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Duan K, Eyler L, Pierce K, Lombardo MV, Datko M, Hagler DJ, Taluja V, Zahiri J, Campbell K, Barnes CC, Arias S, Nalabolu S, Troxel J, Ji P, Courchesne E. Differences in regional brain structure in toddlers with autism are related to future language outcomes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5075. [PMID: 38871689 PMCID: PMC11176156 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48952-4] [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: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Language and social symptoms improve with age in some autistic toddlers, but not in others, and such outcome differences are not clearly predictable from clinical scores alone. Here we aim to identify early-age brain alterations in autism that are prognostic of future language ability. Leveraging 372 longitudinal structural MRI scans from 166 autistic toddlers and 109 typical toddlers and controlling for brain size, we find that, compared to typical toddlers, autistic toddlers show differentially larger or thicker temporal and fusiform regions; smaller or thinner inferior frontal lobe and midline structures; larger callosal subregion volume; and smaller cerebellum. Most differences are replicated in an independent cohort of 75 toddlers. These brain alterations improve accuracy for predicting language outcome at 6-month follow-up beyond intake clinical and demographic variables. Temporal, fusiform, and inferior frontal alterations are related to autism symptom severity and cognitive impairments at early intake ages. Among autistic toddlers, brain alterations in social, language and face processing areas enhance the prediction of the child's future language ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuaikuai Duan
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
| | - Lisa Eyler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- VISN 22 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
| | - Karen Pierce
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Michael V Lombardo
- Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, 38068, Italy
| | - Michael Datko
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Donald J Hagler
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Vani Taluja
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Javad Zahiri
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Kathleen Campbell
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Cynthia Carter Barnes
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Steven Arias
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Srinivasa Nalabolu
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Jaden Troxel
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Peng Ji
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Eric Courchesne
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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Horata E, Ay H, Aslan D. Autistic-like behaviour and changes in thalamic cell numbers a rat model of valproic acid-induced autism; A behavioural and stereological study. Brain Res 2024; 1840:149047. [PMID: 38823508 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.149047] [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: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
The contribution of the thalamus to the development and behavioural changes in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a neurodevelopmental syndrome, remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in thalamic volume and cell number in the valproic acid (VPA)-induced ASD model using stereological methods and to clarify the relationship between thalamus and ASD-like behaviour. Ten pregnant rats were administered a single dose (600 mg/kg) of VPA intraperitoneally on G12.5 (VPA group), while five pregnant rats were injected with 5 ml saline (control group). Behavioural tests were performed to determine appropriate subjects and ASD-like behaviours. At P55, the brains of the subjects were removed. The sagittal sections were stained with cresyl violet and toluidine blue. The thalamic and hemispheric volumes with their ratios, the total number of thalamic cells, neurons and non-neuronal cells were calculated using stereological methods. Data were compared using a t-test and a Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between behaviour and stereological outcomes. VPA-treated rats had lower sociability and sociability indexes. There was no difference in social novelty preference and anxiety. The VPA group had larger hemispheric volume, lower thalamic volume, and fewer neurons. The highest percentage decrease was in non-neuronal cells. There was a moderate positive correlation between the number of non-neuronal cells and sociability, thalamic volume and the number of neurons as well as the time spent in the light box. The correlation between behaviour and stereological data suggests that the thalamus is associated with ASD-like behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erdal Horata
- Orthopedic Prosthesis Orthotics, Atatürk Health Services Vocational School, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
| | - Hakan Ay
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Duygu Aslan
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey
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Courchesne E, Taluja V, Nazari S, Aamodt CM, Pierce K, Duan K, Stophaeros S, Lopez L, Barnes CC, Troxel J, Campbell K, Wang T, Hoekzema K, Eichler EE, Nani JV, Pontes W, Sanchez SS, Lombardo MV, de Souza JS, Hayashi MAF, Muotri AR. Embryonic origin of two ASD subtypes of social symptom severity: the larger the brain cortical organoid size, the more severe the social symptoms. Mol Autism 2024; 15:22. [PMID: 38790065 PMCID: PMC11127428 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-024-00602-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social affective and communication symptoms are central to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet their severity differs across toddlers: Some toddlers with ASD display improving abilities across early ages and develop good social and language skills, while others with "profound" autism have persistently low social, language and cognitive skills and require lifelong care. The biological origins of these opposite ASD social severity subtypes and developmental trajectories are not known. METHODS Because ASD involves early brain overgrowth and excess neurons, we measured size and growth in 4910 embryonic-stage brain cortical organoids (BCOs) from a total of 10 toddlers with ASD and 6 controls (averaging 196 individual BCOs measured/subject). In a 2021 batch, we measured BCOs from 10 ASD and 5 controls. In a 2022 batch, we tested replicability of BCO size and growth effects by generating and measuring an independent batch of BCOs from 6 ASD and 4 control subjects. BCO size was analyzed within the context of our large, one-of-a-kind social symptom, social attention, social brain and social and language psychometric normative datasets ranging from N = 266 to N = 1902 toddlers. BCO growth rates were examined by measuring size changes between 1- and 2-months of organoid development. Neurogenesis markers at 2-months were examined at the cellular level. At the molecular level, we measured activity and expression of Ndel1; Ndel1 is a prime target for cell cycle-activated kinases; known to regulate cell cycle, proliferation, neurogenesis, and growth; and known to be involved in neuropsychiatric conditions. RESULTS At the BCO level, analyses showed BCO size was significantly enlarged by 39% and 41% in ASD in the 2021 and 2022 batches. The larger the embryonic BCO size, the more severe the ASD social symptoms. Correlations between BCO size and social symptoms were r = 0.719 in the 2021 batch and r = 0. 873 in the replication 2022 batch. ASD BCOs grew at an accelerated rate nearly 3 times faster than controls. At the cell level, the two largest ASD BCOs had accelerated neurogenesis. At the molecular level, Ndel1 activity was highly correlated with the growth rate and size of BCOs. Two BCO subtypes were found in ASD toddlers: Those in one subtype had very enlarged BCO size with accelerated rate of growth and neurogenesis; a profound autism clinical phenotype displaying severe social symptoms, reduced social attention, reduced cognitive, very low language and social IQ; and substantially altered growth in specific cortical social, language and sensory regions. Those in a second subtype had milder BCO enlargement and milder social, attention, cognitive, language and cortical differences. LIMITATIONS Larger samples of ASD toddler-derived BCO and clinical phenotypes may reveal additional ASD embryonic subtypes. CONCLUSIONS By embryogenesis, the biological bases of two subtypes of ASD social and brain development-profound autism and mild autism-are already present and measurable and involve dysregulated cell proliferation and accelerated neurogenesis and growth. The larger the embryonic BCO size in ASD, the more severe the toddler's social symptoms and the more reduced the social attention, language ability, and IQ, and the more atypical the growth of social and language brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Courchesne
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
| | - Vani Taluja
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Sanaz Nazari
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Caitlin M Aamodt
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Karen Pierce
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Kuaikuai Duan
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Sunny Stophaeros
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Linda Lopez
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Cynthia Carter Barnes
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Jaden Troxel
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Kathleen Campbell
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Tianyun Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Center for Medical Genetics, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Health Commission of China, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Kendra Hoekzema
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Evan E Eichler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Joao V Nani
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Wirla Pontes
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Sandra Sanchez Sanchez
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Michael V Lombardo
- Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Janaina S de Souza
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Mirian A F Hayashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alysson R Muotri
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Rady Children's Hospital, Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), Archealization Center (ArchC), Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Kanlayaprasit S, Saeliw T, Thongkorn S, Panjabud P, Kasitipradit K, Lertpeerapan P, Songsritaya K, Yuwattana W, Jantheang T, Jindatip D, Hu VW, Kikkawa T, Osumi N, Sarachana T. Sex-specific impacts of prenatal bisphenol A exposure on genes associated with cortical development, social behaviors, and autism in the offspring's prefrontal cortex. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:40. [PMID: 38750585 PMCID: PMC11094985 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-024-00614-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown that prenatal BPA exposure altered the transcriptome profiles of autism-related genes in the offspring's hippocampus, disrupting hippocampal neuritogenesis and causing male-specific deficits in learning. However, the sex differences in the effects of prenatal BPA exposure on the developing prefrontal cortex, which is another brain region highly implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), have not been investigated. METHODS We obtained transcriptome data from RNA sequencing analysis of the prefrontal cortex of male and female rat pups prenatally exposed to BPA or control and reanalyzed. BPA-responsive genes associated with cortical development and social behaviors were selected for confirmation by qRT-PCR analysis. Neuritogenesis of primary cells from the prefrontal cortex of pups prenatally exposed to BPA or control was examined. The social behaviors of the pups were assessed using the two-trial and three-chamber tests. The male-specific impact of the downregulation of a selected BPA-responsive gene (i.e., Sema5a) on cortical development in vivo was interrogated using siRNA-mediated knockdown by an in utero electroporation technique. RESULTS Genes disrupted by prenatal BPA exposure were associated with ASD and showed sex-specific dysregulation. Sema5a and Slc9a9, which were involved in neuritogenesis and social behaviors, were downregulated only in males, while Anxa2 and Junb, which were also linked to neuritogenesis and social behaviors, were suppressed only in females. Neuritogenesis was increased in males and showed a strong inverse correlation with Sema5a and Slc9a9 expression levels, whereas, in the females, neuritogenesis was decreased and correlated with Anxa2 and Junb levels. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of Sema5a in males also impaired cortical development in utero. Consistent with Anxa2 and Junb downregulations, deficits in social novelty were observed only in female offspring but not in males. CONCLUSION This is the first study to show that prenatal BPA exposure dysregulated the expression of ASD-related genes and functions, including cortical neuritogenesis and development and social behaviors, in a sex-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that, besides the hippocampus, BPA could also exert its adverse effects through sex-specific molecular mechanisms in the offspring's prefrontal cortex, which in turn would lead to sex differences in ASD-related neuropathology and clinical manifestations, which deserves further investigation.
