Shorter telomere length in peripheral blood leukocytes is associated with childhood autism

Abstract

Telomeres are protective chromosomal structures that play a key role in preserving genomic stability. Epidemiologic studies have shown that the abnormal telomere length in leukocytes is associated with some mental disorders and age-related diseases. However, the association between leukocyte telomere length and autism has not been investigated. Here we investigated the possible association between relative telomere length (RTL) in peripheral blood leukocytes and childhood autism by using an established real-time polymerase chain reaction method. We observed significantly shorter RTL in patients with childhood autism than in controls (p = 0.006). Individuals with shorter RTL had a significantly increased presence of childhood autism compared with those who had long RTL. In patients, we found that family training interventions have a significant effect on telomere length (P = 0.012), but no correlations between RTL and clinical features (paternal age, maternal age, age of onset, illness of duration, CARS score and ABC score) were observed in this study. These results provided the first evidence that shorter leukocytes telomere length is significantly associated with childhood autism. The molecular mechanism underlying telomere length may be implicated in the development of autism.

Unraveling the Meaning of Telomeres for Child Psychiatry

“…9 In this issue of the Journal, Nelson et al 10 take an innovative perspective that the metabolic processes linked to autism, including inflammation and increased oxidative stress, and the increased familial stress associated with autism affect telomere length. In addition to replicating the 1 previous report of shorter telomere length in individuals with autism, 11 this study finds that the parents and siblings of children with autism have shorter telomere lengths compared with family members who do not have an affected child. Limitations to this study, acknowledged by the researchers, include the lack of a direct measurement of family stress and the racial heterogeneity of the cohort.…”

Autism Linked to Increased Oncogene Mutations but Decreased Cancer Rate

“…Since the neuropathology of autism includes dysregulated neurogenesis and impaired neuronal migration, it is reasonable to believe both the ASD phenotype and the protective effect against cancer result from increased cellular senescence [ 72 ]. This idea is supported by the observations that autistic children have relatively shorter telomeres [ 73 ] and more neuronal senescence in the setting of reduced MECP2 (i.e., as in Rett syndrome) [ 74 ].…”

Telomere length is highly inherited and associated with hyperactivity-impulsivity in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

“…Previous results have associated TL with early childhood adverse experiences or adverse environment (Kananen et al, 2010 ; Tyrka et al, 2010 ; Drury et al, 2012 ; Mitchell et al, 2014 ) and with psychiatric conditions in childhood such as autism (Li et al, 2014 ). Notwithstanding, this is the first study extending these findings to include HI in childhood as a factor related to TL, at least in an ADHD context.…”