A possible association between elevated serum levels of brain-specific auto-antibodies and reduced plasma levels of docosahexaenoic acid in autistic children

Mostafa, Gehan Ahmed; El-Khashab, Heba Y.; Al-Ayadhi, Laila

doi:10.1016/j.jneuroim.2015.01.009

Cited by 18 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Overall, our data show for the first time that n-3 PUFA deficiency is a risk factor for the development of cognitive impairment in the context of MIA. This is in line with clinical data showing that n-3 PUFAs deficiency increases the risk of developing ADHD, autism or schizophrenia (Al-Farsi et al, 2013;Brigandi et al, 2015;Crippa et al, 2016;Hoen et al, 2013;Jory, 2015;Kirby et al, 2010;Mostafa et al, 2015;Parletta et al, 2016;Pawelczyk et al, 2015;Solberg et al, 2016;van der Kemp et al, 2012;Vancassel et al, 2001;Wiest et al, 2009). Conversely, interventional studies supplemented mothers and/or infants with n-3 PUFAs over the perinatal period with mixed results (Amminger et al, 2015(Amminger et al, , 2007Bent et al, 2011;Cooper et al, 2016;Dubnov-Raz et al, 2014;Gillies et al, 2012;Gould et al, 2014;Huss et al, 2010;Jiao et al, 2014;Mankad et al, 2015;McGorry et al, 2017;Meguid et al, 2008;Ooi et al, 2015;Politi et al, 2008).…”

Section: N-3 Pufa Deficiency Induces Memory Deficits In Mia-exposed A...supporting

confidence: 83%

Dietary omega-3 deficiency exacerbates inflammation and reveals spatial memory deficits in mice exposed to lipopolysaccharide during gestation

Labrousse

Leyrolle

Amadieu

et al. 2018

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

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Maternal immune activation (MIA) is a common environmental insult on the developing brain and represents a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders. Animal models of in utero inflammation further revealed a causal link between maternal inflammatory activation during pregnancy and behavioural impairment relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring. Accumulating evidence point out that proinflammatory cytokines produced both in the maternal and fetal compartments are responsible for social, cognitive and emotional behavioral deficits in the offspring. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential fatty acids with potent immunomodulatory activities. PUFAs and their bioactive derivatives can promote or inhibit many aspects of the immune and inflammatory response. PUFAs of the n-3 series ('n-3 PUFAs', also known as omega-3) exhibit anti-inflammatory/pro-resolution properties and promote immune functions, while PUFAs of the n-6 series ('n-6 PUFAs' or omega-6) favor pro-inflammatory responses. The present study aimed at providing insight into the effects of n-3 PUFAs on the consequences of MIA on brain development. We hypothesized that a reduction in n-3 PUFAs exacerbates both maternal and fetal inflammatory responses to MIA and later-life defects in memory in the offspring. Based on a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) model of MIA (LPS injection at embryonic day 17), we showed that n-3 PUFA deficiency 1) alters fatty acid composition of the fetal and adult offspring brain; 2) exacerbates maternal and fetal inflammatory processes with no significant alteration of microglia phenotype, and 3) induces spatial memory deficits in the adult offspring. We also showed a strong negative correlation between brain content in n-3 PUFA and cytokine production in MIA-exposed fetuses. Overall, our study is the first to address the deleterious effects of n-3 PUFA deficiency on brain lipid composition, inflammation and memory performances in MIA-exposed animals and indicates that it should be considered as a potent environmental risk factor for the apparition of neurodevelopmental disorders.

