scholarly journals Striatal dopamine synthesis capacity in autism spectrum disorder and its relation with social defeat: an [18F]-FDOPA PET/CT study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rik Schalbroeck ◽  
Floris H. P. van Velden ◽  
Lioe-Fee de Geus-Oei ◽  
Maqsood Yaqub ◽  
Therese van Amelsvoort ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Social Defeat ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Striatal Dopamine ◽  
Dopamine Synthesis ◽  
Ct Scanner ◽  
Pet Ct ◽  
Significant Difference

AbstractAlterations in dopamine signalling have been implied in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and these could be associated with the risk of developing a psychotic disorder in ASD adults. Negative social experiences and feelings of social defeat might result in an increase in dopamine functioning. However, few studies examined dopamine functioning in vivo in ASD. Here we examine whether striatal dopamine synthesis capacity is increased in ASD and associated with social defeat. Forty-four unmedicated, non-psychotic adults diagnosed with ASD and 22 matched controls, aged 18–30 years, completed a dynamic 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[18F]-fluoro-L-phenylalanine positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18F]-FDOPA PET/CT) scan to measure presynaptic dopamine synthesis capacity in the striatum. We considered unwanted loneliness, ascertained using the UCLA Loneliness Scale, as primary measure of social defeat. We found no statistically significant difference in striatal dopamine synthesis capacity between ASD and controls (F1,60 = 0.026, p = 0.87). In ASD, striatal dopamine synthesis capacity was not significantly associated with loneliness (β = 0.01, p = 0.96). Secondary analyses showed comparable results when examining the associative, limbic, and sensorimotor sub-regions of the striatum (all p-values > 0.05). Results were similar before and after adjusting for age, sex, smoking-status, and PET/CT-scanner-type. In conclusion, in unmedicated, non-psychotic adults with ASD, striatal dopamine synthesis capacity is not increased and not associated with social defeat.

scholarly journals Cerebral [18F]-FDOPA Uptake in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Its Association with Autistic Traits

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2404
Author(s):  
Rik Schalbroeck ◽  
Lioe-Fee de Geus-Oei ◽  
Jean-Paul Selten ◽  
Maqsood Yaqub ◽  
Anouk Schrantee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Region Of Interest ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Striatal Dopamine ◽  
Dopamine Synthesis ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Autistic Adults

Dopaminergic signaling is believed to be related to autistic traits. We conducted an exploratory 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[18F]-fluoro-L-phenylalanine positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18F]-FDOPA PET/CT) study, to examine cerebral [18F]-FDOPA influx constant (kicer min−1), reflecting predominantly striatal dopamine synthesis capacity and a mixed monoaminergic innervation in extrastriatal neurons, in 44 adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 22 controls, aged 18 to 30 years. Autistic traits were assessed with the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Region-of-interest and voxel-based analyses showed no statistically significant differences in kicer between autistic adults and controls. In autistic adults, striatal kicer was significantly, negatively associated with AQ attention to detail subscale scores, although Bayesian analyses did not support this finding. In conclusion, among autistic adults, specific autistic traits can be associated with reduced striatal dopamine synthesis capacity. However, replication of this finding is necessary.

scholarly journals Possible tics diagnosed as stereotypies in patients with severe autism spectrum disorder: a video-based evaluation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiano Termine ◽  
Enzo Grossi ◽  
Valentina Anelli ◽  
Ledina Derhemi ◽  
Andrea E. Cavanna
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Severe Autism

Abstract Background The association of stereotypies and tics is not rare in children with severe autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The differential diagnosis between stereotypies and tics in this patient population can be difficult; however, it could be clinically relevant because of treatment implications. Methods A total of 108 video recordings of repetitive behaviors in young patients with stereotypies in the context of ASD were reviewed by a movement disorders expert and a trainee, in order to assess the prevalence of possible co-morbid tics. The Modified Rush Videotape Rating Scale (MRVS) was used to rate tic frequency and severity. Results Out of 27 patients with stereotypies (24 males; mean age 14 years), 18 (67%) reported possible tics. The most frequently observed tics were eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, neck bending, staring, and throat clearing. The mean MRVS score was 5, indicating mild tic severity. The only significant difference between patients with tics and patients without tics was the total number of stereotypies, which was higher in the subgroup of patients without tics (p = 0.01). Conclusions Expert review of video-recordings of repetitive behaviors in young patients with ASD and stereotypies suggests the possibility of a relatively high rate of co-morbid tics. These findings need to be integrated with a comprehensive clinical assessment focusing on the diagnostic re-evaluation of heterogeneous motor manifestations.

