The Role of Epigenetic Modifications in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Trial

Official title:

The Role of Epigenetic Modifications in Autism Spectrum Disorder Through DNA Methylation

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Not yet recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03152838
• Other study ID #: HRM
• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• First received: May 12, 2017
• Last updated: May 12, 2017
• Start date: September 1, 2017
• Est. completion date: March 1, 2019

Study information

• Verified date: May 2017
• Source: Assiut University
• Contact: Omyma Galal, MD
• Phone: 01006807029
• Email: omyma_galal[@]hotmail.com
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social communication and repetitive or stereotyped behaviors. According to the World Health Organization , the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder is one person in 160.

Description:

Genetic and non-genetic factors would contribute to the development of autism. However, the molecular mechanisms of ASD are not clear and successful treatments are still under research. Autism Spectrum Disorder can occur due to exposure to environmental pollutants which lead to epigenetic changes like DNA methylation, acetylation and post-translational modifications. However, the role of epigenetic changes in Autism Spectrum Disorder is still debated.

Epigenetic mechanisms represent a link through which environmental factors interact with the genetic factors resulting in modification of Autism Spectrum Disorder risk through changes in gene expression. DNA methylation and histone deacetylation are two major epigenetic mechanisms that regulate the gene expression at successive stages of brain development.

Brain derived neurotrophic factor is responsible for brain development. Altered BDNF levels and expression may be closely associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder. . Glial fibrillary acidic protein is the hallmark intermediate filament protein in astrocytes, the main type of glial cells in the central nervous system. Interestingly, Glial fibrillary acidic protein is a marker of astroglial activation and the recent data indicated that Glial fibrillary acidic protein could be implicated in the pathophysiology of autism. However, the underlying mechanisms for the role of brain derived neurotrophic factor and glial fibrillary acidic protein in autism spectrum disorder are poorly understood.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Enrollment: 40
• Est. completion date: March 1, 2019
• Est. primary completion date: September 1, 2018
• Gender: All
• Age group: 2 Years to 6 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. - All enrolled children with Autism Spectrum Disorder will be:

1. Exhibit symptoms within the typical triad of autistic traits: communication impairment, social deficits, and ritualistic interests.

2. Drug-naïve.

2. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and controls will be 2-6 years old.

Exclusion Criteria:

The control subjects will also clinically examined by the psychiatrist to exclude any sub-clinical autistic features. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and controls will excluded from the study if

1. They receive treatment for any reason.

2. -Endocrinological disease, mental retardation, communication disorder, psychotic disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and learning disorders seen in the children or their family members.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Autistic Disorder
• Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
• Disease

Intervention

Genetic:
• DNA methylation and Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis
Fasting blood samples will be collected from both autism and controls for DNA extraction. Peripheral blood (2ml) will be drawn from the cubital vein intoplastic syringes. Lymphocytes will be isolated from blood samples. We will examine the gene methylation in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of drug-nai¨ve autism patients and control subjects. DNA will be isolated from lymphocytes, purified and processed for bisulfate modification. Bisulfate treatment of genomic DNA will be performed using DNA methylation kit according to the manufacturer´ instructions. Bisulfite treatment of genomic DNA converts cytosine to uracil, but leaves methylated 5'Cytosines unchanged. Quantitative real time Polymerase chain reaction will be used to determine the DNA methylation status of the Brian derived neurotrophic factor and glia fibrillary acidic protein genes using primers specific to the human genes.

Diagnostic Test:
• Gilliam Autism Rating Scale Arabic version
An assessment of the severity of autism using the Gilliam autism rating scale Arabic version: This test was used for diagnosis and assessment of the severity of autistic features for ages 3-22 years. It consists of 56 items, subdivided into 4 subscales: communication, social interaction, stereotyped behaviors, development and total score. The Arabic version has been validated with good reliability and validity and used in many studies before. The lower the scores are, the worse the condition is. The scale will be done by trained and certified psychologist. The protocol and informed consent for this study will be reviewed and approved by the ethics committee at the Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Assiut University	Assiut University hospital

References & Publications (9)

Bahi A. Sustained lentiviral-mediated overexpression of microRNA124a in the dentate gyrus exacerbates anxiety- and autism-like behaviors associated with neonatal isolation in rats. Behav Brain Res. 2016 Sep 15;311:298-308. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.05.033. — View Citation

Bhandari R, Kuhad A. Resveratrol suppresses neuroinflammation in the experimental paradigm of autism spectrum disorders. Neurochem Int. 2017 Feb;103:8-23. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2016.12.012. Epub 2016 Dec 23. — View Citation

Ferreira MC, Dorboz I, Rodriguez D, Boespflug Tanguy O. Screening for GFAP rearrangements in a cohort of Alexander disease and undetermined leukoencephalopathy patients. Eur J Med Genet. 2015 Sep;58(9):466-70. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2015.07.002. Epub 2015 Ju — View Citation

Gladkevich A, Kauffman HF, Korf J. Lymphocytes as a neural probe: potential for studying psychiatric disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2004 May;28(3):559-76. Review. — View Citation

Nishimura K, Nakamura K, Anitha A, Yamada K, Tsujii M, Iwayama Y, Hattori E, Toyota T, Takei N, Miyachi T, Iwata Y, Suzuki K, Matsuzaki H, Kawai M, Sekine Y, Tsuchiya K, Sugihara G, Suda S, Ouchi Y, Sugiyama T, Yoshikawa T, Mori N. Genetic analyses of the — View Citation

Paternain L, Martisova E, Campión J, Martínez JA, Ramírez MJ, Milagro FI. Methyl donor supplementation in rats reverses the deleterious effect of maternal separation on depression-like behaviour. Behav Brain Res. 2016 Feb 15;299:51-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2 — View Citation

Samadi SA, McConkey R. The utility of the Gilliam autism rating scale for identifying Iranian children with autism. Disabil Rehabil. 2014;36(6):452-6. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2013.797514. Epub 2013 Jun 5. — View Citation

Vuong HE, Hsiao EY. Emerging Roles for the Gut Microbiome in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biol Psychiatry. 2017 Mar 1;81(5):411-423. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.08.024. Epub 2016 Aug 26. Review. — View Citation

Wang J, Zou Q, Han R, Li Y, Wang Y. Serum levels of Glial fibrillary acidic protein in Chinese children with autism spectrum disorders. Int J Dev Neurosci. 2017 Apr;57:41-45. doi: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2017.01.004. Epub 2017 Jan 11. — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	The difference of percentage of DNA methylation of Brain derived neurotrophic factor gene and glial fibrillary acidic protein gene between the two groups	Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction	one year
Primary	The relation between the severity of autistic symptoms and percentage of Brain derived neurotrophic factor gene and glial fibrillary acidic protein gene methylation in Autism cases group	correlation test	one year