New research has looked into the link between the cord blood lipid levels, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptomatology. ASD and ADHD are neurodevelopmental disorders that affect the central nervous system, which is responsible for language, movement, memory, focusing and social skills.
It is common knowledge that early-life risk factors such as maternal inflammation and contaminant chemicals impact neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD and ASD. These conditions can cause changes in serological lipids, which make up about 60% of brain weight and are necessary for neurodevelopment.
For their research, the investigators utilized lipidomic analysis data from the Barwon Infant study to explore the link between ADHD, ASD and cord blood lipids. They assessed the link between peri- and prenatal factors and ADHD and ASD.
Using weighted gene correlation network analysis, they then gathered lipids into lipid modules. The investigators also carried out mediation analysis to assess the indirect effect of perinatal and prenatal factors that increase symptom risk for ADHD and ASD through the lipid modules.
They acquired prenatal factors from clinical examinations, maternal questionnaires and antenatal records, then authenticated perinatal factors with hospital data, which included labor durations, delivery modes, gestational age at delivery, and infants’ gender and birth weights. In addition, they evaluated metabolomic profiles from umbilical cord and maternal blood, analyzing them using nuclear magnetic resonance.
The researchers discovered that one particular module, acylcarnitine, was linked to ADHD and ASD symptoms at the age of two. Other lipids in umbilical cord blood were also linked to ADHD and ASD symptoms.
In their report, the investigators explained that the Cyan-AC, Turquoise-PE(hub) and Blue-SMD(hub) lipid modules demonstrated the highest magnitude and lowest p-values associated with symptom risk for ADHD. They also reported that at week 28 of gestation, impaired calorie metabolism was associated with symptoms of ASD between the ages of two and four. This shows that lipid profiles may be key to ADHD and ASD.
The research’s findings highlighted the link between perinatal and prenatal risk factors for ADHD and ASD symptoms in early life and elevated birth acylcarnitine levels in umbilical cord blood. The findings call attention to the importance of lipids at birth in ADHD and ASD pathogenesis and prevention.
Future studies could include measurements of short-, medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines, carnitine, carnitine shuttle transport, mitochondrial function and associated metabolites to shed light on ADHD and ASD mechanisms in children.
The study’s findings were reported in “eBioMedicine.”
The numerous studies on ASD that are also being conducted by various entities such as PaxMedica Inc. (NASDAQ: PXMD) could also reveal additional insights into the pathophysiology of this ailment, whose prevalence is becoming a major concern to health authorities around the world.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PaxMedica Inc. (NASDAQ: PXMD) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/PXMD
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