Specialized Diet Therapies: Exploration for Improving Behavior in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

As a major neurodevelopmental disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses deficits in communication and repetitive and restricted interests or behaviors in childhood and adolescence. Its etiology may come from either a genetic, epigenetic, neurological, hormonal, or an environmental cause, generating pathways that often altogether play a synergistic role in the development of ASD pathogenesis. Furthermore, the metabolic origin of ASD should be important as well. A balanced diet consisting of the essential and special nutrients, alongside the recommended caloric intake, is highly recommended to promote growth and development that withstand the physiologic and behavioral challenges experienced by ASD children. In this review paper, we evaluated many studies that show a relationship between ASD and diet to develop a better understanding of the specific effects of the overall diet and the individual nutrients required for this population. This review will add a comprehensive update of knowledge in the field and shed light on the possible nutritional deficiencies, metabolic impairments (particularly in the gut microbiome), and malnutrition in individuals with ASD, which should be recognized in order to maintain the improved socio-behavioral habit and physical health.

Download Full-text

Motor learning characterization in people with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review

Dementia & Neuropsychologia ◽

10.1590/1980-57642016dn11-030010 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 276-286 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Íbis Ariana Peña de Moraes ◽

Thais Massetti ◽

Tânia Brusque Crocetta ◽

Talita Dias da Silva ◽

Lilian Del Ciello de Menezes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Motor Learning ◽

Skill Acquisition ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Skill Learning ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Learning Tasks ◽

The Individual ◽

Methodological Aspects

ABSTRACT Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication and implicit skill learning. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the results of research on "motor learning" and the means used for measuring "autistic disorder". METHODS: A systematic literature search was done using Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, BVS (virtual health library), and PsycINFO. We included articles that contained the keywords "autism" and "motor learning". The variables considered were the methodological aspects; results presented, and the methodological quality of the studies. RESULTS: A total of 42 studies were identified; 33 articles were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted from nine eligible studies and summarized. CONCLUSION: We concluded that although individuals with ASD showed performance difficulties in different memory and motor learning tasks, acquisition of skills still takes place in this population; however, this skill acquisition is related to heterogeneous events, occurring without the awareness of the individual.

Download Full-text

Pathogenetical and Neurophysiological Features of Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Phenomena and Diagnoses

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm8101588 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 1588

Author(s):

Yunho Jin ◽

Jeonghyun Choi ◽

Seunghoon Lee ◽

Jong Won Kim ◽

Yonggeun Hong

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Neural Development ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Social Deficits ◽

Restricted Interests ◽

Neuropsychiatric Comorbidities ◽

The Brain

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is accompanied by social deficits, repetitive and restricted interests, and altered brain development. The majority of ASD patients suffer not only from ASD itself but also from its neuropsychiatric comorbidities. Alterations in brain structure, synaptic development, and misregulation of neuroinflammation are considered risk factors for ASD and neuropsychiatric comorbidities. Electroencephalography has been developed to quantitatively explore effects of these neuronal changes of the brain in ASD. The pineal neurohormone melatonin is able to contribute to neural development. Also, this hormone has an inflammation-regulatory role and acts as a circadian key regulator to normalize sleep. These functions of melatonin may play crucial roles in the alleviation of ASD and its neuropsychiatric comorbidities. In this context, this article focuses on the presumable role of melatonin and suggests that this hormone could be a therapeutic agent for ASD and its related neuropsychiatric disorders.

Download Full-text

Priming the Pathway: Combining Oxytocin and Behavioral Intervention to Improve Outcomes in Autism Spectrum Disorder

10.5772/intechopen.96859 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Katherine Kuhl Meltzoff Stavropoulos ◽

Elizabeth Baker

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Behavioral Intervention ◽

Social Communication ◽

Behavioral Interventions ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Restricted Interests ◽

Children With Asd

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social-communication deficits and the presence of restricted interests and/or repetitive behaviors. There are currently no psychopharmacological agents approved to treat core symptoms of ASD. As such, behavioral interventions are the most effective method for improving symptoms. In the current chapter, we propose that administering the neuropeptide oxytocin in conjunction with evidence-based behavioral interventions may lead to improved outcomes in social-communication for children with ASD. From a mechanistic perspective, we hypothesize that oxytocin may “prime” social reward circuitry in the brain, thereby allowing behavioral interventions designed to increase social motivation/initiation to be more effective. Extant literature related to theories of ASD, oxytocin administration in children with ASD, and behavioral intervention outcomes are reviewed, and considerations for individual characteristics (e.g., genetics, oxytocin availability, age, behavioral profile, etc.) that may affect efficacy are discussed.