scholarly journals Associations between autism spectrum disorder and eating disorders with and without self-induced vomiting: an empirical study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noriko Numata ◽  
Akiko Nakagawa ◽  
Kazuko Yoshioka ◽  
Kayoko Isomura ◽  
Daisuke Matsuzawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Essential Difference ◽  
Illness Duration ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background Although approximately 23% of anorexia nervosa (AN) patients have concomitant autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it is clinically difficult to determine ASD coexistence in patients with eating disorders. Restrictive AN is more common in younger patients and self-induced vomiting usually appears during adolescence/young adulthood, in order to prevent gaining weight caused by overeating. However, some patients are tolerant of weight gain even if they start overeating. It is important to understand the essential difference between those who vomit and those who do not vomit. In this study, we hypothesised that the absence of self-induced vomiting may be associated with the presence of ASD and aimed to assess the presence of ASD traits in each eating disorder (EDs). Clarifying this association helps to consider the coexistence of ASD in the clinical setting and can lead to the next detailed ASD evaluation, and as a result, helps to determine the appropriate treatment and support individually. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 43 females aged 15–45 years who attended Chiba University Hospital between 2012 and 2016 using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) to quantify the severity of the EDs and to identify whether ASD traits were present. Results There was no difference in the AQ score between bingeing-purging type AN and restricting type AN. However, there was significant difference in the AQ score between bulimia nervosa and binge EDs (BED). Of the 4 ED subtypes, BED had the highest ASD traits. The non-vomiting group with illness duration < 4 years had a significantly higher AQ communication score than the vomiting group with illness duration ≥4 years. Conclusions There was a difference in the AQ score by the presence or absence of self-induced vomiting. The results of this study suggest an association between high scores on AQ and non-vomiting. Thus, evaluation of patients for the absence of self-induced vomiting while assessing them for EDs may help us to understand the association with ASD traits.

scholarly journals The frequency, variation, and semantic integration of co-speech gesture production in verbal adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renáta Longauerová
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Verbal Working Memory ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Semantic Integration ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Frequency Variation ◽  
Animated Cartoon ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Gesture Production ◽  
Adolescents With Asd

Gestures play an important role in communication, but for populations with atypical language development, gestures are often an area of significant difficulty, especially for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Research on younger children with ASD show a significant delay in gesture production, as well as a complete absence of certain types of gestures. However, previous work leaves open the question of whether the frequency and variation of gesture production is impaired also in adolescents with ASD. Moreover, very little is known about the semantic integration of speech and gesture in this population. In the present study, 5 adolescents with ASD and 5 typically-developing adolescents completed a narrative task, in which they were asked to retell a story of 4 animated cartoon clips. The results show that while there is no significant difference between the two groups in the frequency of gesture production and the types of gestures they produce, the frequency of gesture production in the individuals with ASD significantly depends on their verbal working memory skills. Moreover, it seems that many impairments that were confirmed by earlier studies for ASD children in early and late childhood seem to be mere delays that get resolved over time, such as the usage of supplementary gestures.

scholarly journals Evaluation of circulating miRNAs and mRNAs expression patterns in autism spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amany H. Abdelrahman ◽  
Ola M. Eid ◽  
Mona H. Ibrahim ◽  
Safa N. Abd El-Fattah ◽  
Maha M. Eid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Gene Family ◽  
Complex Disease ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Normal Volunteer ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that affects a person’s perception and socialization, resulting in problems in social interaction and communication. It has no single known cause, yet several different genes appear to be involved in autism. As a genetically complex disease, dysregulation of miRNA expression and miRNA–mRNA interactions might be a feature of autism spectrum disorder. The aim of the current study was to investigate the expression profile of circulating miRNA-128, miRNA-7 and SHANK gene family in ASD patients and to assess the possible influence of miRNA-128 and miRNA-7 on SHANK genes, which might provide an insight into the pathogenic mechanisms of ASD and introduce noninvasive molecular biomarkers for the disease diagnosis and prognosis. Quantitative real-time PCR technique was employed to determine expression levels of miRNA-128, miRNA-7 and SHANK gene family in blood samples of 40 autistic cases along with 30 age- and sex-matched normal volunteer subjects. Results Our study revealed a statistical significant upregulation of miRNA-128 expression levels in ASD cases compared to controls (p value < 0.001). A statistical significant difference in SHANK-3 expression was encountered on comparing cases to controls (p value < 0.001). However, miRNA-7 expression showed no significant difference between the studied groups. Conclusions MiRNA-128 and SHANK-3 gene are emerging players in the field of ASD. They are promising candidates as noninvasive biomarkers in autism. Future studies are needed to emphasize their pivotal role.

