Association between autism spectrum disorder, trace elements, and intracranial fluid spaces

Mlinarič, Matej (author), Jekovec-Vrhovšek, Maja (author), Neubauer, David (author), France Štiglic, Alenka (author), Osredkar, Joško (author)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) belongs to the group of complex developmental disorders. Novel studies have suggested that genetic and environmental factors equally affect the risk of ASD. Identification of environmental factors involved in the development of ASD is therefore crucial for a better understanding of its etiology. Whether there is a causal link between trace elements, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ASD remains a matter of debate and requires further studies. (2) In the prospective part of the study, we included 194 children, including an age-matched control group; in the retrospective study, 28 children with available MRI imaging were included. All children had urine analysis of trace elements performed. In those with available brain MRI, linear indexes for the ventricular volumes were measured and calculated. (3) We found the highest vanadium, rubidium, thallium, and silver levels in children with ASD. These elements also correlated with the estimated ventricular volume based on MRI indexes in children with ASD in the subanalysis. However, the severity of the deficits did not correlate with brain MRI indexes of our elements, except negatively with magnesium. (4) Trace elements have an impact on children with ASD, but further multi-centric studies are needed to explain the pathophysiological mechanisms.

• Language: English
• Keywords: autism spectrum disorders, trace elements, ventricular indexes
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FFA - Faculty of Pharmacy
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: 16 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 25, issue 15, article no. 8050
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-160067
• UDC: 616.896
• ISSN on article: 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158050
• COBISS.SI-ID: 203689475
• Publication date in RUL: 14.08.2024

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: International journal of molecular sciences
• Shortened title: Int. j. mol. sci.
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1422-0067
• COBISS.SI-ID: 2779162

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: motnje avtističnega spektra, elementi v sledovih, ventrikularni indeksi, avtizem

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: J3-1756
• Name: Okoljski in genetski dejavniki pri motnjah avtističnega spektra

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P3-0124
• Name: Metabolni in prirojeni dejavniki reproduktivnega zdravja, porod III