Endocrine Insights into the Pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Wilson, Hayley A.; Creighton, Carolyn; Scharfman, Helen E.; Choleris, Elena; MacLusky, Neil J.

doi:10.1177/1073858420952046

Cited by 17 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 177 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…APAP is an endocrine disruptor Chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system are concerning because they can interfere with the activity of endogenous hormones that are essential for healthy neurological, urogenital and reproductive development 2,47,48 . APAP is known to readily cross the placenta and blood-brain barrier 49,50 .…”

Section: Nature Reviews | Endocrinologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Paracetamol use during pregnancy — a call for precautionary action

Bauer¹,

Swan

Kriebel³

et al. 2021

Nat Rev Endocrinol

123

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Paracetamol (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP), otherwise known as acetaminophen) is the active ingredient in more than 600 medications used to relieve mild to moderate pain and reduce fever. APAP is widely used by pregnant women as governmental agencies, including the FDA and EMA, have long considered APAP appropriate for use during pregnancy when used as directed. However, increasing experimental and epidemiological research suggests that prenatal exposure to APAP might alter fetal development, which could increase the risks of some neurodevelopmental, reproductive and urogenital disorders. Here we summarize this evidence and call for precautionary action through a focused research effort and by increasing awareness among health professionals and pregnant women. APAP is an important medication and alternatives for treatment of high fever and severe pain are limited. We recommend that pregnant women should be cautioned at the beginning of pregnancy to: forego APAP unless its use is medically indicated; consult with a physician or pharmacist if they are uncertain whether use is indicated and before using on a long-term basis; and minimize exposure by using the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. We suggest specific actions to implement these recommendations. This Consensus Statement reflects our concerns and is currently supported by 91 scientists, clinicians and public health professionals from across the globe.

show abstract

Section: Nature Reviews | Endocrinologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Paracetamol use during pregnancy — a call for precautionary action

Bauer¹,

Swan

Kriebel³

et al. 2021

Nat Rev Endocrinol

123

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Maternal and fetal HPA axes, and the placenta are the most likely candidates regarding the mechanisms by which the effects of PMS might occur ( Charil et al, 2010 ). Precisely, PMS may directly affect the HPA axis programming through alterations of the circulating GC levels and indirectly via alterations of fetal and maternal levels of cortisol and testosterone ( Wilson et al, 2020 ). For example, PMS has been associated with higher basal GC secretion, stress reactivity alterations, and alterations in hippocampal GR in the offspring, potentially resulting in clinically significant negative influences on postnatal development ( Charil et al, 2010 ).…”

Section: Stress System Developmental Trajectory and The Role Of Early Life Stressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stress System Activation in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The mission of the human stress system is the maintenance of homeostasis in the presence of real or perceived, acute or chronic stressors. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) are the stress system-related neuroendocrine pathways. There is abundant evidence that children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may exhibit atypical function within the HPA axis and the ANS both at the resting state and during the presence of social and/or non-social stressors. The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date summary of the findings regarding stress system alterations in children and adolescents with ASD. We focus on the variations of stress hormones circadian rhythms, specifically cortisol and alpha-amylase (i.e., a surrogate index of epinephrine/norepinephrine secretion), and on the alterations of stress system responsivity to different stressors. Also, we present imaging and immunological findings that have been associated with stress system dysregulation in children and adolescents with ASD. Finally, we review the pivotal role of HPA axis-ANS coordination, the developmental trajectory of the stress system in ASD, and the possible role of early life stress in the dysregulation of the stress system demonstrated in children and adolescents with ASD. This synthesis will hopefully provide researchers with a foundation for an integrated approach to future research into stress system variations in children and adolescents with ASD.

show abstract

“…Chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system are concerning because they can interfere with the activity of endogenous hormones that are essential for healthy neurological, urogenital and reproductive development 2,47,48 . APAP is known to readily cross the placenta and blood-brain barrier 49,50 .…”

Section: Apap Is An Endocrine Disruptormentioning

confidence: 99%

Paracetamol Use During Pregnancy—A Call for Precautionary Action

Bauer

Swan

Kriebel

et al. 2022

Obstetrical &Amp; Gynecological Survey

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Paracetamol, otherwise known as acetaminophen, is the active ingredient in over 600 prescription and nonprescription analgesic and antipyretic medications. Worldwide and in the United States, more than 50% and 65% of pregnant women use acetaminophen, respectively. Currently, acetaminophen is considered to be of minimal risk and appropriate for use during pregnancy by the US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency. Despite this, there exists concern that environmental exposure to pharmaceuticals including acetaminophen during fetal life may contribute to the increased rates of neurological, urogenital, and reproductive disorders.This consensus statement aimed to provide an evidence-based summary of the literature relating to neurological, urogenital, and reproductive outcomes that have been associated with maternal and perinatal use of acetaminophen. This consensus statement was created by an international multidisciplinary group consisting of experts in neurology, obstetrics/gynecologists, pediatrics, epidemiology, toxicology, endocrinology, reproductive medicine, and neurodevelopment. A literature review was conducted for studies published between 1995 and 2020, including only those with acetaminophen as an independent exposure. There is a limitation in the existing epidemiological literature addressing these questions, and future efforts are required.One concern about the effects of acetaminophen on pregnancy is its action as an endocrine disruptor and potential to interfere with the activity of endogenous hormones essential for healthy fetal development. In vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo studies demonstrate that acetaminophen perturbs hormone-dependent processes such as inhibiting androgen production, increasing estrogen production, disrupting steroidogenesis, depleting sulfated sex hormones, altering immune function, inducing oxidative stress, and indirect activation of the endocannabinoid system. Epidemiologic evidence examining prenatal acetaminophen exposure in over 130,000 mother-child pairs has shown an association with male urogenital and reproductive tract abnormalities. Experimental evidence in rodents and human cell lines shows that both acute and long-term exposures to acetaminophen result in reduction in fetal androgens and may reduce primordial germ cells, increasing risk of early-onset ovarian insufficiency. Epidemiologic evidence examining prenatal acetaminophen exposure in over 220,000 mother-child pairs has shown an association with a range of clinically assessed and parent-reported neurodevelopmental outcomes, primarily but not limited to behavioral abnormalities including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Of the 19 observational studies investigating dose-response, 16 found a dose-response association where duration of exposure was associated with increased risk. Experimental animal studies show that perinatal acetaminophen exposure increases the risk of brain and behavioral abnormalities in rodents, and that the strongest effects of long-term use and exposure ...

show abstract

Endocrine Insights into the Pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Cited by 17 publications

References 177 publications

Paracetamol use during pregnancy — a call for precautionary action

Paracetamol use during pregnancy — a call for precautionary action

Stress System Activation in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Paracetamol Use During Pregnancy—A Call for Precautionary Action

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About