Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cecilia Maria Esposito, Massimiliano Buoli, Valentina Ciappolino, Carlo Agostoni, Paolo Brambilla
Summary: ASD may be associated with cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism, with a correlation between cholesterol and ASD, while the impact of fatty acids is uncertain. Metabolic biomarkers provide potential for exploring new treatment options.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Liliana Rojas-Charry, Leonardo Nardi, Axel Methner, Michael J. Schmeisser
Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in social interaction and repetitive behaviors, with mitochondrial dysfunction considered as an important underlying pathogenic factor. However, the pathophysiology of ASD is still not fully understood, with mutations in synaptic genes also playing a role in the disorder. Mitochondria play diverse functions at the synapse, beyond their classical role as energy providers.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE-JMM
(2021)
Review
Psychiatry
J. Vaquerizo-Serrano, G. Salazar De Pablo, J. Singh, P. Santosh
Summary: Catatonic features can appear in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), affecting around 10.4% of ASD patients, commonly males. Treatment options include benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) with promising results in managing catatonic symptoms. Longitudinal studies are needed to further understand the relationship between catatonia and ASD.
EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Clare S. Allely, Emma Woodhouse, Raja A. S. Mukherjee
Summary: Although the common factors between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and personality disorders (PDs) are recognized, the relationship between ASD and PDs is still unclear. Overlapping symptoms of ASD and PDs can lead to diagnostic uncertainty and misdiagnosis of ASD patients. It is argued that there is a need for better understanding and markers to facilitate diagnostic procedures. Exploring how clinicians make diagnostic decisions and addressing the challenges they face in decision-making is urgently needed.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paulina Gatarek, Joanna Kaluzna-Czaplinska
Summary: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are associated with metabolic and nutritional abnormalities. Supplementation was found to affect the levels of HVA and VMA, and potentially influence the behavior of children with ASD. Further research on the effects of supplementation on these metabolites and their impact on ASD children's levels, behavior, and physical symptoms is needed.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Alessia Azzara, Roberto Rumore, Fulvia Brugnoletti, Elisabetta Tabolacci, Irene Bottillo, Eugenio Sangiorgi, Fiorella Gurrieri
Summary: Asperger syndrome is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by impaired socialization, stereotypical behavior, and defective social adaptation. Genetic background is important in the development of Asperger syndrome, and a mutation in the RADX gene may play a role as a predisposing factor. The RADX gene encodes a DNA binding factor involved in genome maintenance and its mutation could disrupt neural genes related to cell adhesion and migration.
Article
Psychiatry
Hassan Shahrokhi, Akbar Ghiasi, Kamal Gholipour, Leila Mehdizadeh Fanid, Hamid Reza Shamekhi, Shabnam Iezadi
Summary: The study revealed different viewpoints between parents and professionals regarding the implementation of ASD universal screening program in Iran. Professionals believed there is not enough rationale to implement ASD screening for all children, while parents considered universal screening as inevitable and suggested it should be implemented in primary health centers during early child-care visits. This study's results provide insights that could aid in initiating the screening program not only in Iran but also in other low- and middle-income countries.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zengyu Zhang, Jun Liu, Guojun Jiang, Hong Yu
Summary: This study examined the correlation between polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and serum vitamin D levels in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The results showed that children with ASD had lower levels of serum vitamin D and a higher rate of vitamin D deficiency compared to healthy controls. However, the examined VDR SNPs were not correlated with serum vitamin D levels or vitamin D deficiency. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a specific genotype and vitamin D deficiency were associated with a higher risk of childhood ASD. These findings suggest that vitamin D could be a promising target for the prevention and treatment of ASD.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Catherine A. Ziats, Wesley G. Patterson, Michael Friez
Summary: Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in communication, stereotyped behaviors, restricted interests, and impaired social skills. Research on syndromic autism provides insight into the phenotypic and molecular heterogeneity of neurodevelopmental disease, which can be helpful in understanding disease mechanisms implicated in nonsyndromic autism.
PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Kate Stephens, Rachel O'Loughlin, Jessica L. Green, Vicki Anderson, Nicole Rinehart, Jan M. Nicholson, Philip Hazell, Timothy J. Silk, Daryl Efron, Emma Sciberras
Summary: This study found that in children with ADHD, repetitive and stereotyped behaviors were associated with emotional and conduct problems, as well as poorer quality of life, while reciprocal social interaction deficits were associated with peer problems.
