1. Bidinosti M, Botta P, Kruttner S, Proenca CC, Stoehr N, Bernhard M, Fruh I, Mueller M, Bonenfant D, Voshol H, Carbone W, Neal SJ, McTighe SM, Roma G, Dolmetsch RE, Porter J, Caroni P, Bouwmeester T, Luthi A, Galimberti I. {{CLK2 inhibition ameliorates autistic features associated with SHANK3 deficiency}}. {Science};2016 (Feb 4)
SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (SHANK3) haploinsufficiency is causative for the neurological features of Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMDS), including a high risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We used unbiased, quantitative proteomics to identify changes in the phosphoproteome of Shank3-deficient neurons. Down-regulation of protein kinase B (PKB/Akt)-mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling resulted from enhanced phosphorylation and activation of serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulatory subunit, B56beta, due to increased steady-state levels of its kinase, Cdc2-like kinase 2 (CLK2). Pharmacological and genetic activation of Akt or inhibition of CLK2 relieved synaptic deficits in Shank3-deficient and PMDS patient-derived neurons. CLK2 inhibition also restored normal sociability in a Shank3-deficient mouse model. Our study thereby provides a novel mechanistic and potentially therapeutic understanding of deregulated signaling downstream of Shank3 deficiency.
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2. Hasenstab K, Sugar C, Telesca D, Jeste S, Senturk D. {{Robust functional clustering of ERP data with application to a study of implicit learning in autism}}. {Biostatistics};2016 (Feb 4)
Motivated by a study on visual implicit learning in young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), we propose a robust functional clustering (RFC) algorithm to identify subgroups within electroencephalography (EEG) data. The proposed RFC is an iterative algorithm based on functional principal component analysis, where cluster membership is updated via predictions of the functional trajectories obtained through a non-parametric random effects model. We consider functional data resulting from event-related potential (ERP) waveforms representing EEG time-locked to stimuli over the course of an implicit learning experiment, after applying a previously proposed meta-preprocessing step. This meta-preprocessing is designed to increase the low signal-to-noise ratio in the raw data and to mitigate the longitudinal changes in the ERP waveforms which characterize the nature and speed of learning. The resulting functional ERP components (peak amplitudes and latencies) inherently exhibit covariance heterogeneity due to low data quality over some stimuli inducing the averaging of different numbers of waveforms in sliding windows of the meta-preprocessing step. The proposed RFC algorithm incorporates this known covariance heterogeneity into the clustering algorithm, improving cluster quality, as illustrated in the data application and extensive simulation studies. ASD is a heterogeneous syndrome and identifying subgroups within ASD children is of interest for understanding the diverse nature of this complex disorder. Applications to the implicit learning paradigm identify subgroups within ASD and typically developing children with diverse learning patterns over the course of the experiment, which may inform clinical stratification of ASD.
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3. He X, Thacker S, Romigh T, Yu Q, Frazier TW, Jr., Eng C. {{Erratum to: Cytoplasm-predominant Pten associates with increased region-specific brain tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine D2 receptors in mouse model with autistic traits}}. {Mol Autism};2016;7:14.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13229-015-0056-6.].
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4. Jefferson A, Leonard H, Siafarikas A, Woodhead H, Fyfe S, Ward LM, Munns C, Motil K, Tarquinio D, Shapiro JR, Brismar T, Ben-Zeev B, Bisgaard AM, Coppola G, Ellaway C, Freilinger M, Geerts S, Humphreys P, Jones M, Lane J, Larsson G, Lotan M, Percy A, Pineda M, Skinner S, Syhler B, Thompson S, Weiss B, Witt Engerstrom I, Downs J. {{Clinical Guidelines for Management of Bone Health in Rett Syndrome Based on Expert Consensus and Available Evidence}}. {PLoS One};2016;11(2):e0146824.
