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Wilkes BJ, Archer DB, Farmer AL, Bass C, Korah H, Vaillancourt DE, Lewis MH. Cortico-basal ganglia white matter microstructure is linked to restricted repetitive behavior in autism spectrum disorder. Mol Autism 2024; 15:6. [PMID: 38254158 PMCID: PMC10804694 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00581-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Restricted repetitive behavior (RRB) is one of two behavioral domains required for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Neuroimaging is widely used to study brain alterations associated with ASD and the domain of social and communication deficits, but there has been less work regarding brain alterations linked to RRB. METHODS We utilized neuroimaging data from the National Institute of Mental Health Data Archive to assess basal ganglia and cerebellum structure in a cohort of children and adolescents with ASD compared to typically developing (TD) controls. We evaluated regional gray matter volumes from T1-weighted anatomical scans and assessed diffusion-weighted scans to quantify white matter microstructure with free-water imaging. We also investigated the interaction of biological sex and ASD diagnosis on these measures, and their correlation with clinical scales of RRB. RESULTS Individuals with ASD had significantly lower free-water corrected fractional anisotropy (FAT) and higher free-water (FW) in cortico-basal ganglia white matter tracts. These microstructural differences did not interact with biological sex. Moreover, both FAT and FW in basal ganglia white matter tracts significantly correlated with measures of RRB. In contrast, we found no significant difference in basal ganglia or cerebellar gray matter volumes. LIMITATIONS The basal ganglia and cerebellar regions in this study were selected due to their hypothesized relevance to RRB. Differences between ASD and TD individuals that may occur outside the basal ganglia and cerebellum, and their potential relationship to RRB, were not evaluated. CONCLUSIONS These new findings demonstrate that cortico-basal ganglia white matter microstructure is altered in ASD and linked to RRB. FW in cortico-basal ganglia and intra-basal ganglia white matter was more sensitive to group differences in ASD, whereas cortico-basal ganglia FAT was more closely linked to RRB. In contrast, basal ganglia and cerebellar volumes did not differ in ASD. There was no interaction between ASD diagnosis and sex-related differences in brain structure. Future diffusion imaging investigations in ASD may benefit from free-water estimation and correction in order to better understand how white matter is affected in ASD, and how such measures are linked to RRB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley J Wilkes
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 118205, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
| | - Derek B Archer
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Anna L Farmer
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Carly Bass
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Hannah Korah
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - David E Vaillancourt
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 118205, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neurology, Fixel Center for Neurological Diseases, Program in Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Mark H Lewis
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Conti PCR, Cunha CO, Conti ACDCF, Bonjardim LR, Barbosa JS, Costa YM. Secondary bruxism: A valid diagnosis or just a coincidental finding of additional masticatory muscle activity? A narrative review of literature. J Oral Rehabil 2024; 51:74-86. [PMID: 37688286 DOI: 10.1111/joor.13592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bruxism is defined as a repetitive masticatory muscle activity that can manifest it upon awakening (awake bruxism-AB) or during sleep (sleep bruxism-SB). Some forms of both, AB and SB can be associated to many other coexistent factors, considered of risk for the initiation and maintenance of the bruxism. Although controversial, the term 'secondary bruxism' has frequently been used to label these cases. The absence of an adequate definition of bruxism, the non-distinction between the circadian manifestations and the report of many different measurement techniques, however, are important factors to be considered when judging the literature findings. The use (and abuse) of drugs, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and psychoactive substances, the presence of respiratory disorders during sleep, gastroesophageal reflux disorders and movement, neurological and psychiatric disorders are among these factors. The scarcity of controlled studies and the complexity and interactions among all aforementioned factors, unfortunately, does not allow to establish any causality or temporal association with SB and AB. The supposition that variables are related depends on different parameters, not clearly demonstrated in the available studies. OBJECTIVES This narrative review aims at providing oral health care professionals with an update on the co-risk factors and disorders possibly associated with bruxism. In addition, the authors discuss the appropriateness of the term 'secondary bruxism' as a valid diagnostic category based on the available evidence. CONCLUSION The absence of an adequate definition of bruxism, the non-distinction between the circadian manifestations and the report of many different measurement techniques found in many studies preclude any solid and convincing conclusion on the existence of the 'secondary' bruxism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Cesar R Conti
- Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontics, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
- Bauru Orofacial Group, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
| | - Carolina Ortigosa Cunha
- Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontics, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
- Bauru Orofacial Group, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
| | - Ana Cláudia de Castro F Conti
- Bauru Orofacial Group, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
- Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
| | - Leonardo R Bonjardim
- Bauru Orofacial Group, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
- Department of Biologic Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
| | | | - Yuri Martins Costa
- Bauru Orofacial Group, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
- Department of Biosciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Brazil
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Mai AS, Yau CE, Tseng FS, Foo QXJ, Wang DQ, Tan EK. Linking autism spectrum disorders and parkinsonism: clinical and genetic association. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2023; 10:484-496. [PMID: 36738194 PMCID: PMC10109258 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise many complex and clinically distinct neurodevelopmental conditions, with increasing evidence linking them to parkinsonism. METHODS We searched Medline and Embase from inception to 21 March 2022 and reviewed the bibliographies of relevant articles. Studies were screened and reviewed comprehensively by two independent authors. RESULTS Of 863 references from our search, we included eight clinical studies, nine genetic studies, and five case reports. Regardless of age group, Parkinson's disease (PD) and parkinsonian syndromes were more frequently observed in patients with ASD, though the evidence for increased rates of parkinsonism is less clear for children and adolescents. Parkinsonian features and hypokinetic behavior were common in Rett syndrome, with prevalence estimates ranging from 40% to 80%. Frequently observed parkinsonian features include bradykinesia, rigidity, hypomimia, and gait freezing. PD gene PARK2 copy number variations appear more frequently in ASD cases than controls. Evidence suggests that RIT2 and CD157/BST1 are implicated in ASD and PD, while the evidence for other PD-related genes (DRD2, GPCR37, the SLC gene family, and SMPD1) is less clear. Rare mutations, such as ATP13A2, CLN3, and WDR45, could result in autistic behavior and concomitant parkinsonism. CONCLUSION The prevalence of parkinsonism in ASD is substantially greater than in the general population or matched controls. Various PD-associated gene loci, especially PARK2, could confer susceptibility to ASD as well. Important future directions include conducting prospective cohort studies to understand how parkinsonian symptoms may progress, genetic studies to reveal relevant gene loci, and pathophysiologic studies to identify potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Shengting Mai
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chun En Yau
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Fan Shuen Tseng
- Department of Neurology, Singapore General Hospital Campus, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qi Xuan Joel Foo
- Department of Neurology, Singapore General Hospital Campus, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dennis Qing Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Eng-King Tan
- Department of Neurology, Singapore General Hospital Campus, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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Bo J, Acluche F, Lasutschinkow PC, Augustiniak A, Ditchfield N, Lajiness-O'Neill R. Motor networks in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review on EEG studies. Exp Brain Res 2022; 240:3073-3087. [PMID: 36260095 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06483-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Motor disturbance and altered motor networks are commonly reported in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It has been suggested that electroencephalogram (EEG) can be used to provide exquisite temporal resolution for understanding motor control processes in ASD. However, the variability of study design and EEG approaches can impact our interpretation. Here, we conducted a systematic review on recent 11 EEG studies that involve motor observation and/or execution tasks and evaluated how these findings help us understand motor difficulties in ASD. Three behavior paradigms with different EEG analytic methods were demonstrated. The main findings were quite mixed: children with ASD did not always show disrupted neuronal activity during motor observation. Additionally, they might have intact ability for movement execution but have more difficulties in neuronal modulation during movement preparation. We would like to promote discussions on how methodological selections of behavioral tasks and data analytic approaches impact our interpretation of motor deficits in ASD. Future EEG research addressing the inconsistency across methodological approaches is necessary to help us understand neurophysiological mechanism of motor abnormalities in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Bo
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, 341 MJ Science Building, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA. .,Neuroscience Program, Eastern Michigan University, 341 MJ Science Building, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA.