JOURNAL OF ATTENTION DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Mari Wiklund, Minna Laakso
Summary: This study analyzed disfluencies and ungrammatical expressions in the speech of boys with ASD and neurotypical development, finding that participants with ASD had a higher proportion of disfluencies and more complex expressions, leading to comprehension problems.
JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Marcela Davoli-Ferreira, Carolyn A. Thomson, Kathy D. McCoy
Summary: Environmental factors, particularly the gut microbiota, play a crucial role in influencing microglial cell behavior, potentially contributing to the development of autism spectrum disorders. Intestinal dysbiosis is commonly reported in ASD patients, and targeting the microbiome with therapies can alleviate behavioral symptoms. The intimate relationship between microglia and intestinal microbes suggests a key role in the etiology of ASD.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lev N. Porokhovnik, Vladimir M. Pisarev, Anastasia G. Chumachenko, Julia M. Chudakova, Elizaveta S. Ershova, Natalia N. Veiko, Natalia L. Gorbachevskaya, Uliana A. Mamokhina, Alexander B. Sorokin, Anna Ya. Basova, Mikhail S. Lapshin, Vera L. Izhevskaya, Svetlana V. Kostyuk
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between the functional polymorphism of the Nrf2 gene and genotoxic stress responses in ASD children, as well as the effect of a NRF2 inductor. The results showed that adaptive responses to genotoxic stress were positively correlated with NRF2 content in ASD children, particularly in the T+ genotype. ASD children with the NRF2 rs35652124 CC genotype exhibited higher levels of genotoxic stress and NRF2 induction, lower plasma 8-oxo-dG concentration, and higher cfDNA/plasma nuclease activity ratio. These findings suggest that the NEF2L2 rs35652124 polymorphism may impact adaptive responses and potentially be linked to ASD severity.
Article
Psychiatry
Ye Park, Andrew G. Guzick, Sophie C. Schneider, Madeleine Fuselier, Jeffrey J. Wood, Connor M. Kerns, Philip C. Kendall, Eric A. Storch
Summary: Dental anxiety is elevated in children with ASD, with pain-related fears being the most common concern. However, no significant correlations were found between dental anxiety and other variables of interest.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Christine F. Stafford, Pedro A. Sanchez-Lara
Summary: Genetics play a key role in the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and genetic testing can guide clinical management and medical interventions, making it important for all ASD patients to have access to genetic evaluation.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Sarolta Bakos, Heike Mehlhase, Karin Landerl, Juergen Bartling, Gerd Schulte-Koerne, Kristina Moll
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Pediatrics
Charlotte Elisabeth Piechaczek, Verena Pehl, Lisa Feldmann, Stefan Haberstroh, Antje-Kathrin Allgaier, Franz Joseph Freisleder, Gerd Schulte-Koerne, Ellen Greimel
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY AND MENTAL HEALTH
(2020)
Article
Psychiatry
Linda Visser, Julia Kalmar, Janosch Linkersdoerfer, Ruth Goergen, Josefine Rothe, Marcus Hasselhorn, Gerd Schulte-Koerne
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Heike Mehlhase, Sarolta Bakos, Juergen Bartling, Gerd Schulte-Koerne, Kristina Moll
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Ruth Goergen, Sini Huemer, Gerd Schulte-Koerne, Kristina Moll
COMPUTERS & EDUCATION
(2020)
Article
Psychiatry
A. Newbold, F. C. Warren, R. S. Taylor, C. Hulme, S. Burnett, B. Aas, C. Botella, F. Burkhardt, T. Ehring, J. R. J. Fontaine, M. Frost, A. Garcia-Palacios, E. Greimel, C. Hoessle, A. Hovasapian, V. E. Huyghe, J. Lochner, G. Molinari, R. Pekrun, B. Platt, T. Rosenkranz, K. R. Scherer, K. Schlegel, G. Schulte-Korne, C. Suso, V. Voigt, E. R. Watkins
Article
Psychiatry
Michael Frey, Viola Obermeier, Rudiger von Kries, Gerd Schulte-Korne
