Markers of Gestational Inflammation Linked to Autism Risk
Immune related chemicals analyzed in blood samples collected during pregnancy and at birth may provide a potential ‘molecular signature’ linked to risk of offspring autism according to a new study from Norway and the US. Drawing on data from the Norwegian Autism Birth Cohort (ABC), an initiative following over 100,000 children in total from birth, researchers discovered several compounds and combinations of compounds noted as predictive of autism based on analysis of several hundred samples. Alongside their biomarker potential, authors highlighted how their findings complement other work discussing pregnancy immune activation as a potent risk factor for autism and the need for further investigations into how inflammation affects child development.
[Note from J. Rodakis: “N of One provided startup funding for Biorosa Technologies, a startup attempting to develop a blood test for autism based on metabolites similar to the approach described above.”]
Call for Greater Investigations Into Role of Environmental Chemicals in Autism
Full-text: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/149/1/e2021053012/183720/ Considering-Toxic-Chemicals-in-the-Etiology-of
Numerous environmental chemicals have been implicated in relation to autism and other developmental conditions, some of which have been summarized in a perspectives article published in the prestigious journal Pediatrics. Authors discuss how exposure to a wide variety of toxic compounds ranging from air pollutants to pesticides have been implicated in autism etiology. Importantly, they stress the importance of gene-environment interactions, whereby underlying inborn issues may provide just the right conditions for environmental toxicants to exert an effect on development and functioning.
[Note from J. Rodakis: This is an important paper! To begin with, the authors call out a long-standing technical point that historical twins studies overstate the role of genetics, at the expense of environmental factors, because they count gene-environment contributions as simply "genetic." Second, and perhaps more importantly, the authors call out governmental toxicology programs for not including long-term neuro-developmental assessments. We simply have no idea how many of the chemicals we use in modern society affect the development of children “When in doubt, leave it out, seems like a good mantra here”]
Bipolar Disorder and Psychosis are Over-Represented in Adult Autism
An over-representation of various psychiatric conditions appearing alongside autism is becoming more widely accepted. A recent review undertaken by researchers in Australia adds to such literature finding that two specific psychiatric conditions are increased in those with autism: bipolar disorder (BD) and psychosis. Looking through over fifty studies on these conditions, authors concluded that somewhere between 7- 9% of people with autism were likely to receive a diagnosis of psychosis and/or BD, with some important sex differences. Alongside other research hinting that presentation of BD and psychosis may be irregular when occurring alongside autism, evidence is mounting for preferential screening of such conditions and the instigation of appropriate management strategies.
Sensory Issues are Rife in Autism
Though long understood to be common, a new study estimates as many as three-quarters of young children diagnosed with autism have documented sensory issues, according to a new study. The study, which drew on data from 25,000 children with autism, analyzed information derived from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM) and specifically the captured information on ‘odd responses to sensory stimuli’ used to understand the presence of sensory issues. Various other behaviors occurred alongside such sensory issues including problems with aggression, adaptive behaviors and sleeping. Although cause-and-effect cannot yet be established, further studies are required as to whether managing sensory issues could potentially impact on other behaviors and onwards improve quality of life.
Patent Approved for Use of Microbiota Transplant Therapy (MTT) for Autism
Full-text: https://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser
The US Patent Office has granted a patent to members of Arizona State University (ASU) for a new intervention for autism relying on the use of Microbiota Transplant Therapy (MTT). MTT involves the use of antibiotic pre-treatment of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract followed by purified intestinal bacteria from carefully screened donors. The theory being that such a ‘bacterial transplant’ may positively impact on some of the various GI issues that follow autism which may in turn affect behavior within the context of a gut-brain interaction in autism. Such patent authorization is an important step towards Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of such an intervention and for spurring further research into MTT use in autism.
[Note from J. Rodakis: “Though the concept of patents in autism treatments at times causes consternation amoung parents, patents are necessary to move promising research into available treatments. Without them, there would be no incentive to risk the tens (and sometimes hundreds) of millions of dollars required to run clinical trials.”]
Note: This month's issue marks the one year anniversary of our Research Round up. Special Thanks to Paul Whiteley and Jennifer Philips for making this possible. We hope you are enjoying this, we enjoy providing it to you and plan to continue. Let's make a difference together!
Comments