OBJECTIVES: We developed clinical guidelines for the management of bone health in Rett syndrome through evidence review and the consensus of an expert panel of clinicians. METHODS: An initial guidelines draft was created which included statements based upon literature review and 11 open-ended questions where literature was lacking. The international expert panel reviewed the draft online using a 2-stage Delphi process to reach consensus agreement. Items describe the clinical assessment of bone health, bone mineral density assessment and technique, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. RESULTS: Agreement was reached on 39 statements which were formulated from 41 statements and 11 questions. When assessing bone health in Rett syndrome a comprehensive assessment of fracture history, mutation type, prescribed medication, pubertal development, mobility level, dietary intake and biochemical bone markers is recommended. A baseline densitometry assessment should be performed with accommodations made for size, with the frequency of surveillance determined according to individual risk. Lateral spine x-rays are also suggested. Increasing physical activity and initiating calcium and vitamin D supplementation when low are the first approaches to optimizing bone health in Rett syndrome. If individuals with Rett syndrome meet the ISCD criterion for osteoporosis in children, the use of bisphosphonates is recommended. CONCLUSION: A clinically significant history of fracture in combination with low bone densitometry findings is necessary for a diagnosis of osteoporosis. These evidence and consensus-based guidelines have the potential to improve bone health in those with Rett syndrome, reduce the frequency of fractures, and stimulate further research that aims to ameliorate the impacts of this serious comorbidity.
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5. Kiely B, Migdal TR, Vettam S, Adesman A. {{Prevalence and Correlates of Elopement in a Nationally Representative Sample of Children with Developmental Disabilities in the United States}}. {PLoS One};2016;11(2):e0148337.
Despite increased awareness and concern about children with developmental disabilities wandering away from adult supervision, there is a paucity of research about elopement. This is the first study to examine and report the prevalence and correlates of elopement in a nationally representative sample of school-age children in the United States with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or cognitive impairment. Data were obtained from the CDC’s « Pathways » Survey, a follow-up telephone survey of the parents of 4,032 children with a developmental condition. 3,518 children that had ASD, intellectual disability (ID), and/or developmental delay (DD) at the time of survey administration were included for analysis. Children were divided into three condition groups: ASD-only; ID/DD-only; ASD+ID/DD. Logistic regression analyses were used to compare the prevalence of elopement and rates of preventive measure use (barriers and/or electronic devices) across condition groups, and to examine the clinical and demographic correlates of elopement. T-tests were also performed to compare scores on the Children’s Social Behavior Questionnaire (CSBQ) between wanderers and non-wanderers. Overall, 26.7% of children had reportedly eloped within the previous year, most commonly from public places. Children with ASD-only and ASD+ID/DD were more likely to have eloped than those with ID/DD-only. Across all groups, wanderers scored higher than non-wanderers on five out of six CSBQ subscales; they were more likely not to realize when there is danger, to have difficulty distinguishing between strangers and familiar people, to show sudden mood changes, to over-react to everything/everyone, to get angry quickly, to get lost easily, and to panic in new situations or if change occurs. Even after controlling for elopement history, parents of children in the ASD+ID/DD group were more likely than those in the other condition groups to report using physical or electronic measures to prevent wandering.
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6. Li M, Amuta A, Xu L, Dhar SU, Talwar D, Jung E, Chen LS. {{Autism genetic testing information needs among parents of affected children: A qualitative study}}. {Patient Educ Couns};2016 (Jan 15)
OBJECTIVE: Leading health agencies recommend physicians to provide information regarding genetic testing for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to parents of affected children. How to effectively provide this information, however, is unclear for physicians. This qualitative study examined the information needs regarding ASD genetic testing among parents of affected children. METHODS: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 42 parents who had at least one child with ASD. Content analysis was utilized to analyze the interview data. RESULTS: The majority of parents (83%) reported they had never received information regarding ASD genetic testing from their doctors. Nevertheless, most parents (86%) expressed an interest to learn about this information. Their preferred topics included: cost (60%), benefits (48%), accuracy (38%), test procedure (29%), potential physical harms from the test (29%), confidentiality (12%), previous utilization by other affected families (2%), and eligibility criteria for this genetic testing (2%). Moreover, parents mentioned various methods to facilitate their learning, including Web-based approaches (43%), workshops/seminars (36%), brochures and flyers (31%), and videos (10%). CONCLUSION: To promote parental informed decision-making regarding ASD genetic testing, educational materials should be developed based on our findings. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Application of these needs assessment findings will subsequently improve the delivery of healthcare services.
