Efficacy and Safety of Gluten-Free and Casein-Free Diets Proposed in Children Presenting with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Autism and Related Syndromes)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Efficacy and Safety of Gluten-Free and Casein-Free Diets Proposed in Children Presenting with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Autism and Related Syndromes) FRENCH FOOD SAFETY AGENCY Efficacy and safety of gluten-free and casein-free diets proposed in children presenting with pervasive developmental disorders (autism and related syndromes) April 2009 1 Chairmanship of the working group Professor Jean-Louis Bresson Scientific coordination Ms. Raphaëlle Ancellin and Ms. Sabine Houdart, under the direction of Professor Irène Margaritis 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of contents ................................................................................................................... 3 Table of illustrations .............................................................................................................. 5 Composition of the working group ......................................................................................... 6 List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 7 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 8 1.1 Context of request ................................................................................................... 8 1.2 Autism: definition, origin, practical implications ........................................................ 8 1.2.1 Definition of autism and related disorders ......................................................... 8 1.2.2 Origins of autism .............................................................................................. 8 1.1.2.1 Neurobiological studies ............................................................................. 8 1.1.2.2 Genetic studies ......................................................................................... 9 1.2.3 Practical implications .......................................................................................10 1.3 Tools for diagnosis and evaluation of the course of autistic children .......................10 1.3.1 Diagnostic instruments ....................................................................................10 1.2.1.1 Autism Diagnostic Interview - R (ADI - R) (Lord et al, 1994) ....................10 1.2.1.2 ADOS (autism diagnostic observational schedule, Lord et al., 2000) .............10 1.2.1.3 Children Autistic Rating Scale (CARS) (Schopler et al., 1980) ................11 1.3.2 Scales measuring behavioural traits ................................................................11 1.2.2.1 BSE - Behavioural Summarized Evaluation scale ..................................11 1.2.2.2 ABC scale (Aberrant Behavior Checklist, Aman et al., 1985)...................11 1.3.3 Conclusions ....................................................................................................11 1.4 Conventional and alternative management of autism and view point of the families of patients .........................................................................................................................12 1.4.1 Management of autism ....................................................................................12 1.4.2 Alternative management .................................................................................12 1.4.3 Viewpoint of representatives of patients and their families ..............................12 1.3.3.1 On diet .....................................................................................................13 1.3.3.2 On the perception of disorders in autism .................................................13 2 Evaluation of the efficacy of food avoidance regimens in autism ...................................14 2.1 Origin of avoidance regimens in autism ..................................................................14 2.2 Scientific publications dedicated to the effects of a gluten-free and casein-free diet in autism ...........................................................................................................................14 2.2.1 Bibliographical search .....................................................................................14 2.2.2 Identification of communications .....................................................................15 2.2.3 Pre-selection of communications .....................................................................15 2.2.4 Evaluation of communications .........................................................................15 2.2.5 Selection of communications ...........................................................................15 2.2.6 Description of trials on food avoidance diets (see synthetic table in Annexe 1) 16 2.2.6.1 Reichelt et al., 1990 (a) ............................................................................16 2.2.6.2 Knivsberg et al., 1990, 1995 (b and c) ......................................................16 2.2.6.3 Sponheim, 1991 (d) ..................................................................................17 2.2.6.4 Lucarelli et al., 1995 (e) ............................................................................17 2.2.6.5 Whiteley et al., 1999 (f) ............................................................................18 2.2.6.6 Cade et al., 2000 (g) ................................................................................18 2.2.6.7 Knivsberg et al., 2002 (h) .........................................................................19 2.2.6.7 Elder et al., 2006 (i) ..................................................................................19 2.2.7 Overall observations .......................................................................................20 2.2.8 Synthesis and conclusion ................................................................................21 3 Evaluation of safety of food avoidance diets in autism ...................................................22 3.1 Spontaneous food intake and nutritional status of autistic children .........................22 3.1.1 Spontaneous food intake of autistic children ...................................................22 3.1.2 Nutritional status of autistic children ................................................................22 3 3.2 Eating patterns and nutritional status of autistic children receiving a gluten-free and casein-free diet .................................................................................................................23 3.2.1 Eating patterns with an avoidance diet ............................................................24 3.2.2 Nutritional status with an