, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - G Allan Johnson
- Center for In Vivo Microscopy, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Yong-Hui Jiang
- Department of Genetics, Neuroscience, and Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Sheryl S Moy
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA
| | - Simon G Gregory
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27701, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, 300 N. Duke Street, DUMC 104775, Durham, NC, 27701, USA.
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Fram NR, Alviar C, Lense MD. What scholarship on social timing and autism can learn from each other: A Comment on "The evolution of social timing" by Laura Verga, Sonja A. Kotz, and Andrea Ravignani. Phys Life Rev 2024; 48:19-21. [PMID: 38061249 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2023.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Noah R Fram
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
| | - Camila Alviar
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
| | - Miriam D Lense
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
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Dalton GD, Siecinski SK, Nikolova VD, Cofer GP, Hornburg K, Qi Y, Johnson GA, Jiang YH, Moy SS, Gregory SG. Transcriptome Analysis Identifies An ASD-Like Phenotype In Oligodendrocytes And Microglia From C58/J Amygdala That Is Dependent On Sex and Sociability. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.15.575733. [PMID: 38293238 PMCID: PMC10827122 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.15.575733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Background Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders with higher incidence in males and is characterized by atypical verbal/nonverbal communication, restricted interests that can be accompanied by repetitive behavior, and disturbances in social behavior. This study investigated brain mechanisms that contribute to sociability deficits and sex differences in an ASD animal model. Methods Sociability was measured in C58/J and C57BL/6J mice using the 3-chamber social choice test. Bulk RNA-Seq and snRNA-Seq identified transcriptional changes in C58/J and C57BL/6J amygdala within which DMRseq was used to measure differentially methylated regions in amygdala. Results C58/J mice displayed divergent social strata in the 3-chamber test. Transcriptional and pathway signatures revealed immune-related biological processes differ between C58/J and C57BL/6J amygdala. Hypermethylated and hypomethylated genes were identified in C58/J versus C57BL/6J amygdala. snRNA-Seq data in C58/J amygdala identified differential transcriptional signatures within oligodendrocytes and microglia characterized by increased ASD risk gene expression and predicted impaired myelination that was dependent on sex and sociability. RNA velocity, gene regulatory network, and cell communication analysis showed diminished oligodendrocyte/microglia differentiation. Findings were verified using bulk RNA-Seq and demonstrated oxytocin's beneficial effects on myelin gene expression. Limitations Our findings are significant. However, limitations can be noted. The cellular mechanisms linking reduced oligodendrocyte differentiation and reduced myelination to an ASD phenotype in C58/J mice need further investigation. Additional snRNA-Seq and spatial studies would determine if effects in oligodendrocytes/microglia are unique to amygdala or if this occurs in other brain regions. Oxytocin's effects need further examination to understand its potential as an ASD therapeutic. Conclusions Our work demonstrates the C58/J mouse model's utility in evaluating the influence of sex and sociability on the transcriptome in concomitant brain regions involved in ASD. Our single-nucleus transcriptome analysis elucidates potential pathological roles of oligodendrocytes and microglia in ASD. This investigation provides details regarding regulatory features disrupted in these cell types, including transcriptional gene dysregulation, aberrant cell differentiation, altered gene regulatory networks, and changes to key pathways that promote microglia/oligodendrocyte differentiation. Our studies provide insight into interactions between genetic risk and epigenetic processes associated with divergent affiliative behavior and lack of positive sociability.
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Feybesse C, Chokron S, Tordjman S. Melatonin in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Critical Literature Review. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:2017. [PMID: 38001870 PMCID: PMC10669594 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12112017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The article presents a review of the relationships between melatonin and neurodevelopmental disorders. First, the antioxidant properties of melatonin and its physiological effects are considered to understand better the role of melatonin in typical and atypical neurodevelopment. Then, several neurodevelopmental disorders occurring during infancy, such as autism spectrum disorder or neurogenetic disorders associated with autism (including Smith-Magenis syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Rett's syndrome, Tuberous sclerosis, or Williams-Beuren syndrome) and neurodevelopmental disorders occurring later in adulthood like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, are discussed with regard to impaired melatonin production and circadian rhythms, in particular, sleep-wake rhythms. This article addresses the issue of overlapping symptoms that are commonly observed within these different mental conditions and debates the role of abnormal melatonin production and altered circadian rhythms in the pathophysiology and behavioral expression of these neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrille Feybesse
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent (PHUPEA), Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Regnier, 154 rue de Châtillon, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Sylvie Chokron
- Integrative Neuroscience and Cognition Center (INCC), CNRS UMR 8002, Université Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France;
| | - Sylvie Tordjman
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent (PHUPEA), Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Regnier, 154 rue de Châtillon, 35000 Rennes, France
- Integrative Neuroscience and Cognition Center (INCC), CNRS UMR 8002, Université Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France;
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Rennes, 2 Avenue du Professeur Léon Bernard, 35000 Rennes, France
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Safari Vejin T, Zepeda ME, Yglesias BS, Devito P. Newfound features associated with Hennekam Syndrome ( Intestinal Lymphangiectasia-Lymphedema-Intellectual-Disability Syndrome) complicated with comorbid Waldmann's Disease resulting in Celiac Disease. Clin Case Rep 2023; 11:e7891. [PMID: 38028107 PMCID: PMC10651965 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.7891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Key Clinical Message Adequate evaluation of patients with Hennekam Syndrome (HS) is challenging for physicians, because of multi-organ involvement and complex pathophysiology. We report the first case in an African American with lymphedema, who developed protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) and was successfully diagnosed with HS from cause-and-effect complications by Waldmann's Disease (WD) and comorbid Celiac Disease (CD). Abstract As far as we know, this is the 51st case of HS worldwide and the first one in an African American. The examined patient met all diagnostic criteria for HS, suggesting a dysfunction in the development of the lymphatic system, with associated comorbidities including developmental delay, gastrointestinal pathologies, facial and hearing abnormalities, and cardiac defects. Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (WD) is a consequence of HS, which ultimately results in PLE and worsening interstitial lymph buildup. Based on our findings, CD, a complication not yet reported in HS, may arise from WD. Other autoimmune diseases may be seen in HS: a previous report demonstrated positive anti-thyroid stimulating hormone antibodies in HS patients. We propose that in HS, increased interstitial lymph (WD, if intestinal) with protein loss induces TNF-α- and IL-6-mediated immune reactions in the affected visceral organs, causing autoimmune pathologies. The interstitial lymph fluid-induced TNF-α and IL-6-mediated immunopathogenic reactions lead to inflammation and subsequent destruction of the intestinal mucosa. The chronic inflammatory increase in TGF-β causes gastric mucosa hypertrophy, which results in gastric fold thickening. Eventually, wider tight junctions develop, increasing gastric mucosa permeability, and leading to gastropathy. Considering the examined patient's history of gastroenteritis and the literature stating that CD is a non-mucosal cause of gastropathy and PLE, it is suggested that sequelae of GI complications occur in a cause-and-effect chain in HS. HS results in WD, which causes CD, resulting in hypertrophic gastropathy and loss of parietal and chief cells, eventually leading to malabsorption and PLE (Figure 1). HS primarily affects various organs due to inflammatory-mediated damage and accumulation of lymph fluid. Other findings for HS include keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye disease), fibrous lymphedema exhibiting lymphorrhea, chylous ascites, anemia, and parathyroid abnormalities. Immune impairment in HS predisposes patients to autoimmune disorders, therefore autoimmunity (CD) and WD are concomitant comorbidities of HS. HS-associated comorbidities are primarily due to inflammation and damage to immune cell transport or underlying health conditions affecting proper lymphatic function. However, it is suggested that HS mutations may disrupt the development of the lymphatic system leading to further complication. complications can be compound heterozygous, and there is a need for further research to identify nearby genes that can cause concomitant co-morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tannaz Safari Vejin
