Abstract
An integrated metabolic profile reflects the combined influence of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors that affect the candidate pathway of interest. Recent evidence suggests that some autistic children may have reduced detoxification capacity and may be under chronic oxidative stress. Based on reports of abnormal methionine and glutathione metabolism in autistic children, it was of interest to examine the same metabolic profile in the parents. The results indicated that parents share similar metabolic deficits in methylation capacity and glutathione-dependent antioxidant/detoxification capacity observed in many autistic children. Studies are underway to determine whether the abnormal profile in parents reflects linked genetic polymorphisms in these pathways or whether it simply reflects the chronic stress of coping with an autistic child.
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The authors would like to express their gratitude to the participating families affected by autism in Arkansas without whom this study would not have been possible. This research was supported, in part, with funding from the National Institute of Child Health and Development (RO1 HD051873) to SJJ, and by grants from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Children’s University Medical Group and the Arkansas Biosciences Institute (SJJ).
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An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-008-0614-2
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Jill James, S., Melnyk, S., Jernigan, S. et al. Abnormal Transmethylation/transsulfuration Metabolism and DNA Hypomethylation Among Parents of Children with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 38, 1966–1975 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-008-0591-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-008-0591-5