| | - Frantzy Acluche
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, 341 MJ Science Building, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA
| | - Patricia C Lasutschinkow
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, 341 MJ Science Building, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA
| | - Alyssa Augustiniak
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, 341 MJ Science Building, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA
| | - Noelle Ditchfield
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, 341 MJ Science Building, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA
| | - Renee Lajiness-O'Neill
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, 341 MJ Science Building, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA.,Neuroscience Program, Eastern Michigan University, 341 MJ Science Building, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA
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5
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Luconi E, Togni L, Mascitti M, Tesei A, Nori A, Barlattani A, Procaccini M, Santarelli A. Bruxism in Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 57:medicina57030224. [PMID: 33804484 PMCID: PMC7999026 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57030224] [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: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The role of bruxism in children and adolescents with Down syndrome, the most often diagnosed congenital syndrome, is still unclear. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a narrative review of the literature about bruxism in children and adolescents with Down syndrome to identify the prevalence, risk factors, and possible treatments of this disorder. Although an accurate estimate of its prevalence could not be inferred, it appears that bruxism is more prevalent in Down syndrome individuals rather than in the general pediatric population. No gender difference was observed, but a reduction in its prevalence was described with increasing age (around 12 years). The variability in the diagnostic techniques contributed to the heterogeneity of the literature data. Clinicopathological features of Down syndrome, such as muscle spasticity, oral breathing, and a predisposition to obstructive sleep apnea, may suggest a higher prevalence of bruxism in this patient group. Finally, given the paucity of studies on the management of bruxism in this population, it was not possible to outline a standard protocol for the non-invasive treatment of cases in which an observational approach is not sufficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Luconi
- Department of Surgical and Special Odontostomatology, Umberto I General Hospital, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (E.L.); (A.T.); (A.N.)
| | - Lucrezia Togni
- Department of Clinical Specialistic and Dental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (L.T.); (M.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Marco Mascitti
- Department of Clinical Specialistic and Dental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (L.T.); (M.P.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-071-2206226
| | - Andrea Tesei
- Department of Surgical and Special Odontostomatology, Umberto I General Hospital, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (E.L.); (A.T.); (A.N.)
| | - Alessandra Nori
- Department of Surgical and Special Odontostomatology, Umberto I General Hospital, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (E.L.); (A.T.); (A.N.)
| | - Alberta Barlattani
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maurizio Procaccini
- Department of Clinical Specialistic and Dental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (L.T.); (M.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Andrea Santarelli
- Department of Clinical Specialistic and Dental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (L.T.); (M.P.); (A.S.)
- Dentistry Clinic, National Institute of Health and Science of Aging, IRCCS INRCA, 60124 Ancona, Italy
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The Role of Alpha-Synuclein and Other Parkinson's Genes in Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165724. [PMID: 32785033 PMCID: PMC7460874 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental and late-onset neurodegenerative disorders present as separate entities that are clinically and neuropathologically quite distinct. However, recent evidence has highlighted surprising commonalities and converging features at the clinical, genomic, and molecular level between these two disease spectra. This is particularly striking in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Genetic causes and risk factors play a central role in disease pathophysiology and enable the identification of overlapping mechanisms and pathways. Here, we focus on clinico-genetic studies of causal variants and overlapping clinical and cellular features of ASD and PD. Several genes and genomic regions were selected for our review, including SNCA (alpha-synuclein), PARK2 (parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase), chromosome 22q11 deletion/DiGeorge region, and FMR1 (fragile X mental retardation 1) repeat expansion, which influence the development of both ASD and PD, with converging features related to synaptic function and neurogenesis. Both PD and ASD display alterations and impairments at the synaptic level, representing early and key disease phenotypes, which support the hypothesis of converging mechanisms between the two types of diseases. Therefore, understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms might inform on common targets and therapeutic approaches. We propose to re-conceptualize how we understand these disorders and provide a new angle into disease targets and mechanisms linking neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegeneration.