- Department of SurgeryTrumbull Regional Medical CenterWarrenOhioUSA
- AUA College and MedicineAntigua and Barbuda
| | | | | | - Peter Devito
- Department of SurgeryTrumbull Regional Medical CenterWarrenOhioUSA
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Mpoulimari I, Zintzaras E. Analysis of convergence of linkage and association studies in autism spectrum disorders. Psychiatr Genet 2023; 33:113-124. [PMID: 37212558 DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders with a strong hereditary component. Although genome-wide linkage studies (GWLS) and [genome-wide association studies (GWAS)] have previously identified hundreds of ASD risk gene loci, the results remain inconclusive. In this study, a genomic convergence approach of GWAS and GWLS for ASD was implemented for the first time in order to identify genomic loci supported by both methods. A database with 32 GWLS and five GWAS for ASD was created. Convergence was quantified as the proportion of significant GWAS markers located within linked regions. Convergence was not found to be significantly higher than expected by chance (z-test = 1,177, P = 0,239). Although convergence is supportive of genuine effects, the lack of agreement between GWLS and GWAS is also indicative that these studies are designed to answer different questions and are not equally well suited for deciphering the genetics of complex traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Mpoulimari
- Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Elias Zintzaras
- Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
- The Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Lin J, de Rezende VL, de Aguiar da Costa M, de Oliveira J, Gonçalves CL. Cholesterol metabolism pathway in autism spectrum disorder: From animal models to clinical observations. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 223:173522. [PMID: 36717034 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a persistent impairment of social skills, including aspects of perception, interpretation, and response, combined with restricted and repetitive behavior. ASD is a complex and multifactorial condition, and its etiology could be attributed to genetic and environmental factors. Despite numerous clinical and experimental studies, no etiological factor, biomarker, and specific model of transmission have been consistently associated with ASD. However, an imbalance in cholesterol levels has been observed in many patients, more specifically, a condition of hypocholesterolemia, which seems to be shared between ASD and ASD-related genetic syndromes such as fragile X syndrome (FXS), Rett syndrome (RS), and Smith- Lemli-Opitz (SLO). Furthermore, it is known that alterations in cholesterol levels lead to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, impaired myelination and synaptogenesis. Thus, the aim of this review is to discuss the cholesterol metabolic pathways in the ASD context, as well as in genetic syndromes related to ASD, through clinical observations and animal models. In fact, SLO, FXS, and RS patients display early behavioral markers of ASD followed by cholesterol disturbances. Several studies have demonstrated the role of cholesterol in psychiatric conditions and how its levels modulate brain neurodevelopment. This review suggests an important relationship between ASD pathology and cholesterol metabolism impairment; thus, some strategies could be raised - at clinical and pre-clinical levels - to explore whether cholesterol metabolism disturbance has a generally adverse effect in exacerbating the symptoms of ASD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Lin
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Victória Linden de Rezende
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Maiara de Aguiar da Costa
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Jade de Oliveira
- Laboratory for Research in Metabolic Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Cinara Ludvig Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
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Liu L, Lai Y, Zhan Z, Fu Q, Jiang Y. Identification of Ferroptosis-Related Molecular Clusters and Immune Characterization in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Genet 2022; 13:911119. [PMID: 36035135 PMCID: PMC9403309 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.911119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with clinical presentation and prognostic heterogeneity. Ferroptosis is a regulated non-apoptotic cell death program implicated in the occurrence and progression of various diseases. Therefore, we aimed to explore ferroptosis-related molecular subtypes in ASD and further illustrate the potential mechanism. Methods: A total of 201 normal samples and 293 ASD samples were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We used the unsupervised clustering analysis to identify the molecular subtypes based on ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) and evaluate the immune characteristics between ferroptosis subtypes. Ferroptosis signatures were identified using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO) and recursive feature elimination for support vector machines (SVM-RFE) machine learning algorithms. The ferroptosis scores based on seven selected genes were constructed to evaluate the ferroptosis characteristics of ASD. Results: We identified 16 differentially expressed FRGs in ASD children compared with controls. Two distinct molecular clusters associated with ferroptosis were identified in ASD. Analysis of immune infiltration revealed immune heterogeneity between the two clusters. Cluster2, characterized by a higher immune score and a larger number of infiltrated immune cells, exhibited a stronger immune response and was markedly enriched in immune response-related signaling pathways. Additionally, the ferroptosis scores model was capable of predicting ASD subtypes and immunity. Higher levels of ferroptosis scores were associated with immune activation, as seen in Cluster2. Lower ferroptosis scores were accompanied by relative immune downregulation, as seen in Cluster1. Conclusion: Our study systematically elucidated the intricate correlation between ferroptosis and ASD and provided a promising ferroptosis score model to predict the molecular clusters and immune infiltration cell profiles of children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichun Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian Children’s Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yongxing Lai
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhidong Zhan
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Fujian Children’s Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qingxian Fu
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Fujian Children’s Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuelian Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian Children’s Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yuelian Jiang,
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Yang X, Li L, Chai X, Liu J. The association between ST8SIA2 gene and behavioral phenotypes in children with autism spectrum disorder. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:929878. [PMID: 35957920 PMCID: PMC9359136 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.929878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveST8 alpha-N-acetyl-neuraminide alpha-2,8-sialyltransferase 2 (ST8SIA2) encodes a type II membrane protein that is thought to catalyze the transfer of sialic acid (SA) from CMP-SA to N-linked oligosaccharides and glycoproteins. Some population and animal studies have indicated an association between the ST8SIA2 gene and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, there is limited information on the correlation between ST8SIA2 and autistic behavioral symptoms.MethodsIn this study, 69 ASD and 76 normal control children who were age- and sex-matched were recruited. ST8SIA2 expression and methylation levels were measured by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR and pyrosequencing, respectively, and the behavioral phenotypes of ASD children were assessed.ResultsThe ASD group had lower ST8SIA2 gene expression levels than the control group [t(0.05/2,143) = 2.582, p = 0.011]. Moreover, ST8SIA2 expression levels were positively correlated with daily life skills (rs = 0.381, p = 0.008) and negatively associated with stereotyped behaviors in the ASD group (rs = -0.510, p = 0.004). The methylation levels of the Chr. 15: 92984625 and Chr. 15: 92998561 sites of the ST8SIA2 gene in ASD children were higher than those of controls. The Chr. 15: 92984625 site was positively correlated with the stereotyped behaviors of ASD children (rs = 0.41, p = 0.039).ConclusionThis study provides a scientific basis to elucidate the relationship between the ST8SIA2 gene and behavioral phenotypes of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Yang
