scholarly journals Altered Gut Microbiota in Korean Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3300
Author(s):  
Sungji Ha ◽  
Donghun Oh ◽  
Sunghee Lee ◽  
Jaewan Park ◽  
Jaeun Ahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽  
Bioinformatic Analysis ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Korean Children ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Genetic Information Processing ◽  
Behavioral Impairments

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and behavioral impairments. Recent studies have suggested that gut microbiota play a critical role in ASD pathogenesis. Herein, we investigated the fecal microflora of Korean ASD children to determine gut microbiota profiles associated with ASD. Specifically, fecal samples were obtained from 54 children with ASD and 38 age-matched children exhibiting typical development. Systematic bioinformatic analysis revealed that the composition of gut microbiota differed between ASD and typically developing children (TDC). Moreover, the total amounts of short-chain fatty acids, metabolites produced by bacteria, were increased in ASD children. At the phylum level, we found a significant decrease in the relative Bacteroidetes abundance of the ASD group, whereas Actinobacteria abundance was significantly increased. Furthermore, we found significantly lower Bacteroides levels and higher Bifidobacterium levels in the ASD group than in the TDC group at the genus level. Functional analysis of the microbiota in ASD children predicted that several pathways, including genetic information processing and amino acid metabolism, can be associated with ASD pathogenesis. Although more research is needed to determine whether the differences between ASD and TDC are actually related to ASD pathogenesis, these results provide further evidence of altered gut microbiota in children with ASD, possibly providing new perspectives on the diagnosis and therapeutic approaches for ASD patients.

scholarly journals The Role of Gut Microbiota in Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Children with ASD

Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agustín Ernesto Martínez-González ◽  
Pedro Andreo-Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Repetitive Behavior ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Gi Symptoms

Background and objectives: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired communication, social interaction disorder, and repetitive behavior. Dysbiotic gut microbiota (GM) could be a contributing factor to the appearance of ASD, as gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are comorbidities frequently reported in ASD. As there is a lack of reviews about the role played by GM in the GI symptoms of ASD, this work aimed to carry out a systematic review of current studies comparing the GM of children with ASD and GI symptoms with those of healthy controls in the last six years. Materials and Methods: The systematic review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. The databases chosen were Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and PsycINFO, and the keywords were (gut* OR intestine* OR bowel* OR gastrointestinal*) AND (microbiota* OR microflora* OR bacteria* OR microbiome* OR flora* OR bacterial* OR bacteria* OR microorganism* OR feces* OR stool*) AND (autistic* OR autism* OR ASD*). Results: A total of 16 articles were included. Ten articles performed correlations analysis between GI symptoms and ASD. Among those 10 articles, 7 found differences between the GI symptoms present in children with ASD and healthy controls. The most common GI symptom was constipation. Among the seven articles that found differences, three performed correlations analysis between GI symptoms and gut microbe abundance. Candida, Prevotella, Streptococcus, and Veillonella showed higher and lower abundance, respectively, in children with ASD and GI symptoms in more than one article. Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Actinomyces, Dorea, Lactobacillus, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratios showed abundance discrepancies. Conclusions: It is still too early to draw a conclusion about the gut microbes involved in GI symptoms of ASD. Future research should consider the relationship between ASD behavior, GM, and GI symptoms in a multidisciplinary way and homogenize sample characteristics.

The Role of the SLP in Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening and Assessment

2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Philofsky
Keyword(s):  
Language Development ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
Notable Increase ◽  
Screening Assessment ◽  
Critical Components

AbstractRecent prevalence estimates for autism have been alarming as a function of the notable increase. Speech-language pathologists play a critical role in screening, assessment and intervention for children with autism. This article reviews signs that may be indicative of autism at different stages of language development, and discusses the importance of several psychometric properties—sensitivity and specificity—in utilizing screening measures for children with autism. Critical components of assessment for children with autism are reviewed. This article concludes with examples of intervention targets for children with ASD at various levels of language development.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Etiology among Parents of Children with ASD

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6774
Author(s):  
Wei-Ju Chen ◽  
Zihan Zhang ◽  
Haocen Wang ◽  
Tung-Sung Tseng ◽  
Ping Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Parental Perceptions ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Religious Factors

