Fatty Acids in Umbilical Cord Blood May Contribute to Autism Spectrum Disorder: Study

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects how people learn and interact socially. While awareness of ASD has grown, many aspects of the disorder are still not fully understood. 

The exact causes of ASD are not known, but neuroinflammation is believed to play a major role. Research in mice suggested that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and their byproducts during pregnancy might influence the development of ASD. These PUFAs are controlled by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system and can affect fetal development, leading to symptoms similar to ASD. However, it is not yet clear if these findings apply to humans, and more research is needed.

To learn more, a research team from the University of Fukui looked at the levels of CYP-PUFA in umbilical cord blood samples from newborns. The study, published in Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, aimed to uncover more about the possible causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The researchers hypothesized that changes in certain fatty acids during pregnancy, like lower levels of EpFA, higher levels of diols, and more enzymes that process EpFA, might affect autism symptoms and daily functioning in children.

To test this idea, they looked at the levels of these fatty acids in umbilical cord blood from 200 babies. They collected the blood right after birth and then assessed the children’s autism symptoms and daily skills when they turned six years old, using information from their mothers.

After analyzing the data, the researchers found that a specific compound in the cord blood, called 11,12-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (diHETrE), might be strongly linked to the severity of autism. This compound is a type of fatty acid made from arachidonic acid. 

The researchers discovered that higher levels of a molecule called 11,12-diHETrE were linked to problems with social interactions in children, while lower levels of another molecule, 8,9-diHETrE, were associated with repetitive and restrictive behaviors. This link was more pronounced in girls than in boys.

The findings could be important for understanding, diagnosing, and even preventing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Measuring these molecules in umbilical cord blood at birth might help predict whether a child is likely to develop ASD.

Reference: Takaharu Hirai, Naoko Umeda, Taeko Harada, Akemi Okumura, Chikako Nakayasu, Takayo Ohto‐Nakanishi, Kenji J. Tsuchiya, Tomoko Nishimura, Hideo Matsuzaki. Arachidonic acid‐derived dihydroxy fatty acids in neonatal cord blood relate symptoms of autism spectrum disorders and social adaptive functioning: Hamamatsu Birth Cohort for Mothers and Children (HBC Study). Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 2024; DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13710