Homocysteine is an amino acid, which plays several important roles in human physiology. A wide range of disorders, including neuropsychiatric disorders and autism, are associated with increased homocysteine levels in biological fluids. Various B vitamins: B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin), and B9 (folic acid) are required as co-factors by the enzymes involved in homocysteine metabolism. Therefore, monitoring of homocysteine levels in body fluids of autistic children can provide information on genetic and physiological diseases, improper lifestyle (including dietary habits), as well as a variety of pathological conditions. This review presents information on homocysteine metabolism, determination of homocysteine in biological fluids, and shows abnormalities in the levels of homocysteine in the body fluids of autistic children.
While diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorders (AS D) is clear, misconceptions of AS D create barriers and challenges for children with AS D and their interaction in the educational environment around them. The social model of disability states people with disabilities are more limited by social constraints than actual impairment (Llewellyn and Hogan 2000). In hopes to diminish these social constraints, continued education and progression of programs for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders is essential. When observing the different teaching strategies educators used to assist children with AS D, no one educational strategy was deemed appropriate for use. Findings revealed there were no defined guidelines on how to interact with autistic children and left teachers to use their own teaching methods. Literature reflect a lack of educational strategies for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in an academic setting; at the various grade levels. One of the newer strategies to be investigated is the role of physical activity in children with ASD. Regular physical activity is highly beneficial towards the health of all children with or without disabilities. However, social and behavioral impairments leave little opportunity for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders to be successful in participating in physical activity; resulting in a possible higher risk of being inactive. Exercise options such as martial arts, swimming and yoga programs have been shown to be successful for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with symptoms arising that are apparent throughout the patient’s lifespan. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterised by impaired social and communication interactions as well as restricted, repetitive interests and behaviour. Currently in Poland, about 50 000 people suffer from autism, of which 1/5 are children. Epidemiological studies show that the incidence of autism is increasing, which may be due to the diagnostic category of ASD having been developed. Of vital importance in the treatment of autism, is early diagnosis which is conducive to more rapidly improving the quality of patients’ health. It is believed that both genetic and environmental factors may affect the development of the disease. Moreover, expert opinion emphasises the importance of making an adequate diagnosis when the first symptoms of autism start appearing which can be both psychological, gastro-intestinal and metabolic ones. Conventional treatment is based on the combination of behavioural and dietary therapy together with pharmacotherapy. For example, adapting an appropriate diet could help alleviate the disease severity, as well as the psychological and gastrointestinal symptoms. Much scientific research has indicated that pathogenesis of autism may have a beginning already in foetal life. During pregnancy, specialists should take special heed of metabolic disorders, which can increase the risk of ASD in children. One of the dietician’s tasks are to properly assess the nutritional status of mothers before and during pregnancy, thereby allowing changes in nutrition to be made wherever necessary in order that metabolic indicators be improved. Thus an important part of autism therapy is the improving patient’s nutritional status to prevent the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms. Adopting diets and tailored to individual disease symptoms, is linked to the nutritional requirements and food preferences of the patient. Specialists also emphasise that continual monitoring of the diet and nutritional status of children with ASD is required. It is also essential to start adequate dietary management in autistic patients with overweight, obesity or wasting, caused by improper nutrition. Frequently only a dietary therapy is insufficient to effectively treat autism. Many studies demonstrate the need to supplement the nutritional deficiencies of autistic patients with fatty acids omega-3, probiotics, vitamins and minerals in combination with medical and psychological interventions. A properly designed elimination diet adapted to the patient’s individual may also lead to relief of the autism symptoms and the occurrence of gastrointestinal disorders. Parents and caregivers should therefore be aware of the benefits of nutritional therapy and need for proper monitoring the treatment of patients with ASD. A review of nutritional factors, dietary treatments and diet supplementation in patients with ASD is presented.
Dental amalgams containing 50% mercury (Hg) have been used in dentistry for the last 150 years, and Hg exposure during key developmental periods was associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). This study examined increased Hg exposure from maternal dental amalgams during pregnancy among 100 qualifying participants born between 1990-1999 and diagnosed with DSM-IV autism (severe) or ASD (mild). Logistic regression analysis (age, gender, race, and region of residency adjusted) by quintile of maternal dental amalgams during pregnancy revealed the ratio of autism:ASD (severe:mild) were about 1 (no effect) for <5 amalgams and increased for >6 amalgams. Subjects with >6 amalgams were 3.2-fold significantly more likely to be diagnosed with autism (severe), in comparison to ASD (mild), than subjects with <5 amalgams. Dental amalgam policies should consider Hg exposure in women before and during the child-bearing age and the possibility of subsequent fetal exposure and adverse outcomes.
