Pubmed du 23/09/16

Pubmed du jour

2016-09-23 12:03:50

1. Akhtar N, Jaswal VK, Dinishak J, Stephan C. {{On Social Feedback Loops and Cascading Effects in Autism: A Commentary on Warlaumont, Richards, Gilkerson, and Oller (2014)}}. {Psychol Sci};2016 (Sep 23)

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2. Cho HS, Kim TW, Ji ES, Park HS, Shin MS, Baek SS. {{Treadmill exercise ameliorates motor dysfunction through inhibition of Purkinje cell loss in cerebellum of valproic acid-induced autistic rats}}. {J Exerc Rehabil};2016 (Aug);12(4):293-298.

Autism is a complex developmental disorder with impairments in social interaction, communication, repetitive behavior and motor skills. Exercise enhances cognitive function, ameliorates motor dysfunction, and provides protective profits against neurodegeneration. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of treadmill exercise on the motor coordination and Purkinje cell loss in relation with reactive astrocytes and microglial activation in the cerebellum using valproic acid (VPA)-induced autism rat model. On the 12th day of pregnancy, the pregnant rats in the VPA-exposed group received intraperitoneal injections of 600-mg/kg VPA. After birth, the rat pups were divided into four groups: the control group, the exercise group, the VPA-treated group, the VPA-treated and exercise group. The rat pups in the exercise groups were forced to run on a treadmill for 30 min once a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. In the present results, motor balance and coordination was disturbed by induction of autism, in contrast, treadmill exercise alleviated motor dysfunction in the autistic rats. Purkinje cell loss, reactive astrocytes, and microglial activation were occurred by induction of autism, in contrast, treadmill exercise enhanced survival rate of Purkinje neurons through inhibition of reactive astrocytes and microglia in the autistic rats. The present study showed that exercise may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for the alleviation of motor dysfunction in autistic patients.

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3. Iovene MR, Bombace F, Maresca R, Sapone A, Iardino P, Picardi A, Marotta R, Schiraldi C, Siniscalco D, Serra N, de Magistris L, Bravaccio C. {{Intestinal Dysbiosis and Yeast Isolation in Stool of Subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorders}}. {Mycopathologia};2016 (Sep 21)

High frequency of gastrointestinal yeast presence in ASD subjects was shown through a simple cultural approach (Candida spp. in 57.5 % of ASDs and no controls); the identification of aggressive form (pseudo-hyphae presenting) of Candida spp. at light microscope means that adhesion to intestinal mucosa is facilitated. Dysbiosis appears sustained by lowered Lactobacillus spp. and decreased number of Clostridium spp. Absence of C. difficilis and its toxins in both ASDs and controls is also shown. Low-mild gut inflammation and augmented intestinal permeability were demonstrated together with the presence of GI symptoms. Significant linear correlation was found between disease severity (CARs score) and calprotectin and Clostridium spp. presence. Also GI symptoms, such as constipation and alternating bowel, did correlate (multivariate analyses) with the increased permeability to lactulose. The present data provide rationale basis to a possible specific therapeutic intervention in restoring gut homeostasis in ASDs.

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4. Johnson CM, Zhong W, Cui N, Wu Y, Xing H, Zhang S, Jiang C. {{Defects in brainstem neurons associated with breathing and motor function in the Mecp2R168X/Y mouse model of Rett syndrome}}. {Am J Physiol Cell Physiol};2016 (Sep 21):ajpcell 00132 02016.

Rett Syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder caused mostly by disruption of the MECP2 gene. Among several RTT-like mouse models, one of them is a strain of mice that carries an R168X point mutation in Mecp2, and resembles one of the most common RTT-causing mutations in humans. Although several behavioral defects have previously been found in Mecp2R168X/Y mice, alterations in nerve cells remain unknown. Here we compare several behavioral and cellular outcomes between this Mecp2R168X/Y model and a widely used Mecp2Bird/Y mouse model. With lower body weight and shorter lifespan than their wild-type littermates, the Mecp2R168X/Y mice showed impairments of breathing and motor function. Thus we studied brainstem CO2 chemosensitive neurons and propriosensory cells that are associated with these two functions, respectively. Neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) of both mutant strains showed defects in their intrinsic membrane properties, including changes in action potential morphology and excessive firing activity. Neurons in the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Me5) of both strains displayed a higher firing response to depolarization than their WT littermates, likely due to a lower firing threshold. Because the increased excitability in LC and Me5 neurons tends to impact the excitation-inhibition balances in brainstem neuronal networks as well as their associated functions, it is likely that the defects in the intrinsic membrane properties of these brainstem neurons contribute to the breathing abnormalities and motor dysfunction. Furthermore, our results showing comparable phenotypical outcomes of Mecp2R168X/Y mice with Mecp2Bird/Y mice suggest that both strains are valid animal models for RTT research.