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication deficits and restricted or repetitive behaviors. Parental perceptions of the etiology of their child’s ASD can affect provider–client relationships, bonding between parents and their children, and the prognosis, treatment, and management of children with ASD. Thus, this study sought to examine the perceptions of ASD etiology of parents of children with ASD. Methods: Forty-two parents of children diagnosed with ASD were recruited across Texas. Semi-structured interviews were conducted individually. All interviews were recorded and later transcribed verbatim for content analysis utilizing NVivo 12.0 (QSR International, Doncaster, Australia). Results: The content analysis identified the following themes regarding parental perceptions of ASD etiology: Genetic factors (40.5%), environmental factors (31.0%), problems that occurred during pregnancy or delivery (23.8%), vaccinations (16.7%), other health problems (7.1%), parental age at the time of pregnancy (4.8%), and spiritual or religious factors (2.4%). Conclusions: The parental perceptions of ASD etiology were diverse, but several views, such as vaccinations and spiritual or religious factors, were not based on scientific evidence. Health professionals and researchers can use these findings to develop and provide targeted education to parents who have children with ASD. Our findings also support policymakers in developing campaigns designed to increase parental ASD awareness and knowledge.

scholarly journals A Review of the Efficacy of the Dietary Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (F) ◽  
pp. 88-94
Author(s):  
Zainab Taha ◽  
Khalid A. Abdalhai
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Dietary Interventions ◽  
Children With Asd

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an early-onset neurodevelopmental disorder with 1 in 68 children prevalence. The key symptoms of ASD include social deficits, verbal and non-verbal communication deficits, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. For unknown reasons, gastrointestinal symptoms are related to ASD. The aim of the current paper is to review the available literature on dietary interventions in children with ASD and provide up-to-date evidence. METHODS: Searches in online databases, using the search terms’ dietary intervention, “autism spectrum disorders,” and “autism” were conducted. The search targeted publications ranging from 2010 to 2020. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies with different study designs which evaluated the effectiveness of specific dietary interventions in children with ASD were included in our review. Several dietary interventions were of popular practice in the management of children with ASD, including elimination (gluten-/casein-free diet and oligoantigenic diet), modification (modified ketogenic diet), supplementation (minerals, vitamins, omega 3, and omega 6), and exclusion (food additives). Studies showed different results with varying degrees of evidence. Overall, data were inadequate to make accurate conclusions. CONCLUSION: There is little evidence to support the use of dietary interventions for children with ASD. Additional high-quality studies and further research are, therefore, needed.

Underdevelopment of the gut microbiota and bacteria species as non-invasive markers of prediction in children with autism spectrum disorder

Gut ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. gutjnl-2020-324015
Author(s):  
Yating Wan ◽  
Tao Zuo ◽  
Zhilu Xu ◽  
Fen Zhang ◽  
Hui Zhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Chinese Children ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Microbiome Composition ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Faecal Microbiome

ObjectiveThe gut microbiota has been suggested to play a role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We postulate that children with ASD harbour an altered developmental profile of the gut microbiota distinct from that of typically developing (TD) children. Here, we aimed to characterise compositional and functional alterations in gut microbiome in association with age in children with ASD and to identify novel faecal bacterial markers for predicting ASD.DesignWe performed deep metagenomic sequencing in faecal samples of 146 Chinese children (72 ASD and 74 TD children). We compared gut microbial composition and functions between children with ASD and TD children. Candidate bacteria markers were identified and validated by metagenomic analysis. Gut microbiota development in relation to chronological age was assessed using random forest model.ResultsASD and chronological age had the most significant and largest impacts on children’s faecal microbiome while diet showed no correlation. Children with ASD had significant alterations in faecal microbiome composition compared with TD children characterised by increased bacterial richness (p=0.021) and altered microbiome composition (p<0.05). Five bacterial species were identified to distinguish gut microbes in ASD and TD children, with areas under the receiver operating curve (AUC) of 82.6% and 76.2% in the discovery cohort and validation cohort, respectively. Multiple neurotransmitter biosynthesis related pathways in the gut microbiome were depleted in children with ASD compared with TD children (p<0.05). Developing dynamics of growth-associated gut bacteria (age-discriminatory species) seen in TD children were lost in children with ASD across the early-life age spectrum.ConclusionsGut microbiome in Chinese children with ASD was altered in composition, ecological network and functionality compared with TD children. We identified novel bacterial markers for prediction of ASD and demonstrated persistent underdevelopment of the gut microbiota in children with ASD which lagged behind their respective age-matched peers.

