Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Irem Sahin, Gokce Nur Say, Bahattin Avci, Neriman Kesim
Summary: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) involves the role of neurosteroids, particularly allopregnanolone, in its pathogenesis. The study found that serum allopregnanolone levels were lower in children with ADHD, especially those with specific learning disorder and oppositional defiant disorder comorbidities. However, serum DHEA and DHEA-S levels were not significantly different compared to healthy children. Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between serum allopregnanolone levels and the severity of ADHD symptoms.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hongmei Wu, Gang Zhao, Sijin Liu, Quanzhi Zhang, Peng Wang, Yonggang Cao, Lijie Wu
Summary: This study investigated the effects of selenium supplementation on ASD model mice and found that selenium supplementation can improve social functioning, repetitive stereotyped behavior, and cognitive function. Selenium may play a protective role in the hippocampus by regulating neurotransmitter levels, reducing oxidative stress, alleviating neuroinflammation, and rescuing neural cell damage.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Soon-Ae Kim, Eun-Hye Jang, Jangjae Lee, Sung-Hee Cho
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the long-term metabolic alterations and gene expression regulation in the brain after early exposure to valproic acid (VPA), using metabolic steroid profiling data from cerebral cortex samples of rats. The results indicate that early exposure to VPA can induce long-term neurosteroid metabolic effects in the brain, with sex differences.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Faranak Rafiee, Roya Rezvani Habibabadi, Mina Motaghi, David M. Yousem, Ilyssa J. Yousem
Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a continuum of neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and restricted repetitive behavior patterns. Early detection and intervention can improve social interaction deficits, with various imaging methods and molecular techniques developed for early identification of ASD characteristics. Structural, functional, and molecular imaging clues have been identified, highlighting theories such as exaggerated synaptic pruning and excitatory glutamate/inhibitory GABA imbalance in ASD.
JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vicky Steubler, Susanne Erdinger, Michaela K. Back, Susann Ludewig, Dominique Faessler, Max Richter, Kang Han, Lutz Slomianka, Irmgard Amrein, Jakob von Engelhardt, David P. Wolfer, Martin Korte, Ulrike C. Mueller
Summary: This study identifies the essential functions of the APP family during development, for normal hippocampal function and circuits important for learning and social behavior. Lack of the APP family leads to altered brain morphology, reduced synaptic transmission, and impairments in behavior related to learning and social interactions.
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Shijun Li, Ziyang Tang, Nanxin Jin, Qiansu Yang, Gang Liu, Tiefang Liu, Jianxing Hu, Sijun Liu, Ping Wang, Jingru Hao, Zhiqiang Zhang, Xiaojing Zhang, Jinfeng Li, Xin Wang, Zhenzhen Li, Yi Wang, Baijian Yang, Lin Ma
Summary: This study developed a deep learning-based approach to identify brain differences between individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typical development (TD) using T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study detected nine brain areas that differed significantly between ASD and TD. This research provides a new computer-aided technique for helping physicians diagnose and screen children at risk of ASD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEURAL SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Hangnyoung Choi, Jae Han Kim, Hwiyoung Kim, Keun-Ah Cheon
Summary: This study aimed to identify major predictors for parenting stress in caregivers of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) patients using explainable machine learning models. The study found that aggressive behavior and anxious/depressed symptoms of ASD patients, as well as caregiver's depression, social introversion, and psychasthenia were the top 5 leading predictors of parenting stress.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Silvia Diviccaro, Lucia Cioffi, Rocco Piazza, Donatella Caruso, Roberto Cosimo Melcangi, Silvia Giatti