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5. Kim Y, Todd T, Fujii T, Lim JC, Vrongistinos K, Jung T. {{Effects of Taekwondo intervention on balance in children with autism spectrum disorder}}. {J Exerc Rehabil};2016 (Aug);12(4):314-319.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week Taekwondo (TKD) intervention on balance in children with autism spec-trum disorder (ASD). A total of 14 children with ASD participated in this study. Eight children (eight males; mean age, 10.25+/-2.38 yr) completed TKD intervention (50 min/2 times/8 week), and six children received no intervention serving as controls (five males, one female; mean age, 10.00+/-2.83 yr). A computed posturography system with a long forceplate (NeuroCom Balance Master) was used to evaluate static (double and single leg stance with various test conditions) and functional balance (step-quick-turn). Balance was measured before and after the intervention. A mixed-model analysis of variance showed a significant group by time interaction in single leg stance balance. After the intervention, the TKD group displayed a greater improvement in single leg stance balance with eyes closed condition than the control group (P=0.046). Within-group analysis showed that the TKD group significantly improved single leg stance balance with eyes open condition (P=0.014). In addition, TKD group displayed trends of improvements in double leg stance balance with unstable surface under eyes closed condition (ES=0.83) and step-quick-turn (Cohen d [ES]=0.70). The control group did not show any significant changes in balance outcomes. In conclusion, TKD training can help children with ASD improve their balance. Children with ASD also showed a high rate of adherence (92%) to the TKD training. Our findings suggest that TKD can be a fun, feasible, and effective therapeutic option for balance improvement of children with ASD.

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6. Lam J, Sutton P, Kalkbrenner A, Windham G, Halladay A, Koustas E, Lawler C, Davidson L, Daniels N, Newschaffer C, Woodruff T. {{A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Multiple Airborne Pollutants and Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {PLoS One};2016;11(9):e0161851.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to ambient air pollution is widespread and may be detrimental to human brain development and a potential risk factor for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We conducted a systematic review of the human evidence on the relationship between ASD and exposure to all airborne pollutants, including particulate matter air pollutants and others (e.g. pesticides and metals). OBJECTIVE: To answer the question: « is developmental exposure to air pollution associated with ASD? » METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of the literature, identified relevant studies using inclusion/exclusion criteria pre-specified in our protocol (registered in PROSPERO, CRD # 42015017890), evaluated the potential risk of bias for each included study and identified an appropriate subset of studies to combine in a meta-analysis. We then rated the overall quality and strength of the evidence collectively across all air pollutants. RESULTS: Of 1,158 total references identified, 23 human studies met our inclusion criteria (17 case-control, 4 ecological, 2 cohort). Risk of bias was generally low across studies for most domains; study limitations were related to potential confounding and accuracy of exposure assessment methods. We rated the quality of the body of evidence across all air pollutants as « moderate. » From our meta-analysis, we found statistically significant summary odds ratios (ORs) of 1.07 (95% CI: 1.06, 1.08) per 10-mug/m3 increase in PM10 exposure (n = 6 studies) and 2.32 (95% CI: 2.15, 2.51) per 10-mug/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure (n = 3 studies). For pollutants not included in a meta-analysis, we collectively evaluated evidence from each study in rating the strength and quality of overall evidence considering factors such as inconsistency, imprecision, and evidence of dose-response. All included studies generally showed increased risk of ASD with increasing exposure to air pollution, although not consistently across all chemical components. CONCLUSION: After considering strengths and limitations of the body of research, we concluded that there is « limited evidence of toxicity » for the association between early life exposure to air pollution as a whole and diagnosis of ASD. The strongest evidence was between prenatal exposure to particulate matter and ASD. However, the small number of studies in the meta-analysis and unexplained statistical heterogeneity across the individual study estimates means that the effect could be larger or smaller (including not significant) than these studies estimate. Our research supports the need for health protective public policy to reduce exposures to harmful airborne contaminants among pregnant women and children and suggests opportunities for optimizing future research.

