Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Review article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Review article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Neuroimmune Alterations in Autism
T2 - A Translational Analysis Focusing on the Animal Model of Autism Induced by Prenatal Exposure to Valproic Acid
AU - Deckmann, Iohanna
AU - Schwingel, Gustavo Brum
AU - Fontes-Dutra, Mellanie
AU - Bambini-Junior, Victorio
AU - Gottfried, Carmem
N1 - © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly prevalent developmental disorder characterized by deficits in communication and social interaction and in stereotyped or repetitive behaviors. Besides the classical behavioral dyad, several comorbidities are frequently present in patients with ASD, such as anxiety, epilepsy, sleep disturbances, and gastrointestinal tract dysfunction. Although the etiology of ASD remains unclear, there is supporting evidence for the involvement of both genetic and environmental factors. Valproic acid (VPA) is an anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer that, when used during the gestational period, increases the risk of ASD in the offspring. The animal model of autism induced by prenatal exposure to VPA demonstrates important structural and behavioral features that can be observed in individuals with autism; it is thus an excellent tool for testing new drug targets and developing novel behavioral and drug therapies. In addition, immunological alterations during pregnancy could affect the developing embryo because immune molecules can pass through the placental barrier. In fact, exposure to pathogens during the pregnancy is a known risk factor for ASD, and maternal immune activation can lead to autistic-like features in animals. Interestingly, neuroimmune alterations are common in both autistic individuals and in animal models of ASD. We summarize here the important alterations in inflammatory markers, such as cytokines and chemokines, in patients with ASD and in the VPA animal model.
AB - Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly prevalent developmental disorder characterized by deficits in communication and social interaction and in stereotyped or repetitive behaviors. Besides the classical behavioral dyad, several comorbidities are frequently present in patients with ASD, such as anxiety, epilepsy, sleep disturbances, and gastrointestinal tract dysfunction. Although the etiology of ASD remains unclear, there is supporting evidence for the involvement of both genetic and environmental factors. Valproic acid (VPA) is an anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer that, when used during the gestational period, increases the risk of ASD in the offspring. The animal model of autism induced by prenatal exposure to VPA demonstrates important structural and behavioral features that can be observed in individuals with autism; it is thus an excellent tool for testing new drug targets and developing novel behavioral and drug therapies. In addition, immunological alterations during pregnancy could affect the developing embryo because immune molecules can pass through the placental barrier. In fact, exposure to pathogens during the pregnancy is a known risk factor for ASD, and maternal immune activation can lead to autistic-like features in animals. Interestingly, neuroimmune alterations are common in both autistic individuals and in animal models of ASD. We summarize here the important alterations in inflammatory markers, such as cytokines and chemokines, in patients with ASD and in the VPA animal model.
KW - Animals
KW - Autistic Disorder/chemically induced
KW - Disease Models, Animal
KW - Enzyme Inhibitors/toxicity
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Mice
KW - Neuroimmunomodulation/immunology
KW - Pregnancy
KW - Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
KW - Valproic Acid/toxicity
U2 - 10.1159/000492113
DO - 10.1159/000492113
M3 - Review article
C2 - 30157484
VL - 25
SP - 285
EP - 299
JO - Neuroimmunomodulation
JF - Neuroimmunomodulation
SN - 1021-7401
IS - 5-6
ER -