GLIADOMORPHIN AND CASOMORPHIN LEVELS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

2021 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 65-71
Author(s):  
A.A. Zvyagin ◽  
◽  
I.A. Bavykina ◽  
D.V. Vasilenko ◽  
O.A. Gerasimova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Blood Serum ◽  
Diet Therapy ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Elisa Kit ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

High frequency of detection of various disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) formed the basis of the first attempts to prescribe diet therapy. Despite the fact that diets are not officially included in the complex of therapeutic measures for ASD, the use of gluten-free (GFD) and casein-free diets (CFD) is widespread practice. The aim of the study was to assess the level of gliadomorphins (GM) and casomorphins (CM) in the blood of children with ASD, depending on the eating style and in comparison with healthy peers. Materials and methods of research: a prospective continuous open controlled study with the participation of 230 children aged 3–15 years. The first group included 36 patients with ASD who had been observing GFD for more than 6 months; in addition, 18 children were also on CFD. Boys in the group ware 23 (64%), girls – 13 (36%). The second group included 49 children with ASD who had no dietary restrictions. Boys – 35 (71%), girls – 14 (29%). The third (control) group consisted of 145 apparently healthy children: boys – 83 (57.3%), girls – 62 (42.7%). Determination of CM and GM levels was performed on a Multiskan Go analyzer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Finland) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using Human Gliadomorphin ELISA Kit and Human Casomorphin ELISA Kit (Hycult Biotech, Netherlands). Results: more boys than girls were included in all study groups; no statistically significant differences in gender distribution were found (p=0.2). The median age values in the 1st group was 6.5 [4.0; 8.0] (3; 15) years, in the 2nd – 6.0 [4.0; 7.0] (3; 15) years, in the 3rd – 8.0 [6.0; 11.0] (3; 15) years, the differences are statistically significant (p=0.0001). The content of GM in the blood serum of children with ASD, adhering to GFD, is statistically significantly lower by 2.6 times compared with children not adhering to diet therapy – 0.61 [0.41; 0.80] (0.12; 6.42) and 1.6 [0.70; 2.38] (0.18; 4.03) ng/ml (p<0.001) and does not differ statistically significantly from the level in the control group – 0.41 ng/ml [0.31; 0.72] (0.14; 4.18) ng/ml (p>0.005). The content of CM in the blood serum of children with ASD, adhering to CFD and GFD, is also 1.25 times lower than in children not adhering to diet therapy 1.85 [1.04; 2.07] (0.16; 3.83) and 2.34 [2.11; 2.72] (0.93; 3.29) pg/ml (p<0.001) and 1.3 times lower than the level of the control group – 2.45 [2.13; 2.89] (1.22; 26.88) pg/ml (p<0.001). Conclusion: the results obtained confirm the theory/possibility of exorphin intoxication of ASD development, which may be pathogenetically significant for some patients with ASD, which must be taken into account when implementing an individual approach to prescribing GFD, CFD.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Clinical Features of Celiac Disease in a Cohort of Italian Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3046
Author(s):  
Margherita Prosperi ◽  
Elisa Santocchi ◽  
Elena Brunori ◽  
Angela Cosenza ◽  
Raffaella Tancredi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Celiac Disease ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Italian Population ◽  
Immune System Dysfunction ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental conditions whose etiopathogenesis derives from a complex interaction between genetic liability and environmental factors. In this framework, mounting evidence suggests that immune system dysfunction could be a risk factor contributing to the development of ASD in at least a subpopulation of individuals. In particular, some studies suggest an association between celiac disease (CD)—a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the small intestine triggered by the ingestion of gluten—and ASD, while others hypothesized a random link. This investigation aimed to evaluate the prevalence of CD in a large sample of school-aged children with ASD and to characterize their clinical profile. Methods: Medical records of 405 children with ASD aged 5–11 years (mean age: 7.2 years; SD: 1.8 years) consecutively referred to a tertiary-care university hospital between January 2014 and December 2018 were reviewed; among them, 362 had carried out serological testing for CD. Results: Nine patients with positive CD serology were identified, eight of which satisfied the criteria for CD diagnosis. The estimated CD prevalence in ASD children was 2.18% (95% CI, 0.8–3.7), which was not statistically different (1.58%; p = 0.36) from that of an Italian population, matched for age range, considered as a control group (95% CI, 1.26–1.90). Three out of the eight ASD patients with CD did not have any symptoms suggestive of CD. Conclusions: Our findings did not show a higher prevalence of CD in ASD children than in the control population, but could suggest the utility of routine CD screening, given its frequent atypical clinical presentation in this population.

