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Jameson C, Boulton KA, Silove N, Nanan R, Guastella AJ. Ectodermal origins of the skin-brain axis: a novel model for the developing brain, inflammation, and neurodevelopmental conditions. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:108-117. [PMID: 36284159 PMCID: PMC9812765 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01829-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Early life development and its divergence is influenced by multiple genetic, neurological, and environmental factors. Atypical neurodevelopment, such as that observed in autism spectrum disorder, likely begins in early gestation during a period of entwined growth between the brain and epithelial barriers of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and airway. This review coalesces epidemiological and neuroinflammatory evidence linking cutaneous atopic disease with both reduced skin barrier integrity and determinants of neurodivergence. We consider the shared developmental origin of epidermal and neural tissue with related genetic and environmental risk factors to evaluate potential pre- and postnatal modifiers of the skin-brain connection. Initial postnatal skin barrier integrity may provide a useful marker for both cortical integrity and meaningful subgroups of children showing early neurodevelopmental delays. It may also modify known risk factors to neurodevelopment, such as pathogen caused immune system activation. These novel insights of a skin-brain-neurodevelopment connection may advance detection and intervention opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Jameson
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XClinic for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research, Brain and Mind Centre, Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XChild Neurodevelopment and Mental Health Team, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia
| | - K. A. Boulton
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XClinic for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research, Brain and Mind Centre, Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XChild Neurodevelopment and Mental Health Team, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia
| | - N. Silove
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XChild Neurodevelopment and Mental Health Team, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia ,grid.413973.b0000 0000 9690 854XChild Development Unit, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW Australia
| | - R. Nanan
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XChild Neurodevelopment and Mental Health Team, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XCharles Perkins Centre Nepean’s and Sydney Medical School Nepean, The University of Sydney, Nepean, Discipline of Paediatrics, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia
| | - A. J. Guastella
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XClinic for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research, Brain and Mind Centre, Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XChild Neurodevelopment and Mental Health Team, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia
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