summary: Recent research suggests that measuring certain fatty acid metabolites in the blood of newborns may be able to predict the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Researchers found that higher levels of certain metabolites were linked to worsening ASD symptoms in children age 6.
This discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention, improving outcomes for children with ASD. This study highlights the importance of prenatal factors in the development of ASD.
Key Facts:
- High levels of diHETrE in the newborn’s blood worsen ASD symptoms.
- The study analyzed umbilical cord blood from 200 children.
- Early detection of ASD through blood testing could enhance intervention strategies.
sauce: University of Fukui
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects people’s learning abilities and social behavior. Over the past few decades, awareness of ASD has increased, particularly its prevalence and impact on the lives of people diagnosed with ASD. However, some aspects related to ASD are not well understood and much remains to be explored.
Although the exact cause of ASD is unknown, currently available evidence indicates that neuroinflammation is a major contributing factor, and several studies on mouse models of ASD suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and their metabolites during pregnancy play an important role in the development of ASD.
PUFA metabolites regulated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) affect fetal development in mice, leading to disorders closely related to ASD symptoms, although whether the same is true in humans remains unclear and requires further investigation.
To fill this knowledge gap, a Japanese research team consisting of Professor Hideo Matsuzaki from the Center for Child Mental Development Research at the University of Fukui, Dr Ryuji Hirai from the Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Fukui, and Dr Naoko Umeda from the Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Fukui, analyzed CYP-PUFA levels in umbilical cord blood samples from newborns.
Their research is Released on July 23, 2024 Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciencesheds light on possible causes of ASD.
Professor Matsuzaki explains the motivation for his research: “CYP metabolism forms both epoxy fatty acids (EpFAs), which have anti-inflammatory properties, and dihydroxy fatty acids, or “diols”, which have inflammatory properties.
“We hypothesized that the dynamics of CYP-PUFA metabolites during the fetal period, i.e., lower EpFA levels, higher diol levels, and/or increased EpFA metabolic enzymes, would influence ASD symptoms and impairment of daily living functioning in children after birth.”
To test this hypothesis, the researchers investigated the association between PUFA metabolites in the umbilical cord blood of 200 children and ASD scores. Cord blood samples were collected immediately after birth and properly stored, while ASD symptoms and adaptive functioning were assessed with the help of the mothers when the same children were 6 years old.
After careful statistical analysis of their results, the researchers identified one compound in cord blood that may have a strong influence on the severity of ASD: 11,12-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (diHETrE), a dihydroxy fatty acid derived from arachidonic acid.
“Levels of diHETrE, a diol derived from arachidonic acid, in umbilical cord blood at birth had a significant effect on children’s subsequent ASD symptoms and were also associated with impaired adaptive functioning. These findings suggest that the dynamics of diHETrE during the fetal period are important for the child’s developmental trajectory after birth,” emphasizes Professor Matsuzaki.
More specifically, the researchers found that high levels of the molecule 11,12-diHETrE affected social interactions, while low levels of 8,9-diHETrE affected repetitive and restricted behaviors. Moreover, this correlation was more pronounced in girls than in boys.
This new finding could be crucial for understanding, diagnosing and preventing ASD: measuring diHETrE levels at birth may be able to predict a child’s likelihood of developing ASD.
“The effectiveness of early intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is well established and detecting it at birth may allow for enhanced intervention and support for children with ASD,” says Professor Matsuzaki.
They add that inhibiting diHETrE metabolism during pregnancy may be a promising way to prevent ASD traits in children, but that further research is needed on this point.
In conclusion, these findings pave a promising path for researchers to unravel the mysteries surrounding ASD. Hopefully, improved understanding and earlier diagnosis will improve the lives of those with ASD and their families.
About this Autism Research News
author: Naoki Tsukamoto
sauce: University of Fukui
contact: Naoki Tsukamoto – University of Fukui
image: Image courtesy of Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“Arachidonic acid-derived dihydroxy fatty acids in neonatal umbilical cord blood are associated with autism spectrum disorder symptoms and social adaptive functioning: The Hamamatsu Mother and Child Birth Cohort (HBC Study)Written by Hideo Matsuzaki et al. Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Abstract
Arachidonic acid-derived dihydroxy fatty acids in neonatal umbilical cord blood are associated with autism spectrum disorder symptoms and social adaptive functioning: The Hamamatsu Mother and Child Birth Cohort (HBC Study)
target
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with abnormalities in lipid metabolism, including a high total omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). PUFAs are metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) to epoxy fatty acids, which are then metabolized by soluble epoxide hydrolases to generate dihydroxy fatty acids. This study examined associations of PUFA metabolites in umbilical cord blood with ASD symptoms and adaptive functioning in children.
Method
In this prospective cohort study, umbilical cord blood was used to quantify PUFA metabolites in the CYP pathway. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-2nd Edition (VABS-II) were used to assess children’s subsequent ASD symptoms and adaptive functioning at age 6. Two hundred children and their mothers were included in the analysis.
result
11,12-diHETrE, an arachidonic acid-derived diol, correlates with the severity of ASD symptoms on the ADOS-2 calibrated severity score and with the VABS-II (P = 0.0003; P= 0.004. High levels of 11,12-diHETrE affect social emotions in ASD symptoms (P= 0.002), and low levels of 8,9-diHETrE affect repetitive/restricted behavior (P= 0.003). Notably, the association between diHETrE and ASD symptoms was specific, especially in girls.
Conclusion
These findings suggest that the dynamics of diHETrE during fetal development may be important in the developmental pathways of postnatal offspring. Given the role of diol metabolites in neurodevelopment, In vivoAlthough not fully characterized, the results of this study provide important insight into the role of diHETrE and the pathophysiology of ASD.