Role of the gut-brain axis in the eating behavior of children with autism spectrum disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Siwek ◽  
Aleksandra Kawala-Janik ◽  
Piotr Walecki
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Digestive System ◽  
Bacterial Flora ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

AbstractIntroduction:The occurrence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has significantly increased in the last few years. One of the common problems in this group are eating disorders and ailments from the gastrointestinal systems. According to some studies, these problems have a significant impact on the occurrence and severity of symptoms in the neurological system, so it is crucial to increase the attention paid on the role of diet in the treatment of this disease. One of the theories connects ASD with disorders of the digestive system and the intestinal bacterial flora. This theory is based on the gut-brain axis, which means the interaction between the gastrointestinal and nervous systems.Objectives:To demonstrate the differences in behavior habits, interest in nutrition, and frequency of consumption of food products between children suffering from ASD and healthy children.Materials and methods:The study was conducted among 44 children suffering from ASD and 33 healthy children as a control group. Data were collected using a questionnaire that was specially designed for this study. The questionnaire contained questions about eating habits and the frequency of consumption of selected food products.Results:Parents of healthy children showed more interest in their children’s way of feeding and nutritional recommendations compared to parents of children with ASD (4% and 11.3%, respectively). In addition, 24.3% more children with ASD consulted with a nutritionist compared to the control group. Complaints of the digestive system were 21.1% more likely by children with ASD. Children suffering from ASD were characterized by a higher intake of red meat and giblets and less frequent consumption of milk and milk products compared to the control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the study group and the control group in terms of frequency of consumption of products, which are the source of gluten, artificial food additives-preservatives, and artificial colors.Conclusions:There are differences in the habits and eating behaviors and the frequency of consumption of selected food products between a group of children with ASD and a group of healthy children.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the theory of mind in autism spectrum disorders with the Strange Stories test

2013 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 871-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata de Lima Velloso ◽  
Cintia Perez Duarte ◽  
Jose Salomao Schwartzman
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Excellent Internal Consistency ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
And Control ◽  
Strange Stories Test

Objective To evaluate the theory of mind in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and control individuals by applying the Strange Stories test that was translated and adapted to the Portuguese language. Method Twenty-eight children with ASD and 56 controls who were all male and aged between 6 and 12 years participated in the study. Results There were significant differences between the median scores of the groups for each of the 12 stories of the test and for the sum total of all the median scores. The median scores for all stories were significantly greater in the control group than those in the experimental group (children with ASD). In addition, the protocol had excellent internal consistency. Conclusion The theory of mind skills assessed with the Strange Stories test indicated alterations in children with ASD compared with children in the control group.

scholarly journals The association of auditory integration training in children with autism spectrum disorders among Chinese: a meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Li ◽  
Ling Li ◽  
Guimei Li ◽  
Zhongtao Gai
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Auditory Integration Training ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Auditory Integration

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported an inconsistent relationship about the auditory integration training (AIT) in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) among Chinese. The current study was to investigate the efficacy of AIT for children with ASD compared with those in control group by using meta-analysis. Relevant trials published were identified by an electronic search of PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE, WanFang, CNKI, and SinoMed databases up to December 31, 2017. Outcome of interest included childhood autism rating scale (CARS), autism behavior checklist (ABC), intelligence quotient (IQ), and autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC). Standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated using a random-effect model. Thirteen RCTs with 976 children with ASD were included for analysis. The pooled SMD showed that children with ASD had significantly lower ABC scores [summary SMD = −0.58, 95%CI = −0.79 to −0.38] and ATEC scores [summary SMD = −0.75, 95%CI = −1.05 to −0.45] in AIT group compared with that in control group. The analysis of pooled statistics put forward AIT could increase the IQ score when compared with that in control group [summary SMD = 0.59, 95%CI = 0.41–0.77]. A negative association was found about CARS scores between AIT group and control group. No publication bias was found and no single study had essential effect on the pooled results. In conclusions, AIT can reduce the score of ABC and ATEC and can increase the IQ score among children with ASD in Chinese. Therefore, it is recommended for Chinese children with ASD to receive AIT.