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Grants
- NRU59-031-HR National Research University Project, Office of Higher Education Commission
- HEA663700091 Thailand Science Research and Innovation Fund Chulalongkorn University
- GRU 6300437001-1 Ratchadapisek Somphot Fund for Supporting Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University
- GRU_64_033_37_004 Ratchadapisek Somphot Fund for Supporting Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University
- GRU 6506537004-1 Ratchadapisek Somphot Fund for Supporting Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University
- the Second Century Fund (C2F), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand the Second Century Fund (C2F), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- the Second Century Fund (C2F), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand the Second Century Fund (C2F), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- the Second Century Fund (C2F), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand the Second Century Fund (C2F), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- the Second Century Fund (C2F), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand the Second Century Fund (C2F), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- PHD/0029/2561 a Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Programme Scholarship, the Thailand Research Fund and National Research Council of Thailand
- N41A650065 a Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Programme Scholarship, the Thailand Research Fund and National Research Council of Thailand
- NRCT5-RGJ63001-018 a Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Programme Scholarship, the Thailand Research Fund and National Research Council of Thailand
- GCUGR1125632108D-108 The 90th Anniversary Chulalongkorn University Fund (Ratchadaphiseksomphot Endowment Fund), Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University
- GCUGR1125632109D-109 The 90th Anniversary Chulalongkorn University Fund (Ratchadaphiseksomphot Endowment Fund), Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University
- GCUGR1125651062D-062 The 90th Anniversary Chulalongkorn University Fund (Ratchadaphiseksomphot Endowment Fund), Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University
- GCUGR1125651060D-060 The 90th Anniversary Chulalongkorn University Fund (Ratchadaphiseksomphot Endowment Fund), Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University
- The 100th Anniversary Chulalongkorn University Fund for Doctoral Scholarship The 100th Anniversary Chulalongkorn University Fund for Doctoral Scholarship
- The 100th Anniversary Chulalongkorn University Fund for Doctoral Scholarship The 100th Anniversary Chulalongkorn University Fund for Doctoral Scholarship
- The 100th Anniversary Chulalongkorn University Fund for Doctoral Scholarship The 100th Anniversary Chulalongkorn University Fund for Doctoral Scholarship
- The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) fund for research and innovation activity The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) fund for research and innovation activity
- The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) fund for research and innovation activity The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) fund for research and innovation activity
- The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) fund for research and innovation activity The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) fund for research and innovation activity
- The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) fund for research and innovation activity The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) fund for research and innovation activity
- The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) fund for research and innovation activity The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) fund for research and innovation activity
- Scholarship from the Graduate School Chulalongkorn University to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibala Aduladeja Scholarship from the Graduate School Chulalongkorn University to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibala Aduladeja
- Chulalongkorn University Laboratory Animal Center (CULAC) Grant Chulalongkorn University Laboratory Animal Center (CULAC) Grant
- PMU-B; B36G660008 Program Management Unit for Human Resources and Institutional Development, Research and Innovation
- CE66_046_3700_003 Ratchadapisek Somphot Fund for Supporting Center of Excellence, Chulalongkorn University
- The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) fund for research and innovation activity
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Affiliation(s)
- Songphon Kanlayaprasit
- Chulalongkorn Autism Research and Innovation Center of Excellence (Chula ACE), Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 154 Soi Chula 12, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok, Wangmai, Pathumwan, 10330, Thailand
| | - Thanit Saeliw
- Chulalongkorn Autism Research and Innovation Center of Excellence (Chula ACE), Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 154 Soi Chula 12, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok, Wangmai, Pathumwan, 10330, Thailand
| | - Surangrat Thongkorn
- Chulalongkorn Autism Research and Innovation Center of Excellence (Chula ACE), Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 154 Soi Chula 12, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok, Wangmai, Pathumwan, 10330, Thailand
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering), Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pawinee Panjabud
- The Ph.D. Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kasidit Kasitipradit
- The Ph.D. Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pattanachat Lertpeerapan
- The Ph.D. Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kwanjira Songsritaya
- The M.Sc. Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wasana Yuwattana
- The Ph.D. Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thanawin Jantheang
- The Ph.D. Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Depicha Jindatip
- Chulalongkorn Autism Research and Innovation Center of Excellence (Chula ACE), Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 154 Soi Chula 12, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok, Wangmai, Pathumwan, 10330, Thailand
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Valerie W Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Takako Kikkawa
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Centers for Advanced Research and Translational Medicine (ART), Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Noriko Osumi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Centers for Advanced Research and Translational Medicine (ART), Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Tewarit Sarachana
- Chulalongkorn Autism Research and Innovation Center of Excellence (Chula ACE), Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 154 Soi Chula 12, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok, Wangmai, Pathumwan, 10330, Thailand.
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5
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Soumier A, Lio G, Demily C. Current and future applications of light-sheet imaging for identifying molecular and developmental processes in autism spectrum disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02487-8. [PMID: 38443634 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02487-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is identified by a set of neurodevelopmental divergences that typically affect the social communication domain. ASD is also characterized by heterogeneous cognitive impairments and is associated with cooccurring physical and medical conditions. As behaviors emerge as the brain matures, it is particularly essential to identify any gaps in neurodevelopmental trajectories during early perinatal life. Here, we introduce the potential of light-sheet imaging for studying developmental biology and cross-scale interactions among genetic, cellular, molecular and macroscale levels of circuitry and connectivity. We first report the core principles of light-sheet imaging and the recent progress in studying brain development in preclinical animal models and human organoids. We also present studies using light-sheet imaging to understand the development and function of other organs, such as the skin and gastrointestinal tract. We also provide information on the potential of light-sheet imaging in preclinical drug development. Finally, we speculate on the translational benefits of light-sheet imaging for studying individual brain-body interactions in advancing ASD research and creating personalized interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelie Soumier
- Le Vinatier Hospital Center, 95 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France.
- iMIND, Center of Excellence for Autism, 95 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France.
- Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, UMR 5229, 67 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France.
- University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 43 boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, 69622, Villeurbanne cedex, France.
| | - Guillaume Lio
- Le Vinatier Hospital Center, 95 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France
- iMIND, Center of Excellence for Autism, 95 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France
- Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, UMR 5229, 67 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France
| | - Caroline Demily
- Le Vinatier Hospital Center, 95 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France
- iMIND, Center of Excellence for Autism, 95 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France
- Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, UMR 5229, 67 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France
- University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 43 boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, 69622, Villeurbanne cedex, France
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6
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Li SY, Zhao X, Cheng MY, Lu L, Guo JX, Xuan DS, Sun YB, Xing QN, Meng LS, Liao JJ, Cui SH, Zhang LJ, Feng ZQ, Zhang XA. Quantitative Relaxometry Assessment of Brain Microstructural Abnormality of Preschool Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder With Synthetic Magnetic Resonance Imaging. J Comput Assist Tomogr 2023; 47:959-966. [PMID: 37948372 DOI: 10.1097/rct.0000000000001507] [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: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to perform an assessment of brain microstructure in children with autism aged 2 to 5 years using relaxation times acquired by synthetic magnetic resonance imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-four children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (ASD group) and 17 children with global developmental delay (GDD) (GDD group) were enrolled, and synthetic magnetic resonance imaging was performed to obtain T1 and T2 relaxation times. The differences in brain relaxation times between the 2 groups of children were compared, and the correlation between significantly changed T1/T2 and clinical neuropsychological scores in the ASD group was analyzed. RESULTS Compared with the GDD group, shortened T1 relaxation times in the ASD group were distributed in the genu of corpus callosum (GCC) ( P = 0.003), splenium of corpus callosum ( P = 0.002), and right thalamus (TH) ( P = 0.014), whereas shortened T2 relaxation times in the ASD group were distributed in GCC ( P = 0.011), left parietal white matter ( P = 0.035), and bilateral TH (right, P = 0.014; left, P = 0.016). In the ASD group, the T2 of the left parietal white matter is positively correlated with gross motor (developmental quotient [DQ] 2) and personal-social behavior (DQ5), respectively ( r = 0.377, P = 0.028; r = 0.392, P = 0.022); the T2 of the GCC was positively correlated with DQ5 ( r = 0.404, P = 0.018); and the T2 of the left TH is positively correlated with DQ2 and DQ5, respectively ( r = 0.433, P = 0.009; r = 0.377, P = 0.028). All significantly changed relaxation values were not significantly correlated with Childhood Autism Rating Scale scores. CONCLUSIONS The shortened relaxometry times in the brain of children with ASD may be associated with the increased myelin content and decreased water content in the brain of children with ASD in comparison with GDD, contributing the understanding of the pathophysiology of ASD. Therefore, the T1 and T2 relaxometry may be used as promising imaging markers for ASD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang-Yu Li
- From the Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou
| | - Xin Zhao
- From the Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou
| | - Mei-Ying Cheng
- From the Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou
| | - Lin Lu
- From the Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou
| | | | - De-Sheng Xuan
- From the Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou
| | - Yong-Bing Sun
- Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qing-Na Xing
- From the Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou
| | - Ling-Song Meng
- From the Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou
| | - Jun-Jie Liao
- From the Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou
| | - Shu-Hong Cui
- From the Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou
| | - Ling-Jie Zhang
- From the Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou
| | - Zhan-Qi Feng
- From the Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou
| | - Xiao-An Zhang
- From the Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou
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7
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Sun Y, Wang L, Gao K, Ying S, Lin W, Humphreys KL, Li G, Niu S, Liu M, Wang L. Self-supervised learning with application for infant cerebellum segmentation and analysis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4717. [PMID: 37543620 PMCID: PMC10404262 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40446-z] [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: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate tissue segmentation is critical to characterize early cerebellar development in the first two postnatal years. However, challenges in tissue segmentation arising from tightly-folded cortex, low and dynamic tissue contrast, and large inter-site data heterogeneity have limited our understanding of early cerebellar development. In this paper, we propose an accurate self-supervised learning framework for infant cerebellum segmentation. We validate its accuracy using 358 subjects from three datasets. Our results suggest the first six months exhibit the most rapid and dynamic changes, with gray matter (GM) playing a dominant role in cerebellar growth over white matter (WM). We also find both GM and WM volumes are larger in males than females, and GM and WM volumes are larger in autistic males than neurotypical males. Application of our method to a larger population will fuel more cerebellar studies, ultimately advancing our comprehension of its structure and function in neurotypical and disordered development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Sun
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Limei Wang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Kun Gao
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Shihui Ying
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Weili Lin
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Kathryn L Humphreys
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA
- Department of Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Sijie Niu
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Mingxia Liu
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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8
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Davoudi S, Rahdar M, Hosseinmardi N, Behzadi G, Janahmadi M. Chronic inhibition of astrocytic aquaporin-4 induces autistic-like behavior in control rat offspring similar to maternal exposure to valproic acid. Physiol Behav 2023:114286. [PMID: 37402416 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114286] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Social communication and interaction deficits, memory impairment, and anxiety-like behavior are characterized in many people identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A thorough understanding of the specific aspects that contribute to the deficiencies associated with ASD can aid research into the etiology of the disorder while also providing targets for more effective intervention. As part of the ASD pathophysiology, alterations in synaptogenesis and abnormal network connections were seen in high-order brain areas, which control social behavior and communication. The early emergence of microglia during nervous system development may contribute to synaptic dysfunction and the pathobiology of ASD. Since aquaporin-4 (AQP4) appears to be required for the basic procedures of synapse activation, certain behavioral and cognitive impairments as well as disturbance in water homeostasis might likely arise from AQP4 deficiency. Here, through the measurement of the water content of the hippocampus and behavioral experiments we aim to explore the contribution of astrocytic AQP4 to the autism-like behavior induced by prenatal valproic acid (VPA) exposure and whether inhibition of AQP4 per se can induce autistic-like behavior in control rats. Microinjection of TGN-020 (10µM, i.c.v), a specific AQP4 inhibitor, for 7 successive days before behavioral tasks from postnatal day 28 to 35 revealed that inhibition of AQP4 in the control offspring caused lower social interaction and locomotor activity, higher anxiety, and decreased ability to recognize novel objects, very similar to the behavioral changes observed in offspring prenatally exposed to VPA. However, VPA-exposed offspring treated with TGN-020, showed no further remarkable behavioral impairments than those detected in the autistic-like rats. Furthermore, both control offspring treated with TGN-020 and offspring exposed to VPA had a considerable accumulation of water in their hippocampi. But AQP4 inhibition did not affect the water status of the autistic-like rats. The findings of this study revealed that control offspring exhibited similar hippocampal water retention and behavioral impairments that were observed in maternal VPA-exposed offspring following inhibition of astrocytic AQP4, whereas, in autistic-like rats, it did not produce any significant change in water content and behaviors. Findings suggest that AQP4 deficiency could be associated with autistic disorder and may be a potential pharmaceutical target for treating autism in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shima Davoudi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mona Rahdar
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Narges Hosseinmardi
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gila Behzadi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahyar Janahmadi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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9
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Saha P. Eigenvector Centrality Characterization on fMRI Data: Gender and Node Differences in Normal and ASD Subjects : Author name. J Autism Dev Disord 2023:10.1007/s10803-023-05922-x. [PMID: 37142901 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-05922-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
With the budding interests of structural and functional network characteristics as potential parameters for abnormal brains, an essential and thus simpler representation and evaluations have become necessary. Eigenvector centrality measure of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) offer region wise network representations through fMRI diagnostic maps. The article investigates the suitability of network node centrality values to discriminate ASD subject groups compared to typically developing controls following a boxplot formalism and a classification and regression tree model. Region wise differences between normal and ASD subjects primarily belong to the frontoparietal, limbic, ventral attention, default mode and visual networks. The reduced number of regions-of-interests (ROI) clearly suggests the benefit of automated supervised machine learning algorithm over the manual classification method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Papri Saha
- Department of Computer Science, Derozio Memorial College, Rajarhat Road, P.O. - R- Gopalpur, Kolkata, 700136, India.