- Postdoctoral Workstation, Research Institute of Medical and Pharmacy, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Lin Li
- Center for Prevention of Disease, Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Qiqihar, Qiqihar, China
| | - Xuejiao Chai
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Jicheng Liu
- Postdoctoral Workstation, Research Institute of Medical and Pharmacy, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
- *Correspondence: Jicheng Liu,
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Mpoulimari I, Zintzaras E. Synthesis of genetic association studies on autism spectrum disorders using a genetic model-free approach. Psychiatr Genet 2022; 32:91-104. [PMID: 35353796 DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders. Despite the extensive efforts of scientists, the etiology of ASD is far from completely elucidated. In an effort to enlighten the genetic architecture of ASDs, a meta-analysis of all available genetic association studies (GAS) was conducted. METHODS We searched in the Human Genome Epidemiology Navigator (HuGE Navigator) and PubMed for available case-control GAS of ASDs. The threshold for meta-analysis was two studies per genetic variant. The association between genotype distribution and ASDs was examined using the generalized linear odds ratio (ORG). For variants with available allele frequencies, the examined model was the allele contrast. RESULTS Overall, 57 candidate genes and 128 polymorphisms were investigated in 159 articles. In total 28 genetic polymorphisms have been shown to be associated with ASDs, that are harbored in 19 genes. Statistically significant results were revealed for the variants of the following genes adenosine deaminase (ADA), bone marrow stromal cell antigen-1 (CD157/BST1), Dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1), engrailed homolog 2 (EN2), met proto-oncogene (MET), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), solute carrier family 6 member 4 (SLC6A4), Synaptosomal-associated protein, 25kDa (SNAP-25) and vitamin D receptor (VDR). In the allele contrast model of cases versus healthy controls, significant associations were observed for Adrenoceptor Alpha 1B (ADRA1B), acetyl serotonin O - methyltransferase (ASMT), complement component 4B (C4B), dopamine receptor D3 (DRD3), met proto-oncogene (MET), neuroligin 4, X-linked (NLGN4), neurexin 1 (NRXN1), oxytocin receptor (OXTR), Serine/Threonine-Protein Kinase PFTAIRE-1 (PFTK1), Reelin (RELN) and Ras-like without CAAX 2 (RIT2). CONCLUSION These significant findings provide further evidence for genetic factors' implication in ASDs offering new perspectives in means of prevention and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Mpoulimari
- Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Elias Zintzaras
- Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
- Department of Medicine, The Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Mpoulimari I, Zintzaras E. Identification of Chromosomal Regions Linked to Autism-Spectrum Disorders: A Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Linkage Scans. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2022; 26:59-69. [PMID: 35225680 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2021.0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders with a strong hereditary component. Although, genome-wide linkage scans (GWLS) and association studies (GWAS) have previously identified hundreds of ASD risk gene loci, the results remain inconclusive. Method: We performed a heterogeneity-based genome search meta-analysis (HEGESMA) of 15 genome scans of autism and ASD. Results: For strictly defined autism, data were analyzed across six separate genome scans. Region 7q22-q34 reached statistical significance in both weighted and unweighted analyses, with evidence of significantly low between-scan heterogeneity. For ASDs (data from 12 separate scans), chromosomal regions 5p15.33-5p15.1 and 15q22.32-15q26.1 reached significance in both weighted and unweighted analyses but did not reach significance for either low or high heterogeneity. Region 1q23.2-1q31.1 was significant in unweighted analyses with low between-scan heterogeneity. Finally, region 8p21.1-8q13.2 reached significant linkage peak in all our meta-analyses. When we combined all available genome scans (15), the same results were produced. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that these regions should be further investigated for autism susceptibility genes, with the caveat that autism spectrum disorders have different linkage signals across genome scans, possibly because of the high genetic heterogeneity of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Mpoulimari
- Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Elias Zintzaras
- Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.,The Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Automatic Assessment of Motor Impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review. Cognit Comput 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12559-021-09940-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Lombardo MV, Mandelli V. Rethinking Our Concepts and Assumptions About Autism. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:903489. [PMID: 35722549 PMCID: PMC9203718 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.903489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism is a clinical consensus diagnosis made based on behavioral symptoms of early developmental difficulties in domains of social-communication (SC) and restricted repetitive behaviors (RRB). Many readily assume that alongside being optimal for separating individuals based on SC and RRB behavioral domains, that the label should also be highly useful for explaining differential biology, outcomes, and treatment (BOT) responses. However, we also now take for granted the fact that the autism population is vastly heterogeneous at multiple scales, from genome to phenome. In the face of such multi-scale heterogeneity, here we argue that the concept of autism along with the assumptions that surround it require some rethinking. While we should retain the diagnosis for all the good it can do in real-world circumstances, we also call for the allowance of multiple other possible definitions that are better tailored to be highly useful for other translational end goals, such as explaining differential BOT responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael V Lombardo
- Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Veronica Mandelli
- Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy.,Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
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14
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Predicting cognitive scores with graph neural networks through sample selection learning. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 16:1123-1138. [PMID: 34757563 PMCID: PMC9107424 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-021-00585-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
Analyzing the relation between intelligence and neural activity is of the utmost importance in understanding the working principles of the human brain in health and disease. In existing literature, functional brain connectomes have been used successfully to predict cognitive measures such as intelligence quotient (IQ) scores in both healthy and disordered cohorts using machine learning models. However, existing methods resort to flattening the brain connectome (i.e., graph) through vectorization which overlooks its topological properties. To address this limitation and inspired from the emerging graph neural networks (GNNs), we design a novel regression GNN model (namely RegGNN) for predicting IQ scores from brain connectivity. On top of that, we introduce a novel, fully modular sample selection method to select the best samples to learn from for our target prediction task. However, since such deep learning architectures are computationally expensive to train, we further propose a learning-based sample selection method that learns how to choose the training samples with the highest expected predictive power on unseen samples. For this, we capitalize on the fact that connectomes (i.e., their adjacency matrices) lie in the symmetric positive definite (SPD) matrix cone. Our results on full-scale and verbal IQ prediction outperforms comparison methods in autism spectrum disorder cohorts and achieves a competitive performance for neurotypical subjects using 3-fold cross-validation. Furthermore, we show that our sample selection approach generalizes to other learning-based methods, which shows its usefulness beyond our GNN architecture.