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7. Lewis LF. {{Exploring the Experience of Self-Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults}}. {Arch Psychiatr Nurs};2016 (Oct);30(5):575-580.

One in 68 Americans has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and diagnosis is often delayed into adulthood in individuals without comorbid intellectual disability. Many undiagnosed adults resort to self-diagnosis. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenology was to explore the experience of realizing a self-diagnosis of ASD among 37 individuals who were not formally diagnosed. Results revealed five themes: feeling « othered, » managing self doubt, sense of belonging, understanding myself, and questioning the need for formal diagnosis. Healthcare professionals must have an understanding of self-diagnosis to help individuals transition to formal diagnosis and to adequately educate, support, and screen this population for comorbidities.

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8. McAuliffe D, Pillai AS, Tiedemann A, Mostofsky SH, Ewen JB. {{Dyspraxia in ASD: Impaired coordination of movement elements}}. {Autism Res};2016 (Sep 21)

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have long been known to have deficits in the performance of praxis gestures; these motor deficits also correlate with social and communicative deficits. To date, the precise nature of the errors involved in praxis has not been clearly mapped out. Based on observations of individuals with ASD performing gestures, we hypothesized that the simultaneous execution of multiple movement elements is especially impaired in affected children. We examined 25 school-aged participants with ASD and 25 age-matched controls performing seven simultaneous gestures that required the concurrent performance of movement elements and nine serial gestures, in which all elements were performed serially. There was indeed a group x gesture-type interaction (P < 0.001). Whereas both groups had greater difficulty performing simultaneous than serial gestures, children with ASD had a 2.6-times greater performance decrement with simultaneous (vs. serial) gestures than controls. These results point to a potential deficit in the simultaneous processing of multiple inputs and outputs in ASD. Such deficits could relate to models of social interaction that highlight the parallel-processing nature of social communication. Autism Res 2016,. (c) 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

9. Patel AB, Tsilioni I, Leeman SE, Theoharides TC. {{Neurotensin stimulates sortilin and mTOR in human microglia inhibitable by methoxyluteolin, a potential therapeutic target for autism}}. {Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A};2016 (Sep 23)

We had reported elevated serum levels of the peptide neurotensin (NT) in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Here, we show that NT stimulates primary human microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, and the immortalized cell line of human microglia-SV40. NT (10 nM) increases the gene expression and release (P < 0.001) of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1beta and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 8 (CXCL8), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), and CCL5 from human microglia. NT also stimulates proliferation (P < 0.05) of microglia-SV40. Microglia express only the receptor 3 (NTR3)/sortilin and not the NTR1 or NTR2. The use of siRNA to target sortilin reduces (P < 0.001) the NT-stimulated cytokine and chemokine gene expression and release from human microglia. Stimulation with NT (10 nM) increases the gene expression of sortilin (P < 0.0001) and causes the receptor to be translocated from the cytoplasm to the cell surface, and to be secreted extracellularly. Our findings also show increased levels of sortilin (P < 0.0001) in the serum from children with ASD (n = 36), compared with healthy controls (n = 20). NT stimulation of microglia-SV40 causes activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling kinase, as shown by phosphorylation of its substrates and inhibition of these responses by drugs that prevent mTOR activation. NT-stimulated responses are inhibited by the flavonoid methoxyluteolin (0.1-1 muM). The data provide a link between sortilin and the pathological findings of microglia and inflammation of the brain in ASD. Thus, inhibition of this pathway using methoxyluteolin could provide an effective treatment of ASD. Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

