A Multi-dimensional Prospective Study to Discover Gene-microenvironment Interactions in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

A Novel Multi-dimensional Prospective Study of the Gut-brain Axis Through Metabolic MRI, Metabolomics and Gut Microbiome to Discover Gene-microenvironment Interactions in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

This project is the first involving the two most common neurodevelopmental disorders, ASD and ADHD, as well as TDC to establish a multi-dimensional database (clinic, behavior, neurocognitive function, brain imaging, metabolomics, and microbiome) using the same methodology. Based on this integrated multi-dimensional databank, we anticipate exploring metabolic flows of the gut-brain axis during brain development and identifying the common and unique biomarkers of ASD and ADHD and high-risk materials related to their functions and the underlying mechanism. Moreover, distinguishing the characteristics of the gut microbiota, gastrointestinal disorders, and microbial flora dysbiosis also helps us, in turn, to accelerate the process of identifying biological treatments that can interfere or slow down the severity of cognitive impairments in neurodevelopmental disorders. Eventually, we anticipate finding the clinical and neurocognitive measures related to the direct or indirect influence of gut-brain signaling. Our findings are anticipated to improve the knowledge about neurodevelopmental disorders, enhance developing early detection, diagnosis, and treatment for ASD and ADHD, and contribute to precision medicine.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are common neurodevelopmental disorders in Taiwan and worldwide (prevalence rate, ASD, 1%; ADHD, 3-10%), presenting as clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders with early onset at childhood lasting to adulthood. Both disorders bring a tremendous impact on individuals, families, and society. Despite extensive studies on these two disorders, our knowledge about their pathogenetic mechanism is still minimal, and there are no biomarkers for effective prevention, early detection, diagnosis and biological treatment (ineffective in 30% ADHD patients, none for ASD). Although they have distinct symptom inclusion criteria and intervention, emerging evidence suggests that ASD and ADHD may share some genetic influences and susceptibility involving neuroanatomical phenotypes, cognitive deficits, and behavioral phenotypes. However, few studies have investigated these two disorders simultaneously. Moreover, the role of metabolomics and microbiome in neuropsychiatric disorders has drawn much attention recently. With the PI's long-term commitment to the neurocognitive/imaging/gene research ADHD and ASD in separate projects, our knowledge about these two disorders improved, but their underlying pathogenesis remains unclear. Hence, a multi-dimensional prospective gut-brain axis integration study highlighting the metabolism in the whole body to identify the common and unique factors of these two disorders and discover their gene-microenvironment interaction mechanism is extremely urgent and warranted.

Specific Aims:

1. To identify and compare the early environmental factors (e.g., maternal, and pre-, peri-, and post-natal factors) affecting the gut- microbiome, cognition, and brain structures and functions among the ASD, ADHD and TDC groups at ages of 4-12 years old;
2. To investigate the symptomatology, neuropsychology, neuroimaging, gut microbiome and metabolic biomarker signatures at Time 1 and Time 2 among the three groups while considering food, GI symptoms, and life style;
3. To investigate the changes (Time2-Time1), stability, and interactions of the symptomatology, neuropsychology, neuroimaging (MRI+MRS), gut microbiome and metabolic biomarker signatures in youths with ASD and ADHD as compared to TDC over a 2-4-year follow-up period.
4. To identify the predictors from the environmental (perinatal, food, lifestyle, family, school, neighborhood) and individual (behavior, gut microbiota, metabolomics, brain structure) factors for the neurocognitive/brain function and psychosocial outcomes in the follow-up.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder defined by the DSM-5 criteria, made by board-certificated child psychiatrists
• Ages range from 5 to 18
• Both parents are Han Chinese
• Subjects and their parents consented to have repeated assessments at 2 to 3 years later

Exclusion Criteria:

• Comorbidity with DSM-5 diagnoses of ADHD (TDC group), ASD (ADHD and TDC groups), schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, other psychotic disorders, organic psychosis, schizotypal personality disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, severe anxiety disorders or substance use
• Comorbidity with neurological or systemic disorders
• Having a first degree relative who may have ASD based on family history method assessment (ADHD and TDC groups)