A translational neuroscience framework for the development of socioemotional functioning in health and psychopathology

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (4pt2) ◽  
pp. 1293-1309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jillian Lee Wiggins ◽  
Christopher S. Monk
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Socioemotional Development ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Socioemotional Functioning ◽  
Pediatric Anxiety ◽  
Developmental Neuroscience ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Pediatric Depression ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms

AbstractThe development of socioemotional functioning is a complex process that occurs over a protracted time period and requires coordinating affective, cognitive, and social faculties. At many points in development, the trajectory of socioemotional development can be deleteriously altered due to a combination of environmental insults and individual vulnerabilities. The result can be psychopathology. However, researchers are just beginning to understand the neural and genetic mechanisms involved in the development of healthy and disordered socioemotional functioning. We propose a translational developmental neuroscience framework to understand the transactional process that results in socioemotional functioning in both healthy and disordered populations. We then apply this framework to healthy socioemotional development, pediatric anxiety, pediatric depression, and autism spectrum disorder, selectively reviewing current literature in light of the framework. Finally, we examine ways that the framework can help to frame future directions of research on socioemotional development and translational implications for intervention.

scholarly journals Imbalanced social-communicative and restricted repetitive behavior subtypes of autism spectrum disorder exhibit different neural circuitry

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Bertelsen ◽  
◽  
Isotta Landi ◽  
Richard A. I. Bethlehem ◽  
Jakob Seidlitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repetitive Behavior ◽  
Resting State Fmri ◽  
Neural Circuitry ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Out Of Sample ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
Social Communicative ◽  
The Eu

AbstractSocial-communication (SC) and restricted repetitive behaviors (RRB) are autism diagnostic symptom domains. SC and RRB severity can markedly differ within and between individuals and may be underpinned by different neural circuitry and genetic mechanisms. Modeling SC-RRB balance could help identify how neural circuitry and genetic mechanisms map onto such phenotypic heterogeneity. Here, we developed a phenotypic stratification model that makes highly accurate (97–99%) out-of-sample SC = RRB, SC > RRB, and RRB > SC subtype predictions. Applying this model to resting state fMRI data from the EU-AIMS LEAP dataset (n = 509), we find that while the phenotypic subtypes share many commonalities in terms of intrinsic functional connectivity, they also show replicable differences within some networks compared to a typically-developing group (TD). Specifically, the somatomotor network is hypoconnected with perisylvian circuitry in SC > RRB and visual association circuitry in SC = RRB. The SC = RRB subtype show hyperconnectivity between medial motor and anterior salience circuitry. Genes that are highly expressed within these networks show a differential enrichment pattern with known autism-associated genes, indicating that such circuits are affected by differing autism-associated genomic mechanisms. These results suggest that SC-RRB imbalance subtypes share many commonalities, but also express subtle differences in functional neural circuitry and the genomic underpinnings behind such circuitry.

scholarly journals Fluorescent Protein-Based Autophagy Biosensors

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 3019
Author(s):  
Heejung Kim ◽  
Jihye Seong
Keyword(s):  
Energy Transfer ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Resonance Energy Transfer ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Spectral Profile ◽  
Spatiotemporal Resolution ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Complex Process

Autophagy is an essential cellular process of self-degradation for dysfunctional or unnecessary cytosolic constituents and organelles. Dysregulation of autophagy is thus involved in various diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases. To investigate the complex process of autophagy, various biochemical, chemical assays, and imaging methods have been developed. Here we introduce various methods to study autophagy, in particular focusing on the review of designs, principles, and limitations of the fluorescent protein (FP)-based autophagy biosensors. Different physicochemical properties of FPs, such as pH-sensitivity, stability, brightness, spectral profile, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), are considered to design autophagy biosensors. These FP-based biosensors allow for sensitive detection and real-time monitoring of autophagy progression in live cells with high spatiotemporal resolution. We also discuss future directions utilizing an optobiochemical strategy to investigate the in-depth mechanisms of autophagy. These cutting-edge technologies will further help us to develop the treatment strategies of autophagy-related diseases.