scholarly journals LABORATORY AND CLINICAL MARKERS OF INTOLERANCE TO CASEIN IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-10
Author(s):  
I.A. Bavykina ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Diet Therapy ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Laboratory Diagnostics ◽  
Clinical Markers ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Background. The etiology and pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are still not fully understood. Due to many theories of the disease development, a large number of alternative treatment methods appear, including use of casein-free diet. Aim. To determine the frequency of occurrence of laboratory and clinical markers of casein intolerance in children with ASD. Materials and Methods. 69 children with autism spectrum disorders aged from 3 to 15 years living in the Voronezh region were diagnosed for the level of antibodies to casein (IgG) and β-casomorphin-7 in blood. Parents of children were surveyed on adherence to use of casein-free diet and the effectiveness of its use. Results. Laboratory diagnostics showed increased level of antibodies to casein (IgG) in 78.2% of the examined children, 4.4% of children, according to a survey of parents, follow a casein-free diet for a long time with clinical effectiveness. Thus, a total of 82.6% of children with autism spectrum disorders have intolerance to casein. The concentration of β-casomorphin-7 in the blood of children with ASD is in the range of 0.76-3.38 pg/ml, with the average value 2.23±0.53. Conclusion. It is necessary to conduct large-scale studies to objectively assess the effectiveness of diet therapy and indications for its use. Children with autism spectrum disorders should be examined for food intolerance and the optimal strategy of complex therapy before starting to use the diet.

scholarly journals AChanDietary Intervention Enhances Executive Functions and Anterior Cingulate Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes S. Chan ◽  
Sophia L. Sze ◽  
Yvonne M. Y. Han ◽  
Mei-chun Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Dietary Modification ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Eeg Activity ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Executive dysfunctions have been found to be related to repetitive/disinhibited behaviors and social deficits in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). This study aims to investigate the potential effect of aShaolin-medicine-based dietary modification on improving executive functions and behavioral symptoms of ASD and exploring the possible underlying neurophysiological mechanisms. Twenty-four children with ASD were randomly assigned into the experimental (receiving dietary modification for one month) and the control (no modification) groups. Each child was assessed on his/her executive functions, behavioral problems based on parental ratings, and event-related electroencephalography (EEG) activity during a response-monitoring task before and after the one month. The experimental group demonstrated significantly improved mental flexibility and inhibitory control after the diet modification, which continued to have a large effect size within the low-functioning subgroup. Such improvements coincided with positive evaluations by their parents on social communication abilities and flexible inhibitory control of daily behaviors and significantly enhanced event-related EEG activity at the rostral and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex. In contrast, the control group did not show any significant improvements. These positive outcomes of a one-month dietary modification on children with ASD have implicated its potential clinical applicability for patients with executive function deficits.

Disfluency Characteristics Observed in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Report

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura W. Plexico ◽  
Julie E. Cleary ◽  
Ashlynn McAlpine ◽  
Allison M. Plumb
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Young Children With Autism ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Developmental Stuttering

This descriptive study evaluates the speech disfluencies of 8 verbal children between 3 and 5 years of age with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Speech samples were collected for each child during standardized interactions. Percentage and types of disfluencies observed during speech samples are discussed. Although they did not have a clinical diagnosis of stuttering, all of the young children with ASD in this study produced disfluencies. In addition to stuttering-like disfluencies and other typical disfluencies, the children with ASD also produced atypical disfluencies, which usually are not observed in children with typically developing speech or developmental stuttering. (Yairi & Ambrose, 2005).

