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Epigenetic Findings in Autism: New Perspectives for Therapy

Author

Listed:
  • Dario Siniscalco

    (Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples; via S. Maria di Costantinopoli, Napoli 16-80138, Italy
    Centre for Autism—La Forza del Silenzio, Caserta 81036, Italy
    Cancellautismo—Non-Profit Association for Autism Care, Florence 50132, 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Dario Siniscalco & Alessandra Cirillo & James Jeffrey Bradstreet & Nicola Antonucci, 2013. "Epigenetic Findings in Autism: New Perspectives for Therapy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:10:y:2013:i:9:p:4261-4273:d:28709
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shelley L. Berger, 2007. "The complex language of chromatin regulation during transcription," Nature, Nature, vol. 447(7143), pages 407-412, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mohammad H. Rahbar & Maureen Samms-Vaughan & Jianzhong Ma & Jan Bressler & Katherine A. Loveland & Manouchehr Ardjomand-Hessabi & Aisha S. Dickerson & Megan L. Grove & Sydonnie Shakespeare-Pellington , 2014. "Role of Metabolic Genes in Blood Arsenic Concentrations of Jamaican Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Nicola Alessio & Anna Lisa Brigida & Gianfranco Peluso & Nicola Antonucci & Umberto Galderisi & Dario Siniscalco, 2020. "Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes in Autism Spectrum Disorder," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-10, February.
    3. Mohammad H. Rahbar & Hanes M. Swingle & MacKinsey A. Christian & Manouchehr Hessabi & MinJae Lee & Meagan R. Pitcher & Sean Campbell & Amy Mitchell & Ryan Krone & Katherine A. Loveland & Donald G. Pat, 2017. "Environmental Exposure to Dioxins, Dibenzofurans, Bisphenol A, and Phthalates in Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder Living near the Gulf of Mexico," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-17, November.

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