Cited by 325Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchGenetics and Neurodevelopmental DisordersFolate and B Vitamins Research

How environmental and genetic factors combine to cause autism: A redox/methylation hypothesis

Deth, Richard, Muratore, Christina, Benzecry, Jorge, Power-Charnitsky, Verna-Ann, Waly, Mostafa·2008·NeuroToxicology

Abstract

Recently higher rates of autism diagnosis suggest involvement of environmental factors in causing this developmental disorder, in concert with genetic risk factors. Autistic children exhibit evidence of oxidative stress and impaired methylation, which may reflect effects of toxic exposure on sulfur metabolism. We review the metabolic relationship between oxidative stress and methylation, with particular emphasis on adaptive responses that limit activity of cobalamin and folate-dependent methionine synthase. Methionine synthase activity is required for dopamine-stimulated phospholipid methylation, a unique membrane-delimited signaling process mediated by the D4 dopamine receptor that promotes neuronal synchronization and attention, and synchrony is impaired in autism. Genetic polymorphisms adversely affecting sulfur metabolism, methylation, detoxification, dopamine signaling and the formation of neuronal networks occur more frequently in autistic subjects. On the basis of these observations, a "redox/methylation hypothesis of autism" is described, in which oxidative stress, initiated by environment factors in genetically vulnerable individuals, leads to impaired methylation and neurological deficits secondary to reductions in the capacity for synchronizing neural networks.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neuro.2007.09.010

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128 of 128 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Accumulating evidence suggests that a common feature in autism cases may be oxidative stress, the mechanism through which environmental factors exert deleterious effects, which may be exacerbated by interaction of genetically susceptible alleles.

    “Accumulating evidence suggests that a common feature in autism cases may be oxidative stress, the mechanism through which environmental factors exert their deleterious effects, which may be further exacerbated by the interaction of genetically susceptible alleles [96–100].”

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Authors
Deth, R., Muratore, C., Benzecry, J., Power-Charnitsky, V.-A., & Waly, M.
Affiliations
Northeastern University (US)
Corresponding author
Deth, Richard
Venue
NeuroToxicology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2008-01
Volume
29
Issue
1
Pages
190-201
ISSN
0161-813X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2167943688
Cited by
325
References
132
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 28 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 34
FWCI
1.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • NeuroToxicology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rheumatology › Folate and B Vitamins Research
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, oxidative stress, DNA methylation, sulfur metabolism, methionine synthase, vitamin B12, folic acid, dopamine signaling, dopamine D4 receptor, phospholipid methylation, neural network synchronization, genetic polymorphism, environmental toxic exposure
MeSH terms
Animals, Autistic Disorder, Environment, Humans, Methylation, Models, Biological, Oxidation-Reduction, Sulfur, Oxidative Stress, Receptors, Dopamine D4

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