scholarly journals Angelman Syndrome: An Autism Spectrum Disorder

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 56-60
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Kennedy ◽  
Jeffrey O. Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Angelman Syndrome ◽  
Motor Development ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Muscle Tension ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Speech Impairment ◽  
Social Lives ◽  
Genetic Abnormalities ◽  
Ube3a Gene ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms

Neurodevelopmental disorders limit the mental, physical, and social lives of affected individuals and their families. These disorders are often related to genetic abnormalities having a distinct chromosomal location. The abnormalities can cause incorrect proteins to be formed or biochemical pathways to be blocked, predominately affecting brain development, but also having pleiotropic effects. Research into defining and correcting these genetic abnormalities is important to help distinguish between unique neurodevelopmental disorders so that proper clinical interventions are available for affected individuals. In the following review, Angelman syndrome, which results from UBE3A gene function being lost at maternal chromosome  15q11.2-q13, will be discussed. Angelman patients suffer from the defining characteristics of speech impairment, uncontrolled laughing and smiling, motor development issues, muscle tension, and possible ataxia. The genetic mechanisms of the disorder as well as possible therapies will be discussed, with future areas of research into genetic therapies to treat Angelman syndrome also put forth. Research into Angelman syndrome can provide an avenue for a clearer understanding of other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Behavior and Molecular Genetics of the Five Factor Model

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber M. Jarnecke ◽  
Susan C. South
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Genetics ◽  
Behavior Genetics ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Genetics Research ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
Genetic Techniques ◽  
Related Personality

Behavior and molecular genetics informs knowledge of the etiology, structure, and development of the Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality. Behavior genetics uses quantitative modeling to parse the relative influence of nature and nurture on phenotypes that vary within the population. Behavior genetics research on the FFM has demonstrated that each domain has a heritability (proportion of variation due to genetic influences) of 40–50%. Molecular genetic methods attempt to identify specific genetic mechanisms associated with personality variation. To date, findings from molecular genetics are tentative, with significant results failing to replicate and accounting for only a small percentage of the variance. However, newer techniques hold promise for finding the “missing heritability” of FFM and related personality domains. This chapter presents an overview of commonly used behavior and molecular genetic techniques, reviews the work that has been done on the FFM domains and facets, and offers a perspective for future directions.

NeuroD-null mice are deaf due to a severe loss of the inner ear sensory neurons during development

Development ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.Y. Kim ◽  
B. Fritzsch ◽  
A. Serls ◽  
L.A. Bakel ◽  
E.J. Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inner Ear ◽  
Sensory Neurons ◽  
Auditory Evoked Potentials ◽  
Neurotrophin Receptors ◽  
Basic Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Developmental Neuroscience ◽  
Profound Deafness ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms

A key factor in the genetically programmed development of the nervous system is the death of massive numbers of neurons. Therefore, genetic mechanisms governing cell survival are of fundamental importance to developmental neuroscience. We report that inner ear sensory neurons are dependent on a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor called NeuroD for survival during differentiation. Mice lacking NeuroD protein exhibit no auditory evoked potentials, reflecting a profound deafness. DiI fiber staining, immunostaining and cell death assays reveal that the deafness is due to the failure of inner ear sensory neuron survival during development. The affected inner ear sensory neurons fail to express neurotrophin receptors, TrkB and TrkC, suggesting that the ability of NeuroD to support neuronal survival may be directly mediated through regulation of responsiveness to the neurotrophins.

Robots and Autism Spectrum Disorder

2016 ◽  
pp. 905-924
Author(s):  
Amie Senland
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Technological Intervention ◽  
Educational Applications ◽  
Potential Use

Technology featuring robots is a promising innovative technological intervention for treating and educating children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This chapter reviews, critiques, and presents future directions for research on clinical and educational applications of robots for these children. Specifically, this chapter reviews current research on: (1) robots that act as social mediators for children with ASD and (2) robots that assist them in developing social skills such as joint attention and imitation. A critical review of the research suggests that robots may have the capacity to assist some of these children, but additional rigorous studies are necessary to demonstrate their efficacy and effectiveness. Future research must (1) examine whether robots have differential effects for specific subgroups of children with ASD and (2) contribute to a deeper understanding of robots' potential use in educational settings.

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