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10
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Deficits in Cerebellum-Dependent Learning and Cerebellar Morphology in Male and Female BTBR Autism Model Mice. NEUROSCI 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/neurosci3040045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, there has been increased interest in the role of the cerebellum in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To better understand the pathophysiological role of the cerebellum in ASD, it is necessary to have a variety of mouse models that have face validity for cerebellar disruption in humans. Here, we add to the literature on the cerebellum in mouse models of autism with the characterization of the cerebellum in the idiopathic BTBR T + Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) inbred mouse strain, which has behavioral phenotypes that are reminiscent of ASD in patients. When we examined both male and female BTBR mice in comparison to C57BL/6J (C57) controls, we noted that both sexes of BTBR mice showed motor coordination deficits characteristic of cerebellar dysfunction, but only the male mice showed differences in delay eyeblink conditioning, a cerebellum-dependent learning task that is known to be disrupted in ASD patients. Both male and female BTBR mice showed considerable expansion of, and abnormal foliation in, the cerebellum vermis—including a significant expansion of specific lobules in the anterior cerebellum. In addition, we found a slight but significant decrease in Purkinje cell density in both male and female BTBR mice, irrespective of the lobule. Finally, there was a marked reduction of Purkinje cell dendritic spine density in both male and female BTBR mice. These findings suggest that, for the most part, the BTBR mouse model phenocopies many of the characteristics of the subpopulation of ASD patients that have a hypertrophic cerebellum. We discuss the significance of strain differences in the cerebellum as well as the importance of this first effort to identify both similarities and differences between male and female BTBR mice with regard to the cerebellum.
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11
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Lights on for Autism: Exploring Photobiomodulation as an Effective Therapeutic Option. Neurol Int 2022; 14:884-893. [PMID: 36412693 PMCID: PMC9680350 DOI: 10.3390/neurolint14040071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that starts in childhood and continues into adulthood. The core characteristics include difficulties with social interaction and communication, together with restricted and repetitive behaviours. There are a number of key abnormalities of brain structure and function that trigger these behavioural patterns, including an imbalance of functional connectivity and synaptic transmission, neuronal death, gliosis and inflammation. In addition, autism has been linked to alterations in the gut microbiome. Unfortunately, as it stands, there are few treatment options available for patients. In this mini-review, we consider the effectiveness of a potential new treatment for autism, known as photobiomodulation, the therapeutic use of red to near infrared light on body tissues. This treatment has been shown in a range of pathological conditions-to improve the key changes that characterise autism, including the functional connectivity and survival patterns of neurones, the patterns of gliosis and inflammation and the composition of the microbiome. We highlight the idea that photobiomodulation may form an ideal treatment option for autism, one that is certainly worthy of further investigation.
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12
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Yi T, Wei W, Ma D, Wu Y, Cai Q, Jin K, Gao X. Individual Brain Morphological Connectome Indicator Based on Jensen-Shannon Divergence Similarity Estimation for Autism Spectrum Disorder Identification. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:952067. [PMID: 35837129 PMCID: PMC9275791 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.952067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) reveals abnormalities in patients with autism spectrum syndrome (ASD). Previous connectome studies of ASD have failed to identify the individual neuroanatomical details in preschool-age individuals. This paper aims to establish an individual morphological connectome method to characterize the connectivity patterns and topological alterations of the individual-level brain connectome and their diagnostic value in patients with ASD. Methods Brain sMRI data from 24 patients with ASD and 17 normal controls (NCs) were collected; participants in both groups were aged 24-47 months. By using the Jensen-Shannon Divergence Similarity Estimation (JSSE) method, all participants's morphological brain network were ascertained. Student's t-tests were used to extract the most significant features in morphological connection values, global graph measurement, and node graph measurement. Results The results of global metrics' analysis showed no statistical significance in the difference between two groups. Brain regions with meaningful properties for consensus connections and nodal metric features are mostly distributed in are predominantly distributed in the basal ganglia, thalamus, and cortical regions spanning the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes. Consensus connectivity results showed an increase in most of the consensus connections in the frontal, parietal, and thalamic regions of patients with ASD, while there was a decrease in consensus connectivity in the occipital, prefrontal lobe, temporal lobe, and pale regions. The model that combined morphological connectivity, global metrics, and node metric features had optimal performance in identifying patients with ASD, with an accuracy rate of 94.59%. Conclusion The individual brain network indicator based on the JSSE method is an effective indicator for identifying individual-level brain network abnormalities in patients with ASD. The proposed classification method can contribute to the early clinical diagnosis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yi
- Department of Radiology, Hunan Children’s Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Weian Wei
- Department of Radiology, Hunan Children’s Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Di Ma
- College of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yali Wu
- Department of Child Health Care Centre, Hunan Children’s Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Qifang Cai
- Department of Radiology, Hunan Children’s Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Ke Jin
- Department of Radiology, Hunan Children’s Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Xin Gao
- Shanghai Universal Medical Imaging Diagnostic Center, Shanghai, China
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13
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Nisar S, Bhat AA, Masoodi T, Hashem S, Akhtar S, Ali TA, Amjad S, Chawla S, Bagga P, Frenneaux MP, Reddy R, Fakhro K, Haris M. Genetics of glutamate and its receptors in autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:2380-2392. [PMID: 35296811 PMCID: PMC9135628 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01506-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental impairment characterized by deficits in social interaction skills, impaired communication, and repetitive and restricted behaviors that are thought to be due to altered neurotransmission processes. The amino acid glutamate is an essential excitatory neurotransmitter in the human brain that regulates cognitive functions such as learning and memory, which are usually impaired in ASD. Over the last several years, increasing evidence from genetics, neuroimaging, protein expression, and animal model studies supporting the notion of altered glutamate metabolism has heightened the interest in evaluating glutamatergic dysfunction in ASD. Numerous pharmacological, behavioral, and imaging studies have demonstrated the imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, thus revealing the involvement of the glutamatergic system in ASD pathology. Here, we review the effects of genetic alterations on glutamate and its receptors in ASD and the role of non-invasive imaging modalities in detecting these changes. We also highlight the potential therapeutic targets associated with impaired glutamatergic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabah Nisar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tariq Masoodi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sheema Hashem
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sabah Akhtar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tayyiba Akbar Ali
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sara Amjad
- Shibli National College, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, 276001, India
| | - Sanjeev Chawla
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Puneet Bagga
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Michael P Frenneaux
- Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ravinder Reddy
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Khalid Fakhro
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, P.O. Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar.
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Laboratory of Animal Research, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
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14
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Mapelli L, Soda T, D’Angelo E, Prestori F. The Cerebellar Involvement in Autism Spectrum Disorders: From the Social Brain to Mouse Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073894. [PMID: 35409253 PMCID: PMC8998980 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders that include a variety of forms and clinical phenotypes. This heterogeneity complicates the clinical and experimental approaches to ASD etiology and pathophysiology. To date, a unifying theory of these diseases is still missing. Nevertheless, the intense work of researchers and clinicians in the last decades has identified some ASD hallmarks and the primary brain areas involved. Not surprisingly, the areas that are part of the so-called “social brain”, and those strictly connected to them, were found to be crucial, such as the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, limbic system, and dopaminergic pathways. With the recent acknowledgment of the cerebellar contribution to cognitive functions and the social brain, its involvement in ASD has become unmistakable, though its extent is still to be elucidated. In most cases, significant advances were made possible by recent technological developments in structural/functional assessment of the human brain and by using mouse models of ASD. Mouse models are an invaluable tool to get insights into the molecular and cellular counterparts of the disease, acting on the specific genetic background generating ASD-like phenotype. Given the multifaceted nature of ASD and related studies, it is often difficult to navigate the literature and limit the huge content to specific questions. This review fulfills the need for an organized, clear, and state-of-the-art perspective on cerebellar involvement in ASD, from its connections to the social brain areas (which are the primary sites of ASD impairments) to the use of monogenic mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Mapelli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (T.S.); (E.D.)
- Correspondence: (L.M.); (F.P.)
| | - Teresa Soda
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (T.S.); (E.D.)
| | - Egidio D’Angelo
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (T.S.); (E.D.)
- Brain Connectivity Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Prestori
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (T.S.); (E.D.)
- Correspondence: (L.M.); (F.P.)