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Mostert-Kerckhoffs MAL, Willems AE, Tenback DE, Koning JP, Van Harten P, Staal WG. Motor Disturbance in ASD: A Pilot Study Showing Hypokinetic Behavior? J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 50:415-428. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04171-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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8
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Taoufik E, Kouroupi G, Zygogianni O, Matsas R. Synaptic dysfunction in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases: an overview of induced pluripotent stem-cell-based disease models. Open Biol 2019; 8:rsob.180138. [PMID: 30185603 PMCID: PMC6170506 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.180138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic dysfunction in CNS disorders is the outcome of perturbations in physiological synapse structure and function, and can be either the cause or the consequence in specific pathologies. Accumulating data in the field of neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, point to a neurodevelopmental origin of these pathologies. Due to a relatively early onset of behavioural and cognitive symptoms, it is generally acknowledged that mental illness initiates at the synapse level. On the other hand, synaptic dysfunction has been considered as an endpoint incident in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's, mainly due to the considerably later onset of clinical symptoms and progressive appearance of cognitive deficits. This dichotomy has recently been challenged, particularly since the discovery of cell reprogramming technologies and the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from patient somatic cells. The creation of 'disease-in-a-dish' models for multiple CNS pathologies has revealed unexpected commonalities in the molecular and cellular mechanisms operating in both developmental and degenerative conditions, most of which meet at the synapse level. In this review we discuss synaptic dysfunction in prototype neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, emphasizing overlapping features of synaptopathy that have been suggested by studies using induced pluripotent stem-cell-based systems. These valuable disease models have highlighted a potential neurodevelopmental component in classical neurodegenerative diseases that is worth pursuing and investigating further. Moving from demonstration of correlation to understanding mechanistic causality forms the basis for developing novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Era Taoufik
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology-Stem Cells, Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vassilissis Sofias Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Kouroupi
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology-Stem Cells, Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vassilissis Sofias Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Ourania Zygogianni
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology-Stem Cells, Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vassilissis Sofias Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Rebecca Matsas
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology-Stem Cells, Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vassilissis Sofias Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece
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Prescription Drug Use and Polypharmacy Among Medicaid-Enrolled Adults with Autism: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Analysis. Drugs Real World Outcomes 2016; 3:409-425. [PMID: 27873285 PMCID: PMC5127876 DOI: 10.1007/s40801-016-0096-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A lack of gold standard treatment for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), no clear ASD management guidelines, and lack of evidence-based pharmacological interventions other than aripiprazole and risperidone elevate the risk of off-label prescribing and adverse effects among individuals with ASD, more so among adults. Objective The aim of this study was to identify and compare the types of prescription drug use, rates of polypharmacy, and characteristics associated with polypharmacy among adults with and without ASD in a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of a three-state Medicaid Analytic eXtract database (2000–2008). Methods Adults aged 22–64 years with ASD (ICD9-CM code: 299.xx) were propensity score-matched to ‘no ASD’ controls by age, sex, and race. General polypharmacy (≥6 unique classes of prescription drugs in a year) and psychotropic polypharmacy (≥3 unique prescription drug classes of psychotropic medications within a 90-day period) were the main study outcomes. Chi-square tests for rates, t tests for mean number of claims, and multivariate logistic regressions for likelihood of prescription drug use and polypharmacy were run. Results Annually, almost 75% of adults with ASD had >20 prescription drug claims compared with 33% of adults without ASD. Around 85% of adults with ASD used at least one psychotropic drug class compared with 42% of adults without ASD. Highly common psychotropics were antipsychotics (66%ASD vs 20%noASD), anticonvulsants (59%ASD vs 20%noASD), and anxiolytics/hypnotics/sedatives (21%ASD vs 11%noASD). Other than psychotropics, many adults with ASD used medical prescription drugs such as antimicrobials (47%), dermatologic agents (48%), respiratory agents (38%), gastrointestinal agents (31%), alternative medications (25%), antiparkinsonian agents (22.6%), antihyperlipidemics/statins (7.3%), and immunologics (2.0%). Rates of general (48%ASD vs 32%noASD) and psychotropic polypharmacy (19%ASD vs 6%noASD) were significantly higher in the ASD group. Conclusion Prescription drug use and polypharmacy rates among adults with ASD are substantially higher than those in an age-, sex-, and race-matched cohort of adults without ASD. Adults with ASD frequently use therapeutic treatments other than psychotropics. Healthcare providers, who usually report low confidence in treating patients with ASD, should play an active role in constant monitoring of prescription drug use patterns and patient response to interventions. Prescribers and caregivers are encouraged to make decisions after weighing the benefits and risks associated with a pharmacological treatment. Further investigations into the common use of any alternative treatments that can affect a patient’s response to core treatments should also be conducted. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s40801-016-0096-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Emamalizadeh B, Jamshidi J, Movafagh A, Ohadi M, khaniani MS, Kazeminasab S, Biglarian A, Taghavi S, Motallebi M, Fazeli A, Ahmadifard A, Shahidi GA, Petramfar P, Shahmohammadibeni N, Dadkhah T, Khademi E, Tafakhori A, Khaligh A, Safaralizadeh T, Kowsari A, Mirabzadeh A, Zarneh AES, Khorrami M, Shokraeian P, Banavandi MJS, Lima BS, Andarva M, Alehabib E, Atakhorrami M, Darvish H. RIT2 Polymorphisms: Is There a Differential Association? Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:2234-2240. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-9815-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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A common molecular signature in ASD gene expression: following Root 66 to autism. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e705. [PMID: 26731442 PMCID: PMC5068868 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2015] [Revised: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Several gene expression experiments on autism spectrum disorders have been conducted using both blood and brain tissue. Individually, these studies have advanced our understanding of the molecular systems involved in the molecular pathology of autism and have formed the bases of ongoing work to build autism biomarkers. In this study, we conducted an integrated systems biology analysis of 9 independent gene expression experiments covering 657 autism, 9 mental retardation and developmental delay and 566 control samples to determine if a common signature exists and to test whether regulatory patterns in the brain relevant to autism can also be detected in blood. We constructed a matrix of differentially expressed genes from these experiments and used a Jaccard coefficient to create a gene-based phylogeny, validated by bootstrap. As expected, experiments and tissue types clustered together with high statistical confidence. However, we discovered a statistically significant subgrouping of 3 blood and 2 brain data sets from 3 different experiments rooted by a highly correlated regulatory pattern of 66 genes. This Root 66 appeared to be non-random and of potential etiologic relevance to autism, given their enriched roles in neurological processes key for normal brain growth and function, learning and memory, neurodegeneration, social behavior and cognition. Our results suggest that there is a detectable autism signature in the blood that may be a molecular echo of autism-related dysregulation in the brain.
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12
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Starkstein S, Gellar S, Parlier M, Payne L, Piven J. High rates of parkinsonism in adults with autism. J Neurodev Disord 2015; 7:29. [PMID: 26322138 PMCID: PMC4553212 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-015-9125-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While it is now recognized that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is typically a life-long condition, there exist only a handful of systematic studies on middle-aged and older adults with this condition. Methods We first performed a structured examination of parkinsonian motor signs in a hypothesis-generating, pilot study (study I) of 19 adults with ASD over 49 years of age. Observing high rates of parkinsonism in those off atypical neuroleptics (2/12, 17 %) in comparison to published population rates for Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism, we examined a second sample of 37 adults with ASD, over 39 years of age, using a structured neurological assessment for parkinsonism. Results Twelve of the 37 subjects (32 %) met the diagnostic criteria for parkinsonism; however, of these, 29 subjects were on atypical neuroleptics, complicating interpretation of the findings. Two of eight (25 %) subjects not taking atypical neuroleptic medications met the criteria for parkinsonism. Combining subjects who were not currently taking atypical neuroleptic medications, across both studies, we conservatively classified 4/20 (20 %) with parkinsonism. Conclusions We find a high frequency of parkinsonism among ASD individuals older than 39 years. If high rates of parkinsonism and potentially Parkinson’s disease are confirmed in subsequent studies of ASD, this observation has important implications for understanding the neurobiology of autism and treatment of manifestations in older adults. Given the prevalence of autism in school-age children, the recognition of its life-long natural history, and the recognition of the aging of western societies, these findings also support the importance of further systematic study of other aspects of older adults with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Starkstein
- Fremantle Hospital, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia Australia ; Autism Association of Western Australia, Western Australia, WA 6008 Australia ; School of Psychiatry, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia Australia
| | - Scott Gellar
- Fremantle Hospital, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia Australia
| | - Morgan Parlier
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 3367, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Leslie Payne
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 3367, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Joseph Piven
- Fremantle Hospital, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia Australia ; Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 3367, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