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alessandro Gialluisi, Till F. M. Andlauer, Nazanin Mirza-Schreiber, Kristina Moll, Jessica Becker, Per Hoffmann, Kerstin U. Ludwig, Darina Czamara, Beate St Pourcain, Ferenc Honbolygo, Denes Toth, Valeria Csepe, Guillaume Huguet, Yves Chaix, Stephanie Iannuzzi, Jean-Francois Demonet, Andrew P. Morris, Jacqueline Hulslander, Erik G. Willcutt, John C. DeFries, Richard K. Olson, Shelley D. Smith, Bruce F. Pennington, Anniek Vaessen, Urs Maurer, Heikki Lyytinen, Myriam Peyrard-Janvid, Paavo H. T. Leppanen, Daniel Brandeis, Milene Bonte, John F. Stein, Joel B. Talcott, Fabien Fauchereau, Arndt Wilcke, Holger Kirsten, Bent Mueller, Clyde Francks, Thomas Bourgeron, Anthony P. Monaco, Franck Ramus, Karin Landerl, Juha Kere, Thomas S. Scerri, Silvia Paracchini, Simon E. Fisher, Johannes Schumacher, Markus M. Noethen, Bertram Mueller-Myhsok, Gerd Schulte-Koerne
Summary: This study highlights the significant contribution of common genetic variants to dyslexia risk, as well as novel genomic overlaps with psychiatric conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and cross-disorder susceptibility. Additionally, it revealed shared genetic foundations with a neural correlate previously implicated in dyslexia by neuroimaging evidence.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ellen Greimel, Lisa Feldmann, Charlotte Piechaczek, Frans Oort, Juergen Bartling, Martin Schulte-Ruether, Gerd Schulte-Koerne
Article
Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
Chiara Banfi, Karl Koschutnig, Kristina Moll, Gerd Schulte-Koerne, Andreas Fink, Karin Landerl
Summary: This study investigated the neurocognitive underpinnings of isolated spelling deficits compared to combined reading and spelling deficits (dyslexia). Different brain activity patterns were observed in the two deficit groups during a reading-aloud task, suggesting that children with isolated spelling deficits rely on orthographic representations during reading. Children with dyslexia exhibited lower brain activity in critical reading regions.
LANGUAGE COGNITION AND NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chiara Rathgeb, Hannah Schillok, Stephan Voss, Michaela Coenen, Gerd Schulte-Koerne, Christina Merkel, Sarah Eitze, Caroline Jung-Sievers, COSMO Study Team
Summary: An analysis of data from the COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring (COSMO) survey in Germany found that one third of parents reported emotional symptoms in their children during the pandemic. Children of younger parents were more likely to be affected. Sociodemographic factors, such as household language, had a significant association with emotional symptoms in children. The study highlights the need for more preventive measures in future pandemic waves.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Linda Visser, Josefine Rothe, Gerd Schulte-Koerne, Marcus Hasselhorn
Summary: There is a growing demand for digital intelligence testing. This study evaluated the validity of an online version of the revised German Culture Fair Intelligence Test (CFT 20-R). The results show that the online version has acceptable internal consistency and construct validity. However, the correlation between raw scores and school grades in German and mathematics was slightly lower than expected. The study also found that the raw scores for the paper-pencil version were higher, possibly due to a learning effect.
Article
Psychology, Developmental
B. Platt, A. Sfaerlea, C. Buhl, J. Loechner, J. Neumueller, L. Asperud Thomsen, K. Starman-Woehrle, E. Salemink, G. Schulte-Koerne
Summary: The study found no significant differences in attention biases between children with a high familial risk of depression and parents with a history of depression, as well as between children with low familial risk of depression and parents with no history of psychiatric disorder. There was also no correlation observed between parental and child attention biases.
CHILD PSYCHIATRY & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Ruth Goergen, Elisabetta De Simone, Gerd Schulte-Koerne, Kristina Moll
Summary: The role of morphological awareness in literacy development differs between reading and spelling in German orthography, with morphological awareness being a better predictor for spelling due to the high consistency between morphology and orthography. This study highlights the importance of morphological awareness in understanding the structure of a given orthography and its implications for literacy skills.
JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN READING
(2021)
Article
Neuroimaging
Rose Richards, Ellen Greimel, Dorit Kliemann, Inga K. Koerte, Gerd Schulte-Koerne, Martin Reuter, Christian Wachinger
NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL
(2020)