Millennium Nutrient N,N-Dimethylglycine (DMG) and its Effectiveness in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daljeet Singh Dhanjal ◽  
Sonali Bhardwaj ◽  
Chirag Chopra ◽  
Reena Singh ◽  
Jiri Patocka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Drastic Increase ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
Core Symptoms

: Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder belonging to the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In ASDs, the individuals show substantial impairments in social communication, repetitive behaviours, and sensory behaviours deficits in the early stages of their life. Globally, the prevalence of autism is estimated to be less than 1%, especially in high-income countries. In recent decades, there has been a drastic increase in the incidence of ASD, which has put ASD into the category of epidemics. Presently, two US Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs, aripiprazole and risperidone are used to treat symptoms of agitation and irritability in autistic children. However, to date, no medication has been found to treat the core symptoms of ASD. The adverse side effects of conventional medicine and limited treatment options have led families and parents of autistic children to turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments, which are perceived as relatively safe compared to conventional medicine. Recently, N,N-dimethylglycine (DMG), a dietary supplement, has emerged as a useful supplement to improve the mental and physical state of children with ASD. The current review discusses ASD, the prevalence of ASD, CAM approach and efficacy of CAM treatment in children with ASD. Moreover, it highlights the chemistry, pharmacological effect, and clinical studies of DMG, highlighting its potential for improving the lifestyle of children with ASD.

scholarly journals UBE3A-mediated PTPA ubiquitination and degradation regulate PP2A activity and dendritic spine morphology

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (25) ◽  
pp. 12500-12505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Wang ◽  
Sen-Sen Lou ◽  
Tingting Wang ◽  
Rong-Jie Wu ◽  
Guangying Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ubiquitin Ligase ◽  
Dendritic Spine ◽  
Isotope Labeling ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Motor Impairment ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Pp2a Activity

Deficiency in the E3 ubiquitin ligase UBE3A leads to the neurodevelopmental disorder Angelman syndrome (AS), while additional dosage of UBE3A is linked to autism spectrum disorder. The mechanisms underlying the downstream effects of UBE3A gain or loss of function in these neurodevelopmental disorders are still not well understood, and effective treatments are lacking. Here, using stable-isotope labeling of amino acids in mammals and ubiquitination assays, we identify PTPA, an activator of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), as a bona fide ubiquitin ligase substrate of UBE3A. Maternal loss of Ube3a (Ube3am−/p+) increased PTPA level, promoted PP2A holoenzyme assembly, and elevated PP2A activity, while maternal 15q11–13 duplication containing Ube3a down-regulated PTPA level and lowered PP2A activity. Reducing PTPA level in vivo restored the defects in dendritic spine maturation in Ube3am−/p+ mice. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of PP2A activity with the small molecule LB-100 alleviated both reduction in excitatory synaptic transmission and motor impairment in Ube3am−/p+ mice. Together, our results implicate a critical role of UBE3A-PTPA-PP2A signaling in the pathogenesis of UBE3A-related disorders and suggest that PP2A-based drugs could be potential therapeutic candidates for treatment of UBE3A-related disorders.

scholarly journals The Influence of Food Intake Specificity in Children with Autism on Gut Microbiota

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Tomova ◽  
Katarina Soltys ◽  
Petra Kemenyova ◽  
Miloslav Karhanek ◽  
Katarina Babinska
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Food Habits ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Fermented Milk ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Food Selectivity ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Fibre Intake ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Α Diversity

