Cited by 141Genetics and Neurodevelopmental DisordersAlzheimer's disease research and treatmentsAutism Spectrum Disorder Research

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 59 of the 59 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 55 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Autism, Alzheimer disease, and fragile X

Open access

Abstract

The present review highlights an association between autism, Alzheimer disease (AD), and fragile X syndrome (FXS). We propose a conceptual framework involving the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), Aβ precursor protein (APP), and fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) based on experimental evidence. The anabolic (growth-promoting) effect of the secreted α form of the amyloid-β precursor protein (sAPPα) may contribute to the state of brain overgrowth implicated in autism and FXS. Our previous report demonstrated that higher plasma sAPPα levels associate with more severe symptoms of autism, including aggression. This molecular effect could contribute to intellectual disability due to repression of cell-cell adhesion, promotion of dense, long, thin dendritic spines, and the potential for disorganized brain structure as a result of disrupted neurogenesis and migration. At the molecular level, APP and FMRP are linked via the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5). Specifically, mGluR5 activation releases FMRP repression of APP mRNA translation and stimulates sAPP secretion. The relatively lower sAPPα level in AD may contribute to AD symptoms that significantly contrast with those of FXS and autism. Low sAPPα and production of insoluble Aβ would favor a degenerative process, with the brain atrophy seen in AD. Treatment with mGluR antagonists may help repress APP mRNA translation and reduce secretion of sAPP in FXS and perhaps autism.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review proposes that amyloid-β precursor protein (APP), fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), and metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) form molecular links among autism, Alzheimer disease (AD), and fragile X syndrome (FXS). It hypothesizes that excess secreted α form of APP (sAPPα) contributes to brain overgrowth in severe autism and FXS, whereas relatively lower sAPPα and insoluble Aβ production favor degeneration and atrophy in AD.

Key findings

  • In a small sample of young children with severe autism and aggression, plasma total sAPP (including sAPPα) was 2 or more times the levels in children without autism and up to 4 times higher than in children with mild autism; an independent laboratory found elevated plasma sAPPα in 60% of known autistic children (n = 25) versus healthy age-matched controls, and a larger follow-up sample confirmed elevated sAPPα in severe autism without coexistent aggression plus significantly reduced Aβ-40 and Aβ-42 (unpublished data, 2011).
  • FMRP inhibits APP mRNA translation by binding G quartets in the APP coding region; mGluR5 activation releases this repression and stimulates sAPP secretion. In Fmr1 knockout mice, basal APP translation was increased, mGluR agonist treatment did not increase APP translation, and soluble Aβ-40 and Aβ-42 were significantly higher than in wild-type mice due to elevated APP expression.
  • The authors propose that high sAPPα via nonamyloidogenic processing may contribute to macrocephaly and severe autism/FXS phenotypes, while low sAPPα and insoluble Aβ-40/42 would favor a catabolic, degenerative process leading to brain atrophy in AD.
  • Seizures are seen in 10%–30% of individuals with autism and frequently in FXS and AD; based on mouse models, the authors speculate seizure etiology may involve overproduction of APP. Macrocephaly affects up to 20% of children with autism.

Methods

  • Narrative review and conceptual synthesis of published literature plus the authors’ laboratory data, proposing a framework involving Aβ, APP, and FMRP.
  • Evidence discussed includes human plasma samples from autistic and control children, Fmr1 knockout and wild-type mouse synaptoneurosomes, cell culture studies, and unpublished data (2011); no systematic review, meta-analysis, or formal statistical analysis is described.
  • Main analysis is interpretive: linking APP/FMRP/mGluR5 signaling to autism, AD, and FXS phenotypes and comparing anabolic versus catabolic APP processing.