Summary: The pathological consequences of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on the central nervous system include learning and memory disabilities and increased risk of dementia. This study investigates the impact of neuroactive steroids and the gut microbiome on brain pathophysiology in T2DM using a rat model. The results show that T2DM worsens memory abilities, with increased corticosterone levels in the blood and decreased allopregnanolone levels in the hippocampus, where neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction are present. The analysis also identifies specific taxa in the gut microbiome that are closely related to memory impairment and neuroactive steroid levels, suggesting their potential as therapeutic targets.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Masud Rabbani, Munirul M. Haque, Dipranjan Das Dipal, Md Ishrak Islam Zarif, Anik Iqbal, Amy Schwichtenberg, Naveen Bansal, Tanjir Rashid Soron, Syed Ishtiaque Ahmed, Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the behavioral patterns of children with ASD during and after the COVID-19 lockdown, and found that support in the areas of problematic behavior could mitigate future risks.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Taeseon Woo, Candice King, Nick I. Ahmed, Madison Cordes, Saatvika Nistala, Matthew J. Will, Clark Bloomer, Nataliya Kibiryeva, Rocio M. Rivera, Zohreh Talebizadeh, David Q. Beversdorf
Summary: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is influenced by a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. A study found that prenatal stress exposure and maternal SERT genotype can affect offspring behavior, and maternal miRNA expression in late pregnancy may serve as a potential marker for a specific subtype of ASD pathogenesis.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Jennifer Ferina, Melanie Kruger, Uwe Kruger, Daniel Ryan, Conor Anderson, Jenny Foster, Theresa Hamlin, Juergen Hahn
Summary: This study explored the use of artificial intelligence models to predict behavior episodes in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By analyzing data on co-occurring conditions and environmental factors, the models were able to accurately predict the likelihood of behavior episodes. Environmental and gastrointestinal factors were found to be significant predictors in the population studied.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mamadou Dia, Ghazaleh Khodabandelou, Aznul Qalid Md Sabri, Alice Othmani
Summary: Affect recognition is an important area of research for machine learning researchers, with a focus on assessing and classifying emotions in people with mental disorders. This paper proposes a supervised learning method for classifying Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and evaluating affect levels in autistic children. The proposed approach is evaluated using YouTube videos and images, showing promising results for continuous affect recognition in children with ASD.
BIOMEDICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING AND CONTROL
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Maya Sabag, Ronny Geva
Summary: This article proposes a theoretical framework that integrates behavioral deficits and neurological manifestations to understand the inter-relations and developmental cascade among attention networks in ASD. By assessing the impact of attention networks on social deficits in children with ASD, the model suggests that hyper- and hypo activation of posterior attention networks leads to altered frontal attention network weight, which collectively affects social performance in ASD.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Marcel van de Wouw, Calum J. Walsh, Giulia M. D. Vigano, Joshua M. Lyte, Marcus Boehme, Andreu Gual-Grau, Fiona Crispie, Aaron M. Walsh, Gerard Clarke, Timothy G. Dinan, Paul D. Cotter, John F. Cryan
Summary: Research shows that Kefir can improve repetitive behavior in a mouse model of autism, enhance immune response, and modulate gut microbiome composition.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chuanchuan Wang, Weixuan Chen, Yishan Jiang, Xiao Xiao, Qianhui Zou, Jiarui Liang, Yu Zhao, Qianxu Wang, Tian Yuan, Rui Guo, Xuebo Liu, Zhigang Liu
Summary: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms may be improved through modulation of gut microbiota. This study investigated the effects of a synbiotic treatment on an ASD-like mouse model, and found that it rectified social impairments, attenuated inflammatory cytokine expressions, protected gut barrier integrity, and altered gut microbiota composition. The synbiotic treatment elevated beneficial metabolites and upregulated genes associated with their synthesis. Overall, the synbiotic combination mitigated ASD-related social impairments through regulation of the gut-brain axis.