avoidance diet .........................................................24 3.2.3 Gluten-free and casein-free diet: theoretical estimation of nutritional intake ....24 3.2.4 Other possible effects of an avoidance diet .....................................................25 3.2.5 Long term nutritional effects of a gluten-free diet in non autistic children: experience with coeliac disease ....................................................................................25 3.2.6 Nutritional effects of a milk protein-free diet in non autistic children: experience with milk protein intolerance ..........................................................................................26 3.2.7 Conclusion ......................................................................................................26 4 Indirect evidence proposed in support of a gluten-free and casein-free diet ..................27 4.1 Opioid peptides: origins and biological effects ........................................................27 4.1.1 Sources of opioid peptides in food ..................................................................27 4.1.1.1 Milk casein ...............................................................................................28 4.1.1.2 Cereal gluten ............................................................................................28 4.1.1.3 Other plant and animal proteins ...............................................................28 4.1.1.4 Characterisation of pharmacological properties of these peptides ............28 4.1.1.5 Conclusion ...............................................................................................29 4.1.2 Intestinal production and absorption, urinary excretion of opioid peptides in humans 31 4.1.2.1 Production of dietary opioid peptides in the intestinal lumen in animals and in humans 31 4.1.2.2 Passage of opioid peptides across the intestinal mucosa .........................31 4.1.2.3 Bioavailability and biological effects in vivo of dietary bioactive peptides ..31 4.1.2.4 Urinary excretion of opioid peptides ........................................................32 4.1.3 Effects of opiate antagonists in autism ............................................................34 4.1.3.1 Open-label series ....................................................................................34 4.1.3.2 Controlled clinical trials .............................................................................34 4.1.3.3 Conclusion ...............................................................................................36 4.2 Autism, gastrointestinal disorders and change in intestinal permeability .................36 4.2.1 Autism and specific gastrointestinal disorders .................................................36 4.2.1.1 Autism and coeliac disease ......................................................................36 4.2.1.2 Autism and inflammatory digestive tract diseases ....................................37 4.2.2 Autism and food
Recommended publications
  • Evaluation of in Silico Approach for Prediction of Presence of Opioid Peptides in Wheat
    Evaluation of in silico approach for prediction of presence of opioid peptides in wheat This is the Accepted version of the following publication Garg, Swati, Apostolopoulos, Vasso, Nurgali, Kulmira and Mishra, Vijay Kumar (2018) Evaluation of in silico approach for prediction of presence of opioid peptides in wheat. Journal of Functional Foods, 41. 34 - 40. ISSN 1756-4646 The publisher’s official version can be found at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464617307454 Note that access to this version may require subscription. Downloaded from VU Research Repository https://vuir.vu.edu.au/36577/ 1 1 Evaluation of in silico approach for prediction of presence of opioid peptides in wheat 2 gluten 3 Abstract 4 Opioid like morphine and codeine are used for the management of pain, but are associated 5 with serious side-effects limiting their use. Wheat gluten proteins were assessed for the 6 presence of opioid peptides on the basis of tyrosine and proline within their sequence. Eleven 7 peptides were identified and occurrence of predicted sequences or their structural motifs were 8 analysed using BIOPEP database and ranked using PeptideRanker. Based on higher peptide 9 ranking, three sequences YPG, YYPG and YIPP were selected for determination of opioid 10 activity by cAMP assay against µ and κ opioid receptors. Three peptides inhibited the 11 production of cAMP to varied degree with EC50 values of YPG, YYPG and YIPP were 5.3 12 mM, 1.5 mM and 2.9 mM for µ-opioid receptor, and 1.9 mM, 1.2 mM and 3.2 mM for κ- 13 opioid receptor, respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • INVESTIGATION of NATURAL PRODUCT SCAFFOLDS for the DEVELOPMENT of OPIOID RECEPTOR LIGANDS by Katherine M
    INVESTIGATION OF NATURAL PRODUCT SCAFFOLDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OPIOID RECEPTOR LIGANDS By Katherine M. Prevatt-Smith Submitted to the graduate degree program in Medicinal Chemistry and the Graduate Faculty of the University of Kansas in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. _________________________________ Chairperson: Dr. Thomas E. Prisinzano _________________________________ Dr. Brian S. J. Blagg _________________________________ Dr. Michael F. Rafferty _________________________________ Dr. Paul R. Hanson _________________________________ Dr. Susan M. Lunte Date Defended: July 18, 2012 The Dissertation Committee for Katherine M. Prevatt-Smith certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: INVESTIGATION OF NATURAL PRODUCT SCAFFOLDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OPIOID RECEPTOR LIGANDS _________________________________ Chairperson: Dr. Thomas E. Prisinzano Date approved: July 18, 2012 ii ABSTRACT Kappa opioid (KOP) receptors have been suggested as an alternative target to the mu opioid (MOP) receptor for the treatment of pain because KOP activation is associated with fewer negative side-effects (respiratory depression, constipation, tolerance, and dependence). The KOP receptor has also been implicated in several abuse-related effects in the central nervous system (CNS). KOP ligands have been investigated as pharmacotherapies for drug abuse; KOP agonists have been shown to modulate dopamine concentrations in the CNS as well as attenuate the self-administration of cocaine in a variety of species, and KOP antagonists have potential in the treatment of relapse. One drawback of current opioid ligand investigation is that many compounds are based on the morphine scaffold and thus have similar properties, both positive and negative, to the parent molecule. Thus there is increasing need to discover new chemical scaffolds with opioid receptor activity.
