“We hope these findings can lead to a better understanding of how neurodevelopmental disorders impact whole-body metabolism, which will inform future treatments.”
- Dr. Baptiste LacosteAny disorder affecting the brain also impacts the body. People with neurodevelopmental disorders like Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorders are at increased risk of conditions that affect the body’s metabolism including obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. However, how these neurodevelopmental disorders impact metabolism is not well understood.
Dr. Baptiste Lacoste led a study recently published in the journal eNeuro that found mouse models of Down syndrome, 16p11.2 deletion syndrome, and Fragile X syndrome all have unique metabolic dysfunctions that vary between males and females. Despite similar food consumption and physical activity levels, the metabolic signatures varied in terms of energy expenditure, fat and carbohydrate utilization, body composition, and plasma metabolite levels.
These findings suggest that all three mouse models may have problems in their mitochondria, or powerhouses of the cells. Understanding the unique metabolic effects of each disorder in both animal models and humans may lead to more personalized diagnostic methods and treatments.
“We hope these findings can lead to a better understanding of how neurodevelopmental disorders impact whole-body metabolism, which will inform future treatments.”- Dr. Baptiste Lacoste, scientist at The Ottawa Hospital, assistant professor at the University of Ottawa.
Authors: Caitlin Menzies, Shama Naz, David Patten, Thierry Alquier, Brian M. Bennett, and Baptiste Lacoste.
Source: eNeuro
Funding: This work was supported the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Vascular Network Scholarship. The Metabolomics Core Facility is supported by the Terry Fox Research Institute.
Core Resource: Metabolomics Core Facility, Animal Behavior and Physiology Core Facility
The Ottawa Hospital is a leading academic health, research and learning hospital proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa and supported by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.
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