Article
Psychology, Biological
Umit Yilmaz, Kevser Tanbek
Summary: This study investigated the effects of intracerebroventricular administration of Spexin on the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis and energy expenditure in rats. The results showed that Spexin reduced food consumption and body weight, increased thyroid hormones, and enhanced energy metabolism.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Kuei-Yu Chien, Yun-Ju Chen, Kuo-Jen Hsu, Chiao-Nan Chen
Summary: This study investigated the effects of a high-protein diet and high-intensity interval training on appetite and weight loss in obese middle-aged individuals. The results showed that consuming a high-protein drink and following a high-protein diet after exercise can reduce post-exercise appetite and the frequency of late-night snacking.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Review
Psychology, Biological
Melissa Alves Braga Oliveira, Ana Carolina Odebrecht Vergne de Abreu, Debora Barroggi Constantino, Andre C. Tonon, Antoni Diez-Noguera, Fernanda Gaspar Amaral, Maria Paz Hidalgo
Summary: Biological processes in living organisms exhibit strong rhythmicity and are regulated by internal timing systems. Understanding the influence of biological rhythms is crucial for experimental design and reporting.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Yanqun Cao, Hao Chen, Yinna Tan, Xu-Dong Yu, Chuli Xiao, Yin Li, James Reilly, Zhiming He, Xinhua Shu
Summary: There is evidence to suggest that chronic stress impacts neurochemical homeostasis and contributes to mental disorders. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of p-coumaric acid (p-CA), a natural compound found in vegetables and fruits, against stress-associated mental disorders. The findings suggest that p-CA could alleviate cognitive deficits and depression-like behavior in mice exposed to chronic restraint stress (CRS) by regulating the PKA-CREB-BDNF signaling pathway.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Mai O. Spaulding, Jessica R. Hoffman, Grace C. Madu, Magen N. Lord, Caroline Soares Iizuka, Kevin P. Myers, Emily E. Noble
Summary: Food insecurity is associated with obesity and disordered eating behaviors. Studying a rodent model, researchers found that adolescent food insecurity may increase susceptibility to obesity and altered eating behaviors during adulthood.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
K. Oberman, B. L. van Leeuwen, M. Nabben, J. E. Villafranca, R. G. Schoemaker
Summary: The present study investigated the post-operative complications and therapeutic potential of J147 in male Zucker rats, and found that J147 treatment had positive effects on behavioral and metabolic parameters, but did not affect neuroinflammation. The results suggest that a combination of acute and chronic J147 treatment may be optimal for treatment.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Review
Psychology, Biological
Mathieu Cournoyer, Alice Maldera, Alexandre-Charles Gauthier, Fabien Dal Maso, Marie-Eve Mathieu
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive view of the literature on the effect of different odors on physical activity through a systematic review. It was found that pleasant odors have a positive impact on participants' physical activity. However, better methodological consistency is needed in studies to produce more meaningful results.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Gabriel R. Gilmore, Jeff Dyche
Summary: This study examined sleep, sleep/wake regularity, and cognition in college students diagnosed with depression and using serotonergic antidepressants, comparing them to those without a depression diagnosis. The results showed that students using antidepressants had slightly longer wake after sleep onset and lower sleep efficiency, but these differences were likely not noticed by the participants. There were no differences in sleep regularity or cognition between the two groups.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Erica A. Cross, Kim L. Huhman, H. Elliott Albers
Summary: Social stress plays a significant role in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders and can lead to behavioral deficits such as social withdrawal. This study investigates the impact of social stress on social reward in Syrian hamsters. The results show that subordinate and socially defeated males have reduced motivation for social interactions compared to dominant males. Additionally, winning males exhibit greater activation in the mesolimbic dopamine system compared to losers. In females, there were no differences in social entries between winners and losers, but winning females display more activation in the NAc shell.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Daniel A. R. Cabral, Maria L. M. Rego, Eduardo B. Fontes, Vagner D. O. Tavares
Summary: This study examined the association between body mass index (BMI) and negative emotional states (NES) in men with substance use disorders (SUD) undergoing treatment. The findings showed a positive correlation between BMI and stress, anxiety, and depression. These results suggest that reducing body fat accumulation may contribute to improving mental health in individuals with SUD during recovery.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Review
Psychology, Biological
Elizabeth Agbor Epse Muluh, Jessica C. McCormack, Yunfan Mo, Michael Garratt, Mei Peng
Summary: This PROSPERO pre-registered systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the olfactory and gustatory changes in pregnant individuals. The meta-analysis revealed that pregnant individuals performed poorer in odour identification, rated olfactory stimuli to be more intense during the second and third trimester, and had increased pleasantness for sweet taste in the first trimester. No major difference was observed in terms of gustatory functions between pregnant and non-pregnant subjects.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Renee Spiteri Douglas, Mackenzie R. Hartley, J. Renee Yang, Tamara B. Franklin
Summary: The expression of Hdac2 in the hippocampus is associated with social status, while the expression of closely related genes Hdac1 and HDAC2 protein is not associated with social rank in the hippocampus.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