    [Show full text]
  • Casomorphins and Gliadorphins Have Diverse Systemic Effects Spanning Gut, Brain and Internal Organs
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article Casomorphins and Gliadorphins Have Diverse Systemic Effects Spanning Gut, Brain and Internal Organs Keith Bernard Woodford Agri-Food Systems, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7674, New Zealand; [email protected] Abstract: Food-derived opioid peptides include digestive products derived from cereal and dairy diets. If these opioid peptides breach the intestinal barrier, typically linked to permeability and constrained biosynthesis of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4), they can attach to opioid receptors. The widespread presence of opioid receptors spanning gut, brain, and internal organs is fundamental to the diverse and systemic effects of food-derived opioids, with effects being evidential across many health conditions. However, manifestation delays following low-intensity long-term exposure create major challenges for clinical trials. Accordingly, it has been easiest to demonstrate causal relationships in digestion-based research where some impacts occur rapidly. Within this environment, the role of the microbiome is evidential but challenging to further elucidate, with microbiome effects ranging across gut-condition indicators and modulators, and potentially as systemic causal factors. Elucidation requires a systemic framework that acknowledges that public-health effects of food- derived opioids are complex with varying genetic susceptibility and confounding factors, together with system-wide interactions and feedbacks. The specific role of the microbiome within
    [Show full text]
  • Epigenetic Effects of Casein-Derived Opioid Peptides in SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells Malav S
    Trivedi et al. Nutrition & Metabolism (2015) 12:54 DOI 10.1186/s12986-015-0050-1 RESEARCH Open Access Epigenetic effects of casein-derived opioid peptides in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells Malav S. Trivedi1*, Nathaniel W. Hodgson2, Stephen J. Walker3, Geert Trooskens4, Vineeth Nair1 and Richard C. Deth1 Abstract Background: Casein-free, gluten-free diets have been reported to mitigate some of the inflammatory gastrointestinal and behavioral traits associated with autism, but the mechanism for this palliative effect has not been elucidated. We recently showed that the opioid peptide beta-casomorphin-7, derived from bovine (bBCM7) milk, decreases cysteine uptake, lowers levels of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) and decreases the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) in both Caco-2 human GI epithelial cells and SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. While human breast milk can also release a similar peptide (hBCM-7), the bBCM7 and hBCM-7 vary greatly in potency; as the bBCM-7 is highly potent and similar to morphine in it's effects. Since SAM is required for DNA methylation, we wanted to further investigate the epigenetic effects of these food-derived opioid peptides. In the current study the main objective was to characterize functional pathways and key genes responding to DNA methylation effects of food-derived opioid peptides. Methods: SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were treated with 1 μM hBCM7 and bBCM7 and RNA and DNA were isolated after 4 h with or without treatment. Transcriptional changes were assessed using a microarray approach and CpG methylation status was analyzed at 450,000 CpG sites. Functional implications from both endpoints were evaluated via Ingenuity Pathway Analysis 4.0 and KEGG pathway analysis was performed to identify biological interactions between transcripts that were significantly altered at DNA methylation or transcriptional levels (p < 0.05, FDR <0.1).