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15
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Symptoms of Autism, Comorbid Mental Health Conditions and Challenging Behaviors among Toddlers with Down Syndrome at Low Risk for ASD-Characterization Using the BISCUIT-Parts 1-3. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182010684. [PMID: 34682430 PMCID: PMC8535697 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may coexist with Down syndrome (DS). Most studies on this topic involve school-age children, adolescents, or adults with DS. This study looked at ASD symptoms, other mental health problems, and challenging behaviors in toddlers with DS at low risk of ASD. Methods: We used screening tools for autism in toddlers; BISCUIT–Parts 1–3 and Q-CHAT. We compared four groups of children aged 17–37 months: DS, ASD, Atypical Development (AD), and Typically Developing (TD). Results: Children with DS showed lower symptoms of ASD than children with ASD (without DS) and higher than TD children, except for repetitive behaviors/restricted interests. For comorbid mental health problems and difficult behaviors, children with DS scored lower than children with ASD. There were no differences between children with DS and TD children in this regard. Conclusions: The study results indicate that BISCUIT–Parts 1–3 are valid instruments to differentiate toddlers with DS from toddlers with ASD. However, they also show that toddlers with DS at low ASD risk are a very heterogeneous group when the ASD symptoms are considered. Autistic characteristics should be taken into account in supporting young children with this genetic condition.
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16
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Priol AC, Denis L, Boulanger G, Thépaut M, Geoffray MM, Tordjman S. Detection of Morphological Abnormalities in Schizophrenia: An Important Step to Identify Associated Genetic Disorders or Etiologic Subtypes. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179464. [PMID: 34502372 PMCID: PMC8430486 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Current research suggests that alterations in neurodevelopmental processes, involving gene X environment interactions during key stages of brain development (prenatal period and adolescence), are a major risk for schizophrenia. First, epidemiological studies supporting a genetic contribution to schizophrenia are presented in this article, including family, twin, and adoption studies. Then, an extensive literature review on genetic disorders associated with schizophrenia is reviewed. These epidemiological findings and clinical observations led researchers to conduct studies on genetic associations in schizophrenia, and more specifically on genomics (CNV: copy-number variant, and SNP: single nucleotide polymorphism). The main structural (CNV) and sequence (SNP) variants found in individuals with schizophrenia are reported here. Evidence of genetic contributions to schizophrenia and current knowledge on genetic syndromes associated with this psychiatric disorder highlight the importance of a clinical genetic examination to detect minor physical anomalies in individuals with ultra-high risk of schizophrenia. Several dysmorphic features have been described in schizophrenia, especially in early onset schizophrenia, and can be viewed as neurodevelopmental markers of vulnerability. Early detection of individuals with neurodevelopmental abnormalities is a fundamental issue to develop prevention and diagnostic strategies, therapeutic intervention and follow-up, and to ascertain better the underlying mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Clémence Priol
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent (PHUPEA), Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier, University of Rennes 1, 35000 Rennes, France; (L.D.); (G.B.); (M.T.)
- Correspondence: (A.-C.P.); (S.T.); Tel.: +33-2-99-51-06-04 (A.-C.P. & S.T.); Fax: +33-2-99-32-46-98 (A.-C.P. & S.T.)
| | - Laure Denis
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent (PHUPEA), Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier, University of Rennes 1, 35000 Rennes, France; (L.D.); (G.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Gaella Boulanger
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent (PHUPEA), Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier, University of Rennes 1, 35000 Rennes, France; (L.D.); (G.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Mathieu Thépaut
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent (PHUPEA), Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier, University of Rennes 1, 35000 Rennes, France; (L.D.); (G.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Marie-Maude Geoffray
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, 69500 Bron, France;
| | - Sylvie Tordjman
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent (PHUPEA), Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier, University of Rennes 1, 35000 Rennes, France; (L.D.); (G.B.); (M.T.)
- CIC (Clinical Investigation Center) 1414 Inserm, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Rennes, University of Rennes 1, 35033 Rennes, France
- Integrative Neuroscience and Cognition Center (INCC), CNRS UMR 8002, University of Paris, 75006 Paris, France
- Correspondence: (A.-C.P.); (S.T.); Tel.: +33-2-99-51-06-04 (A.-C.P. & S.T.); Fax: +33-2-99-32-46-98 (A.-C.P. & S.T.)
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17
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Traver S, Geoffray MM, Mazières L, Geneviève D, Michelon C, Picot MC, Baghdadli A. Association between prenatal and perinatal factors and the severity of clinical presentation of children with ASD: Report from the ELENA COHORT. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 137:634-642. [PMID: 33187690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Many studies have suggested that prenatal and perinatal factors increase the risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, few reports have addressed the question of their influence on the severity of the clinical presentation of children with ASD. Our objective was to determine the prenatal and perinatal factors that are associated with the severity of autistic symptoms and intellectual and adaptive functioning deficits. Data were collected from a subset of 169 children with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD, recruited from the ELENA cohort. A risk of premature delivery was associated, with an increased risk for severe autistic symptoms and placental pathologies and birth complications were associated with an increased risk of communication adaptive deficits, in multivariate analysis. Our results highlight the importance of systematic screening for these pre/perinatal factors, especially in mothers at risk of having a child with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Traver
- Department of Psychiatry and Autism Resources Center, University Research and Hospital Center (CHU) of Montpellier, 34000, Montpellier, France
| | - Marie-Maude Geoffray
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre Hospitalier le Vinatier, Bron, France
| | - Lucile Mazières
- Department of Psychiatry and Autism Resources Center, University Research and Hospital Center (CHU) of Montpellier, 34000, Montpellier, France
| | - David Geneviève
- Département of Medical Genetics, CHRU de Montpellier, France
| | - Cécile Michelon
- Department of Psychiatry and Autism Resources Center, University Research and Hospital Center (CHU) of Montpellier, 34000, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Amaria Baghdadli
- Department of Psychiatry and Autism Resources Center, University Research and Hospital Center (CHU) of Montpellier, 34000, Montpellier, France; U1178, INSERM, Research Center in Epidemiology and Population Health, Villejuif, France.
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18
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Melatonin: From Pharmacokinetics to Clinical Use in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031490. [PMID: 33540815 PMCID: PMC7867370 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of melatonin has been extensively investigated in pathophysiological conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Reduced melatonin secretion has been reported in ASD and led to many clinical trials using immediate-release and prolonged-release oral formulations of melatonin. However, melatonin’s effects in ASD and the choice of formulation type require further study. Therapeutic benefits of melatonin on sleep disorders in ASD were observed, notably on sleep latency and sleep quality. Importantly, melatonin may also have a role in improving autistic behavioral impairments. The objective of this article is to review factors influencing treatment response and possible side effects following melatonin administration. It appears that the effects of exposure to exogenous melatonin are dependent on age, sex, route and time of administration, formulation type, dose, and association with several substances (such as tobacco or contraceptive pills). In addition, no major melatonin-related adverse effect was described in typical development and ASD. In conclusion, melatonin represents currently a well-validated and tolerated treatment for sleep disorders in children and adolescents with ASD. A more thorough consideration of factors influencing melatonin pharmacokinetics could illuminate the best use of melatonin in this population. Future studies are required in ASD to explore further dose-effect relationships of melatonin on sleep problems and autistic behavioral impairments.
