"Inhibiting diHETrE metabolism during pregnancy might help prevent ASD traits in children."

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social communication and the occurrence of restricted, repetitive behaviors. The exact causes of ASD are still unclear, but scientists have identified neuroinflammation as a significant risk factor.

A study published in the journal Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences by Japanese scientists showed a connection between fatty acid metabolites in umbilical cord blood and symptoms of ASD in children. Previous research has associated polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and their metabolites during pregnancy with the risk of developing ASD.

The research team from the University of Fukui hypothesized that the levels of CYP-PUFA metabolites during the fetal period could influence the severity of ASD symptoms and difficulties in daily functioning in children. They analyzed CYP-PUFA levels in 200 umbilical cord blood samples and identified 11,12-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (diHETrE) as a compound strongly linked to ASD severity. The presence of diHETrE, an arachidonic acid-derived diol, in cord blood at birth was significantly associated with the severity of subsequent ASD symptoms and impaired adaptive functioning in children.

Experts suggest that inhibiting diHETrE metabolism during pregnancy could potentially prevent ASD traits in children, but more research is necessary to confirm this approach.

(Source:https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1211957)