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15
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In-depth characterization of neuroradiological findings in a large sample of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and controls. NEUROIMAGE: CLINICAL 2022; 35:103118. [PMID: 35868222 PMCID: PMC9421485 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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16
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Longitudinal Changes in Cortical Thickness in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Association with Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12122024. [PMID: 34946972 PMCID: PMC8701312 DOI: 10.3390/genes12122024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuroanatomy of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) shows highly heterogeneous developmental trajectories across individuals. Mapping atypical brain development onto clinical phenotypes, and establishing their molecular underpinnings, is therefore crucial for patient stratification and subtyping. In this longitudinal study we examined intra- and inter-individual differences in the developmental trajectory of cortical thickness (CT) in childhood and adolescence, and their genomic underpinnings, in 33 individuals with ASD and 37 typically developing controls (aged 11–18 years). Moreover, we aimed to link regional atypical CT development to intra-individual variations in restricted and repetitive behavior (RRB) over a two-year time period. Individuals with ASD showed significantly reduced cortical thinning in several of the brain regions functionally related to wider autism symptoms and traits (e.g., fronto-temporal and cingulate cortices). The spatial patterns of the neuroanatomical differences in CT were enriched for genes known to be associated with ASD at a genetic and transcriptomic level. Further, intra-individual differences in CT correlated with within-subject variability in the severity of RRBs. Our findings represent an important step towards characterizing the neuroanatomical underpinnings of ASD across development based upon measures of CT. Moreover, our findings provide important novel insights into the link between microscopic and macroscopic pathology in ASD, as well as their relationship with different clinical ASD phenotypes.
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17
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Abstract
The search for biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder (henceforth autism) has received a lot of attention due to their potential clinical relevance. The clinical and aetiological heterogeneity of autism suggests the presence of subgroups. The lack of identification of a valid diagnostic biomarker for autism, and the inconsistencies seen in studies assessing differences between autism and typically developing control groups, may be partially explained by the vast heterogeneity observed in autism. The focus now is to better understand the clinical and biological heterogeneity and identify stratification biomarkers, which are measures that describe subgroups of individuals with shared biology. Using stratification approaches to assess treatment within pre-defined subgroups could clarify who may benefit from different treatments and therapies, and ultimately lead to more effective individualised treatment plans.
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18
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Nadeem MS, Hosawi S, Alshehri S, Ghoneim MM, Imam SS, Murtaza BN, Kazmi I. Symptomatic, Genetic, and Mechanistic Overlaps between Autism and Alzheimer's Disease. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1635. [PMID: 34827633 PMCID: PMC8615882 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders affecting two opposite ends of life span, i.e., childhood and old age. Both disorders pose a cumulative threat to human health, with the rate of incidences increasing considerably worldwide. In the context of recent developments, we aimed to review correlated symptoms and genetics, and overlapping aspects in the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of ASD and AD. Dementia, insomnia, and weak neuromuscular interaction, as well as communicative and cognitive impairments, are shared symptoms. A number of genes and proteins linked with both disorders have been tabulated, including MECP2, ADNP, SCN2A, NLGN, SHANK, PTEN, RELN, and FMR1. Theories about the role of neuron development, processing, connectivity, and levels of neurotransmitters in both disorders have been discussed. Based on the recent literature, the roles of FMRP (Fragile X mental retardation protein), hnRNPC (heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein-C), IRP (Iron regulatory proteins), miRNAs (MicroRNAs), and α-, β0, and γ-secretases in the posttranscriptional regulation of cellular synthesis and processing of APP (amyloid-β precursor protein) have been elaborated to describe the parallel and overlapping routes and mechanisms of ASD and AD pathogenesis. However, the interactive role of genetic and environmental factors, oxidative and metal ion stress, mutations in the associated genes, and alterations in the related cellular pathways in the development of ASD and AD needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shahid Nadeem
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (M.S.N.); (S.H.)
| | - Salman Hosawi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (M.S.N.); (S.H.)
| | - Sultan Alshehri
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.); (S.S.I.)
| | - Mohammed M. Ghoneim
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Ad Diriyah 13713, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Syed Sarim Imam
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.); (S.S.I.)
| | - Bibi Nazia Murtaza
- Department of Zoology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abbottabad 22310, Pakistan;
| | - Imran Kazmi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (M.S.N.); (S.H.)
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19
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Implications of Extended Inhibitory Neuron Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105113. [PMID: 34066025 PMCID: PMC8150951 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A prolonged developmental timeline for GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid)-expressing inhibitory neurons (GABAergic interneurons) is an amplified trait in larger, gyrencephalic animals. In several species, the generation, migration, and maturation of interneurons take place over several months, in some cases persisting after birth. The late integration of GABAergic interneurons occurs in a region-specific pattern, especially during the early postnatal period. These changes can contribute to the formation of functional connectivity and plasticity, especially in the cortical regions responsible for higher cognitive tasks. In this review, we discuss GABAergic interneuron development in the late gestational and postnatal forebrain. We propose the protracted development of interneurons at each stage (neurogenesis, neuronal migration, and network integration), as a mechanism for increased complexity and cognitive flexibility in larger, gyrencephalic brains. This developmental feature of interneurons also provides an avenue for environmental influences to shape neural circuit formation.
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20
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Larrigan S, Shah S, Fernandes A, Mattar P. Chromatin Remodeling in the Brain-a NuRDevelopmental Odyssey. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094768. [PMID: 33946340 PMCID: PMC8125410 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
During brain development, the genome must be repeatedly reconfigured in order to facilitate neuronal and glial differentiation. A host of chromatin remodeling complexes facilitates this process. At the genetic level, the non-redundancy of these complexes suggests that neurodevelopment may require a lexicon of remodelers with different specificities and activities. Here, we focus on the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex. We review NuRD biochemistry, genetics, and functions in neural progenitors and neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Larrigan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; (S.L.); (S.S.); (A.F.)
- Ottawa Health Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Sujay Shah
- Department of Cell and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; (S.L.); (S.S.); (A.F.)
- Ottawa Health Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Alex Fernandes
- Department of Cell and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; (S.L.); (S.S.); (A.F.)
- Ottawa Health Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Pierre Mattar
- Department of Cell and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; (S.L.); (S.S.); (A.F.)
- Ottawa Health Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
- Correspondence:
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21
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Eggleston JD, Olivas AN, Vanderhoof HR, Chavez EA, Alvarado C, Boyle JB. Children With Autism Exhibit More Individualized Responses to Live Animation Biofeedback Than Do Typically Developing Children. Percept Mot Skills 2021; 128:1037-1058. [PMID: 33663275 DOI: 10.1177/0031512521998280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Children with autism have displayed imbalances in responding to feedback and feedforward learning information and they have shown difficulty imitating movements. Previous research has focused on motor learning and coordination problems for these children, but little is known about their motoric responses to visual live animation feedback. Thus, we compared motor output responses to live animation biofeedback training in both 15 children with autism and 15 age- and sex-matched typically developing children (age range: 8-17 years). We collected kinematic data via Inertial Measurement Unit devices while participants performed a series of body weight squats at a pre-test, during live animation biofeedback training, and at post-test. Dependent t-tests (α = 0.05), were used to test for statistical significance between pre- and post-test values within groups, and repeated measures analyses of variance (α = 0.05) were used to test for differences among the training blocks, within each group. The Model Statistic technique (α = 0.05) was used to test for pre- and post-test differences on a single-subject level for every participant. Grouped data revealed little to no significant findings in the children with autism, as these participants showed highly individualized responses. However, typically developing children, when grouped, exhibited significant differences in their left hip position (p = 0.03) and ascent velocity (p = 0.004). Single-subject analyses showed more individualistic live animation responses of children with autism than typically developing children on every variable of interest except descent velocity. Thus, to teach children with autism new movements in optimal fashion, it is particularly important to understand their individualistic motor learning characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Eggleston
- Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Doctoral Program, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, United States.,Department of Kinesiology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, United States
| | - Alyssa N Olivas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, United States
| | - Heather R Vanderhoof
- Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Doctoral Program, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, United States
| | - Emily A Chavez
- Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Doctoral Program, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, United States
| | - Carla Alvarado
- Department of Psychiatry, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, United States
| | - Jason B Boyle
- Department of Kinesiology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, United States
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22
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Cao W, Zhu H, Li Y, Wang Y, Bai W, Lao U, Zhang Y, Ji Y, He S, Zou X. The Development of Brain Network in Males with Autism Spectrum Disorders from Childhood to Adolescence: Evidence from fNIRS Study. Brain Sci 2021; 11:120. [PMID: 33477412 PMCID: PMC7830916 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11010120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current study, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to collect resting-state signals from 77 males with autism spectrum disorders (ASD, age: 6~16.25) and 40 typically developing (TD) males (age: 6~16.58) in the theory-of-mind (ToM) network. The graph theory analysis was used to obtain the brain network properties in ToM network, and the multiple regression analysis demonstrated that males with ASD showed a comparable global network topology, and a similar age-related decrease in the medial prefrontal cortex area (mPFC) compared to TD individuals. Nevertheless, participants with ASD showed U-shaped trajectories of nodal metrics of right temporo-parietal junction (TPJ), and an age-related decrease in the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG), while trajectories of TD participants were opposite. The nodal metrics of the right TPJ was negatively associated with the social deficits of ASD, while the nodal metrics of the left MFG was negatively associated with the communication deficits of ASD. Current findings suggested a distinct developmental trajectory of the ToM network in males with ASD from childhood to adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Cao
- Centre for Optical and Electromagnetic Research, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University (SCNU), Guangzhou 510006, China;
| | - Huilin Zhu
- Child Development & Behavior Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, No.2693, Kaichuang revenue, Lingnan Campuses, Guangzhou 510080, China; (H.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.W.); (W.B.); (U.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.J.)
| | - Yan Li
- Child Development & Behavior Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, No.2693, Kaichuang revenue, Lingnan Campuses, Guangzhou 510080, China; (H.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.W.); (W.B.); (U.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.J.)
| | - Yu Wang
- Child Development & Behavior Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, No.2693, Kaichuang revenue, Lingnan Campuses, Guangzhou 510080, China; (H.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.W.); (W.B.); (U.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.J.)
| | - Wuxia Bai
- Child Development & Behavior Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, No.2693, Kaichuang revenue, Lingnan Campuses, Guangzhou 510080, China; (H.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.W.); (W.B.); (U.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.J.)
| | - Uchong Lao
- Child Development & Behavior Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, No.2693, Kaichuang revenue, Lingnan Campuses, Guangzhou 510080, China; (H.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.W.); (W.B.); (U.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.J.)
| | - Yingying Zhang
- Child Development & Behavior Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, No.2693, Kaichuang revenue, Lingnan Campuses, Guangzhou 510080, China; (H.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.W.); (W.B.); (U.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.J.)
| | - Yan Ji
- Child Development & Behavior Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, No.2693, Kaichuang revenue, Lingnan Campuses, Guangzhou 510080, China; (H.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.W.); (W.B.); (U.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.J.)
| | - Sailing He
- Centre for Optical and Electromagnetic Research, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University (SCNU), Guangzhou 510006, China;
| | - Xiaobing Zou
- Child Development & Behavior Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, No.2693, Kaichuang revenue, Lingnan Campuses, Guangzhou 510080, China; (H.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.W.); (W.B.); (U.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.J.)