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19
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Schmengler H, Cohen D, Tordjman S, Melchior M. Autism Spectrum and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children of Immigrants: A Brief Review of Current Evidence and Implications for Clinical Practice. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:566368. [PMID: 33815159 PMCID: PMC8012490 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.566368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Children of immigrants may have higher neurodevelopmental risks than those of non-immigrant populations. Yet, some evidence suggests that this group may receive late diagnosis, and therefore miss beneficial early interventions. Clinicians may misattribute symptoms of disorders to other social, behavioral or language problems. Likewise, there might be cultural differences in parents' likelihood of perceiving or reporting first developmental concerns to clinicians. Population-based standardized screening may play an important role in addressing ethnic inequalities in the age at diagnosis, although further research focusing on cross-cultural use is necessary. Once children are diagnosed, clinicians may rely on culturally sensitive procedures (translation services, cultural mediators) to increase the accessibility of interventions and improve adherence among immigrant families. In this brief review, we provide an overview about what is currently known about the epidemiology and risk factors of neurodevelopmental disorders, paying special attention to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in children of immigrants and suggest the necessity of population-based screening and culturally sensitive care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiko Schmengler
- INSERM U1136, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique, Rennes, France.,Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science, Utrecht Centre for Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - David Cohen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Reference Centre for Rare Psychiatric Diseases, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Institute for Intelligent Systems and Robotics, CNRS UMR 7222, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Sylvie Tordjman
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Université de Rennes 1 and Centre Hospitalier Guillaume-Régnier, Rennes, France.,Integrative Neuroscience and Cognition Center, CNRS UMR 8002 and University of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Maria Melchior
- INSERM U1136, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
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20
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Fertan E, Wong AA, Purdon MK, Weaver ICG, Brown RE. The effect of background strain on the behavioral phenotypes of the MDGA2 +/- mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 20:e12696. [PMID: 32808443 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The membrane-associated mucin (MAM) domain containing glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor 2 protein single knock-out mice (MDGA2+/- ) are models of ASD. We examined the behavioral phenotypes of male and female MDGA2+/- and wildtype mice on C57BL6/NJ and C57BL6/N backgrounds at 2 months of age and measured MDGA2, neuroligin 1 and neuroligin 2 levels at 7 months. Mice on the C57BL6/NJ background performed better than those on the C57BL6/N background in visual ability and in learning and memory performance in the Morris water maze and differed in measures of motor behavior and anxiety. Mice with the MDGA2+/- genotype differed from WT mice in motor, social and repetitive behavior and anxiety, but most of these effects involved interactions between MDGA2+/- genotype and background strain. The background strain also influenced MDGA2 levels and NLGN2 association in MDGA2+/- mice. Our findings emphasize the importance of the background strain used in studies of genetically modified mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Fertan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Aimée A Wong
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Michaela K Purdon
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Ian C G Weaver
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Richard E Brown
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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21
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Augereau N, Lagdas I, Kermarrec S, Gicquel L, Martin V, Xavier J, Cohen D, Bouvet M, Rolland AC, Tordjman S. Premigration social adversity and autism spectrum disorder. BJPsych Open 2020; 6:e92. [PMID: 32807250 PMCID: PMC7453802 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2020.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies suggest significant relationships between migration and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but there are discrepant results. Given that no studies to date have included a pathological control group, the specificity of the results in ASD can be questioned. AIMS To compare the migration experience (premigration, migratory trip, postmigration) in ASD and non-ASD pathological control groups, and study the relationships between migration and autism severity. METHOD Parents' and grandparents' migrant status was compared in 30 prepubertal boys with ASD and 30 prepubertal boys without ASD but with language disorders, using a questionnaire including Human Development Index (HDI)/Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) of native countries. Autism severity was assessed using the Child Autism Rating Scale, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised scales. RESULTS The parents' and grandparents' migrant status frequency did not differ between ASD and control groups and was not associated with autism severity. The HDI/IHDI values of native countries were significantly lower for parents and grandparents of children with ASD compared with the controls, especially for paternal grandparents. Furthermore, HDI/IDHI levels from the paternal line (father and especially paternal grandparents) were significantly negatively correlated with autism severity, particularly for social interaction impairments. CONCLUSIONS In this study, parents' and/or grandparents' migrant status did not discriminate ASD and pathological control groups and did not contribute either to autism severity. However, the HDI/IHDI results suggest that social adversity-related stress experienced in native countries, especially by paternal grandparents, is potentially a traumatic experience that may play a role in ASD development. A 'premigration theory of autism' is then proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natacha Augereau
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent de Rennes (PHUPEA), Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier (CHGR) and Université de Rennes 1, France
| | - Ines Lagdas
- School of Medicine of Rabat, University of Rabat, Marrocco; and PHUPEA, CHGR and Université de Rennes 1, France
| | | | - Ludovic Gicquel
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit and Université de Poitiers, Unité de Recherche Clinique, CAPS, Poitiers, France
| | - Virginie Martin
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit; and Université de Poitiers, Unité de Recherche Clinique, CAPS, France
| | - Jean Xavier
- Centre Hospitalier Spécialisé Henri Laborit, Poitiers; and CNRS UMR 7295 Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition et l'Apprentissage, Poitiers, France
| | - David Cohen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, AP-HP, GH Pitié-Salpétrière, CNRS FRE 2987, University Pierre and Marie Curie, France
| | - Michel Bouvet
- Service Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent de Reims, Pôle Femme-Parents-Enfant, France
| | - Anne-Catherine Rolland
- Service Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent de Reims, Pôle Femme-Parents-Enfant, France
| | - Sylvie Tordjman
- Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent (PHUPEA), Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier (CHGR) and Université de Rennes 1; and Integrative Neuroscience and Cognition Center (INCC), CNRS UMR 8002 and Université de Paris, France
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22
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Genovese A, Butler MG. Clinical Assessment, Genetics, and Treatment Approaches in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4726. [PMID: 32630718 PMCID: PMC7369758 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21134726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) consists of a genetically heterogenous group of neurobehavioral disorders characterized by impairment in three behavioral domains including communication, social interaction, and stereotypic repetitive behaviors. ASD affects more than 1% of children in Western societies, with diagnoses on the rise due to improved recognition, screening, clinical assessment, and diagnostic testing. We reviewed the role of genetic and metabolic factors which contribute to the causation of ASD with the use of new genetic technology. Up to 40 percent of individuals with ASD are now diagnosed with genetic syndromes or have chromosomal abnormalities including small DNA deletions or duplications, single gene conditions, or gene variants and metabolic disturbances with mitochondrial dysfunction. Although the heritability estimate for ASD is between 70 and 90%, there is a lower molecular diagnostic yield than anticipated. A likely explanation may relate to multifactorial causation with etiological heterogeneity and hundreds of genes involved with a complex interplay between inheritance and environmental factors influenced by epigenetics and capabilities to identify causative genes and their variants for ASD. Behavioral and psychiatric correlates, diagnosis and genetic evaluation with testing are discussed along with psychiatric treatment approaches and pharmacogenetics for selection of medication to treat challenging behaviors or comorbidities commonly seen in ASD. We emphasize prioritizing treatment based on targeted symptoms for individuals with ASD, as treatment will vary from patient to patient based on diagnosis, comorbidities, causation, and symptom severity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Merlin G. Butler
