Elucidation of the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders and circadian rhythm disorders using stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19271
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57070:Developmental dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: fumiko takayama 九州大学, 大学病院, 助教 (20795950)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 神経細胞 / 睡眠障害 / 自閉スペクトラム症 / 概日リズム障害 / SHED

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the relationship between autism and sleep disorders by preparing SHED, differentiating it into nerve cells, and comparing the expression patterns of clock genes. Dental pulp stem cells of 5 healthy children and autistic children were collected and differentiated into nerve cells. Then, the clock genes were synchronized, cells were collected every 4 hours, RNA was extracted, and the expression patterns of the clock genes were compared. However, the expression level of the clock gene was not stable, and a stable expression rhythm could not be obtained not only in autism but also in healthy children. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis was performed using the same sample. As a result, we clarified that the expression levels of clock genes and psychiatric disease-related genes were significantly reduced in the autism spectrum disorder sample.

Free Research Field

小児歯科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、実際の自閉スペクトラム症（ASD）患者のSHEDを神経細胞に分化させ日内変動を解析することでASD患児における睡眠障害の実態を明らかにし、睡眠障害から派生したASD症状の状態悪化を食い止め、ASD患児およびその家族に福音をもたらし、社会的医療費負担軽減に寄与することができると考える。