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Correia C, Oliveira G, Vicente AM. Protein interaction networks reveal novel autism risk genes within GWAS statistical noise. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112399. [PMID: 25409314 PMCID: PMC4237351 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) thus far met limited success in the identification of common risk variants, consistent with the notion that variants with small individual effects cannot be detected individually in single SNP analysis. To further capture disease risk gene information from ASD association studies, we applied a network-based strategy to the Autism Genome Project (AGP) and the Autism Genetics Resource Exchange GWAS datasets, combining family-based association data with Human Protein-Protein interaction (PPI) data. Our analysis showed that autism-associated proteins at higher than conventional levels of significance (P<0.1) directly interact more than random expectation and are involved in a limited number of interconnected biological processes, indicating that they are functionally related. The functionally coherent networks generated by this approach contain ASD-relevant disease biology, as demonstrated by an improved positive predictive value and sensitivity in retrieving known ASD candidate genes relative to the top associated genes from either GWAS, as well as a higher gene overlap between the two ASD datasets. Analysis of the intersection between the networks obtained from the two ASD GWAS and six unrelated disease datasets identified fourteen genes exclusively present in the ASD networks. These are mostly novel genes involved in abnormal nervous system phenotypes in animal models, and in fundamental biological processes previously implicated in ASD, such as axon guidance, cell adhesion or cytoskeleton organization. Overall, our results highlighted novel susceptibility genes previously hidden within GWAS statistical "noise" that warrant further analysis for causal variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Correia
- Departamento de Promoção da Saúde e Doenças não Transmissíveis, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
- Center for Biodiversity, Functional & Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Guiomar Oliveira
- Unidade Neurodesenvolvimento e Autismo, Centro de Desenvolvimento, Hospital Pediátrico (HP) do Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), 3000-602 Coimbra, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação e Formação Clinica do HP-CHUC, 3000-602 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Astrid M. Vicente
- Departamento de Promoção da Saúde e Doenças não Transmissíveis, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
- Center for Biodiversity, Functional & Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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14
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Neil N, Sturmey P. Assessment and Treatment of Obsessions and Compulsions in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: a Systematic Review. REVIEW JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s40489-013-0006-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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15
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Abstract
Despite being largely characterized as a social and cognitive disorder, strong evidence indicates the presence of significant sensory-motor problems in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This paper outlines our progression from initial, broad assessment using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC2) to subsequent targeted kinematic assessment. In particular, pronounced ASD impairment seen in the broad categories of manual dexterity and ball skills was found to be routed in specific difficulties on isolated tasks, which were translated into focused experimental assessment. Kinematic results from both subsequent studies highlight impaired use of perception-action coupling to guide, adapt and tailor movement to task demands, resulting in inflexible and rigid motor profiles. In particular difficulties with the use of temporal adaption are shown, with "hyperdexterity" witnessed in ballistic movement profiles, often at the cost of spatial accuracy and task performance. By linearly progressing from the use of a standardized assessment tool to targeted kinematic assessment, clear and defined links are drawn between measureable difficulties and underlying sensory-motor assessment. Results are specifically viewed in-light of perception-action coupling and its role in early infant development suggesting that rather than being "secondary" level impairment, sensory-motor problems may be fundamental in the progression of ASD. This logical and systematic process thus allows a further understanding into the potential root of observable motor problems in ASD; a vital step if underlying motor problems are to be considered a fundamental aspect of autism and allow a route of non-invasive preliminary diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Whyatt
- Department of Psychology, Queen's University BelfastBelfast, Antrim, UK
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16
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Young AMH, Campbell EC, Lynch S, Dunn MH, Powis SJ, Suckling J. Regional susceptibility to TNF-α induction of murine brain inflammation via classical IKK/NF-κB signalling. PLoS One 2012; 7:e39049. [PMID: 22701747 PMCID: PMC3372464 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Accepted: 05/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