    [Show full text]
  • From Opiate Pharmacology to Opioid Peptide Physiology
    Upsala J Med Sci 105: 1-16,2000 From Opiate Pharmacology to Opioid Peptide Physiology Lars Terenius Experimental Alcohol and Drug Addiction Section, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinsku Institutet, S-I71 76 Stockholm, Sweden ABSTRACT This is a personal account of how studies of the pharmacology of opiates led to the discovery of a family of endogenous opioid peptides, also called endorphins. The unique pharmacological activity profile of opiates has an endogenous counterpart in the enkephalins and j3-endorphin, peptides which also are powerful analgesics and euphorigenic agents. The enkephalins not only act on the classic morphine (p-) receptor but also on the 6-receptor, which often co-exists with preceptors and mediates pain relief. Other members of the opioid peptide family are the dynor- phins, acting on the K-receptor earlier defined as precipitating unpleasant central nervous system (CNS) side effects in screening for opiate activity, A related peptide, nociceptin is not an opioid and acts on the separate NOR-receptor. Both dynorphins and nociceptin have modulatory effects on several CNS functions, including memory acquisition, stress and movement. In conclusion, a natural product, morphine and a large number of synthetic organic molecules, useful as drugs, have been found to probe a previously unknown physiologic system. This is a unique develop- ment not only in the neuropeptide field, but in physiology in general. INTRODUCTION Historical background Opiates are indispensible drugs in the pharmacologic armamentarium. No other drug family can relieve intense, deep pain and reduce suffering. Morphine, the prototypic opiate is an alkaloid extracted from the capsules of opium poppy.
    [Show full text]
  • Rubsicolins Are Naturally Occurring G-Protein-Biased Delta Opioid Receptor Peptides
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/433805; this version posted October 5, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. Title page Title: Rubsicolins are naturally occurring G-protein-biased delta opioid receptor peptides Short title: Rubsicolins are G-protein-biased peptides Authors: Robert J. Cassell1†, Kendall L. Mores1†, Breanna L. Zerfas1, Amr H.Mahmoud1, Markus A. Lill1,2,3, Darci J. Trader1,2,3, Richard M. van Rijn1,2,3 Author affiliation: 1Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, 2Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, 3Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, IN 47907 †Robert J Cassell and Kendall Mores contributed equally to this work Corresponding author: ‡Richard M. van Rijn, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 (Phone: 765-494- 6461; Email: [email protected]) Key words: delta opioid receptor; beta-arrestin; natural products; biased signaling; rubisco; G protein-coupled receptor Abstract: 187 Figures: 2 Tables: 2 References: 27 1 bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/433805; this version posted October 5, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. Abstract The impact that β-arrestin proteins have on G-protein-coupled receptor trafficking, signaling and physiological behavior has gained much appreciation over the past decade. A number of studies have attributed the side effects associated with the use of naturally occurring and synthetic opioids, such as respiratory depression and constipation, to excessive recruitment of β-arrestin.
    [Show full text]
  • Intravta Deltorphin, but Not DPDPE, Induces Place Preference in Ethanoldrinking Rats
    ALCOHOLISM:CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH Vol. 38, No. 1 January 2014 Intra-VTA Deltorphin, But Not DPDPE, Induces Place Preference in Ethanol-Drinking Rats: Distinct DOR-1 and DOR-2 Mechanisms Control Ethanol Consumption and Reward Jennifer M. Mitchell, Elyssa B. Margolis, Allison R. Coker, Daicia C. Allen, and Howard L. Fields Background: While there is a growing body of evidence that the delta opioid receptor (DOR) modu- lates ethanol (EtOH) consumption, development of DOR-based medications is limited in part because there are 2 pharmacologically distinct DOR subtypes (DOR-1 and DOR-2) that can have opposing actions on behavior. Methods: We studied the behavioral influence of the DOR-1-selective agonist [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]- Enkephalin (DPDPE) and the DOR-2-selective agonist deltorphin microinjected into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) on EtOH consumption and conditioned place preference (CPP) and the physio- logical effects of these 2 DOR agonists on GABAergic synaptic transmission in VTA-containing brain slices from Lewis rats. Results: Neither deltorphin nor DPDPE induced a significant place preference in EtOH-na€ıve Lewis rats. However, deltorphin (but not DPDPE) induced a significant CPP in EtOH-drinking rats. In con- trast to the previous finding that intra-VTA DOR-1 activity inhibits EtOH consumption and that this inhibition correlates with a DPDPE-induced inhibition of GABA release, here we found no effect of DOR-2 activity on EtOH consumption nor was there a correlation between level of drinking and deltorphin-induced change in GABAergic synaptic transmission. Conclusions: These data indicate that the therapeutic potential of DOR agonists for alcohol abuse is through a selective action at the DOR-1 form of the receptor.