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Section: N-3 Pufa Deficiency Induces Memory Deficits In Mia-exposed A...supporting

confidence: 83%

Dietary omega-3 deficiency exacerbates inflammation and reveals spatial memory deficits in mice exposed to lipopolysaccharide during gestation

Labrousse

Leyrolle

Amadieu

et al. 2018

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

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show abstract

“…A positive association between anti-myelin basic protein (MBP) antibodies and low levels of the main n-3 PUFA found in the brain (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) has been reported in autistic children [149]. Parental health questionnaires and red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid measurements have highlighted a decrease in DHA and total n-3 PUFAs in both autistic and Asperger patients.…”

Section: Risk Factors For Neuroinflammation and Autismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuroinflammation in Autism: Plausible Role of Maternal Inflammation, Dietary Omega 3, and Microbiota

et al. 2016

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Several genetic causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been identified. However, more recent work has highlighted that certain environmental exposures early in life may also account for some cases of autism. Environmental insults during pregnancy, such as infection or malnutrition, seem to dramatically impact brain development. Maternal viral or bacterial infections have been characterized as disruptors of brain shaping, even if their underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Poor nutritional diversity, as well as nutrient deficiency, is strongly associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in children. For instance, imbalanced levels of essential fatty acids, and especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), are observed in patients with ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and schizophrenia). Interestingly, PUFAs, and specifically n-3 PUFAs, are powerful immunomodulators that exert anti-inflammatory properties. These prenatal dietary and immunologic factors not only impact the fetal brain, but also affect the microbiota. Recent work suggests that the microbiota could be the missing link between environmental insults in prenatal life and future neurodevelopmental disorders. As both nutrition and inflammation can massively affect the microbiota, we discuss here how understanding the crosstalk between these three actors could provide a promising framework to better elucidate ASD etiology.

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“…Essential fatty acids in three studies (two neutral and one negative ranking in the methodological quality) consistently reported significantly lower levels of linolenic acid (omega-3), linoleic acid (omega-6), arachidonic acid (AA) (omega-6), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (omega-3) than controls [ 52 , 59 , 60 ]. However, the AA/DHA ratio was significantly higher in ASD-C in three studies [ 52 , 59 , 60 ], and significantly lower in one [ 42 ]. Although the results were inconsistent, there seems to be an imbalance in the omega-6/omega-3 ratio among ASD-C.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional Status and Feeding Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Middle East and North Africa Region: A Systematic Review

et al. 2023

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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children is associated with increased risks of overweight/obesity and underweight, altered nutrient profile, and abnormal feeding behaviors. This systematic review aimed to elucidate the literature on the nutritional status of children with ASD in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, by providing a summary and assessment of the body of evidence. A systematic review of English and Arabic publications up to November 2020 was conducted of five databases in addition to the grey literature, which include a nutrition-related parameter, from both experimental and observational study designs. Children with ASD (ASD-C) between 2 and 19 years in the MENA Region were the target population. For risk of bias, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Quality Criteria Checklist (QCC) was adopted. The number of published articles was grossly limited. Forty-three articles were included, of which only four articles reported a low risk of bias; therefore, the results were interpreted in light of methodological limitations. Both overweight and underweight were common in ASD-C, although not consistently different than typically developing children. Nutrient inadequacies of energy, protein, omega-3, and others; deficiencies in serum iron indicators and calcium, as well as vitamins B12, B9, and D levels; and higher levels of homocysteine and omega-6/omega-3 ratios were reported. Feeding behavior problems were also common in ASD-C. Understanding nutritional requirements and food preferences can guide the planning of the appropriate comprehensive interventions for ASD-C. Various nutritional and behavioral concerns were identified in the included studies; however, they were subject to methodological weaknesses, which limited the generalizability of these results. Future research is warranted that must be directed to finding strong evidence using robust study designs on nutritional status and feeding behaviors of ASD-C, with a particular emphasis on the MENA Region.

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A possible association between elevated serum levels of brain-specific auto-antibodies and reduced plasma levels of docosahexaenoic acid in autistic children

Cited by 18 publications

References 49 publications

Dietary omega-3 deficiency exacerbates inflammation and reveals spatial memory deficits in mice exposed to lipopolysaccharide during gestation

Dietary omega-3 deficiency exacerbates inflammation and reveals spatial memory deficits in mice exposed to lipopolysaccharide during gestation

Neuroinflammation in Autism: Plausible Role of Maternal Inflammation, Dietary Omega 3, and Microbiota

Nutritional Status and Feeding Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Middle East and North Africa Region: A Systematic Review

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