Download Full-text

An Overview of the Main Genetic, Epigenetic and Environmental Factors Involved in Autism Spectrum Disorder Focusing on Synaptic Activity

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21218290 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (21) ◽

pp. 8290 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Elena Masini ◽

Eleonora Loi ◽

Ana Florencia Vega-Benedetti ◽

Marinella Carta ◽

Giuseppe Doneddu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Synapse Formation ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Micro Rna ◽

Synaptic Activity ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Environmental Aspects ◽

Restricted Interests ◽

Acting In Concert

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interaction and communication, with restricted interests, activity and behaviors. ASD is highly familial, indicating that genetic background strongly contributes to the development of this condition. However, only a fraction of the total number of genes thought to be associated with the condition have been discovered. Moreover, other factors may play an important role in ASD onset. In fact, it has been shown that parental conditions and in utero and perinatal factors may contribute to ASD etiology. More recently, epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation and micro RNA alterations, have been associated with ASD and proposed as potential biomarkers. This review aims to provide a summary of the literature regarding ASD candidate genes, mainly focusing on synapse formation and functionality and relevant epigenetic and environmental aspects acting in concert to determine ASD onset.

Download Full-text

Repetitive and restricted behaviours and anxiety in autism spectrum disorder: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Systematic Reviews ◽

10.1186/s13643-021-01830-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tegan Sellick ◽

Alexandra Ure ◽

Katrina Williams

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Insistence On Sameness ◽

Restricted Interests

Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by persistent deficits in social functioning and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviours (RRBs). RRBs refer to four subtypes of behaviour including repetitive movements, speech, or use of objects; insistence on sameness; restricted interests; and sensory processing abnormalities. Many individuals with ASD also experience anxiety, which compounds ASD-related difficulties and inhibits daily functioning. RRBs have been found to be positively associated with anxiety; however, our understanding of the interplay between RRB subtypes and anxiety remains unclear. Thus, the current review aims to clarify the association between RRBs and anxiety by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods To identify relevant studies, we will search five databases: CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus. Articles included in the review will have their titles, abstracts, and full texts reviewed by two independent authors and their methodological quality assessed via the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random-effects meta-analyses will then be conducted to calculate the pooled association between RRB subtypes and anxiety. Sensitivity analyses will also be conducted to assess the potential impact of bias, missing data, outliers, and methodological differences on this relationship. Additionally, this review will collate the factors which may influence the anxiety-RRB relationship to help identify who is most vulnerable to developing anxiety. Discussion This will be the first review to examine the association between the four subtypes of RRBs and anxiety in individuals with ASD. Understanding this relationship, and the factors associated with this, may help clinicians understand the different underpinnings and presentations of anxiety within this population with potential implications for assessment and treatment. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42020185434

Download Full-text

Repetitive and Restricted Behaviours and Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-84853/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tegan Sellick ◽

Alexandra Ure ◽

Katrina Williams

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Insistence On Sameness ◽

Restricted Interests ◽

Newcastle Ottawa Scale

Abstract BackgroundAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by persistent deficits in social functioning and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviours (RRBs). RRBs refer to four subtypes of behaviour including repetitive movements, speech or use of objects; insistence on sameness; restricted interests; and sensory processing abnormalities. Many individuals with ASD also experience anxiety, which compounds ASD related difficulties and inhibits daily functioning. RRBs have been found to be positively associated with anxiety, however our understanding of the interplay between RRB subtypes and anxiety remains unclear. Thus, the current review aims to systematically review and meta-analyse the association between RRBs and anxiety. Methods This review will collate studies which analyse the association between RRBs and anxiety in individuals with ASD. We will search five databases: CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus. Articles included in the review will have their titles, abstracts and full texts reviewed by two independent authors and their risk of bias assessed via the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. DiscussionThis will be the first review to examine the association between anxiety and the four subtypes of RRBs in individuals with ASD. Understanding this relationship, and the factors associated with this, may help clinicians understand the different underpinnings and presentations of anxiety within this population with potential implications for assessment and treatment.Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO CRD42020185434

Download Full-text

Intranasal oxytocin administration ameliorates social behavioral deficits in a POGZWT/Q1038R mouse model of autism spectrum disorder

Molecular Brain ◽

10.1186/s13041-021-00769-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kohei Kitagawa ◽

Kensuke Matsumura ◽

Masayuki Baba ◽

Momoka Kondo ◽

Tomoya Takemoto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Social Behavior ◽

Mouse Model ◽

Mouse Models ◽

De Novo ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

De Novo Mutation ◽

Behavioral Deficits

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by core symptoms of impaired social behavior and communication. Recent studies have suggested that the oxytocin system, which regulates social behavior in mammals, is potentially involved in ASD. Mouse models of ASD provide a useful system for understanding the associations between an impaired oxytocin system and social behavior deficits. However, limited studies have shown the involvement of the oxytocin system in the behavioral phenotypes in mouse models of ASD. We have previously demonstrated that a mouse model that carries the ASD patient-derived de novo mutation in the pogo transposable element derived with zinc finger domain (POGZWT/Q1038R mice), showed ASD-like social behavioral deficits. Here, we have explored whether oxytocin (OXT) administration improves impaired social behavior in POGZWT/Q1038R mice and found that intranasal oxytocin administration effectively restored the impaired social behavior in POGZWT/Q1038R mice. We also found that the expression level of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) was low in POGZWT/Q1038R mice. However, we did not detect significant changes in the number of OXT-expressing neurons between the paraventricular nucleus of POGZWT/Q1038R mice and that of WT mice. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that POGZ binds to the promoter region of OXTR and is involved in the transcriptional regulation of OXTR. In summary, our study demonstrate that the pathogenic mutation in the POGZ, a high-confidence ASD gene, impairs the oxytocin system and social behavior in mice, providing insights into the development of oxytocin-based therapeutics for ASD.