scholarly journals TNF-α expression ratio of M1/M2 macrophages is a potential adjunctive tool for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahira Yamauchi ◽  
Manabu Makinodan ◽  
Michihiro Toritsuka ◽  
Kazuki Okumura ◽  
Yoshinori Kayashima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Positive Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
M2 Macrophages ◽  
Expression Ratio ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Factor Α

Abstract Background The etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is complex. Its pathobiology is characterized by enhanced inflammatory activities; however, the exact ASD pathobiology remains unclear. Some cases of ASD are difficult to diagnose using existing psychological assessments because the careful exclusion of other psychiatric disorders is challenging. To distinguish between the appropriate targets for interventions and research, the demand for identifying efficient diagnostic biomarkers is increasing. This study aimed to find an inflammatory indicator beneficial for the diagnosis of ASD.Methods Cytokine mRNA expression, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), was measured in the differentiated M1 and M2 macrophages of ASD patients (n = 29) and typically developed (TD) individuals (n = 30). TNF-α expression was also measured in the monocytes of ASD patients (n = 7) and TD individuals (n = 6).Results TNF-α expression in M1 macrophages and TNF-α expression ratio of M1/M2 macrophages were markedly higher in ASD patients than in TD subjects; however, this difference was not observed in M2 macrophages (M1: p < 0.01; ratio of M1/M2: p < 0.0001; M2: p > 0.05), suggesting that this indicator could be a useful tool for diagnosing ASD (M1: sensitivity = 34.5%, specificity = 96.7%, area under the curve (AUC) = 0.74, positive likelihood ratio (PLR) = 10.34; ratio of M1/M2: sensitivity = 55.2%, specificity = 96.7%, AUC = 0.79, PLR = 16.55). However, there was no significant difference in the TNF-α expression in monocytes between ASD and TD individuals (p > 0.05).Conclusion These findings suggest that TNF-α expression in differentiated macrophages represents a novel adjunctive tool for the diagnosis of ASD.

scholarly journals Neural correlates of cardiac interoceptive accuracy across development: implications for social symptoms in autism spectrum disorders

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle D. Failla ◽  
Lauren K. Bryant ◽  
Brynna H. Heflin ◽  
Lisa E. Mash ◽  
Kim Schauder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Developmental Trajectory ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Interoceptive Accuracy ◽  
Interoceptive Cues

AbstractBackgroundInteroception involves the processing of sensory information relevant to physiological functioning and is integral to building self-awareness, emotional states, and modulating social behaviors. With the role of interoception in emotional processing and social functioning, there is growing interest in characterizing interoception in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet, there are mixed results regarding cardiac interoceptive accuracy in ASD.MethodsIn this study, we explored the neural basis of cardiac interoception using an fMRI heartbeat counting task in order to assess neural correlates of primary interoception. We predicted that interoceptive-specific response in the insula, a “hub” for interoception, would be related to ASD symptomatology. We investigated the relationship of insula responses during cardiac interoceptive accuracy and a self/caregiver-reported autism-related symptom scale (Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS)). Participants included 46 individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (age 8-54, mean= 19.43±10.68 years) and 54 individuals with typical development for comparison (TC, age 8-53, mean= 21.43±10.41 years).ResultsWe found no significant difference in cardiac interoceptive accuracy or neural response to cardiac interoception in ASD. Several insula sudivisons had a curvilinear relationship to age, peaking in early adulthood. Interoceptive-specific insula response was associated with adult self-report SRS scores; this association differed by diagnostic group and self/other report.ConclusionsThis work suggests that 1) there is no global deficit in interoception in ASD, but that integrating interoceptive cues with social information may distinguish individuals with ASD, and 2) there is a developmental trajectory for interoceptive processing in the insula that may be relevant for socio-emotional health.

scholarly journals PENGARUH SUBSTITUSI TEPUNG IKAN LELE TERHADAP PEMBUATAN COOKIES BEBAS GLUTEN DAN KASEIN SEBAGAI ALTERNATIF JAJANAN ANAK AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER [Effect of Catfish Flour Substitution towards Gluten-Free and Casein-Free Cookies as an Alternative Snack for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder]

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Aliffah Nurria Nastiti ◽  
Juliana Christyaningsih
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Calcium Content ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Gluten Free ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
High Calcium ◽  
Significant Difference