    [Show full text]
  • Opioid Receptorsreceptors
    OPIOIDOPIOID RECEPTORSRECEPTORS defined or “classical” types of opioid receptor µ,dk and . Alistair Corbett, Sandy McKnight and Graeme Genes encoding for these receptors have been cloned.5, Henderson 6,7,8 More recently, cDNA encoding an “orphan” receptor Dr Alistair Corbett is Lecturer in the School of was identified which has a high degree of homology to Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow the “classical” opioid receptors; on structural grounds Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, this receptor is an opioid receptor and has been named Glasgow G4 0BA, UK. ORL (opioid receptor-like).9 As would be predicted from 1 Dr Sandy McKnight is Associate Director, Parke- their known abilities to couple through pertussis toxin- Davis Neuroscience Research Centre, sensitive G-proteins, all of the cloned opioid receptors Cambridge University Forvie Site, Robinson possess the same general structure of an extracellular Way, Cambridge CB2 2QB, UK. N-terminal region, seven transmembrane domains and Professor Graeme Henderson is Professor of intracellular C-terminal tail structure. There is Pharmacology and Head of Department, pharmacological evidence for subtypes of each Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical receptor and other types of novel, less well- Sciences, University of Bristol, University Walk, characterised opioid receptors,eliz , , , , have also been Bristol BS8 1TD, UK. postulated. Thes -receptor, however, is no longer regarded as an opioid receptor. Introduction Receptor Subtypes Preparations of the opium poppy papaver somniferum m-Receptor subtypes have been used for many hundreds of years to relieve The MOR-1 gene, encoding for one form of them - pain. In 1803, Sertürner isolated a crystalline sample of receptor, shows approximately 50-70% homology to the main constituent alkaloid, morphine, which was later shown to be almost entirely responsible for the the genes encoding for thedk -(DOR-1), -(KOR-1) and orphan (ORL ) receptors.
    [Show full text]
  • Biased Signaling by Endogenous Opioid Peptides
    Biased signaling by endogenous opioid peptides Ivone Gomesa, Salvador Sierrab,1, Lindsay Lueptowc,1, Achla Guptaa,1, Shawn Goutyd, Elyssa B. Margolise, Brian M. Coxd, and Lakshmi A. Devia,2 aDepartment of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029; bDepartment of Physiology & Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298; cSemel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095; dDepartment of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda MD 20814; and eDepartment of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143 Edited by Susan G. Amara, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, and approved April 14, 2020 (received for review January 20, 2020) Opioids, such as morphine and fentanyl, are widely used for the possibility that endogenous opioid peptides could vary in this treatment of severe pain; however, prolonged treatment with manner as well (13). these drugs leads to the development of tolerance and can lead to For opioid receptors, studies showed that mice lacking opioid use disorder. The “Opioid Epidemic” has generated a drive β-arrestin2 exhibited enhanced and prolonged morphine-mediated for a deeper understanding of the fundamental signaling mecha- antinociception, and a reduction in side-effects, such as devel- nisms of opioid receptors. It is generally thought that the three opment of tolerance and acute constipation (15, 16). This led to types of opioid receptors (μ, δ, κ) are activated by endogenous studies examining whether μOR agonists exhibit biased signaling peptides derived from three different precursors: Proopiomelano- (17–20), and to the identification of agonists that preferentially cortin, proenkephalin, and prodynorphin.