Previously, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been identified mainly by social communication deficits and behavioral symptoms. However, a link between behaviors and learning process in the brain of animal model of autism remained largely unexplored. Particularly, spontaneous neural signaling in learning-related brain areas has not been studied. This study investigated local field potential (LFP) of the hippocampus (HP), the olfactory bulb (OB) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in mice prenatally exposed to valproic acid (VPA) on gestational day 13. Adult male Swiss albino mouse offspring implanted with intracranial electrodes were used. VPA-exposed mice exhibited ASD-associated behaviors. Hippocampal LFP analysis revealed that VPA group significantly increased low gamma activity (25–45 Hz) during awake immobility. Regression analyses confirmed positive correlations between locomotor speed and hippocampal theta oscillations in control but not VPA group. VPA group exhibited increases in delta (1–4 Hz) and beta (25–35 Hz) activities in OB during awake immobility and active exploring, respectively. Moreover, significantly increased and decreased coherences between HP and OB of VPA animals were seen within gamma (active exploration) and theta (awake immobility) ranges, respectively. In addition, significant increase in coherence between HP and mPFC was seen within delta range during active exploration. In addition to three ASD symptoms, VPA animals also exhibited differential patterns of olfacto-hippocampal LFP, altered locomotor speed-related hippocampal theta activities and distinct interplays between HP and learning-related brain areas. The altered olfacto-hippocampal and medial prefrontal cortex-hippocampal networks may underlie impairments in autism mouse model.
P5 ATPases (ATP13A1 through ATP13A5) are found in all eukaryotes. They are currently poorly characterized and have unknown substrate specificity. Recent evidence has linked two P5 ATPases to diseases of the nervous system, suggesting possible importance of these proteins within the nervous system. In this study we determined the relative expression of mouse P5 ATPases in development using quantitative real time PCR. We have shown that ATP13A1 and ATP13A2 were both expressed similarly during development, with the highest expression levels at the peak of neurogenesis. ATP13A3 was expressed highly during organogenesis with one of its isoforms playing a more predominant role during the period of neuronal development. ATP13A5 was expressed most highly in the adult mouse brain. We also assessed the expression of these genes in various regions of the adult mouse brain. ATP13A1 to ATP13A4 were expressed differentially in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, brainstem and cerebellum while levels of ATP13A5 were fairly constant between these brain regions. Moreover, we demonstrated expression of the ATP13A4 protein in the corresponding brain regions using immunohistochemistry. In summary, this study furthers our knowledge of P5-type ATPases and their potentially important role in the nervous system.
Homocysteine is an amino acid which plays several important roles in human physiology and is an important biomarker for possible deficiencies of various vitamins (vitamin B6 and B12, folic acid). In this work GC-MS method was used to determine the levels of homocysteine in the urine of autistic and healthy children. The levels of homocysteine in urine samples from 34 autistic and 21 healthy children were 2.36 ± 1.24 and 0.76 ± 0.31 (mmol∙mol-1 creatinine), respectively. The higher level of homocysteine in autistic children may indicate deficiencies of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 in nutrition of these children. The results of this work were taken into consideration in the nutrition of autistic children treated in the Navicula Centre of Diagnosis and Therapy of Autism in Łódź (Poland).
High serum homocysteine (Hcy) level is regarded as an indicator for impairment of folate-dependent methionine cycle and is associated with oxidative stress. In a case control study, we evaluated eighty 3-5 years old Omani children (40 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and 40 their age and gender matched controls) for their fasting serum homocysteine levels as a biomarker of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Serum folate and vitamin B12 status were also evaluated. The serum homocysteine was measured using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) technique whereas folate and vitamin B12 were measured using an automated random access immune-assay system. The results indicated that mean serum Hcy levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in autistic children (20.1 ± 3.3 µmol/L) as compared to controls (9.64 ± 2.1 µmol/L). Significantly (P < 0.05) lower serum folate (1.8 ± 0.4 µg/L) and vitamin B12 (191.1 ± 0.9 pg/mL) levels were observed in autistic children as compared to controls (6.1 ± 0.6 µg/L and 288.9 ± 1.3 pg/mL, respectively). The levels of homocysteine in autistic children were also much higher as compared to normal reference values (5-15 µmol/L). The results suggest that high fasting serum homocysteine and low folate and vitamin B12 levels could be used as clinical biomarkers for an early diagnosis and management of ASD.
Ryby i owoce morza są zalecanymi składnikami diety, dostarczają one pełnowartościowego białka, witamin, soli mineralnych oraz kwasów tłuszczowych omega-3. Te środki spożywcze mogą być również źródłem pobrania metylortęci przez ludzi. Artykuł ten zawiera informacje na temat źródeł narażenia na organiczne połączenia rtęci, toksyczności, metabolizmu oraz przemian rtęci w środowisku. Przedstawiono zalecenia żywieniowe przygotowane przez Komisję Europejską i państwa członkowskie w odniesieniu do spożycia ryb drapieżnych, uwzględniające najbardziej wrażliwe grupy populacji, takie jak: kobiety planujące ciążę, ciężarne, karmiące matki oraz dzieci. Na podstawie piśmiennictwa omówiono również zanieczyszczenie ryb i owoców morza rtęcią i metylortecią. Opisano rolę selenu jako czynnika, który obniża toksyczność metylortęci jak również przedstawiono informacje o potencjalnych czynnikach etiologicznych związanych z chorobą autystyczną. W artykule zwrócono również uwagę na wzrastającą ilość powiadomień w ramach europejskiego Systemu Wczesnego Ostrzegania o Niebezpiecznej Żywności i Paszach (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed –RASFF), dotyczących zanieczyszczenia rtęcią ryb i produktów rybnych. Omówiono także regulacje prawne dotyczące maksymalnych dopuszczalnych poziomów rtęci w żywności.
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