Epigenetic Findings in Autism: New Perspectives for Therapy

Dario Siniscalco, Alessandra Cirillo, James Jeffrey Bradstreet and Nicola Antonucci
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Dario Siniscalco: Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples; via S. Maria di Costantinopoli, Napoli 16-80138, Italy
Alessandra Cirillo: Institute of Protein Biochemistry, National Research Council of Italy,Naples 80128, Italy
James Jeffrey Bradstreet: International Child Development Resource Center, Chateau Elan 30517, USA
Nicola Antonucci: Biomedical Centre for Autism Research and Treatment, Bari 70126, Italy

IJERPH, 2013, vol. 10, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: Autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are complex neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by dysfunctions in social interactions, communications, restricted interests, and repetitive stereotypic behaviors. Despite extensive genetic and biological research, significant controversy surrounds our understanding of the specific mechanisms of their pathogenesis. However, accumulating evidence points to the involvement of epigenetic modifications as foundational in creating ASD pathophysiology. Epigenetic modifications or the alteration of DNA transcription via variations in DNA methylation and histone modifications but without alterations in the DNA sequence, affect gene regulation. These alterations in gene expression, obtained through DNA methylation and/or histone modifications, result from transcriptional regulatory influences of environmental factors, such as nutritional deficiencies, various toxicants, immunological effects, and pharmaceuticals. As such these effects are epigenetic regulators which determine the final biochemistry and physiology of the individual. In contrast to psychopharmacological interventions, bettering our understanding of how these gene-environmental interactions create autistic symptoms should facilitate the development of therapeutic targeting of gene expression for ASD biomedical care.

Keywords: autism; gene expression; environmental factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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