Are preconceptional stressful experiences crucial elements for the aetiology of autism spectrum disorder? Insights from an animal model

Pisu, Maria Giuseppina; Boero, Giorgia; Garau, Anna Maria; Casula, Claudia; Cisci, Sonia; Biggio, Francesca; Concas, Alessandra; Follesa, Paolo; Maciocco, Elisabetta; Porcu, Patrizia; Serra, Mariangela

doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107686

Cited by 9 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 92 publications

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“…Spatial learning and memory as well as behavioral flexibility were assessed in the Morris water maze test as previously described (Pisu et al, 2019;Santoru et al, 2014). The water maze consisted of a circular pool (150 cm in diameter, 60 cm in depth), whose interior is painted black, located in the center of a room dedicated to measurement of this behavioral paradigm.…”

Section: Spatial Learning Memory and Behavioral Flexibility In The Mo...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Chronic treatment with hormonal contraceptives alters hippocampal BDNF and histone H3 post-translational modifications but not learning and memory in female rats

Boi

Petralla

Monti

et al. 2022

Hormones and Behavior

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Section: Spatial Learning Memory and Behavioral Flexibility In The Mo...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Chronic treatment with hormonal contraceptives alters hippocampal BDNF and histone H3 post-translational modifications but not learning and memory in female rats

Boi

Petralla

Monti

et al. 2022

Hormones and Behavior

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“…The resulting supernatant was frozen at − 80 °C until use for BDNF assay. A standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) commercial kit (Sigma-Aldrich, Milan, Italy) was used to measure the amount of BDNF in each sample as previously described [29,34]. ELISA was performed according to the manufacturer's instruction using a 96-well plate that was pre-coated with a primary antibody against rat BDNF.…”

Section: Serum Bdnfmentioning

confidence: 99%

Therapeutic Use of Cerebellar Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) in a Sardinian Family Affected by Spinocerebellar Ataxia 38 (SCA 38)

et al. 2021

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Spinocerebellar ataxia 38 (SCA 38) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by conventional mutations in the ELOVL5 gene which encodes an enzyme involved in the synthesis of very long fatty acids, with a specific expression in cerebellar Purkinje cells. Three Italian families carrying the mutation, one of which is of Sardinian descent, have been identified and characterized. One session of cerebellar intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) was applied to 6 affected members of the Sardinian family to probe motor cortex excitability measured by motor-evoked potentials (MEPs). Afterwards, patients were exposed to ten sessions of cerebellar real and sham iTBS in a cross-over study and clinical symptoms were evaluated before and after treatment by Modified International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (MICARS). Moreover, serum BDNF levels were evaluated before and after real and sham cerebellar iTBS and the role of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in influencing iTBS effect was explored. Present data show that one session of cerebellar iTBS was able to increase MEPs in all tested patients, suggesting an enhancement of the cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway in SCA 38. MICARS scores were reduced after ten sessions of real cerebellar iTBS showing an improvement in clinical symptoms. Finally, although serum BDNF levels were not affected by cerebellar iTBS when considering all samples, segregating for genotype a difference was found between Val66Val and Val66Met carriers. These preliminary data suggest a potential therapeutic use of cerebellar iTBS in improving motor symptoms of SCA38.

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“…Clinical implications of this transgenerational effect for ASD are unknown, as are the intriguing findings from animal models demonstrating effects of paternal stress exposure mediated by miRNA [85,86]. Additionally, animal model data suggests that preconceptual stress might impact a range of autism-associated behaviors in animal models, particularly in males [87], and in human populations, maternal exposure to childhood abuse has been associated with ASD [88], effects which also are likely mediated epigenetically [89].…”

Section: Prenatal Stress and Epigeneticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prenatal Stress and Maternal Immune Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Potential Points for Intervention

Beversdorf

Stevens

Margolis

et al. 2020

CPD

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Background: Genetics is a major etiological contributor to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Environmental factors, however, also appear to contribute. ASD pathophysiology due to gene x environment is also beginning to be explored. One reason to focus on environmental factors is that they may allow opportunities for intervention or prevention. Methods And Results: Herein, we review two such factors that have been associated with a significant proportion of ASD risk, prenatal stress exposure and maternal immune dysregulation. Maternal stress susceptibility appears to interact with prenatal stress exposure to affect offspring neurodevelopment. We also explore how maternal stress may interact with the microbiome in the neurodevelopmental setting. Additionally, understanding of the impact of maternal immune dysfunction on ASD has recently been advanced by recognition of specific fetal brain proteins targeted by maternal autoantibodies, and identification of unique mid-gestational maternal immune profiles. This might also be interrelated with maternal stress exposure. Animal models have been developed to explore pathophysiology targeting each of these factors. Conclusions: We are beginning to understand the behavioral, pharmacopathological, and epigenetic effects related to these interactions, and we are beginning to explore potential mitigating factors. Continued growth in understanding of these mechanisms may ultimately allow for the identification of multiple potential targets for prevention or intervention for this subset of environmental-associated ASD cases.

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Are preconceptional stressful experiences crucial elements for the aetiology of autism spectrum disorder? Insights from an animal model

Cited by 9 publications

References 92 publications

Chronic treatment with hormonal contraceptives alters hippocampal BDNF and histone H3 post-translational modifications but not learning and memory in female rats

Chronic treatment with hormonal contraceptives alters hippocampal BDNF and histone H3 post-translational modifications but not learning and memory in female rats

Therapeutic Use of Cerebellar Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) in a Sardinian Family Affected by Spinocerebellar Ataxia 38 (SCA 38)

Prenatal Stress and Maternal Immune Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Potential Points for Intervention

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