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA;
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23
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Tanet A, Hubert-Barthelemy A, Clément MN, Soumille F, Crespin GC, Pellerin H, Allaert FA, Cohen D, Saint-Georges C. Developmental and sequenced one-to-one educational intervention (DS1-EI) for autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability: a two-year interim report of a randomized single-blind multicenter controlled trial. BMC Pediatr 2020; 20:263. [PMID: 32471387 PMCID: PMC7260851 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-020-02156-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and moderate to severe intellectual disability (ID) face many challenges. There is little evidence-based research into educational settings for children with ID and ASD and in France. Little is known about how this unserved population could benefit from intervention and education. This study assessed the feasibility and efficacy of a new intervention model using an individualized educational approach. Methods We conducted a randomized, single-blind controlled trial to assess a novel intervention: the “Developmental and Sequenced One-to-One Intervention (DS1-EI)”. In DS1-EI, trained teachers worked one-to-one with each child in a small classroom setting, offering 10 h per week of the intervention. The focus was on encouraging spontaneous communication, promoting skills through play with peers, supporting positive interactions, and developmental and sequenced learning. We enrolled 5- to 9-year-old children with ASD and ID across 11 French child care institutions for children with co-occurring ASD and ID. Participants were matched in dyads by developmental quotient and randomized to the treatment-as-usual (TAU) group or the DS1-EI group. Independent raters blindly assessed the primary variables: The Childhood Autism Rating scale (CARS) and the Psychoeducational Profile, third edition (PEP-3). The secondary variables included the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale II (VABS-II) and the Clinical Global Assessment Scale (CGAS). Here we perform interim analyses at 24 months. Results At baseline, 72 participants were randomized. Nine patients (5 in the DS1-EI group and 4 in the TAU group) dropped out of the study. Using linear mixed models, both intent-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses at the 12-, 18- and 24-month outcomes showed no significant group nor group-by-time interaction effects. However, we found significant improvements in most primary and secondary variables over time in both groups. Conclusions The study did not show that DS1-EI was superior to TAU in treating children with ASD and ID over 24 months. However, the low dropout rate shows that DS1-EI is feasible, and well accepted. As the study is still ongoing, we need to wait for data at 36 months to ensure whether DS1-EI could be recommended. Trial registration ANSM130282B-31 (April 16, 2013) and ACTRN12616000592448. Registered 6 May 2016, retrospectively registered, http://www.anzctr.org.au/
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Tanet
- Institut des Systèmes Intelligents et de Robotiques, Sorbonne Université, 75005, Paris, France.,Département de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, APHP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière et Sorbonne Université, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Annick Hubert-Barthelemy
- Département de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, APHP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière et Sorbonne Université, 75013, Paris, France.,Association Programme de Recherche et d'Etudes sur l'Autisme, 7, square Dunois, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Noëlle Clément
- Hôpital de jour André Boulloche, association Cerep-Phymentin, 56 rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75010, Paris, France
| | - François Soumille
- Association Régionale pour l'Intégration, 26 rue Saint Sébastien, 13006, Marseille, France
| | - Graciela C Crespin
- Association Programme de Recherche et d'Etudes sur l'Autisme, 7, square Dunois, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Hugues Pellerin
- Département de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, APHP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière et Sorbonne Université, 75013, Paris, France
| | - François-André Allaert
- CEN Biotech, Parc Mazen-Sully, Zone des biotechnologies, Impasse Françoise Dolto, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - David Cohen
- Institut des Systèmes Intelligents et de Robotiques, Sorbonne Université, 75005, Paris, France. .,Département de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, APHP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière et Sorbonne Université, 75013, Paris, France.
| | - Catherine Saint-Georges
- Institut des Systèmes Intelligents et de Robotiques, Sorbonne Université, 75005, Paris, France.,Département de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, APHP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière et Sorbonne Université, 75013, Paris, France.,Hôpital de jour André Boulloche, association Cerep-Phymentin, 56 rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75010, Paris, France
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He Y, Byrge L, Kennedy DP. Nonreplication of functional connectivity differences in autism spectrum disorder across multiple sites and denoising strategies. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:1334-1350. [PMID: 31916675 PMCID: PMC7268009 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A rapidly growing number of studies on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have used resting‐state fMRI to identify alterations of functional connectivity, with the hope of identifying clinical biomarkers or underlying neural mechanisms. However, results have been largely inconsistent across studies, and there remains a pressing need to determine the primary factors influencing replicability. Here, we used resting‐state fMRI data from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange to investigate two potential factors: denoising strategy and data site (which differ in terms of sample, data acquisition, etc.). We examined the similarity of both group‐averaged functional connectomes and group‐level differences (ASD vs. control) across 33 denoising pipelines and four independently‐acquired datasets. The group‐averaged connectomes were highly consistent across pipelines (r = 0.92 ± 0.06) and sites (r = 0.88 ± 0.02). However, the group differences, while still consistent within site across pipelines (r = 0.76 ± 0.12), were highly inconsistent across sites regardless of choice of denoising strategies (r = 0.07 ± 0.04), suggesting lack of replication may be strongly influenced by site and/or cohort differences. Across‐site similarity remained low even when considering the data at a large‐scale network level or when considering only the most significant edges. We further show through an extensive literature survey that the parameters chosen in the current study (i.e., sample size, age range, preprocessing methods) are quite representative of the published literature. These results highlight the importance of examining replicability in future studies of ASD, and, more generally, call for extra caution when interpreting alterations in functional connectivity across groups of individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye He
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Lisa Byrge
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Daniel P Kennedy
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.,Cognitive Science Program, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.,Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
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25
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Abstract
Children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders often show complex developmental disorders, including multiple areas of dysfunction such as emotional regulation and behavior, school integration, and learning difficulties. These multidimensionally impaired children share some common features with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, paradoxically, they could qualify as diagnostically homeless. Several proposals have been formulated to categorize subgroups of these children, whose diversity and overlap in clinical expression emphasize the importance of using a multidimensional assessment inscribed in a developmental perspective. Here, we review these different classification proposals and describe a multidimensional approach that, in addition to a categorical approach, could constitute a complementary point of view. We believe that this multidimensional perspective allows one to address the child holistically, taking into account his or her interactive experience with the environment, and achieve a functional diagnosis enabling the elaboration of a tailored therapeutic plan and better school inclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Xavier
- Centre Hospitalier Spécialisé Henri Laborit and Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition et l'Apprentissage, Poitiers, France
| | - David Cohen
- Institut des Systèmes Intelligents et Robotiques, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Service de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, APHP.Sorbonne Université, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
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26