10. Preckel K, Kanske P, Singer T, Paulus FM, Krach S. {{Clinical trial of modulatory effects of oxytocin treatment on higher-order social cognition in autism spectrum disorder: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind and crossover trial}}. {BMC Psychiatry};2016;16(1):329.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorders are neurodevelopmental conditions with severe impairments in social communication and interaction. Pioneering research suggests that oxytocin can improve motivation, cognition and attention to social cues in patients with autism spectrum disorder. The aim of this clinical trial is to characterize basic mechanisms of action of acute oxytocin treatment on neural levels and to relate these to changes in different levels of socio-affective and -cognitive functioning. METHODS: This clinical study is a randomized, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled, multicenter functional magnetic resonance imaging study with two arms. A sample of 102 male autism spectrum disorder patients, diagnosed with Infantile Autistic Disorder (F84.0 according to ICD-10), Asperger Syndrome (F84.5 according to ICD-10), or Atypical Autism (F84.1 according to ICD-10) will be recruited and will receive oxytocin and placebo nasal spray on two different days. Autism spectrum disorder patients will be randomized to determine who receives oxytocin on the first and who on the second visit. Healthy control participants will be recruited and case-control matched to the autism spectrum disorder patients. The primary outcome will be neural network activity, measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging while participants perform socio-affective and -cognitive tasks. Behavioral markers such as theory of mind accuracy ratings and response times will be assessed as secondary outcomes in addition to physiological measures such as skin conductance. Trait measures for alexithymia, interpersonal reactivity, and social anxiety will also be evaluated. Additionally, we will analyze the effect of oxytocin receptor gene variants and how these potentially influence the primary and secondary outcome measures. Functional magnetic resonance imaging assessments will take place at two time points which will be scheduled at least two weeks apart to ensure a sufficient wash-out time after oxytocin treatment. The study has been approved by an ethical review board and the competent authority. DISCUSSION: Revealing the mechanisms of acute oxytocin administration, especially on the socio-affective and -cognitive domains at hand, will be a further step towards novel therapeutic interventions regarding autism. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trial Register DRKS00010053 . The trial was registered on the 8th of April 2016.

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11. Qin XY, Feng JC, Cao C, Wu HT, Loh YP, Cheng Y. {{Association of Peripheral Blood Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis}}. {JAMA Pediatr};2016 (Sep 19)

Importance: Accumulating evidence suggests that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be implicated in the developmental outcomes of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Objective: To use meta-analysis to determine whether children with ASD have altered peripheral blood levels of BDNF. Data Source: A systematic search of PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science was performed for English-language literature through February 7, 2016. The search terms included brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF in combination with autism, without year restriction. Two additional records were retrieved after a review of the reference lists of selected articles. Study Selection: Studies were included if they provided data on peripheral blood levels of BDNF in children with ASD and healthy control children. Studies that included adults or with overlapping samples were excluded. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Data were extracted by 2 independent observers from 19 included studies. Data were pooled using a random-effects model with Comprehensive Meta-analysis software. Main Outcomes and Measures: Blood levels of BDNF in children with ASD compared with healthy controls. Altered levels of BDNF were hypothesized to be related to ASD. Results: This meta-analysis included 19 studies with 2896 unique participants. Random-effects meta-analysis of all 19 studies showed that children with ASD had significantly increased peripheral blood levels of BDNF compared with healthy controls (Hedges g, 0.490; 95% CI, 0.185-0.794; P = .002). Subgroup analyses in 4 studies revealed that neonates diagnosed with ASD later in life had no association with blood levels of BDNF (Hedges g, 0.384; 95% CI, -0.244 to 1.011; P = .23), whereas children in the nonneonate ASD group (15 studies) demonstrated significantly increased BDNF levels compared with healthy controls (Hedges g, 0.524; 95% CI, 0.206 to 0.842; P = .001). Further analysis showed that children in the nonneonate ASD group had increased BDNF levels in serum (10 studies) (Hedges g, 0.564; 95% CI, 0.168 to 0.960; P = .005) but not in plasma (5 studies) (Hedges g, 0.436; 95% CI, -0.176 to 1.048; P = .16). Meta-regression analyses revealed that sample size had a moderating effect on the outcome of the meta-analysis in the nonneonate group. In addition, no publication bias was found in the meta-analysis. Conclusions and Relevance: Children with ASD have increased peripheral blood levels of BDNF, strengthening the clinical evidence of an abnormal neurotrophic factor profile in this population.