scholarly journals Oral Health and Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Unique Collaboration between Dentistry and Occupational Therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Dominique H. Como ◽  
Leah I. Stein Duker ◽  
José C. Polido ◽  
Sharon A. Cermak
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Emotional Regulation ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Clinic Visit ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Dental Practitioners ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are at risk for oral health disparities. With the dramatic rise in ASD prevalence to 1 in 54 children, it is likely that an increasing number of dental practitioners will encounter or be asked to treat children with ASD. This paper reviews explanations related to the increasing prevalence of ASD, provides reasons why children with ASD are at increased risk for poor oral health, and discusses unique interprofessional collaborations between dental practitioners and occupational therapists. Occupational therapists and dentists can work together to plan modifications to the dental environment or adapt dental protocols to reduce some of the barriers encountered by those with ASD, provide desensitization strategies before the clinic visit, or help a child with emotional regulation during clinical treatments.

scholarly journals Increased Serum Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, Resistin, and Visfatin in the Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Case-Control Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ali Ghaffari ◽  
Elham Mousavinejad ◽  
Forough Riahi ◽  
Masoumeh Mousavinejad ◽  
Mohammad Reza Afsharmanesh
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Tumor Necrosis Factor ◽  
Tumor Necrosis ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Factor Alpha ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Necrosis Factor

Background. Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are complex disorders where the pathogenesis is not fully understood. Several proinflammatory and immunoinflammatory disturbances have been observed in the etiology of ASD. There is, however, limited knowledge on variations of adipokines in ASD. The present study aimed to analyze the serum levels of resistin, visfatin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in children with ASD in relation to body weight, gender, and ASD severity level. Method. In total, 30 children with ASD (mean age: 7.72±2.65 y; range; 4–12 y) and 30 healthy children (mean age: 8.4±2.66 y; range: 4–12 y), including males and females, were matched for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). Serum samples were collected, and visfatin, resistin, and TNF-α serum levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Result. Serum visfatin, resistin, and TNF-α levels in children with ASD were significantly higher than that in the healthy patients (p<0.05). Two significant correlations were found: a correlation between resistin and visfatin with TNF-α in children with ASD (R = 0.8 and R = 0.62, resp.) and a correlation between resistin and visfatin in children with ASD (R = 0.66). Conclusion. Higher TNF-α, resistin, and visfatin levels were found in children with ASD in comparison with controls, suggesting that elevated levels of serum proinflammatory agents may be implicated in the pathophysiology of ASD.

Handedness in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S214-S214 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Kobylinska ◽  
C.G. Anghel ◽  
I. Mihailescu ◽  
F. Rad ◽  
I. Dobrescu
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Hand Preference ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Left Handedness ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Hand Laterality ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Competing Interest

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have a less definitive hand preference for certain actions as opposed to neurotypical children. Moreover, left-handedness in children with ASD has been associated with more echolalia. The objective was to conduct a screening of potential risk and associated features for autism spectrum disorders, among which the hand preference of the child. The current aim is to compare the perceived handedness of children with autism spectrum disorders with that of children with other psychiatric pathologies.MethodsEight hundred and forty-two parents completed our risk and associated features screening questionnaire. Out of these, 494 answered the question regarding handedness (209 had children diagnosed with ASD). This asked the parents to state how they perceived their child's handedness. An ADOS assessment has been conducted for 170 of the children whose parents were included in the study, based on clinical relevance for the case. The data were analysed using Excel and SPSS 22.0. For the comparisons, Chi2 and the Kruskal–Wallis test were used.ResultsChildren with ASD had more left-handedness (χ2(2) = 12.54, P = 0.002). There were no differences between boys and girls in terms of perceived handedness in any of the groups. There were no differences in the ADOS scores according to the perceived hand laterality (χ2(2) = 0.58, P = 0.74).ConclusionRightward-asymmetry in regions of corpus callosum has been reported to correlate with symptoms severity in ASD. The finding of different perceived handedness in children with ASD versus children with other psychiatric pathologies is useful for designing appropriate, individualized training programs for motor therapy.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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