It is becoming clear that inflammation plays a significant role in a number of neurological and psychiatric conditions. Post mortem brain samples in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia and most recently autism spectrum condition, all exhibit neuroglial activation and inflammatory markers within the CSF. Many questions remain about the underlying molecular mechanisms. By adding the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF-α, to mouse brain tissue we demonstrated that the frontal lobes and temporal region, areas involved in higher functions such as memory and learning, are most susceptible to cytokine-induced inflammation via the NF-κB signalling pathway. We observed direct correlations between the volumetric increase and molecular expression indicating that therapeutic targets in these lobes may require different approaches when treating conditions with a central neuroinflammatory component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam M. H. Young
- School of Medicine, University of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Elaine C. Campbell
- School of Medicine, University of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Lynch
- School of Medicine, University of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Malcolm H. Dunn
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Simon J. Powis
- School of Medicine, University of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - John Suckling
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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17
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Thomas MA, Klaper RD. Psychoactive pharmaceuticals induce fish gene expression profiles associated with human idiopathic autism. PLoS One 2012; 7:e32917. [PMID: 22701549 PMCID: PMC3368908 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2011] [Accepted: 02/06/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic autism, caused by genetic susceptibility interacting with unknown environmental triggers, has increased dramatically in the past 25 years. Identifying environmental triggers has been difficult due to poorly understood pathophysiology and subjective definitions of autism. The use of antidepressants by pregnant women has been associated with autism. These and other unmetabolized psychoactive pharmaceuticals (UPPs) have also been found in drinking water from surface sources, providing another possible exposure route and raising questions about human health consequences. Here, we examined gene expression patterns of fathead minnows treated with a mixture of three psychoactive pharmaceuticals (fluoxetine, venlafaxine & carbamazepine) in dosages intended to be similar to the highest observed conservative estimates of environmental concentrations. We conducted microarray experiments examining brain tissue of fish exposed to individual pharmaceuticals and a mixture of all three. We used gene-class analysis to test for enrichment of gene sets involved with ten human neurological disorders. Only sets associated with idiopathic autism were unambiguously enriched. We found that UPPs induce autism-like gene expression patterns in fish. Our findings suggest a new potential trigger for idiopathic autism in genetically susceptible individuals involving an overlooked source of environmental contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Thomas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University School, Pocatello, Idaho, United States of America.
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18
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Fournier KA, Hass CJ, Naik SK, Lodha N, Cauraugh JH. Motor coordination in autism spectrum disorders: a synthesis and meta-analysis. J Autism Dev Disord 2011; 40:1227-40. [PMID: 20195737 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-010-0981-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 618] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Are motor coordination deficits an underlying cardinal feature of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)? Database searches identified 83 ASD studies focused on motor coordination, arm movements, gait, or postural stability deficits. Data extraction involved between-group comparisons for ASD and typically developing controls (N = 51). Rigorous meta-analysis techniques including random effects models, forest and funnel plots, I (2), publication bias, fail-safe analysis, and moderator variable analyses determined a significant standardized mean difference effect equal to 1.20 (SE = 0.144; p <0.0001; Z = 10.49). This large effect indicated substantial motor coordination deficits in the ASD groups across a wide range of behaviors. The current overall findings portray motor coordination deficits as pervasive across diagnoses, thus, a cardinal feature of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Fournier
- Applied Physiology and Kinesiology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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19
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Fournier KA, Hass CJ, Naik SK, Lodha N, Cauraugh JH. Motor coordination in autism spectrum disorders: a synthesis and meta-analysis. J Autism Dev Disord 2010. [PMID: 20195737 DOI: 10.1007/s10803‐010‐0981‐3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Are motor coordination deficits an underlying cardinal feature of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)? Database searches identified 83 ASD studies focused on motor coordination, arm movements, gait, or postural stability deficits. Data extraction involved between-group comparisons for ASD and typically developing controls (N = 51). Rigorous meta-analysis techniques including random effects models, forest and funnel plots, I (2), publication bias, fail-safe analysis, and moderator variable analyses determined a significant standardized mean difference effect equal to 1.20 (SE = 0.144; p <0.0001; Z = 10.49). This large effect indicated substantial motor coordination deficits in the ASD groups across a wide range of behaviors. The current overall findings portray motor coordination deficits as pervasive across diagnoses, thus, a cardinal feature of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Fournier
- Applied Physiology and Kinesiology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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