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23
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Sarovic D. A Unifying Theory for Autism: The Pathogenetic Triad as a Theoretical Framework. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:767075. [PMID: 34867553 PMCID: PMC8637925 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.767075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper presents a unifying theory for autism by applying the framework of a pathogenetic triad to the scientific literature. It proposes a deconstruction of autism into three contributing features (an autistic personality dimension, cognitive compensation, and neuropathological risk factors), and delineates how they interact to cause a maladaptive behavioral phenotype that may require a clinical diagnosis. The autistic personality represents a common core condition, which induces a set of behavioral issues when pronounced. These issues are compensated for by cognitive mechanisms, allowing the individual to remain adaptive and functional. Risk factors, both exogenous and endogenous ones, show pathophysiological convergence through their negative effects on neurodevelopment. This secondarily affects cognitive compensation, which disinhibits a maladaptive behavioral phenotype. The triad is operationalized and methods for quantification are presented. With respect to the breadth of findings in the literature that it can incorporate, it is the most comprehensive model yet for autism. Its main implications are that (1) it presents the broader autism phenotype as a non-pathological core personality domain, which is shared across the population and uncoupled from associated features such as low cognitive ability and immune dysfunction, (2) it proposes that common genetic variants underly the personality domain, and that rare variants act as risk factors through negative effects on neurodevelopment, (3) it outlines a common pathophysiological mechanism, through inhibition of neurodevelopment and cognitive dysfunction, by which a wide range of endogenous and exogenous risk factors lead to autism, and (4) it suggests that contributing risk factors, and findings of immune and autonomic dysfunction are clinically ascertained rather than part of the core autism construct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darko Sarovic
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,MedTech West, Gothenburg, Sweden
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24
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Lai M, Lee J, Chiu S, Charm J, So WY, Yuen FP, Kwok C, Tsoi J, Lin Y, Zee B. A machine learning approach for retinal images analysis as an objective screening method for children with autism spectrum disorder. EClinicalMedicine 2020; 28:100588. [PMID: 33294809 PMCID: PMC7700906 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by many of features including problem in social interactions, different ways of learning, some children showing a keen interest in specific subjects, inclination to routines, challenges in typical communication, and particular ways of processing sensory information. Early intervention and suitable supports for these children may make a significant contribution to their development. However, considerable difficulties have been encountered in the screening and diagnosis of ASD. The literature has indicated that certain retinal features are significantly associated with ASD. In this study, we investigated the use of machine learning approaches on retinal images to further enhance the classification accuracy. METHODS Forty-six ASD participants were recruited from three special needs schools and 24 normal control were recruited from the community. Among them, 23 age-gender matched ASD and normal control participant-pairs were constructed for the primary analysis. All retinal images were captured using a nonmydriatic fundus camera. Automatic retinal image analysis (ARIA) methodology applying machine-learning technology was used to optimise the information of the retina to develop a classification model for ASD. The model's validity was then assessed using a 10-fold cross-validation approach to assess its validity. FINDINGS The sensitivity and specificity were 95.7% (95% CI 76.0%, 99.8%) and 91.3% (95% CI 70.5%, 98.5%) respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.974 (95% CI 0.934, 1.000); however, it was noted that the specificity for female participants might not be as high as that for male participants. INTERPRETATION Because ARIA is a fully automatic cloud-based algorithm and relies only on retinal images, it can be used as a risk assessment tool for ASD screening. Further diagnosis and confirmation can then be made by professionals, and potential treatment may be provided at a relatively early stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lai
- Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Jack Lee
- Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | | | | | - Wing Yee So
- The Jockey Club Hong Chi School, Wan Chai, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Fung Ping Yuen
- The Hong Chi Morninghill School, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Chloe Kwok
- Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Jasmine Tsoi
- Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Yuqi Lin
- Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Benny Zee
- Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
- Clinical Trials and Biostatistics Lab, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
- Corresponding author at: Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
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25
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Zheng W, Zhao Z, Zhang Z, Liu T, Zhang Y, Fan J, Wu D. Developmental pattern of the cortical topology in high-functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 42:660-675. [PMID: 33085836 PMCID: PMC7814766 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of studies have indicated alterations of brain morphology in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, how ASD influences the topological organization of the brain cortex at different developmental stages is not yet well characterized. In this study, we used structural images of 492 high‐functioning participants in the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange database acquired from 17 international imaging centers, including 75 autistic children (age 7–11 years), 91 adolescents with ASD (age 12–17 years), and 80 young adults with ASD (age 18–29 years), and 246 typically developing controls (TDCs) that were age, gender, handedness, and full‐scale IQ matched. Cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA) were extracted and the covariance between cortical regions across participants were treated as a network to examine developmental patterns of the cortical topological organization at different stages. A center‐paired resampling strategy was developed to control the center bias during the permutation test. Compared with the TDCs, network of SA (but not CT) of individuals with ASD showed reduced small‐worldness in childhood, and the network hubs were reorganized in the adulthood such that hubs inclined to connect with nonhub nodes and demonstrated more dispersed spatial distribution. Furthermore, the SA network of the ASD cohort exhibited increased segregation of the inferior parietal lobule and prefrontal cortex, and insular‐opercular cortex in all three age groups, resulting in the emergence of two unique modules in the autistic brain. Our findings suggested that individuals with ASD may undergo remarkable remodeling of the cortical topology from childhood to adulthood, which may be associated with the altered social and cognitive functions in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihao Zheng
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyong Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingting Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Fan
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dan Wu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
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26
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Wang J, Wang X, Wang X, Zhang H, Zhou Y, Chen L, Li Y, Wu L. Increased EEG coherence in long-distance and short-distance connectivity in children with autism spectrum disorders. Brain Behav 2020; 10:e01796. [PMID: 32815287 PMCID: PMC7559606 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex and prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and social interaction as well as repetitive behaviors. Alterations in function connectivity are widely recognized in recent electroencephalogram (EEG) studies. However, most studies have not reached consistent conclusions, which could be due to the developmental nature and the heterogeneity of ASD. METHODS Here, EEG coherence analysis was used in a cohort of children with ASD (n = 13) and matched typically developing controls (TD, n = 15) to examine the functional connectivity characteristics in long-distance and short-distance electrode pairs. Subsequently, we explore the association between the connectivity strength of coherence and symptom severity in children with ASD. RESULTS Compared with TD group, individuals with ASD showed increased coherence in short-distance electrode pairs in the right temporal-parietal region (delta, alpha, beta bands), left temporal-parietal region (all frequency bands), occipital region (theta, alpha, beta bands), right central-parietal region (delta, alpha, beta bands), and the prefrontal region (only beta band). In the long-distance coherence analysis, the ASD group showed increased coherence in bilateral frontal region, temporal region, parietal region, and frontal-occipital region in alpha and beta bands. The strength of such connections was associated with symptom severity. DISCUSSION Our study indicates that abnormal connectivity patterns in neuroelectrophysiology may be of critical importance to acknowledge the underlying brain mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaomin Wang
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xuelai Wang
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huiying Zhang
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Heilongjiang Province Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yutong Li
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Lijie Wu
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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27
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Williams CM, Peyre H, Toro R, Beggiato A, Ramus F. Adjusting for allometric scaling in ABIDE I challenges subcortical volume differences in autism spectrum disorder. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:4610-4629. [PMID: 32729664 PMCID: PMC7555078 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Inconsistencies across studies investigating subcortical correlates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may stem from small sample size, sample heterogeneity, and omitting or linearly adjusting for total brain volume (TBV). To properly adjust for TBV, brain allometry—the nonlinear scaling relationship between regional volumes and TBV—was considered when examining subcortical volumetric differences between typically developing (TD) and ASD individuals. Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange I (ABIDE I; N = 654) data was analyzed with two methodological approaches: univariate linear mixed effects models and multivariate multiple group confirmatory factor analyses. Analyses were conducted on the entire sample and in subsamples based on age, sex, and full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ). A similar ABIDE I study was replicated and the impact of different TBV adjustments on neuroanatomical group differences was investigated. No robust subcortical allometric or volumetric group differences were observed in the entire sample across methods. Exploratory analyses suggested that allometric scaling and volume group differences may exist in certain subgroups defined by age, sex, and/or FSIQ. The type of TBV adjustment influenced some reported volumetric and scaling group differences. This study supports the absence of robust volumetric differences between ASD and TD individuals in the investigated volumes when adjusting for brain allometry, expands the literature by finding no group difference in allometric scaling, and further suggests that differing TBV adjustments contribute to the variability of reported neuroanatomical differences in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Michèle Williams
- Laboratoire de Sciences Cognitives et Psycholinguistique, Département d'Etudes Cognitives, École Normale Supérieure, EHESS, CNRS, PSL University, Paris, France
| | - Hugo Peyre
- Laboratoire de Sciences Cognitives et Psycholinguistique, Département d'Etudes Cognitives, École Normale Supérieure, EHESS, CNRS, PSL University, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR 1141, Paris Diderot University, Paris, France.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Roberto Toro
- U1284, Center for Research and Interdisciplinarity (CRI), INSERM, Paris, France.,Unité Mixte de Recherche 3571, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Anita Beggiato
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, Paris, France.,Unité Mixte de Recherche 3571, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Franck Ramus
- Laboratoire de Sciences Cognitives et Psycholinguistique, Département d'Etudes Cognitives, École Normale Supérieure, EHESS, CNRS, PSL University, Paris, France
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28
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Saxena R, Babadi M, Namvarhaghighi H, Roullet FI. Role of environmental factors and epigenetics in autism spectrum disorders. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 173:35-60. [PMID: 32711816 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder thought to be caused by predisposing high-risk genes that may be altered during the early development by environmental factors. The impact of maternal challenges during pregnancy on the prevalence of ASD has been widely studied in clinical and animal studies. Here, we review some clinical and pre-clinical evidence that links environmental factors (i.e., infection, air pollution, pesticides, valproic acid and folic acid) and the risk of ASD. Additionally, certain prenatal environmental challenges such as the valproate and folate prenatal exposures allow us to study mechanisms possibly linked to the etiology of ASD, for instance the epigenetic processes. These mechanistic pathways are also presented and discussed in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roheeni Saxena
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Melika Babadi
- School of Interdisciplinary Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | - Florence I Roullet
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
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29
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Mihailov A, Philippe C, Gloaguen A, Grigis A, Laidi C, Piguet C, Houenou J, Frouin V. Cortical signatures in behaviorally clustered autistic traits subgroups: a population-based study. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:207. [PMID: 32594096 PMCID: PMC7320967 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-00894-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive heterogeneity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has hindered the characterization of consistent biomarkers, which has led to widespread negative results. Isolating homogenized subtypes could provide insight into underlying biological mechanisms and an overall better understanding of ASD. A total of 1093 participants from the population-based "Healthy Brain Network" cohort (Child Mind Institute in the New York City area, USA) were selected based on score availability in behaviors relevant to ASD, aged 6-18 and IQ >= 70. All participants underwent an unsupervised clustering analysis on behavioral dimensions to reveal subgroups with ASD traits, identified by the presence of social deficits. Analysis revealed three socially impaired ASD traits subgroups: (1) high in emotionally dysfunctional traits, (2) high in ADHD-like traits, and (3) high in anxiety and depressive symptoms. 527 subjects had good quality structural MRI T1 data. Site effects on cortical features were adjusted using the ComBat method. Neuroimaging analyses compared cortical thickness, gyrification, and surface area, and were controlled for age, gender, and IQ, and corrected for multiple comparisons. Structural neuroimaging analyses contrasting one combined heterogeneous ASD traits group against controls did not yield any significant differences. Unique cortical signatures, however, were observed within each of the three individual ASD traits subgroups versus controls. These observations provide evidence of ASD traits subtypes, and confirm the necessity of applying dimensional approaches to extract meaningful differences, thus reducing heterogeneity and paving the way to better understanding ASD traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angeline Mihailov
- Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91191, France.
