Scientist links epigenetic biomarkers to gastrointestinal issues for
kids with autism
Findings could have future implications for precision medicine, lead to individualized treatments

Date:
February 25, 2022
Source:
University of Missouri-Columbia
Summary:
Researchers have identified specific RNA biomarkers linked with
gastrointestinal issues in children with autism. The findings
could help one day lead to individualized treatments aimed at
easing the pain of these individuals.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
As a clinician at the University of Missouri Thompson Center for Autism
and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, David Beversdorf helps patients with
autism spectrum disorder (ASD), many of whom may also be struggling with gastrointestinal or digestive issues, including constipation and diarrhea.

These symptoms are experienced by children with ASD at a higher rate than
their neurotypical peers, although some individuals might not respond
favorably to traditional treatments, such as laxatives.


==========================================================================
In a recent study, Beversdorf collaborated with a researcher at
Penn State University to identify specific RNA biomarkers linked with gastrointestinal issues in children with autism. The findings could help
one day lead to individualized treatments aimed at easing the pain of
these individuals.

Saliva samples were collected from nearly 900 children, some of whom
had autism and experienced gastrointestinal disturbances, at several
academic medical centers across the country. After analyzing the samples,
the researchers identified specific RNA biomarkers linked to children
who had autism and experienced gastrointestinal symptoms.

"We wanted to understand how a child's body responds to the various
bacteria living in the mouth and determine if these interactions
contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms," said Steve Hicks, an associate professor of pediatrics at the Penn State College of Medicine, who
collaborated with Beversdorf on the study. "By identifying these specific microRNAs in the saliva of children with autism, these molecules may
serve as future targets for developing novel treatments or tracking
medication effectiveness in children with autism-related gastrointestinal conditions." Beversdorf added that RNA have regulatory properties
throughout the human body, and the specific RNA identified in the study
may have regulatory effects on biological pathways related to metabolism, digestion, depression and addiction.

"It's one of those 'chicken or the egg' cases where we still don't
know if it is the RNA potentially contributing to the gastrointestinal
issues, or if the gastrointestinal issues are causing the RNA to be
expressed differently, but we have identified a relationship, which
will be useful to further explore going forward," said Beversdorf,
who also has appointments in the MU College of Arts and Science and MU
School of Medicine. "This research can potentially help contribute to
precision medicine one day, where we can follow children with autism and gastrointestinal symptoms over an extended period of time and assess how
they might respond to personalized treatments, with the ultimate goal of reducing their symptoms and improving their quality of life." "Saliva
RNA biomarkers of gastrointestinal dysfunction in children with autism
and neurodevelopmental disorders: Potential implications for precision medicine" was recently published in Frontiers in Psychiatry. Funding for
the study was provided by the National Institutes of Health. Co-authors on
the study include Kristin Sohl, David Levitskiy, Priscilla Tennant, Robin
Goin- Kochel, Rebecca Shaffer, Alexandra Confair and Frank Middleton.

Highlighting the promise of personalized health care and the impact of
large- scale interdisciplinary collaboration, the NextGen Precision Health initiative is bringing together innovators from across the University of Missouri and the UM System's three other research universities in pursuit
of life-changing precision health advancements. It's a collaborative
effort to leverage the research strengths of Mizzou toward a better
future for Missouri's health. An important part of the initiative is
its anchoring facility, the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building,
opened in October 2021, which expands collaboration between researchers, clinicians and industry leaders in a state- of-the-art research facility.

special promotion Explore the latest scientific research on sleep and
dreams in this free online course from New Scientist -- Sign_up_now_>>> ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Missouri-Columbia. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. David Q. Beversdorf, Kristin Sohl, David Levitskiy, Priscilla
Tennant,
Robin P. Goin-Kochel, Rebecca C. Shaffer, Alexandra Confair,
Frank A.

Middleton, Steven D. Hicks. Saliva RNA Biomarkers of
Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Children With Autism and
Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Potential Implications for
Precision Medicine. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2022; 12 DOI:
10.3389/fpsyt.2021.824933 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220225113915.htm

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