No Association between Polymorphisms of Vitamin D and Oxytocin Receptor Genes and Autistic Spectrum Disorder in a Sample of Turkish Children

OBJECTIVE: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairment in social skills and communication with repetitive behaviors. Etiology is still unclear although it is thought to develop with interaction of genes and environmental factors. Oxytocin has extensive effects on intrauterine brain development. Vitamin D, affects neural development and differentiation and contributes to the regulation of around 900 genes including oxytocin receptor gene. In the present study, the contribution of D vitamin receptor and oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms in the development of ASD in Turkish community was investigated. To our knowledge, this is the first study examining these two associated genes together in the literature. METHODS: Eighty-five patients diagnosed with ASD according to DSM-5 who were referred to outpatient clinics of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of Başkent University and Mersin University and 52 healthy, age and gender-matched controls were included in the present study. Vitamin D receptor gene rs731236 (Taq1), rs2228570 (Fok1), rs1544410 (Bsm1), rs7975232 (Apa1) polymorphisms and oxytocin receptor gene rs1042778 and rs2268493 polymorphisms were investigated using real time polymerase chain reaction method. RESULTS: No significant difference between groups in terms of distribution of genotype and alleles in each of polymorphisms for these genes could be found. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of genes and polymorphisms associated with the development of ASD may be beneficial for early diagnosis and future treatment. Further studies with larger populations are required to demonstrate molecular pathways which may play part in the development of ASD in Turkey.

Relationship between activities of daily living, sleep and depression among the aged living at home

This study aimed at determining the relationship between daily living activities, sleep and depression among individuals 60 years or older living at home. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 166 patients of a family health center between December 2010 and March 2011. Data were collected via Questionnaire Form, Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living [ADL], Geriatric Depression Scaleshort form [GDS_SF], and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]. The participants' mean age was 67.34 +/- 6.5, 78.9% had chronic diseases and 29.5% had walking problems. In words 56.8% had poor sleep, 26.5% had depressive symptoms and the majority were independent in ADL. A negative relationship was observed between ADL score and PSQI and GDS but a positive one between PSQI and GDS [p<0.05]. Although individuals' elderly people living at home are independent in basic ADL, they are displaying considerable depressive symptoms and having sleep problems