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Prenatal β2-Adrenergic Receptor Signaling and Autism:

Dysmaturation and Retained Fetal Function

  • Chapter
Autism

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Neurology ((CCNEU))

Abstract

The origins of idiopathic autism are prenatal. During fetal life, the β2-adrenergic receptor (B2AR) is important for growth as well as terminal differentiation of cells. Signaling from this receptor serves different purposes at different times in virtually all tissues during prenatal development, and provides modulation for most organ functions in postnatal life. Because the B2AR is one of the earliest appearing receptors in brain development, interference with it over time during gestation can theoretically affect the development of other neurotransmitter systems, as well as later functioning of the CNS and peripheral organs. Prenatal overstimulation of the B2AR has been linked to autism in dizygotic twins, and a higher prevalence of more active B2AR polymorphisms has been found in autism families.

Animal studies in developmental neurotoxicology show abnormal outcomes for brain and tissue function after prenatal administration of B2AR agonists. These studies have also shown that the fetal B2AR normally does not desensitize, and that several tissues can retain a fetal pattern of signaling after prenatal B2AR overstimulation. This type of dysregulated signaling may also be responsible for the differences in function noted in brain and other tissues of autistic children compared to controls. Results from published studies in many areas of autism research can be related to B2AR second messengers such as cAMP levels or to physiological patterns that are present during fetal life.

Prenatal interference with signaling from the B2AR is not likely to act alone in the development of autism. Downstream pathways stimulated by the B2AR can share components from signaling through other receptors, including those for stress hormones and cytokines. Effects on these shared pathways during gestation may lead to final common mechanisms for the development of autism, and may be a reason that single genes and individual environmental factors have not been identified to explain its causation.

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  1. Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

    Susan L. Connors

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Connors, S.L. (2008). Prenatal β2-Adrenergic Receptor Signaling and Autism:. In: Autism. Current Clinical Neurology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-489-0_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-489-0_7

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