Download Full-text

In Silico Exploration of the Potential Role of Acetaminophen and Pesticides in the Etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Toxics ◽

10.3390/toxics9050097 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 97

Author(s):

Tristan Furnary ◽

Rolando Garcia-Milian ◽

Zeyan Liew ◽

Shannon Whirledge ◽

Vasilis Vasiliou

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Prenatal Exposure ◽

Pesticide Exposure ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Biomedical Literature ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Biological Processes ◽

Genetic Associations ◽

Increased Risk

Recent epidemiological studies suggest that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen (APAP) is associated with increased risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1 in 59 children in the US. Maternal and prenatal exposure to pesticides from food and environmental sources have also been implicated to affect fetal neurodevelopment. However, the underlying mechanisms for ASD are so far unknown, likely with complex and multifactorial etiology. The aim of this study was to explore the potential effects of APAP and pesticide exposure on development with regards to the etiology of ASD by highlighting common genes and biological pathways. Genes associated with APAP, pesticides, and ASD through human research were retrieved from molecular and biomedical literature databases. The interaction network of overlapping genetic associations was subjected to network topology analysis and functional annotation of the resulting clusters. These genes were over-represented in pathways and biological processes (FDR p < 0.05) related to apoptosis, metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and carbohydrate metabolism. Since these three biological processes are frequently implicated in ASD, our findings support the hypothesis that cell death processes and specific metabolic pathways, both of which appear to be targeted by APAP and pesticide exposure, may be involved in the etiology of ASD. This novel exposures-gene-disease database mining might inspire future work on understanding the biological underpinnings of various ASD risk factors.

Download Full-text

Mealtime Behaviors and Food Preferences of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10010049 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 49

Author(s):

Hae Jin Park ◽

Su Jin Choi ◽

Yuri Kim ◽

Mi Sook Cho ◽

Yu-Ri Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽

Food Preferences ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Repetitive Behaviors ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Mealtime Behavior ◽

High Level

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a lack of social communication and restrictive, repetitive behaviors or interests. This study aimed to examine the mealtime behaviors and food preferences of students with ASD. An online questionnaire on mealtime behavior and food preferences of ASD students was conducted by caregivers including parents, and the average age of ASD students was 14.1 ± 6.1. The analysis of mealtime behavior resulted in classification into three clusters: cluster 1, the “low-level problematic mealtime behavior group”; cluster 2, the “mid-level problematic mealtime behavior group”; and cluster 3, the “high-level problematic mealtime behavior group”. Cluster 1 included older students than other clusters and their own specific dietary rituals. Meanwhile, cluster 3 included younger students than other clusters, high-level problematic mealtime behavior, and a low preference for food. In particular, there were significant differences in age and food preference for each subdivided ASD group according to their eating behaviors. Therefore, the content and method of nutrition education for ASD students’ needs a detailed approach according to the characteristics of each group.

Download Full-text

Contribution of Multiple Inherited Variants to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in a Family with 3 Affected Siblings

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12071053 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 1053

Author(s):

Jasleen Dhaliwal ◽

Ying Qiao ◽

Kristina Calli ◽

Sally Martell ◽

Simone Race ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Rare Variants ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Compound Heterozygous ◽

Variable Effect ◽

Gabaergic Neurotransmission ◽

High Heritability ◽

Compound Heterozygous Variants

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in children and shows high heritability. However, how inherited variants contribute to ASD in multiplex families remains unclear. Using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in a family with three affected children, we identified multiple inherited DNA variants in ASD-associated genes and pathways (RELN, SHANK2, DLG1, SCN10A, KMT2C and ASH1L). All are shared among the three children, except ASH1L, which is only present in the most severely affected child. The compound heterozygous variants in RELN, and the maternally inherited variant in SHANK2, are considered to be major risk factors for ASD in this family. Both genes are involved in neuron activities, including synaptic functions and the GABAergic neurotransmission system, which are highly associated with ASD pathogenesis. DLG1 is also involved in synapse functions, and KMT2C and ASH1L are involved in chromatin organization. Our data suggest that multiple inherited rare variants, each with a subthreshold and/or variable effect, may converge to certain pathways and contribute quantitatively and additively, or alternatively act via a 2nd-hit or multiple-hits to render pathogenicity of ASD in this family. Additionally, this multiple-hits model further supports the quantitative trait hypothesis of a complex genetic, multifactorial etiology for the development of ASDs.

Download Full-text