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Fleury-Teixeira P, Caixeta FV, Ramires da Silva LC, Brasil-Neto JP, Malcher-Lopes R. Effects of CBD-Enriched Cannabis sativa Extract on Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms: An Observational Study of 18 Participants Undergoing Compassionate Use. Front Neurol 2019; 10:1145. [PMID: 31736860 PMCID: PMC6834767 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.01145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders comprise conditions that may affect cognitive development, motor skills, social interaction, communication, and behavior. This set of functional deficits often results in lack of independence for the diagnosed individuals, and severe distress for patients, families, and caregivers. There is a mounting body of evidence indicating the effectiveness of pure cannabidiol (CBD) and CBD-enriched Cannabis sativa extract (CE) for the treatment of autistic symptoms in refractory epilepsy patients. There is also increasing data support for the hypothesis that non-epileptic autism shares underlying etiological mechanisms with epilepsy. Here we report an observational study with a cohort of 18 autistic patients undergoing treatment with compassionate use of standardized CBD-enriched CE (with a CBD to THC ratio of 75/1). Among the 15 patients who adhered to the treatment (10 non-epileptic and five epileptic) only one patient showed lack of improvement in autistic symptoms. Due to adverse effects, three patients discontinued CE use before 1 month. After 6-9 months of treatment, most patients, including epileptic and non-epileptic, showed some level of improvement in more than one of the eight symptom categories evaluated: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; Behavioral Disorders; Motor Deficits; Autonomy Deficits; Communication and Social Interaction Deficits; Cognitive Deficits; Sleep Disorders and Seizures, with very infrequent and mild adverse effects. The strongest improvements were reported for Seizures, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Sleep Disorders, and Communication and Social Interaction Deficits. This was especially true for the 10 non-epileptic patients, nine of which presented improvement equal to or above 30% in at least one of the eight categories, six presented improvement of 30% or more in at least two categories and four presented improvement equal to or above 30% in at least four symptom categories. Ten out of the 15 patients were using other medicines, and nine of these were able to keep the improvements even after reducing or withdrawing other medications. The results reported here are very promising and indicate that CBD-enriched CE may ameliorate multiple ASD symptoms even in non-epileptic patients, with substantial increase in life quality for both ASD patients and caretakers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Leandro Cruz Ramires da Silva
- Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Associação Brasileira de Pacientes de Cannabis Medicinal, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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27
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Roubertoux PL, Tordjman S, Caubit X, di Cristopharo J, Ghata A, Fasano L, Kerkerian-Le Goff L, Gubellini P, Carlier M. Construct Validity and Cross Validity of a Test Battery Modeling Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Mice. Behav Genet 2019; 50:26-40. [PMID: 31542842 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-019-09970-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Modeling in other organism species is one of the crucial stages in ascertaining the association between gene and psychiatric disorder. Testing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in mice is very popular but construct validity of the batteries is not available. We presented here the first factor analysis of a behavioral model of ASD-like in mice coupled with empirical validation. We defined fourteen measures aligning mouse-behavior measures with the criteria defined by DSM-5 for the diagnostic of ASD. Sixty-five mice belonging to a heterogeneous pool of genotypes were tested. Reliability coefficients vary from .68 to .81. The factor analysis resulted in a three- factor solution in line with DSM criteria: social behavior, stereotypy and narrowness of the field of interest. The empirical validation with mice sharing a haplo-insufficiency of the zinc-finger transcription factor TSHZ3/Tshz3 associated with ASD shows the discriminant power of the highly loaded items.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sylvie Tordjman
- Paris Descartes Univ, CNRS, LPP, Paris, France
- Rennes 1 Univ, PHUPEA, Rennes, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Michèle Carlier
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, LPC, Marseille, France.
- Aix-Marseille Université CNRS UMR 7290 Psychologie Cognitive, Fédération de Recherche 3C - Comportement Cerveau Cognition, Case D, Bât 9 - St Charles, 3 Place Victor Hugo, 13003, Marseille, France.
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28
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Eill A, Jahedi A, Gao Y, Kohli JS, Fong CH, Solders S, Carper RA, Valafar F, Bailey BA, Müller RA. Functional Connectivities Are More Informative Than Anatomical Variables in Diagnostic Classification of Autism. Brain Connect 2019; 9:604-612. [PMID: 31328535 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2019.0689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Machine learning techniques have been implemented to reveal brain features that distinguish people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) from typically developing (TD) peers. However, it remains unknown whether different neuroimaging modalities are equally informative for diagnostic classification. We combined anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (aMRI), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) using conditional random forest (CRF) for supervised learning to compare how informative each modality was in diagnostic classification. In-house data (N = 93) included 47 TD and 46 ASD participants, matched on age, motion, and nonverbal IQ. Four main analyses consistently indicated that fcMRI variables were significantly more informative than anatomical variables from aMRI and DWI. This was found (1) when the top 100 variables from CRF (run separately in each modality) were combined for multimodal CRF; (2) when only 19 top variables reaching >67% accuracy in each modality were combined in multimodal CRF; and (3) when the large number of initial variables (before dimension reduction) potentially biasing comparisons in favor of fcMRI was reduced using a less granular region of interest scheme. Consistent superiority of fcMRI was even found (4) when 100 variables per modality were randomly selected, removing any such potential bias. Greater informative value of functional than anatomical modalities may relate to the nature of fcMRI data, reflecting more closely behavioral condition, which is also the basis of diagnosis, whereas brain anatomy may be more reflective of neurodevelopmental history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aina Eill
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California.,Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Afrooz Jahedi
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California.,Computational Science Research Center, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Yangfeifei Gao
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California.,SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, California
| | - Jiwandeep S Kohli
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California.,SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, California
| | - Christopher H Fong
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Seraphina Solders
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Ruth A Carper
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Faramarz Valafar
- Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Barbara A Bailey
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Ralph-Axel Müller
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
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29
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Reframing schizophrenia and autism as bodily self-consciousness disorders leading to a deficit of theory of mind and empathy with social communication impairments. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 103:401-413. [PMID: 31029711 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Prior observations and studies suggest self-consciousness disorders in schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), two neurodevelopmental disorders sharing social communication impairments. First, the relationships between schizophrenia and autism are explored regarding social communication impairments. Then, self-consciousness disorders in schizophrenia and autism are described and discussed in relation with impairments of body self leading to impairments of self-other differentiation, a deficit of theory of mind and empathy, and their consequences on social communication. Also, neurological dysfunction involved possibly in self-consciousness disorders in schizophrenia and autism is presented. In conclusion, a new model is proposed integrating results of studies presented here and stating the existence of bodily self-consciousness disorders in schizophrenia and autism associated with altered/absent intermodal sensory integration (especially visual-kinesthetic-tactile integration). This would result in problems of self-other differentiation, leading in turn to a deficit of theory of mind and empathy as well as social communication impairments. This model opens new perspectives to understand better self-consciousness disorders and social communication impairments in schizophrenia and ASD and to develop therapeutic strategies.
