Interactions between the lipidome and genetic and environmental factors in autism
Yap C, Henders A, Alvares G, Giles C, Huynh K, Nguyen A, Wallace L, McLaren T, Yang Y, Hernandez L, Gandal M, Hansell N, Cleary D, Grove R, Hafekost C, Harun A, Holdsworth H, Jellett R, Khan F, Lawson L, Leslie J, Frenk M, Masi A, Mathew N, Muniandy M, Nothard M, Miller J, Nunn L, Strike L, Cadby G, Moses E, Zubicaray G, Thompson P, McMahon K, Wright M, Visscher P, Dawson P, Dissanayake C, Eapen V, Heussler H, Whitehouse A, Meikle P, Wray N, Gratten J (2023) Nature Medicine Apr;29(4):936-949 doi: 10.1038/s41591-023-02271-1
Abstract:
Autism omics research has historically been reductionist and diagnosis centric, with little attention paid to common co-occurring conditions (for example, sleep and feeding disorders) and the complex interplay between molecular profiles and neurodevelopment, genetics, environmental factors and health.Here we explored the plasma lipidome (783 lipid species) in 765 children (485 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)) within the Australian Autism Biobank. We identified lipids associated with ASD diagnosis (n = 8), sleep disturbances (n = 20) and cognitive function (n = 8) and found that long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may causally contribute to sleep disturbances mediated by the FADS gene cluster.
We explored the interplay of environmental factors with neurodevelopment and the lipidome, finding that sleep disturbances and unhealthy diet have a convergent lipidome profile (with potential mediation by the microbiome) that is also independently associated with poorer adaptive function. In contrast, ASD lipidome differences were accounted for by dietary differences and sleep disturbances.
We identified a large chr19p13.2 copy number variant genetic deletion spanning the LDLR gene and two high-confidence ASD genes (ELAVL3 and SMARCA4) in one child with an ASD diagnosis and widespread low-density lipoprotein-related lipidome derangements. Lipidomics captures the complexity of neurodevelopment, as well as the biological effects of conditions that commonly affect quality of life among autistic people.
FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:
See the related news article:
Food and Behaviour Research is a registered charity (No SC034604) and a company limited by guarantee (Co No SC 253448)
Newsletter Signup
Useful Links
Contact Us
FAB Research
23 Carlton Road
Oxford
OX2 7SA
Important Notice
Medical opinion and guidance should always be sought for any symptoms that might possibly reflect a known or suspected disease, disorder or medical condition. Information provided on this website (or by FAB Research via any other means) does not in any way constitute advice on the treatment of any medical condition formally diagnosed or otherwise.
Site by Redstone Websites. Easy to Use Web Content Management. 2023 © All Rights Reserved.