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex of neurodevelopmental conditions with increasing incidence. The microbiota of children with ASD is distinct from neurotypical children, their food habits are also different, and it is known that nutrient intake influences microbiota in a specific way. Thus, this study investigates the food habits of children with ASD and their association with the gut microbiota. Children with ASD had their dietary energy intakes similar to controls, but they more often demonstrated food selectivity, which seemed to result in deficiency of micronutrients such as vitamins K, B6, C, iron, cooper, docosahexaenoic and docosapentanoic acid. Using high-throughput sequencing, a DNA library of intestinal microbiota was performed. Core microbiota was similar in children with and without ASD, but Dichelobacter, Nitriliruptor and Constrictibacter were found to be putative markers of ASD. The changes in gut microbiota that we observed in connection to food selectivity, intake of fats and omega-3 in particular, fermented milk products and animal/plant protein consumption had similar character, independent of diagnosis. However, high fibre intake was connected with a decreased α-diversity only in children with ASD. High carbohydrate and fibre intake influenced β-diversity, changing the abundance of Bacteroides and other genera, many of them members of the Clostidiaceae. Modulating food habits of ASD children can influence their gut microbiota composition.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial morphology is associated with respiratory chain uncoupling in autism spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard E. Frye ◽  
Loïc Lionnard ◽  
Indrapal Singh ◽  
Mohammad A. Karim ◽  
Hanane Chajra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Complex I ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Mitochondrial Metabolism ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Mitochondrial Morphology ◽  
Complex Iv ◽  
Children With Asd

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is associated with unique changes in mitochondrial metabolism, including elevated respiration rates and morphological alterations. We examined electron transport chain (ETC) complex activity in fibroblasts derived from 18 children with ASD as well as mitochondrial morphology measurements in fibroblasts derived from the ASD participants and four typically developing controls. In ASD participants, symptoms severity was measured by the Social Responsiveness Scale and Aberrant Behavior Checklist. Mixed-model regression demonstrated that alterations in mitochondrial morphology were associated with both ETC Complex I+III and IV activity as well as the difference between ETC Complex I+III and IV activity. The subgroup of ASD participants with relative elevation in Complex IV activity demonstrated more typical mitochondrial morphology and milder ASD related symptoms. This study is limited by sample size given the invasive nature of obtaining fibroblasts from children. Furthermore, since mitochondrial function is heterogenous across tissues, the result may be specific to fibroblast respiration. Previous studies have separately described elevated ETC Complex IV activity and changes in mitochondrial morphology in cells derived from children with ASD but this is the first study to link these two findings in mitochondrial metabolism. The association between a difference in ETC complex I+III and IV activity and normal morphology suggests that mitochondrial in individuals with ASD may require ETC uncoupling to function optimally. Further studies should assess the molecular mechanisms behind these unique metabolic changes.Trial registration: Protocols used in this study were registered in clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02000284 and NCT02003170.

scholarly journals Alpha-Synuclein, cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandins-EP2 receptors as neuroinflammatory biomarkers of autism spectrum disorders: Use of combined ROC curves to increase their diagnostic values

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Afaf El-Ansary ◽  
Manan Alhakbany ◽  
Abeer Aldbass ◽  
Hanan Qasem ◽  
Sarah Al-Mazidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Roc Curve ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Roc Curves ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Alpha Synuclein ◽  
Cyclooxygenase 2 ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Lipid Mediator ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity

Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Neuroinflammation and abnormal lipid mediators have been identified in multiple investigations as an acknowledged etiological mechanism of ASD that can be targeted for therapeutic intervention. Methods In this study, multiple regression and combined receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to determine the relationship between the neuroinflammatory marker α-synuclein and lipid mediator markers related to inflammation induction, such as cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin-EP2 receptors, in the etiology of ASD. Additionally, the study aimed to determine the linear combination that maximizes the partial area under ROC curves for a set of markers. Forty children with ASD and 40 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled in the study. Using ELISA, the levels of α-synuclein, cyclo-oxygenase-2, and prostaglandin-EP2 receptors were measured in the plasma of both groups. Statistical analyses using ROC curves and multiple and logistic regression models were performed. Results A remarkable increase in the area under the curve was observed using combined ROC curve analyses. Moreover, higher specificity and sensitivity of the combined markers were reported. Conclusions The present study indicates that measurement of the predictive value of selected biomarkers related to neuroinflammation and lipid metabolism in children with ASD using a ROC curve analysis should lead to a better understanding of the etiological mechanism of ASD and its link with metabolism. This information may facilitate early diagnosis and intervention.

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