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12. Sawicka K, Pyronneau A, Chao M, Bennett MV, Zukin RS. {{Elevated ERK/p90 ribosomal S6 kinase activity underlies audiogenic seizure susceptibility in fragile X mice}}. {Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A};2016 (Sep 23)

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common heritable cause of intellectual disability and a leading genetic form of autism. The Fmr1 KO mouse, a model of FXS, exhibits elevated translation in the hippocampus and the cortex. ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) signaling regulate protein synthesis by activating downstream targets critical to translation initiation and elongation and are known to contribute to hippocampal defects in fragile X. Here we show that the effect of loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) on these pathways is brain region specific. In contrast to the hippocampus, ERK (but not mTOR) signaling is elevated in the neocortex of fragile X mice. Phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6, typically a downstream target of mTOR, is elevated in the neocortex, despite normal mTOR activity. This is significant in that S6 phosphorylation facilitates translation, correlates with neuronal activation, and is altered in neurodevelopmental disorders. We show that in fragile X mice, S6 is regulated by ERK via the « alternative » S6 kinase p90-ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK), as evidenced by the site of elevated phosphorylation and the finding that ERK inhibition corrects elevated RSK and S6 activity. These findings indicate that signaling networks are altered in the neocortex of fragile X mice such that S6 phosphorylation receives aberrant input from ERK/RSK. Importantly, an RSK inhibitor reduces susceptibility to audiogenic seizures in fragile X mice. Our findings identify RSK as a therapeutic target for fragile X and suggest the therapeutic potential of drugs for the treatment of FXS may vary in a brain-region-specific manner.

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13. Schaefer GB. {{Correction: G. Bradley Schaefer. Clinical Genetic Aspects of ASD Spectrum Disorders. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17, 180}}. {Int J Mol Sci};2016;17(9)

The author wishes to make a change to the published paper [1].[…].

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14. Toft AK, Lundbye CJ, Banke TG. {{Dysregulated NMDA-Receptor Signaling Inhibits Long-Term Depression in a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome}}. {J Neurosci};2016 (Sep 21);36(38):9817-9827.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disease. It is one of the leading monogenic causes of intellectual disability among boys with most also displaying autism spectrum disorder traits. Here we investigated the role of NMDA receptors on mGluR-dependent long-term depression (mGluR-LTD), a key biomarker in the disease, at four different developmental stages. First, we applied the mGluR agonist 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine in the absence or presence of the NMDAR blocker, APV, hereby unmasking the NMDAR component in this process. As expected, in the presence of APV, we found more LTD in the mouse KO than in WT. This, however, was only observed in the p30-60 age group. At all other age groups tested, mGluR-LTD was almost identical between KO and WT. Interestingly, at p60, in the absence of APV, no or very little LTD was found in KO that was completely restored by application of APV. This suggests that the underlying cause of the enhanced mGluR-LTD in KO (at p30) is caused by dysregulated NMDAR signaling. To investigate this further, we next used NMDAR-subunit-specific antagonists. Inhibition of GluN2B, but not GluN2A, blocked mGluR-LTD only in WT. This was in contrast in the KO where blocking GluN2B rescued mGluR-LTD, suggesting GluN2B-containing NMDARs in the KO are hyperactive. Thus, these findings suggest strong involvement of GluN2B-containing-NMDARs in the pathophysiology of FXS and highlight a potential path for treatment for the disease. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: There is currently no cure for fragile X, although medications targeting specific FXS symptoms do exist. The FXS animal model, the Fmr1 knock-out mouse, has demonstrated an increased mGluR5-mediated long-term depression (LTD) leading to several clinical trials of mGluR5 inhibitors/modulators, yet all have failed. In addition, surprisingly little information exists about the possible role of other ion channels/receptors, including NMDA receptors (NMDAR), in mGluR-LTD. Here we focus on NMDARs and their regulation of mGluR-mediated LTD at different developmental stages using several different NMDAR blockers/antagonists. Our findings suggest dysregulated NMDARs in the pathophysiology of FXS leading to altered mGluR-mediated LTD. Together, these data will help to develop new drug candidates that could lead to reversal of the FXS phenotype.