| | - Cathy Philippe
- grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91191 France
| | - Arnaud Gloaguen
- grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91191 France ,CNRS-Centrale Supélec, 3 rue Joliot-Curie, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Antoine Grigis
- grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91191 France
| | - Charles Laidi
- grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91191 France ,APHP, Mondor Univ. Hospitals, DMU IMPACT, INSERM, U955, Translational Neuropsychiatry Team, University of Paris-Est Créteil, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Camille Piguet
- grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91191 France ,grid.8591.50000 0001 2322 4988Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Josselin Houenou
- grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91191 France ,APHP, Mondor Univ. Hospitals, DMU IMPACT, INSERM, U955, Translational Neuropsychiatry Team, University of Paris-Est Créteil, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Vincent Frouin
- grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91191 France
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Mansouri M, Pouretemad H, Roghani M, Wegener G, Ardalan M. Autistic-like behaviours and associated brain structural plasticity are modulated by oxytocin in maternally separated rats. Behav Brain Res 2020; 393:112756. [PMID: 32535183 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early psycho-social experiences influence the developing brain and possible onset of various neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is characterized by a variety of brain abnormalities, including alteration of oxytocin receptors in the brain. Recently, early life adverse experiences, such as maternal separation (MS), have been shown to constitute risk factors for ASD in preclinical studies. Therefore, the main aims of the current study were to i) explore the association between onset of autistic-like behaviours and molecular/structural changes in the brain following MS, and ii) evaluate the possible beneficial effects of oxytocin treatment on the same parameters. METHOD AND MATERIAL Male rats were exposed to the maternal separation from post-natal day (PND) 1 to PND14. After weaning, daily injections of oxytocin (1 mg/kg, ip) were administered (PND 22-30), followed by examination of autism-related behaviours at adolescence (PND 42-50). Brain structural plasticity was examined using stereological methods, and the plasma level of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was analysed using ELISA. RESULTS We found that maternal separation induced autistic-like behaviours, which was associated with increase in the hippocampal CA1 stratum radiatum (CA1.SR) volume. In addition, we observed increase in the infralimbic brain region volume and in the number of the pyramidal neurons in the same brain region. Maternal separation significantly increased the plasma BDNF levels. Treatment with oxytocin improved autistic like behaviours, normalized the number of neurons and the volume of the infralimbic region as well as the plasma BDNF level (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Maternal separation induced autistic-like behaviours, brain structural impairment together with plasma BDNF level abnormality, which could be improved by oxytocin treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monireh Mansouri
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran; Center of Excellence in Cognitivr Neuropsychology, Institue for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Pouretemad
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mehrdad Roghani
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gregers Wegener
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; AUGUST Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Risskov, Denmark
| | - Maryam Ardalan
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Centre for Perinatal Medicine and Health, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Aggernæs B. Suggestion of a dynamic model of the development of neurodevelopmental disorders and the phenomenon of autism. AIMS MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.3934/molsci.2020008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
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Tunç B, Yankowitz LD, Parker D, Alappatt JA, Pandey J, Schultz RT, Verma R. Deviation from normative brain development is associated with symptom severity in autism spectrum disorder. Mol Autism 2019; 10:46. [PMID: 31867092 PMCID: PMC6907209 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-019-0301-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition. The degree to which the brain development in ASD deviates from typical brain development, and how this deviation relates to observed behavioral outcomes at the individual level are not well-studied. We hypothesize that the degree of deviation from typical brain development of an individual with ASD would relate to observed symptom severity. Methods The developmental changes in anatomical (cortical thickness, surface area, and volume) and diffusion metrics (fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient) were compared between a sample of ASD (n = 247) and typically developing children (TDC) (n = 220) aged 6–25. Machine learning was used to predict age (brain age) from these metrics in the TDC sample, to define a normative model of brain development. This model was then used to compute brain age in the ASD sample. The difference between chronological age and brain age was considered a developmental deviation index (DDI), which was then correlated with ASD symptom severity. Results Machine learning model trained on all five metrics accurately predicted age in the TDC (r = 0.88) and the ASD (r = 0.85) samples, with dominant contributions to the model from the diffusion metrics. Within the ASD group, the DDI derived from fractional anisotropy was correlated with ASD symptom severity (r = − 0.2), such that individuals with the most advanced brain age showing the lowest severity, and individuals with the most delayed brain age showing the highest severity. Limitations This work investigated only linear relationships between five specific brain metrics and only one measure of ASD symptom severity in a limited age range. Reported effect sizes are moderate. Further work is needed to investigate developmental differences in other age ranges, other aspects of behavior, other neurobiological measures, and in an independent sample before results can be clinically applicable. Conclusions Findings demonstrate that the degree of deviation from typical brain development relates to ASD symptom severity, partially accounting for the observed heterogeneity in ASD. Our approach enables characterization of each individual with reference to normative brain development and identification of distinct developmental subtypes, facilitating a better understanding of developmental heterogeneity in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birkan Tunç
- 1Center for Autism Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,2Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,3Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,4Center for Biomedical Image Computing and Analytics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Lisa D Yankowitz
- 1Center for Autism Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,5Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Drew Parker
- 6DiCIPHR (Diffusion and Connectomics in Precision Healthcare Research) Lab, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Jacob A Alappatt
- 6DiCIPHR (Diffusion and Connectomics in Precision Healthcare Research) Lab, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Juhi Pandey
- 1Center for Autism Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,3Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Robert T Schultz
- 1Center for Autism Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,3Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,7Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Ragini Verma
- 4Center for Biomedical Image Computing and Analytics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,6DiCIPHR (Diffusion and Connectomics in Precision Healthcare Research) Lab, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
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Sacrey LAR, Zwaigenbaum L, Bryson S, Brian J, Smith IM. The reach-to-grasp movement in infants later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: a high-risk sibling cohort study. J Neurodev Disord 2018; 10:41. [PMID: 30587102 PMCID: PMC6307213 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-018-9259-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social communication and the presence of repetitive behavior and/or restricted interests, there is evidence that motor impairments may be a contributing factor to the ASD phenotype. The purpose of this study was to examine the motor act of reaching-to-grasp in children at high risk (HR; with an older sibling diagnosed with ASD) and low-risk (LR; no family history of ASD) for ASD. METHODS Children were compared for differences in reaching-to-grasp based on sibling status and diagnostic outcome. Children were enrolled between 6 and 12 months of age and the reach-to-grasp movement was scored at 6, 9, (where available) 12, 15, 18, 24, and 36 months of age using the qualitative Skilled Reaching Rating Scale to determine the presence of any group-, age-, or sex-related differences in the mechanics of the reach-to-grasp movement using a Mixed Models analysis. At 36 months, all children underwent a gold-standard diagnostic assessment, which resulted in three outcome groups: HR children diagnosed with ASD (HR-ASD; n = 10), HR children not diagnosed with ASD (HR-N; n = 10), and low-risk children not diagnosed with ASD (LR; n = 10). RESULTS The group of children who were later diagnosed with ASD (HR-ASD group) showed higher (worse) total scores on the reach-to-grasp movement, as well as higher scores on the components of Orient, Lift, and Pronate compared to children in the LR and HR-N groups. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the growing literature indicating that children who are later diagnosed with ASD show impaired early motor performance. These results highlight the importance of early surveillance of children who are at elevated risk for ASD, and early initiatives should focus on early signs of the phenotype, including both movement and sensory differences (prodromal signs) prior to the emergence of diagnostic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori-Ann R. Sacrey
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta Canada
- Autism Research Centre, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, (E209) 10230 - 111 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5G 0B7 Canada
| | - Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta Canada
- Autism Research Centre, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, (E209) 10230 - 111 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5G 0B7 Canada
| | - Susan Bryson
- Dalhousie University/IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
- Autism Research Centre, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
| | - Jessica Brian
- Bloorview Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Isabel M. Smith
- Dalhousie University/IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
- Autism Research Centre, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
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Brossard-Racine M, McCarter R, Murnick J, Tinkleman L, Vezina G, Limperopoulos C. Early extra-uterine exposure alters regional cerebellar growth in infants born preterm. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2018; 21:101646. [PMID: 30630759 PMCID: PMC6412008 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.101646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Objectives To compare third trimester global and regional cerebellar volumetric growth at two time-points between very preterm (PT) infants and healthy gestational age-matched fetuses in the PT period and at term equivalent age (TEA). Study design Using a prospective study design, high resolution anatomic magnetic resonance images (MRI) were acquired in PT infants (gestational age at birth < 32 weeks; birthweight < 1500 g) without cerebellar injury and healthy full-term controls. PT infants completed two MRIs, one as soon as medically stable and the other around TEA. Controls also completed two MRIs, one in utero (i.e. fetal MRI) and a postnatal MRI shortly after birth. The cerebellum of each participant was parcellated into 5 regions: left and right hemispheres, the anterior, neo and posterior vermis. Evidence of differences in regional volumes between term and pre-term infants matched for gestational age (GA) at the time of the first MRI were assessed using multiple linear regression. Results: we studied 76 subjects 38 PT infants were matched to 38 healthy fetuses. At MRI-1, PT infants demonstrated decreased cerebellar hemispheric volumes and increased anterior, neo- and posterior vermian regional volumes when compared to healthy fetuses. At TEA, PT infants demonstrated a persistent increase in anterior, neo- and posterior vermian regional volumes but no longer showed reductions in cerebellar hemispheric volume. Only the neovermis volume demonstrated a significant negative association with birthweight, male gender and supratentorial injury. Conclusions In the absence of demonstrable cerebellar parenchymal injury evident on conventional MRI, PT birth is associated with cerebellar growth alterations that are regionally- and temporally-specific. Regional cerebellar growth is altered in preterm infants versus control fetuses. Cerebellar hemispheric volume in preterm infants is similar to term controls. Vermis volume is larger in preterm infants in the third trimester versus controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Brossard-Racine
- McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Division of Pediatric Neonatalogy, Montreal, PQ, Canada; School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, PQ, Canada; Center for the Developing Brain, Children's National Health System, Washington, D.C., United States
| | - Robert McCarter
- Center for Translational Science, Children's National Health System, Washington, D.C., United States
| | - Jonathan Murnick
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children's National Health System, Washington, D.C., United States
| | - L Tinkleman
- Center for the Developing Brain, Children's National Health System, Washington, D.C., United States
| | - Gilbert Vezina
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children's National Health System, Washington, D.C., United States
| | - Catherine Limperopoulos
- Center for the Developing Brain, Children's National Health System, Washington, D.C., United States; Division of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children's National Health System, Washington, D.C., United States.