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7. Liao TC, Lien YT, Wang S, Huang SL, Chen CY. {{Comorbidity of Atopic Disorders with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder}}. {J Pediatr};2016 (Feb 1)
OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between allergic manifestations in early life and the occurrence of newly diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) throughout childhood. STUDY DESIGN: We collected a population-based longitudinal cohort comprising children enrolled in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Program during 2000-2010. We first identified 387 262 children who had a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (AD) before age 2 years, with 1:1 individualized matching to children without AD. Cox regression analyses were performed to estimate the early-onset and cumulative effects of allergic manifestations on ASD and ADHD. RESULTS: An estimated 0.5% of AD-exposed children received a diagnosis of ASD, and 3.7% were diagnosed with ADHD, significantly higher than the respective rates of 0.4% and 2.9% found in their nonexposed peers. Having AD before age 2 years was associated with an increased hazard ratio (HR) for ASD by 10% and that for ADHD by 16%; such increases were particularly prominent among those with earlier-onset or more severe AD. HRs were especially higher for children with persistent AD and emerging atopic respiratory diseases in childhood (eg, for ASD, adjusted HR, 1.75 and 2.13, respectively; P < .001). CONCLUSION: The observed increased risks of ASD and ADHD associated with AD in infancy suggest that a disordered immunologic response may exert effects on neurodevelopment and have implications for research into etiology and treatment strategies.
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8. Miyawaki D, Iwakura Y, Seto T, Kusaka H, Goto A, Okada Y, Asada N, Yanagihara E, Inoue K. {{Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures as a manifestation of psychological distress associated with undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder}}. {Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat};2016;12:185-189.
Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are observable changes in behavior or consciousness that are similar to epileptic seizures but are not associated with electrophysiologic changes. PNES occur in children with underlying psychological distress and are especially frequent in those with epilepsy. Because PNES are heterogeneous, comprehensive treatment tailored to each patient is required to reduce psychosocial stress. Currently, reports regarding children with PNES concomitant with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) do not exist, and effective treatment strategies for these children are lacking. In this case report, we describe a 10-year-old Japanese girl with undiagnosed ASD who developed PNES while undergoing treatment for benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes. She exhibited hypersensitivity to sound and interpersonal conflicts caused by social communication deficits. The PNES symptoms improved shortly after our intervention, which was designed to reduce her distress caused by auditory hypersensitivity and impaired social communication, both characteristics of ASD. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing PNES in a child with ASD. Our findings suggest that PNES can result from psychological distress in children with undiagnosed ASD and highlight the importance of examining ASD traits in patients with PNES.
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9. Vaillancourt T, Haltigan JD, Smith I, Zwaigenbaum L, Szatmari P, Fombonne E, Waddell C, Duku E, Mirenda P, Georgiades S, Bennett T, Volden J, Elsabbagh M, Roberts W, Bryson S. {{Joint trajectories of internalizing and externalizing problems in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder}}. {Dev Psychopathol};2016 (Feb 5):1-12.
The co-occurring development of internalizing and externalizing problems were examined in an inception cohort of 392 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age 3 who were assessed on four occasions. Results indicated that internalizing and externalizing problems were stable over time and highly comorbid. Joint trajectory analysis suggested that 13% of the sample followed a dual high-risk trajectory. High risk was not found to be associated with intellectual ability or autism spectrum disorder symptom severity but was linked to lower income and gender: more girls than boys were found in the high/stable internalizing problems trajectory. The results suggest that 1 in 4 preschoolers followed a trajectory of internalizing or externalizing problems (or a combination of the two) that could be characterized as clinically elevated.