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have digestive disorders, therefore their diet should be gluten-free and casein-free. Gluten-free and casein-free foods tend to be low in protein. ASD children who apply a gluten-free diet and casein have a lower calcium intake and low in bone density. Catfish flour with high protein and calcium content were expected to increase the nutritional value (protein and calcium) of cookies which gluten-free and casein-free. This study was aimed to determine the effect of catfish flour substitution towards acceptance and nutritional value of gluten and casein free cookies as an alternative snack for ASD children. This study was experimental research with Completely Randomized Design. Panelists of this study were children with ASD (4-6 years) and their parents as many as 40 people. There were 4 formulas in this study, F0 was control, and 3 substitution formulas. Percentage of Flour substitution were, F2 (2%: 2%); F3 (4%: 4%); and F5 (6%: 4%). Kruskal Wallis test showed no significant difference in the level on acceptance level in taste and aroma between F0, F3, and F5. The acceptability and nutritional value's ranking showed the best formula was F5. 100 grams of F5 cookies (protein: 6.75 g; calcium: 247.51 mg) can fulfill 19% of the protein and 24.8% calcium of children RDA (4-6 years). Gluten-free and casein-free cookies with catfish (Formula 5) with enough protein and high calcium can be an alternative snack for ASD children.

scholarly journals Associations  between autism spectrum disorder and eating disorders with and without self-induced vomiting: an empirical study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noriko Numata ◽  
Akiko Nakagawa ◽  
Kazuko Yoshioka ◽  
Kayoko Isomura ◽  
Daisuke Matsuzawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Essential Difference ◽  
Illness Duration ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: Although approximately 23% of anorexia nervosa (AN) patients have concomitant autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it is clinically difficult to determine ASD coexistence in patients with eating disorders. Restrictive AN is more common in younger patients and self-induced vomiting usually appears during adolescence/young adulthood, in order to prevent gaining weight caused by overeating. However, some patients are tolerant of weight gain even if they start overeating. It is important to understand the essential difference between those who vomit and those who do not vomit. In this study, we hypothesised that the absence of self-induced vomiting may be associated with the presence of ASD and aimed to assess the presence of ASD traits in each eating disorder (EDs). Clarifying this association helps to consider the coexistence of ASD in the clinical setting and can lead to the next detailed ASD evaluation, and as a result, helps to determine the appropriate treatment and support individually.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 43 females aged 15–45 years who attended Chiba University Hospital between 2012 and 2016 using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) to quantify the severity of the EDs and to identify whether ASD traits were present.Results: There was no difference in the AQ score between bingeing-purging type AN and restricting type AN. However, there was significant difference in the AQ score between bulimia nervosa and binge EDs (BED). Of the 4 ED subtypes, BED had the highest ASD traits. The non-vomiting group with illness duration <4 years had a significantly higher AQ communication score than the vomiting group with illness duration ≥ 4 years.Conclusions: There was a difference in the AQ score by the presence or absence of self-induced vomiting. The results of this study suggest an association between high scores on AQ and non-vomiting. Thus, evaluation of patients for the absence of self-induced vomiting while assessing them for EDs may help us to understand the association with ASD traits.

Comparative Evaluation of Oral Health Status in Healthy Children and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (05) ◽  
pp. 223-227
Author(s):  
Fatih Tulumbacı ◽  
Emre Korkut ◽  
Hazal Özer
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Oral Health Status ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Status

Abstract Objective Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is regarded a severe neuropsychiatric disorder. The objective of this study was to compare the status of the oral health between children with and without ASDs. Methods A total of 95 children (44 with ASD and 51 without ASD) were included. dmft/DMFT (d/D: decay; m/M: missing; f/F: filling; t/T: teeth) scores and plaque data of all participants were recorded. Saliva Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli load were determined using CRT bacteria. Results Streptococcus mutans load was >105 CFU in 54.5% of the ASD group and 43.1% in the non-ASD group. Lactobacilli load was >105 CFU in 47.70% of the ASD group and 49.0% in the non-ASD group. There was no statistically significant difference in the S. mutans or lactobacilli loads between the ASD and non-ASD groups. A total of 83.1% of the ASD group had caries, with dmft = 3.25 and DMFT = 5.10. In the non-ASD group, 81.10% of patients had caries, with dmft = 3.10 and DMFT = 4.90; 38.6% of the ASD group and 29.4% of the non-ASD group had no clinical signs of periodontal disease. Conclusion The examination of the amount of saliva S. mutans and lactobacilli at intervals with these patients will provide quantitative data to evaluate the effectiveness of oral health care.

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