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15. Tsang SY, Ahmad T, Mat FW, Zhao C, Xiao S, Xia K, Xue H. {{Variation of global DNA methylation levels with age and in autistic children}}. {Hum Genomics};2016;10(1):31.

BACKGROUND: The change in epigenetic signatures, in particular DNA methylation, has been proposed as risk markers for various age-related diseases. However, the course of variation in methylation levels with age, the difference in methylation between genders, and methylation-disease association at the whole genome level is unclear. In the present study, genome-wide methylation levels in DNA extracted from peripheral blood for 2116 healthy Chinese in the 2-97 age range and 280 autistic trios were examined using the fluorescence polarization-based genome-wide DNA methylation quantification method developed by us. RESULTS: Genome-wide or global DNA methylation levels proceeded through multiple phases of variation with age, consisting of a steady increase from age 2 to 25 (r = 0.382) and another rise from age 41 to 55 to reach a peak level of ~80 % (r = 0.265), followed by a sharp decrease to ~40 % in the mid-1970s (age 56 to 75; r = -0.395) and leveling off thereafter. Significant gender effect in methylation levels was observed only for the 41-55 age group in which methylation in females was significantly higher than in males (p = 0.010). In addition, global methylation level was significantly higher in autistic children than in age-matched healthy children (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The multiphasic nature of changes in global methylation levels with age was delineated, and investigation into the factors underlying this profile will be essential to a proper understanding of the aging process. Furthermore, this first report of global hypermethylation in autistic children also illustrates the importance of age-matched controls in characterization of disease-associated variations in DNA methylation. Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

16. van der Weiden RM, Helmerhorst FM, Eriksson T. {{Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist against severe aggression in autism}}. {BMJ Case Rep};2016;2016

Aggression in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents an important therapeutic challenge. Conventional treatment appears to be inadequate in a number of cases. The occurrence of severe aggressive symptoms since the inception of adolescence in a male patient with ASD suggested a hormonal influence by androgens. Conventional treatment with antipsychotic and antiepileptic drugs and benzodiazepines was ineffective. A subcutaneous long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH agonist) injection was given on a monthly basis resulting in a substantial improvement in his aggressive behaviour and renewed socialisation.

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17. Walter SM, Smith MJ. {{Mothering a Child with Autism}}. {Arch Psychiatr Nurs};2016 (Oct);30(5):600-601.

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18. Warlaumont AS, Richards JA, Gilkerson J, Messinger DS, Oller DK. {{The Social Feedback Hypothesis and Communicative Development in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Response to Akhtar, Jaswal, Dinishak, and Stephan (2016)}}. {Psychol Sci};2016 (Sep 23)

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19. Wieckowski AT, White SW. {{Eye-Gaze Analysis of Facial Emotion Recognition and Expression in Adolescents with ASD}}. {J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol};2016 (Sep 21):1-15.

Impaired emotion recognition and expression in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may contribute to observed social impairment. The aim of this study was to examine the role of visual attention directed toward nonsocial aspects of a scene as a possible mechanism underlying recognition and expressive ability deficiency in ASD. One recognition and two expression tasks were administered. Recognition was assessed in force-choice paradigm, and expression was assessed during scripted and free-choice response (in response to emotional stimuli) tasks in youth with ASD (n = 20) and an age-matched sample of typically developing youth (n = 20). During stimulus presentation prior to response in each task, participants’ eye gaze was tracked. Youth with ASD were less accurate at identifying disgust and sadness in the recognition task. They fixated less to the eye region of stimuli showing surprise. A group difference was found during the free-choice response task, such that those with ASD expressed emotion less clearly but not during the scripted task. Results suggest altered eye gaze to the mouth region but not the eye region as a candidate mechanism for decreased ability to recognize or express emotion. Findings inform our understanding of the association between social attention and emotion recognition and expression deficits.

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20. Xiong Z, Yi L, Cao D, He W, Chen J, Gao S, Sun X. {{Dravet syndrome with autism inherited from a paternal mosaic heterozygous mutation on SCN1A}}. {J Neurol Sci};2016 (Oct 15);369:53-56.

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