scholarly journals Beyond Genes: Germline Disruption in the Etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Escher ◽  
Wei Yan ◽  
Emilie F. Rissman ◽  
Hsiao-Lin V. Wang ◽  
Arturo Hernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Valproic Acid ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Dna Sequence ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Anesthetic Gases ◽  
Synthetic Steroids ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Developmental Exposures

AbstractInvestigations into the etiology of autism spectrum disorders have been largely confined to two realms: variations in DNA sequence and somatic developmental exposures. Here we suggest a third route—disruption of the germline epigenome induced by exogenous toxicants during a parent’s gamete development. Similar to cases of germline mutation, these molecular perturbations may produce dysregulated transcription of brain-related genes during fetal and early development, resulting in abnormal neurobehavioral phenotypes in offspring. Many types of exposures may have these impacts, and here we discuss examples of anesthetic gases, tobacco components, synthetic steroids, and valproic acid. Alterations in parental germline could help explain some unsolved phenomena of autism, including increased prevalence, missing heritability, skewed sex ratio, and heterogeneity of neurobiology and behavior.

scholarly journals DENTATE GYRUS MOLECULAR LAYER MICROGLIA CHANGES, IL1-β AND BEHAVIOR IN MOUSE VALPROIC ACID MODEL OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alinne Lorrany Gomes Dos Santos ◽  
Ellen Rose Leandro Ponce de Leão ◽  
Larissa Victória Barra de Moura ◽  
Dilza Souza ◽  
Daniel Guerreiro Diniz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Valproic Acid ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Dentate Gyrus ◽  
Molecular Layer ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
And Behavior

scholarly journals Secular Trend of Sex Ratio and Symptom Patterns among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 92-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sidney M. Baker ◽  
Andrew Milivojevich ◽  
Theresa Kraycar ◽  
Brett Holt ◽  
Satya Gade
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Secular Trend ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Symptom Patterns

Oxytocin and Vasopressin: Mechanisms for Potential Sex Differences Observed in Autism Spectrum Disorders

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Sue Carter ◽  
Suma Jacob
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Arginine Vasopressin ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Unique Role ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Brain And Behavior ◽  
And Behavior

The effects of oxytocin and vasopressin on the brain and behavior can be sexually dimorphic, especially during the course of development (Bales, Kim, et al., 2004; Bales, Pfeifer, et al., 2004; Bales, Plotsky, et al., 2007; Bielsky et al., 2005a; Carter, 2003; Thompson et al., 2006; Yamamoto et al., 2005; Yamamoto et al., 2004). Given the sexual discrepancy observed in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), these two neuropeptides, oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), have received attention for their potential role in ASDs (Green and Hollander, 2010; Insel et al., 1999; Leckman & Herman, 2002; Welch et al., 2005; Winslow, 2005; Young et al., 2002). Changes in either OT or AVP and their receptors could be capable of influencing symptom domains or behaviors associated with ASDs. Arginine vasopressin is androgen dependent in some brain regions (De Vries & Panzica, 2006), and males are more sensitive to AVP, especially during development. We hypothesize here that AVP, which has a unique role in males, must be present in optimal levels to be protective against ASDs. Either excess AVP or disruptions in the AVP system could play a role in development of the traits found in ASDs. In contrast, OT may possibly be secreted in response to adversity, especially in females, serving as a protective factor.

scholarly journals Altered Cytokine and BDNF Levels in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne M.Y. Han ◽  
Suk Yu Yau ◽  
Melody M.Y. Chan ◽  
Chun Kwok Wong ◽  
Agnes S. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Immune Functions ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Chemokine Ligand ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Previous studies have shown that immunological factors are involved in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The present study examined whether immunological abnormalities are associated with cognitive deficits and problem behaviors in children with ASD and whether children with ASD show different immunological biomarkers and brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF levels than typically developing (TD) children. Sixteen TD and 18 children with ASD, aged 6–18 years, voluntarily participated in the study. Participants’ executive functions were measured using neuropsychological tests, and behavioral measures were measured using parent ratings. Immunological measures were assessed by measuring the levels of chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) in participants’ blood serum. Children with ASD showed greater deficits in cognitive functions as well as altered levels of immunological measures when compared to TD children, and their cognitive functions and behavior deficits were significantly associated with increased CCL5 levels and decreased BDNF levels. These results provide evidence to support the notion that altered immune functions are associated with neuronal deficits, are indexed by decreased levels of BDNF and manifest as selective cognitive and behavioral symptoms in individuals with ASD.

Are ‘leaky gut’ and behavior associated with gluten and dairy containing diet in children with autism spectrum disorders?

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 177-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Navarro ◽  
Deborah A Pearson ◽  
Nicole Fatheree ◽  
Rosleen Mansour ◽  
S Shahrukh Hashmi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Leaky Gut ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
And Behavior

scholarly journals Prenatal Exposure to Valproic Acid Affects Microglia and Synaptic Ultrastructure in a Brain-Region-Specific Manner in Young-Adult Male Rats: Relevance to Autism Spectrum Disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Gąssowska-Dobrowolska ◽  
Magdalena Cieślik ◽  
Grzegorz Arkadiusz Czapski ◽  
Henryk Jęśko ◽  
Małgorzata Frontczak-Baniewicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Valproic Acid ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Prenatal Exposure ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Brain Region ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Synaptic Proteins ◽  
Specific Manner ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental conditions categorized as synaptopathies. Environmental risk factors contribute to ASD aetiology. In particular, prenatal exposure to the anti-epileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) may increase the risk of autism. In the present study, we investigated the effect of prenatal exposure to VPA on the synaptic morphology and expression of key synaptic proteins in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of young-adult male offspring. To characterize the VPA-induced autism model, behavioural outcomes, microglia-related neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress were analysed. Our data showed that prenatal exposure to VPA impaired communication in neonatal rats, reduced their exploratory activity, and led to anxiety-like and repetitive behaviours in the young-adult animals. VPA-induced pathological alterations in the ultrastructures of synapses accompanied by deregulation of key pre- and postsynaptic structural and functional proteins. Moreover, VPA exposure altered the redox status and expression of proinflammatory genes in a brain region-specific manner. The disruption of synaptic structure and plasticity may be the primary insult responsible for autism-related behaviour in the offspring. The vulnerability of specific synaptic proteins to the epigenetic effects of VPA may highlight the potential mechanisms by which prenatal VPA exposure generates behavioural changes.

scholarly journals DENTATE GYRUS MOLECULAR LAYER VOLUMETRIC CHANGES IN VALPROIC ACID MOUSE MODEL OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alinne Lorrany Gomes Dos Santos ◽  
Luma Cristina Guerreiro Ferreira ◽  
Dilza Souza ◽  
Daniel Guerreiro Diniz ◽  
Cristovam Wanderley Picanço Diniz
Keyword(s):  
Valproic Acid ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Dentate Gyrus ◽  
Molecular Layer ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders
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