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30
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Orekhova EV, Stroganova TA, Schneiderman JF, Lundström S, Riaz B, Sarovic D, Sysoeva OV, Brant G, Gillberg C, Hadjikhani N. Neural gain control measured through cortical gamma oscillations is associated with sensory sensitivity. Hum Brain Mapp 2019; 40:1583-1593. [PMID: 30549144 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 10/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gamma oscillations facilitate information processing by shaping the excitatory input/output of neuronal populations. Recent studies in humans and nonhuman primates have shown that strong excitatory drive to the visual cortex leads to suppression of induced gamma oscillations, which may reflect inhibitory-based gain control of network excitation. The efficiency of the gain control measured through gamma oscillations may in turn affect sensory sensitivity in everyday life. To test this prediction, we assessed the link between self-reported sensitivity and changes in magneto-encephalographic gamma oscillations as a function of motion velocity of high-contrast visual gratings. The induced gamma oscillations increased in frequency and decreased in power with increasing stimulation intensity. As expected, weaker suppression of the gamma response correlated with sensory hypersensitivity. Robustness of this result was confirmed by its replication in the two samples: neurotypical subjects and people with autism, who had generally elevated sensory sensitivity. We conclude that intensity-related suppression of gamma response is a promising biomarker of homeostatic control of the excitation-inhibition balance in the visual cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V Orekhova
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre (GNC), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Center for Neurocognitive Research (MEG Center), Moscow, Russia.,Autism Research Laboratory, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana A Stroganova
- Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Center for Neurocognitive Research (MEG Center), Moscow, Russia.,Autism Research Laboratory, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russia
| | - Justin F Schneiderman
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Gothenburg, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Chalmers University of Technology and MedTech West, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Lundström
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre (GNC), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Bushra Riaz
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Gothenburg, Institute of Neuroscience & Physiology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Darko Sarovic
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre (GNC), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Olga V Sysoeva
- Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Center for Neurocognitive Research (MEG Center), Moscow, Russia.,Autism Research Laboratory, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russia
| | - Georg Brant
- Chalmers University of Technology and MedTech West, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christopher Gillberg
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre (GNC), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Nouchine Hadjikhani
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre (GNC), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,MGH/MIT/HST Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts
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31
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Qin D, Wu S, Chen Y, Hu X. Behavioral screening tools for identifying autism in macaques: existing and promising tests. Brain Res Bull 2019; 146:87-93. [PMID: 30605712 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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32
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Yamashita Y, Makinodan M, Toritsuka M, Yamauchi T, Ikawa D, Kimoto S, Komori T, Takada R, Kayashima Y, Hamano-Iwasa K, Tsujii M, Matsuzaki H, Kishimoto T. Anti-inflammatory Effect of Ghrelin in Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines From Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:152. [PMID: 30971960 PMCID: PMC6443989 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut hormone ghrelin has been implicated in a variety of functional roles in the central nervous system through the brain-gut axis, one of which is an anti-inflammatory effect. An aberrant brain-gut axis producing immune dysfunction has been implicated in the pathobiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and elevated expression of inflammatory markers has been shown in blood and brain tissue from subjects with ASD. We hypothesized that ghrelin may mitigate this effect. Lymphoblastoid cell lines from typically developed children (TD-C) (N = 20) and children with ASD (ASD-C) (N = 20) were cultured with PBS or human ghrelin (0.01 μM) for 24 h, and mRNA expression levels of the inflammation-related molecules interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were measured to examine the effects of ghrelin as an anti-inflammatory agent. Expression levels of TNF-α and NF-κB mRNA, but not IL-1β or IL-6, were significantly elevated in ASD-C compared to TD-C. Ghrelin showed a tendency to reduce the expression of TNF-α and NF-κB, but this was not statistically significant. Considering the heterogenous pathobiology of ASD, we examined the effects of ghrelin on TD-C and ASD-C with expression levels of TNF-α and NF-κB in the highest and lowest quartiles. We found that ghrelin markedly reduced mRNA expression of TNF-α and NF-κB s in ASD-C with highest-quartile expression, but there were no effects in ASD-C with lowest-quartile expression, TD-C with highest quartile expression, or TD-C with lowest quartile expression. Together, these findings suggest that ghrelin has potential as a novel therapeutic agent for ASD with inflammation and/or immune dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunori Yamashita
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan
| | - Manabu Makinodan
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan
| | - Michihiro Toritsuka
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan
| | - Takahira Yamauchi
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan
| | - Daisuke Ikawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan
| | - Sohei Kimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan
| | - Takashi Komori
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan
| | - Ryohei Takada
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Kayashima
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan
| | - Kaori Hamano-Iwasa
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan
| | | | - Hideo Matsuzaki
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.,Department of Development of Functional Brain Activities, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Kishimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan
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33
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Neufeld J, Hsu CT, Chakrabarti B. Atypical Reward-Driven Modulation of Mimicry-Related Neural Activity in Autism. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:327. [PMID: 31156477 PMCID: PMC6532344 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social functioning and difficulties in forming social bonds. According to the social motivation theory of ASD, people with ASD fail to attend social stimuli because they do not experience them as rewarding, resulting in deficits in social cognition. In neurotypical (NT) individuals, more rewarding faces have been shown to elicit greater spontaneous facial mimicry. This association between reward and mimicry is reduced in people with high autistic traits, suggesting that altered reward processing might explain the deficits in spontaneous facial mimicry observed in individuals with ASD. In a previous study, we observed that learned reward value of a face modulates mimicry-related neural response to it and that this modulation is reduced in people with high autistic traits. Using an identical evaluative conditioning paradigm where neutral faces were conditioned with high and low rewards, we tested the modulating effect of reward value on mimicry-related brain activity in a group of adults with and without ASD. We focused on the activity in a cluster within the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) identified through an independent meta-analysis of 139 neuroimaging studies of mimicry, in response to passively viewing videos of the conditioned faces. The blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) response contrast of high- vs. low-reward faces was reduced in participants with ASD compared to NT controls. The extent of reward-driven modulation was negatively correlated with autistic traits across the whole sample. Our results indicate that the mimicry-related brain response is less modulated by learned reward value in individuals with ASD when compared to NT controls. In previous studies, we found in a similar sample that being mimicked by faces was associated with less reward-related brain response in individuals ASD compared to an NT sample, suggesting that the link between reward and mimicry is affected in both directions in ASD. Together, this reduced bidirectional link between reward and mimicry can point to a potential mechanism underlying some of the social cognitive features of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Neufeld
- Centre for Autism, School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom.,Karolinska Institutet Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, CAP Research Centre, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chun-Ting Hsu
- Centre for Autism, School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom.,Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Bhismadev Chakrabarti
- Centre for Autism, School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
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