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Altered Global mRNA Expressions of Pain and Aggression Related Genes in the Blood of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by repetitive stereotypic behaviors, restricted interests, social withdrawal, and communication deficits. Aggression and insensitivity to pain are largely unexplained in these cases. We analyzed nine mRNA expressions of the candidate genes related to aggression and insensitivity to pain in the peripheral blood of patients with ASD. Whole blood samples were obtained from 40 autistic patients (33 boys, 7 girls) and 50 age- and sex-matched controls (37 boys and 13 girls) to isolate RNA. Gene expression was assessed by quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) in the Erciyes University Genome and Stem Cell Center (GENKOK). All of the gene expressions except CRHR1 and SLC6A4 were found to be statistically different between the ASD patients and controls. Gene expression also differed according to gender. Alterations in the mRNA expression patterns of the HTR1E, OPRL1, OPRM1, TACR1, PRKG1, SCN9A and DRD4 genes provide further evidence for a relevant effect of the respective candidate genes on the pathophysiology of ASD. Future studies may determine the sensitivity of these candidate markers in larger samples including further neuropsychiatric diagnosis.

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Acknowledgements

This study has been supported by a grant (Project Number: 114S742) from The Scientific & Technological Research Council (TUBITAK) of Turkey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Biology, Erciyes University Medical Faculty , 38039, Kayseri, Turkey

    Elif Funda Sener, Serpil Taheri, Ecmel Mehmetbeyoglu & Halit Canatan

  2. Erciyes University Genome and Stem Cell Center (GENKOK), 38039, Kayseri, Turkey

    Elif Funda Sener, Serpil Taheri, Keziban Korkmaz Bayramov & Ecmel Mehmetbeyoglu

  3. Van Ozalp Education and Research Hospital, Van, Turkey

    Mustafa Caglar Sahin

  4. Ordu Education and Research Hospital, Ordu, Turkey

    Mert Kahraman Marasli

  5. Department of Biostatistics, Erciyes University Medical Faculty , 38039, Kayseri, Turkey

    Gokmen Zararsiz

  6. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ankara University Medical Faculty , Ankara, Turkey

    Didem Behice Oztop

  7. Department of Child Neurology, Erciyes University Medical Faculty, 38039, Kayseri, Turkey

    Mehmet Canpolat

  8. Department of Medical Genetics, Erciyes University Medical Faculty, 38039, Kayseri, Turkey

    Yusuf Ozkul

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  1. Elif Funda Sener
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Correspondence to Elif Funda Sener.

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Sener, E.F., Taheri, S., Sahin, M.C. et al. Altered Global mRNA Expressions of Pain and Aggression Related Genes in the Blood of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Mol Neurosci 67, 89–96 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12031-018-1213-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12031-018-1213-0

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