Role of Brain Modulators in Neurodevelopment: Focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Associated Comorbidities
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and associated neurodevelopmental disorders share similar pathogenesis and clinical features. Pathophysiological changes in these diseases are rooted in early neuronal stem cells in the uterus. Several genetic and environmental factors potentially perturb neurogenesis...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Pharmaceuticals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/15/5/612 |
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| author | Ali K. Saad Amal Akour Abdulla Mahboob Salahdein AbuRuz Bassem Sadek |
| author_facet | Ali K. Saad Amal Akour Abdulla Mahboob Salahdein AbuRuz Bassem Sadek |
| author_sort | Ali K. Saad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and associated neurodevelopmental disorders share similar pathogenesis and clinical features. Pathophysiological changes in these diseases are rooted in early neuronal stem cells in the uterus. Several genetic and environmental factors potentially perturb neurogenesis and synaptogenesis processes causing incomplete or altered maturation of the brain that precedes the symptomology later in life. In this review, the impact of several endogenous neuromodulators and pharmacological agents on the foetus during pregnancy, manifested on numerous aspects of neurodevelopment is discussed. Within this context, some possible insults that may alter these modulators and therefore alter their role in neurodevelopment are high-lighted. Sometimes, a particular insult could influence several neuromodulator systems as is supported by recent research in the field of ASD and associated disorders. Dopaminergic hy-pothesis prevailed on the table for discussion of the pathogenesis of schizophrenia (SCH), atten-tion-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and ASD for a long time. However, recent cumulative evidence suggests otherwise. Indeed, the neuromodulators that are dysregulated in ASD and comorbid disorders are as diverse as the causes and symptoms of this disease. Additionally, these neuromodulators have roles in brain development, further complicating their involvement in comorbidity. This review will survey the current understanding of the neuromodulating systems to serve the pharmacological field during pregnancy and to minimize drug-related insults in pa-tients with ASD and associated comorbidity disorders, e.g., SCH or ADHD. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:09:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-94a8bb8848464069ae830d0b7c722b44 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8247 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:09:38Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharmaceuticals |
| spelling | doaj.art-94a8bb8848464069ae830d0b7c722b442023-11-23T12:35:23ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472022-05-0115561210.3390/ph15050612Role of Brain Modulators in Neurodevelopment: Focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Associated ComorbiditiesAli K. Saad0Amal Akour1Abdulla Mahboob2Salahdein AbuRuz3Bassem Sadek4Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Chemistry, College of Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab EmiratesAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) and associated neurodevelopmental disorders share similar pathogenesis and clinical features. Pathophysiological changes in these diseases are rooted in early neuronal stem cells in the uterus. Several genetic and environmental factors potentially perturb neurogenesis and synaptogenesis processes causing incomplete or altered maturation of the brain that precedes the symptomology later in life. In this review, the impact of several endogenous neuromodulators and pharmacological agents on the foetus during pregnancy, manifested on numerous aspects of neurodevelopment is discussed. Within this context, some possible insults that may alter these modulators and therefore alter their role in neurodevelopment are high-lighted. Sometimes, a particular insult could influence several neuromodulator systems as is supported by recent research in the field of ASD and associated disorders. Dopaminergic hy-pothesis prevailed on the table for discussion of the pathogenesis of schizophrenia (SCH), atten-tion-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and ASD for a long time. However, recent cumulative evidence suggests otherwise. Indeed, the neuromodulators that are dysregulated in ASD and comorbid disorders are as diverse as the causes and symptoms of this disease. Additionally, these neuromodulators have roles in brain development, further complicating their involvement in comorbidity. This review will survey the current understanding of the neuromodulating systems to serve the pharmacological field during pregnancy and to minimize drug-related insults in pa-tients with ASD and associated comorbidity disorders, e.g., SCH or ADHD.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/15/5/612brain developmentendogenous neuromodulatorsneuroinflammationpharmacological agents in-utero exposureautism spectrum disorderschizophrenia |
| spellingShingle | Ali K. Saad Amal Akour Abdulla Mahboob Salahdein AbuRuz Bassem Sadek Role of Brain Modulators in Neurodevelopment: Focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Associated Comorbidities Pharmaceuticals brain development endogenous neuromodulators neuroinflammation pharmacological agents in-utero exposure autism spectrum disorder schizophrenia |
| title | Role of Brain Modulators in Neurodevelopment: Focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Associated Comorbidities |
| title_full | Role of Brain Modulators in Neurodevelopment: Focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Associated Comorbidities |
| title_fullStr | Role of Brain Modulators in Neurodevelopment: Focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Associated Comorbidities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Role of Brain Modulators in Neurodevelopment: Focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Associated Comorbidities |
| title_short | Role of Brain Modulators in Neurodevelopment: Focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Associated Comorbidities |
| title_sort | role of brain modulators in neurodevelopment focus on autism spectrum disorder and associated comorbidities |
| topic | brain development endogenous neuromodulators neuroinflammation pharmacological agents in-utero exposure autism spectrum disorder schizophrenia |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/15/5/612 |
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