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Li M, Yue W. VRK2, a Candidate Gene for Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders. MOLECULAR NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2018; 4:119-133. [PMID: 30643786 PMCID: PMC6323383 DOI: 10.1159/000493941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent large-scale genetic approaches, such as genome-wide association studies, have identified multiple genetic variations that contribute to the risk of mental illnesses, among which single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within or near the vaccinia related kinase 2 (VRK2) gene have gained consistent support for their correlations with multiple psychiatric and neurological disorders including schizophrenia (SCZ), major depressive disorder (MDD), and genetic generalized epilepsy. For instance, the genetic variant rs1518395 in VRK2 showed genome-wide significant associations with SCZ (35,476 cases and 46,839 controls, p = 3.43 × 10-8) and MDD (130,620 cases and 347,620 controls, p = 4.32 × 10-12) in European populations. This SNP was also genome-wide significantly associated with SCZ in Han Chinese population (12,083 cases and 24,097 controls, p = 3.78 × 10-13), and all associations were in the same direction of allelic effects. These studies highlight the potential roles of VRK2 in the central nervous system, and this gene therefore might be a good candidate to investigate the shared genetic and molecular basis between SCZ and MDD, as it is one of the few genes known to show genome-wide significant associations with both illnesses. Furthermore, the VRK2 gene was found to be involved in multiple other congenital deficits related to the malfunction of neurodevelopment, adding further support for the involvement of this gene in the pathogenesis of these neurological and psychiatric illnesses. While the precise function of VRK2 in these conditions remains unclear, preliminary evidence suggests that it may affect neuronal proliferation and migration via interacting with multiple essential signaling pathways involving other susceptibility genes/proteins for psychiatric disorders. Here, we have reviewed the recent progress of genetic and molecular studies of VRK2, with an emphasis on its role in psychiatric illnesses and neurological functions. We believe that attention to this important gene is necessary, and further investigations of VRK2 may provide hints into the underlying mechanisms of SCZ and MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Weihua Yue
- Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University) and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
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Zerbi V, Ielacqua GD, Markicevic M, Haberl MG, Ellisman MH, A-Bhaskaran A, Frick A, Rudin M, Wenderoth N. Dysfunctional Autism Risk Genes Cause Circuit-Specific Connectivity Deficits With Distinct Developmental Trajectories. Cereb Cortex 2018; 28:2495-2506. [PMID: 29901787 PMCID: PMC5998961 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a set of complex neurodevelopmental disorders for which there is currently no targeted therapeutic approach. It is thought that alterations of genes regulating migration and synapse formation during development affect neural circuit formation and result in aberrant connectivity within distinct circuits that underlie abnormal behaviors. However, it is unknown whether deviant developmental trajectories are circuit-specific for a given autism risk-gene. We used MRI to probe changes in functional and structural connectivity from childhood to adulthood in Fragile-X (Fmr1-/y) and contactin-associated (CNTNAP2-/-) knockout mice. Young Fmr1-/y mice (30 days postnatal) presented with a robust hypoconnectivity phenotype in corticocortico and corticostriatal circuits in areas associated with sensory information processing, which was maintained until adulthood. Conversely, only small differences in hippocampal and striatal areas were present during early postnatal development in CNTNAP2-/- mice, while major connectivity deficits in prefrontal and limbic pathways developed between adolescence and adulthood. These findings are supported by viral tracing and electron micrograph approaches and define 2 clearly distinct connectivity endophenotypes within the autism spectrum. We conclude that the genetic background of ASD strongly influences which circuits are most affected, the nature of the phenotype, and the developmental time course of the associated changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Zerbi
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, HEST, ETH Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Giovanna D Ielacqua
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 27, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marija Markicevic
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, HEST, ETH Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Georg Haberl
- National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mark H Ellisman
- National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Arjun A-Bhaskaran
- INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, Physiopathologie de la Plasticité Neuronale, U1215, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Neurocentre Magendie, Physiopathologie de la Plasticité Neuronale, Bordeaux, France
| | - Andreas Frick
- INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, Physiopathologie de la Plasticité Neuronale, U1215, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Neurocentre Magendie, Physiopathologie de la Plasticité Neuronale, Bordeaux, France
| | - Markus Rudin
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 27, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Wenderoth
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, HEST, ETH Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, Switzerland
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Abstract
The pupillary light reflex (PLR) describes the constriction and subsequent dilation of the pupil in response to light as a result of the antagonistic actions of the iris sphincter and dilator muscles. Since these muscles are innervated by the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, respectively, different parameters of the PLR can be used as indicators for either sympathetic or parasympathetic modulation. Thus, the PLR provides an important metric of autonomic nervous system function that has been exploited for a wide range of clinical applications. Measurement of the PLR using dynamic pupillometry is now an established quantitative, non-invasive tool in assessment of traumatic head injuries. This review examines the more recent application of dynamic pupillometry as a diagnostic tool for a wide range of clinical conditions, varying from neurodegenerative disease to exposure to toxic chemicals, as well as its potential in the non-invasive diagnosis of infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte A Hall
- Research Centre for Topical Drug Delivery and Toxicology, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield SP10 1JX, UK.
| | - Robert P Chilcott
- Research Centre for Topical Drug Delivery and Toxicology, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield SP10 1JX, UK.
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Altered Cerebellar Biochemical Profiles in Infants Born Prematurely. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8143. [PMID: 28811513 PMCID: PMC5557848 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08195-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to compare the cerebellar biochemical profiles in preterm (PT) infants evaluated at term equivalent age (TEA) and healthy full-term newborns using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). We explore the associations between altered cerebellar metabolite profiles and brain injury topography, severity of injury, and prematurity-related clinical complications. We prospectively collected high quality 1H-MRS in 59 premature infants born ≤32 weeks and 61 healthy full term controls. 1H-MRS data were processed using LCModel software to calculate absolute metabolite concentration for N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), choline (Cho) and creatine (Cr). PT infants had significantly lower cerebellar NAA (p < 0.025) and higher Cho (p < 0.001) at TEA when compared to healthy controls. Creatine was not different between the two groups. The presence of cerebellar injury was consistently associated with reduced concentrations for NAA, Cho, and Cr. Postnatal infection was negatively associated with NAA and Cr (p < 005), while cerebral cortical brain injury severity was inversely associated with both Cho and Cr (p < 0.01). We report for the first time that premature birth is associated with altered cerebellar metabolite profiles when compared to term born controls. Infection, cerebellar injury and supratentorial injury are important risk factors for impaired preterm cerebellar biochemistry.
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Ecker C, Schmeisser MJ, Loth E, Murphy DG. Neuroanatomy and Neuropathology of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Humans. ADVANCES IN ANATOMY, EMBRYOLOGY, AND CELL BIOLOGY 2017; 224:27-48. [PMID: 28551749 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-52498-6_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition that is associated with differences in brain anatomy and connectivity. Yet, the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underpin the atypical developmental of the brain in ASD remain poorly understood. Here, we review the findings of in vivo neuroimaging studies examining the time course of atypical brain development in ASD and relate the different neurodevelopmental stages that are atypical in ASD to the known neurobiological mechanisms that drive the maturation of the typically developing brain. In particular, we focus on the notion of 'early brain overgrowth' in ASD, which may lead to differences in the formation of the brain's micro- and macro-circuitry. Moreover, we attempt to link the in vivo reports describing differences in brain anatomy and connectivity on the macroscopic level to the increasing number of post-mortem studies examining the neural architecture of the brain in ASD on the microscopic level. In addition, we discuss future directions and outstanding questions in this particular field of research and highlight the need for establishing the link between micro- and macro-pathology in the same set of individuals with ASD based on advances in genetic, molecular and imaging techniques. In combination, these may proof to be invaluable for patient stratification and the development of novel pharmacotherapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Ecker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
| | - Michael J Schmeisser
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Division of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Eva Loth
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
| | - Declan G Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
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Menassa DA, Sloan C, Chance SA. Primary olfactory cortex in autism and epilepsy: increased glial cells in autism. Brain Pathol 2016; 27:437-448. [PMID: 27409070 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by sensory anomalies including impaired olfactory identification. Between 5 and 46 percent of individuals with autism have a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy. Primary olfactory cortex (piriform cortex) is central to olfactory identification and is an epileptogenic structure. Cytoarchitectural changes in olfactory cortex may underlie olfactory differences seen in autism. Primary olfactory cortex was sampled from 17 post-mortem autism cases with and without epilepsy, 11 epilepsy cases without autism and 11 typically developed cases. Stereological and neuropathological methods were used to quantify glial, pyramidal and non-pyramidal cell densities in layers of the piriform as well as identify pathological differences in this area and its neighbouring region, the olfactory tubercle. We found increased layer II glial cell densities in autism with and without epilepsy, which were negatively correlated with age and positively correlated with levels of corpora amylacea in layer I. These changes were also associated with greater symptom severity and did not extend to the olfactory tubercle. Glial cell organization may follow an altered trajectory of development with age in autism. The findings are consistent with other studies implicating increased glial cells in the autism brain. Altered cytoarchitecture may contribute to sensory deficits observed in affected individuals. This study provides evidence that autism is linked to alterations in the cytoarchitectural structure that underlies primary sensory processes and is not restricted to heteromodal ("higher") cognitive centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Menassa
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Carolyn Sloan
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Steven A Chance
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
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Morgese MG, Trabace L. Maternal Malnutrition in the Etiopathogenesis of Psychiatric Diseases: Role of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids. Brain Sci 2016; 6:E24. [PMID: 27472366 PMCID: PMC5039453 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci6030024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence from human studies indicates that maternal metabolic state and malnutrition dramatically influence the risk for developing psychiatric complications in later adulthood. In this regard, the central role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and particularly n-3 PUFAs, is emerging considering that epidemiological evidences have established a negative correlation between n-3 PUFA consumption and development of mood disorders. These findings were supported by clinical studies indicating that low content of n-3 PUFAs in diet is linked to an increased susceptibility to psychiatric disorders. PUFAs regulate membrane fluidity and exert their central action by modulating synaptogenesis and neurotrophic factor expression, neurogenesis, and neurotransmission. Moreover, they are precursors of molecules implicated in modulating immune and inflammatory processes in the brain. Importantly, their tissue concentrations are closely related to diet intake, especially to maternal consumption during embryonal life, considering that their synthesis from essential precursors has been shown to be inefficient in mammals. The scope of this review is to highlight the possible mechanisms of PUFA functions in the brain during pre- and post-natal period and to evaluate their role in the pathogenesis of psychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Morgese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia 71122, Italy.
| | - Luigia Trabace
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia 71122, Italy.