    [Show full text]
  • Nutritional Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder
    Lead Article Nutritional interventions for autism spectrum disorder Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/nutrit/nuz092/5687289 by Florida Atlantic University user on 06 January 2020 Elisa Karhu*, Ryan Zukerman*, Rebecca S. Eshraghi, Jeenu Mittal, Richard C. Deth, Ana M. Castejon, Malav Trivedi, Rahul Mittal, and Adrien A. Eshraghi Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an increasingly prevalent neurodevelopmental dis- order with considerable clinical heterogeneity. With no cure for the disorder, treat- ments commonly center around speech and behavioral therapies to improve the characteristic social, behavioral, and communicative symptoms of ASD. Gastrointestinal disturbances are commonly encountered comorbidities that are thought to be not only another symptom of ASD but to also play an active role in modulating the expression of social and behavioral symptoms. Therefore, nutritional interventions are used by a majority of those with ASD both with and without clinical supervision to alleviate gastrointestinal and behavioral symptoms. Despite a consider- able interest in dietary interventions, no consensus exists regarding optimal nutritional therapy. Thus, patients and physicians are left to choose from a myriad of dietary pro- tocols. This review, summarizes the state of the current clinical and experimental liter- ature on nutritional interventions for ASD, including gluten-free and casein-free, keto- genic, and specific carbohydrate diets, as well as probiotics, polyunsaturated fatty
    [Show full text]
  • A Qualitative Assessment of Eating Behaviors in Adults with Autism
    Illinois State University ISU ReD: Research and eData Theses and Dissertations 2-21-2015 A Qualitative Assessment Of Eating Behaviors In Adults With Autism Samantha Barbier Illinois State University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd Part of the Human and Clinical Nutrition Commons Recommended Citation Barbier, Samantha, "A Qualitative Assessment Of Eating Behaviors In Adults With Autism" (2015). Theses and Dissertations. 317. https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/317 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by ISU ReD: Research and eData. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ISU ReD: Research and eData. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF EATING BEHAVIORS IN ADULTS WITH AUTISM Samantha J. Barbier 45 Pages May 2015 Diagnosis of autism has increased ten-fold in the last 40 years, and adults with autism remain an underrepresented population in research. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the relationship between eating behaviors and autism using a questionnaire and interviews with adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Four males aged 22-27 were interviewed with their mothers present and completed the Swedish Eating Assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorders (SWEAA). Interviews were analyzed through the process of open coding, and the questionnaires were analyzed to determine consistent findings between the interview and the SWEAA questionnaire. Participants generally recognized hunger and satiety and were consuming a high carbohydrate, high fat diet low in vegetables. Variety in food choices was highly dependent upon encouragement from family members.
    [Show full text]
  • Impaired Hippocampus-Dependent and Facilitated Striatum-Dependent Behaviors in Mice Lacking the Delta Opioid Receptor
    Neuropsychopharmacology (2013) 38, 1050–1059 & 2013 American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. All rights reserved 0893-133X/13 www.neuropsychopharmacology.org Impaired Hippocampus-Dependent and Facilitated Striatum-Dependent Behaviors in Mice Lacking the Delta Opioid Receptor 1 1,3 2 1 ,1 Julie Le Merrer , Xavier Rezai , Gre´gory Scherrer ,Je´roˆme AJ Becker and Brigitte L Kieffer* 1De´partement de Me´decine Translationnelle et Neuroge´ne´tique, Institut de Ge´ne´tique et de Biologie Mole´culaire et Cellulaire, 2 Illkirch, France; Department of Anesthesia, Stanford Institute for Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA Pharmacological data suggest that delta opioid receptors modulate learning and memory processes. In the present study, we investigated whether inactivation of the delta opioid receptor modifies hippocampus (HPC)- and striatum-dependent behaviors. We first assessed HPC-dependent learning in mice lacking the receptor (Oprd1 À / À mice) or wild-type (WT) mice treated with the delta opioid antagonist naltrindole using novel object recognition, and a dual-solution cross-maze task. Second, we subjected mutant animals to memory tests addressing striatum-dependent learning using a single-solution response cross-maze task and a motor skill-learning task. Genetic and pharmacological inactivation of delta opioid receptors reduced performance in HPC-dependent object place recognition. Place learning À / À was also altered in Oprd1 animals, whereas striatum-dependent response and procedural learning were facilitated. Third, we À / À investigated the expression levels for a large set of genes involved in neurotransmission in both HPC and striatum of Oprd1 mice. Gene expression was modified for several key genes that may contribute to alter hippocampal and striatal functions, and bias striatal output towards striatonigral activity.
    [Show full text]