scholarly journals Biological Understanding of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Based on Epigenetics, a New Genetic Concept in Education

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeo Kubota
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Chemical Modifications ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder ◽  
Modifications In The Brain

Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, and learning disabilities, are heterogeneous conditions that are thought to have a multifactorial etiology including congenital genetic abnormalities and acquired environmental factors. Epigenetics is a biological mechanism that controls gene expression based on chemical modifications of DNA and chromosomal histone proteins. Environmental factors, such as severe mental stress, have been demonstrated to alter gene expression by changing epigenetic chemical modifications in the brain. Therefore, epigenetics is not only involved in congenital autism spectrum disorder-like conditions (e.g., Prader-Willi syndrome and Rett syndrome) but may also be involved in acquired attention deficit hyperactive disorder-like conditions (e.g., via child abuse and neglect). In this chapter, we introduce the basis of the epigenetic mechanism and the recent biological understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders based on epigenetics, which is a new genetic concept not only in medicine but also in education, which bridges internal brain mechanisms and external environmental factors.

Automatic Detection and Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
pp. 396-425
Author(s):  
Thanga Aarthy M. ◽  
Menaka R. ◽  
Karthik R.
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Pathological Condition ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder ◽  
Clinical Methods

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders are increasing gradually every year. One in 100 children are diagnosed with brain function disorder. There are wide categories of disorder such as attention deficit hyperactive disorder, learning, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), etc. In this work, the focus is on ASD, its clinical methods, and analysis in various research works. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder which affects the intellectual functioning, social interaction (adaptive behavior), and has a specific obsessive interest. At present, there is no known cure for ASD, but the level of the pathological condition can be reduced when it is detected early. Early detection is tough and challenging till date. Many researches were carried out to ease the early detection for clinicians. Each method has its own merits and demerits. This chapter reviews and condenses various research works and their efficacy in analysis for the early diagnosis and improvement in children with autism.

scholarly journals Autism spectrum disorder at the crossroad between genes and environment: contributions, convergences, and interactions in ASD developmental pathophysiology

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Cheroni ◽  
Nicolò Caporale ◽  
Giuseppe Testa
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Regulatory Pathways ◽  
Genes And Environment ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Abstract The complex pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder encompasses interactions between genetic and environmental factors. On the one hand, hundreds of genes, converging at the functional level on selective biological domains such as epigenetic regulation and synaptic function, have been identified to be either causative or risk factors of autism. On the other hand, exposure to chemicals that are widespread in the environment, such as endocrine disruptors, has been associated with adverse effects on human health, including neurodevelopmental disorders. Interestingly, experimental results suggest an overlap in the regulatory pathways perturbed by genetic mutations and environmental factors, depicting convergences and complex interplays between genetic susceptibility and toxic insults. The pervasive nature of chemical exposure poses pivotal challenges for neurotoxicological studies, regulatory agencies, and policy makers. This highlights an emerging need of developing new integrative models, including biomonitoring, epidemiology, experimental, and computational tools, able to capture real-life scenarios encompassing the interaction between chronic exposure to mixture of substances and individuals’ genetic backgrounds. In this review, we address the intertwined roles of genetic lesions and environmental insults. Specifically, we outline the transformative potential of stem cell models, coupled with omics analytical approaches at increasingly single cell resolution, as converging tools to experimentally dissect the pathogenic mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as to improve developmental neurotoxicology risk assessment.

scholarly journals Role of Copy Number Variations in ADHD

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danijela Krgović
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Copy Number ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Copy Number Variations ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Genetic Diagnostics ◽  
Healthy Controls

Copy number variations (CNV) have an important role in etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Among them, individuals with attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) have 1.33 times higher overall rate of CNVs larger than 100 kb compared to healthy controls. These CNVs are often shared with other NDDs and neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia (SCZ) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although duplications of 15q13.3 and 16p13.11 have been found enriched in ADHD cohorts. CNVs provide new opportunities for studying and management of psychiatric disorders including ADHD. Therefore this chapter provides a brief overview of the literature on this topic and presents the benefits of CNV genetic diagnostics in ADHD patients.

scholarly journals Lessons learned: Engaging culturally diverse families in neurodevelopmental disorders intervention research

Autism ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 622-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison B Ratto ◽  
Bruno J Anthony ◽  
Cara Pugliese ◽  
Rocio Mendez ◽  
Jonathan Safer-Lichtenstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
The United States ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

Low-income and ethnic minority families continue to face critical disparities in access to diagnostic and treatment services for neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Despite the growing cultural diversity of the United States, ethnic minority children and families continue to be substantially underrepresented across research on neurodevelopmental disorders, and there is a particularly concerning lack of research on the treatment of these conditions in low-income and ethnic minority communities. Of note, there are currently no published studies on adapting autism spectrum disorder treatment for low-income Latino communities and relatively few studies documenting adapted treatments for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in these communities. This article describes methodological considerations and adaptations made to research procedures using a Diffusion of Innovation framework in order to effectively recruit and engage low-income, ethnic minority, particularly Latino, families of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, in a comparative effectiveness trial of two school-based interventions for executive dysfunction.

scholarly journals Commentary on… the overlapping and distinct resting functional connectivity between autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 214 (06) ◽  
pp. 345-346
Author(s):  
Chirag Mehra ◽  
Michael Absoud
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Neural Connectivity ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

SummaryAltered neural connectivity in neurodevelopmental disorders is likely subtle, meaning that neuroimaging literature studying development has produced heterogeneous findings. A recent study, published in this issue, illustrates the translational potential of functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging findings as a biomarker for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder. Importantly, it highlights the overlap between disorders, emphasising the need for transdiagnostic and dimensional approaches in neurodevelopment.Declaration of interestNone.

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