Limitations

  • Stated: the original autism plasma finding was based on a small sample; some supporting data are unpublished (2011); elevated sAPPα was not found in mild autism and may not be applicable to that population.
  • Stated: the model is speculative and hypothesis-generating, and the authors recognize that effects of developmental perturbations can differ from those of FMRP deficiency.
  • Evident from the text: as a narrative review, it lacks a systematic search or quality assessment, relies partly on unpublished and cited data, and the independent replication involved only n = 25 autistic children with elevated sAPPα in 60%.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1212/wnl.0b013e3182166dc7

Cites

59 of 59 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

44 Sources not found · 16 Own interpretation · 5 Own result · 1 Not checked yet

Show all 42 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 21
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 5
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  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Plasma sAPPα levels reflect brain sAPPα levels or activity relevant to brain overgrowth in autism and FXS.

    “We have reported high levels of total sAPP (including sAPP␣) in plasma of a small sample of young children with severe autism and aggression.13”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Cell adhesion suppresses brain growth, while abnormalities in adhesion promote growth or contribute to aberrant growth.

    “Cell adhesion suppresses brain growth, while abnormalities in adhesion promote growth or contribute to aberrant growth.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Findings from mouse models and cell culture about APP, FMRP, and mGluR5 apply to human autism, FXS, and AD.

    “In mice, sAPP␣ has been shown to increase neurite outgrowth and memory and protect against multiple insults.11”
    “Fmr1-knockout mice show reduced LTP in cortex and amygdala e28-e30 and exaggerated mGluRdependent LTD in hippocampus and cerebellum.e31-e34”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    PTEN is a tumor suppressor that regulates cell cycle through its antagonistic actions on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

    “PTEN is a tumor suppressor that regulates cell cycle through its antagonistic actions on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    PTEN is a phosphatase that counteracts PI3K by dephosphorylating PIP3.

    “Specifically, PTEN is a phosphatase that counteracts PI3K by dephoshorylating PIP3.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The mTOR signaling pathway is a central regulator of cell growth and proliferation that also regulates synaptic plasticity by modulating protein synthesis in an activity-dependent manner.

    “The mTOR signaling pathway is a central regulator of cell growth and proliferation that also regulates synaptic plasticity by modulating protein synthesis in an activity-dependent manner.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In a healthy system, FMRP activity and mGluR5 activity work in homeostasis and neural proliferation is balanced, leading to a neurotypical condition.

    “In a healthy system, FMRP activity and mGluR5 activity work in homeostasis and neural proliferation is balanced, leading to a neurotypical condition.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    APP has been implicated in neurogenesis, which may set the stage for later prenatal to early postnatal overproliferation of neurons.

    “APP has been implicated in neurogenesis, which may set the stage for later prenatal to early postnatal overproliferation of neurons.”
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Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

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Citations

Cites

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Sokol DK, Long J, Maloney B, Chen D, Lahiri DK. Potential Alzheimer's disease markers for autism? Beta amyloid precursor protein and acetylcholinesterase correlated with aggression in autism. Presented at the American Academy of Neurology, Seattle, 2009.

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Metadata

Authors
Sokol, D. K., Maloney, B., Long, J. M., Ray, B., & Lahiri, D. K.
Affiliations
Indiana University Indianapolis (US)
Venue
Neurology
Published
2011-04-12
Volume
76
Issue
15
Pages
1344-1352
ISSN
  • 0028-3878 (ISSN-L)
  • 1526-632X
OpenAlex
W2042211936
Cited by
141
References
58
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 16
FWCI
8.76
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neurology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Alzheimer's Association (AG18379)
  • National Institutes of Health (AG18379)
  • National Institute on Aging (R01 AG018379, AG 18379, R01AG018884, AG18884)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, Alzheimer's disease, fragile X syndrome, amyloid precursor protein, sAPPα, FMRP, metabotropic glutamate receptor 5, amyloid-beta, intellectual disability, dendritic spines, brain overgrowth, mGluR antagonists, plasma biomarkers
MeSH terms
Alzheimer Disease, Autistic Disorder, Fragile X Syndrome, Humans, Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor, Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate, Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein, Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1, Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5

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