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Ecker C. The neuroanatomy of autism spectrum disorder: An overview of structural neuroimaging findings and their translatability to the clinical setting. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2016; 21:18-28. [DOI: 10.1177/1362361315627136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, which is accompanied by differences in brain anatomy, functioning and brain connectivity. Due to its neurodevelopmental character, and the large phenotypic heterogeneity among individuals on the autism spectrum, the neurobiology of autism spectrum disorder is inherently difficult to describe. Nevertheless, significant progress has been made in characterizing the neuroanatomical underpinnings of autism spectrum disorder across the human life span, and in identifying the molecular pathways that may be affected in autism spectrum disorder. Moreover, novel methodological frameworks for analyzing neuroimaging data are emerging that make it possible to characterize the neuroanatomy of autism spectrum disorder on the case level, and to stratify individuals based on their individual phenotypic make up. While these approaches are increasingly more often employed in the research setting, their applicability in the clinical setting remains a vision for the future. The aim of the current review is to (1) provide a general overview of recent structural neuroimaging findings examining the neuroanatomy of autism spectrum disorder across the human life span, and in males and females with the condition, (2) highlight potential neuroimaging (bio)markers that may in the future be used for the stratification of autism spectrum disorder individuals into biologically homogeneous subgroups and (3) inform treatment and intervention strategies.
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Abstract
Epilepsy and autistic spectrum disorder frequently coexist in the same individual. Electroencephalogram (EEG) epileptiform activity is also present at a substantially higher rate in children with autism than normally developing children. As with epilepsy, there are a multitude of genetic and environmental factors that can result in autistic spectrum disorder. There is growing consensus from both animal and clinical studies that autism is a disorder of aberrant connectivity. As measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and EEG, the brain in autistic spectrum disorder may be under- or overconnected or have a mixture of over- and underconnectivity. In the case of comorbid epilepsy and autism, an imbalance of the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) ratio in selected regions of the brain may drive overconnectivity. Understanding the mechanism by which altered connectivity in individuals with comorbid epilepsy and autistic spectrum disorder results in the behaviors specific to the autistic spectrum disorder remains a challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gregory L Holmes
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05405
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Ha S, Sohn IJ, Kim N, Sim HJ, Cheon KA. Characteristics of Brains in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Structure, Function and Connectivity across the Lifespan. Exp Neurobiol 2015; 24:273-84. [PMID: 26713076 PMCID: PMC4688328 DOI: 10.5607/en.2015.24.4.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs). Over the past decade, neuroimaging studies have provided considerable insights underlying neurobiological mechanisms of ASD. In this review, we introduce recent findings from brain imaging studies to characterize the brains of ASD across the human lifespan. Results of structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies dealing with total brain volume, regional brain structure and cortical area are summarized. Using task-based functional MRI (fMRI), many studies have shown dysfunctional activation in critical areas of social communication and RRBs. We also describe several data to show abnormal connectivity in the ASD brains. Finally, we suggest the possible strategies to study ASD brains in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungji Ha
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine and Yonsei Autism Laboratory, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - In-Jung Sohn
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine and Yonsei Autism Laboratory, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea. ; Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Namwook Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine and Yonsei Autism Laboratory, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea. ; Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Hyeon Jeong Sim
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine and Yonsei Autism Laboratory, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Keun-Ah Cheon
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine and Yonsei Autism Laboratory, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea. ; Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
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45
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Brossard-Racine M, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. Developmental cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome in ex-preterm survivors following cerebellar injury. THE CEREBELLUM 2015; 14:151-64. [PMID: 25241880 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-014-0597-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cerebellar injury is increasingly recognized as an important complication of very preterm birth. However, the neurodevelopmental consequences of early life cerebellar injury in prematurely born infants have not been well elucidated. We performed a literature search of studies published between 1997 and 2014 describing neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants following direct cerebellar injury or indirect cerebellar injury/underdevelopment. Available data suggests that both direct and indirect mechanisms of cerebellar injury appear to stunt cerebellar growth and adversely affect neurodevelopment. This review also provides important insights into the highly integrated cerebral-cerebellar structural and functional correlates. Finally, this review highlights that early life impairment of cerebellar growth extends far beyond motor impairments and plays a critical, previously underrecognized role in the long-term cognitive, behavioral, and social deficits associated with brain injury among premature infants. These data point to a developmental form of the cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome previously described in adults. Longitudinal prospective studies using serial advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques are needed to better delineate the full extent of the role of prematurity-related cerebellar injury and topography in the genesis of cognitive, social-behavioral dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Brossard-Racine
- Advanced Pediatric Brain Imaging Research Laboratory, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA,
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Chen Y, Huang WC, Séjourné J, Clipperton-Allen AE, Page DT. Pten Mutations Alter Brain Growth Trajectory and Allocation of Cell Types through Elevated β-Catenin Signaling. J Neurosci 2015; 35:10252-67. [PMID: 26180201 PMCID: PMC6605343 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5272-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2014] [Revised: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal patterns of head and brain growth are a replicated finding in a subset of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is not known whether risk factors associated with ASD and abnormal brain growth (both overgrowth and undergrowth) converge on common biological pathways and cellular mechanisms in the developing brain. Heterozygous mutations in PTEN (PTEN(+/-)), which encodes a negative regulator of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway, are a risk factor for ASD and macrocephaly. Here we use the developing cerebral cortex of Pten(+/-) mice to investigate the trajectory of brain overgrowth and underlying cellular mechanisms. We find that overgrowth is detectable from birth to adulthood, is driven by hyperplasia, and coincides with excess neurons at birth and excess glia in adulthood. β-Catenin signaling is elevated in the developing Pten(+/-) cortex, and a heterozygous mutation in Ctnnb1 (encoding β-catenin), itself a candidate gene for ASD and microcephaly, can suppress Pten(+/-) cortical overgrowth. Thus, a balance of Pten and β-catenin signaling regulates normal brain growth trajectory by controlling cell number, and imbalance in this relationship can result in abnormal brain growth. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We report that Pten haploinsufficiency leads to a dynamic trajectory of brain overgrowth during development and altered scaling of neuronal and glial cell populations. β-catenin signaling is elevated in the developing cerebral cortex of Pten haploinsufficient mice, and a heterozygous mutation in β-catenin, itself a candidate gene for ASD and microcephaly, suppresses Pten(+/-) cortical overgrowth. This leads to the new insight that Pten and β-catenin signaling act in a common pathway to regulate normal brain growth trajectory by controlling cell number, and disruption of this pathway can result in abnormal brain growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjun Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458
| | - Wen-Chin Huang
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458
| | - Julien Séjourné
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458
| | | | - Damon T Page
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458
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Neuroimaging in autism spectrum disorder: brain structure and function across the lifespan. Lancet Neurol 2015; 14:1121-34. [PMID: 25891007 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(15)00050-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 266] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, in-vivo MRI studies have provided many invaluable insights into the neural substrates underlying autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is now known to be associated with neurodevelopmental variations in brain anatomy, functioning, and connectivity. These systems-level features of ASD pathology seem to develop differentially across the human lifespan so that the cortical abnormalities that occur in children with ASD differ from those noted at other stages of life. Thus, investigation of the brain in ASD poses particular methodological challenges, which must be addressed to enable the comparison of results across studies. Novel analytical approaches are also being developed to facilitate the translation of findings from the research to the clinical setting. In the future, the insights provided by human neuroimaging studies could contribute to biomarker development for ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders, and to new approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects 1 in 50 children between the ages of 6 and 17 years. The etiology of ASD is not precisely known. ASD is an umbrella term, which includes both low- (IQ < 70) and high-functioning (IQ > 70) individuals. A better understanding of the disorder and how it manifests in individual subjects can lead to more effective intervention plans to fulfill the individual's treatment needs.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive investigational tool that can be used to study the ways in which the brain develops or deviates from the typical developmental trajectory. MRI offers insights into the structure, function, and metabolism of the brain. In this article, we review published studies on brain connectivity changes in ASD using either resting state functional MRI or diffusion tensor imaging.The general findings of decreases in white matter integrity and in long-range neural coherence are well known in the ASD literature. Nevertheless, the detailed localization of these findings remains uncertain, and few studies link these changes in connectivity with the behavioral phenotype of the disorder. With the help of data sharing and large-scale analytic efforts, however, the field is advancing toward several convergent themes, including the reduced functional coherence of long-range intra-hemispheric cortico-cortical default mode circuitry, impaired inter-hemispheric regulation, and an associated, perhaps compensatory, increase in local and short-range cortico-subcortical coherence.
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49
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Dance/Movement Therapy as an Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DANCE THERAPY 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10465-014-9179-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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50
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van Elst K, Bruining H, Birtoli B, Terreaux C, Buitelaar JK, Kas MJ. Food for thought: dietary changes in essential fatty acid ratios and the increase in autism spectrum disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 45:369-78. [PMID: 25025657 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The last decades have shown a spectacular and partially unexplained rise in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This rise in ASD seems to parallel changes in the dietary composition of fatty acids. This change is marked by the replacement of cholesterol by omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids in many of our food products, resulting in a drastically increased ratio of omega-6/omega-3 (n-6/n-3). In this context, we review the available knowledge on the putative role of fatty acids in neurodevelopment and describe how disturbances in n-6/n-3 ratios may contribute to the emergence of ASDs. Both clinical and experimental research is discussed. We argue that a change in the ratio of n-6/n-3, especially during early life, may induce developmental changes in brain connectivity, synaptogenesis, cognition and behavior that are directly related to ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim van Elst
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hilgo Bruining
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Jan K Buitelaar
- Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Martien J Kas
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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