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S Tordjman

Publications and source records attributed to S Tordjman.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Gifted children in difficulty: from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to depression and school failure].

We became interested in gifted children with difficulties based on the number of children who were addressed to our outpatient units for behavioral problems such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, scholastic problems or symptoms of depression, and for whom we identified a high intellectual potential. This article treats in particular Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which is observed for certain gifted children and can cover a depression and lead to school failure. How can ADHD in gifted children be interpreted? Based on our clinical experience and the literature, we propose that this disorder stem from need for external and internal stimulation. Several hypotheses concerning this idea will be then discussed, notably concerning their therapeutic implications.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed2002

Serotonin transporter promoter variants in autism: functional effects and relationship to platelet hyperserotonemia.

The well-replicated platelet hyperserotonemia of autism has stimulated interest in serotonin (5-HT) in autism. We have examined the effects of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT, locus SLC6A4) promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) on platelet 5-HT physiology in autism. Platelet 5-HT uptake rates and affinities (V(max) and K(m)), uptake site densities (B(max)) and 5-HT levels were examined in 31 French individuals with autism genotyped with respect to the 5-HTTLPR. Platelet 5-HT uptake and 5-HT levels were measured using HPLC; uptake sites were determined by radioligand binding. A 1.5-fold increased rate (V(max)) of platelet 5-HT uptake was observed in ll genotype individuals compared to those with ls and ss genotypes (Mann- Whitney U-test, P = 0.022). However, no significant relationship was observed between genotype and uptake site density (U-test, P = 0.51). Although median levels of platelet 5-HT in platelet-rich plasma were higher in the ll group, only trend level significance was observed (U-test, P= 0.069); platelet 5-HT content measured in whole blood was similar across genotypes. Uptake rates were well correlated with B(max) values (r = 0.66, P = 0.002); correlations between uptake and platelet 5-HT levels and between B(max) values and 5-HT levels were somewhat lower. While 5-HTTLPR alleles had an appreciable effect on platelet 5-HT uptake rates, effects on 5-HT levels and uptake site density were smaller or absent. Based on these preliminary data and prior studies of allele frequencies, we conclude that the 5-HTTLPR is not a major determinant of the group mean platelet serotonin elevation seen in autism. However, a role for increased uptake in the hyperserotonemia of autism can not be ruled out. In addition, it appears that studies of platelet 5-HT measures in autism and other disorders should take account of the effects of 5-HTTLPR genotype on 5-HT uptake

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Role of the serotonin transporter gene in the behavioral expression of autism.

The promoter polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene (HTT, locus SLC6A4) is of special interest in autism given the well-replicated platelet hyperserotonemia of autism, treatment effects of serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and the role of serotonin in limbic functioning and neurodevelopment. Parent-offspring transmission of the long (l) and short (s) alleles of the deletion/insertion polymorphism in the HTT promoter region was examined in families of 71 children with autism using the transmission test for linkage disequilibrium (TDT). Transmission of HTT promoter alleles did not differ between probands with autism and their unaffected siblings. However, allelic transmission in probands was dependent upon severity of impairments in the social and communication domains, with greater s allele transmission in severely impaired individuals and greater l transmission in mild/moderately impaired individuals. This relationship between HTT promoter alleles and severity of autistic impairment was also seen when ratings of social and communication behaviors were compared across genotypes. The data indicate that HTT promoter alleles by themselves do not convey risk for autism, but, rather, modify the severity of autistic behaviors in the social and communication domains. The results require replication and, given the size of the groups and subgroups examined, must be considered still preliminary. The results suggest that future research on the genetics of autism should carefully assess each of the major behavioral domains and seriously consider the possible role of modifying loci.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Genetic architecture of testis and seminal vesicle weights in mice.

Comparisons across 13 inbred strains of laboratory mice for reproductive organ (paired seminal vesicles and paired testes) weights indicated a very marked contrast between the C57BL/6By and NZB/BINJ mice. Subsequently these strains were selected to perform a quantitative genetic analysis and full genome scan for seminal vesicle and testis weights. An F(2) population was generated. The quantitative genetic analyses indicated that each was linked to several genes. Sixty-six short sequences for length polymorphism were used as markers in the wide genome scan strategy. For weight of paired testes, heritability was 82.3% of the total variance and five QTL contributed to 72.8% of the total variance. Three reached a highly significant threshold (>4.5) and were mapped on chromosome X (LOD score 9.11), chromosome 4 (LOD score 5.96), chromosome 10 (LOD score 5.81); two QTL were suggested: chromosome 13 (LOD score 3.10) and chromosome 18 (LOD score 2.80). Heritability for weight of seminal vesicles was 50.7%. One QTL was mapped on chromosome 4 (LOD score 9.21) and contributed to 24.2% of the total variance. The distance of this QTL to the centromere encompassed the distance of the QTL linked with testicular weight on chromosome 4, suggesting common genetic mechanisms as expected from correlations in the F(2). Both testis and seminal vesicle weights were associated with a reduction in the NZB/BINJ when this strain carried the Y(NPAR) from CBA/H whereas the Y(NPAR) from NZB/BINJ in the CBA/H strain did not modify reproductive organ weights, indicating that the Y(NPAR) interacts with the non-Y(NPAR) genes. The effects generated by this chromosomal region were significant but small in size.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Genetic correlation between steroid sulfatase concentration and initiation of attack behavior in mice.

The pairing region of the X-Y chromosomes recombines at male meiosis. We previously found that offense behavior in male mice, measured by initiation of attack against a conspecific male, was linked to this region. Only one functional gene (coding for steroid sulfatase or Sts) is mapped on this region as of yet, suggesting that it could be a candidate for offense behavior. We estimated the genetic correlation between the concentration of STS protein in the liver and the initiation of attack behavior in 11 strains of inbred mice. The high correlation (close to reliability) coefficient of the behavioral phenotype indicates the implication of STS in offense behavior. Recent investigations have demonstrated the involvement of STS in neurosteroid biochemical pathways, and several lines of evidence indicate that neurosteroids interact with neurotransmitters. These conclusions and our present results support the hypothesis that sulfatation of steroids may be the prime mover of a complex network, including genes shown to be implicated in aggression by mutagenesis.

Aggression↗
PubMed1998

Neuronal and behavioral differences between Mus musculus domesticus (C57BL/6JBy) and Mus musculus castaneus (CAST/Ei).

Previous studies have demonstrated that classical inbred strains of laboratory mice do not exhibit large genetic distances when simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are used to test for their polymorphisms whereas mice from wild origin exhibit high polymorphisms (more than 90%) for these sequence when compared with classical inbred strains of laboratory mice. The difference between Mus musculus castaneus and C57BL/6J reaches 98% and F1s male and female are fertile. These two properties pave the way for gene mapping derivating segregating generations between these strains. The phenotypical characteristics of Mus musculus castaneus have not been investigated, unfortunately. The first screening of Mus musculus castaneus and C57BL/6By was carried out for sensorial and motor development, spontaneous behavior in new environment, paw preference, maternal behavior, aggression in two different situations and time to learn escape in a water maze. Morphometry of hippocampus and weight of the male reproductive organs for measures that have been reported to be correlated with several of the examined behavior are also reported. The authors tested also reactivity to one drug (beta-CCM) revealing seizure proneness. The two strains differ for 69% of the reported measures. Comparison to other strains for the same measures obtained in the laboratory for identical tests with mice reared in identical situations provided the mean to compare Mus musculus castaneus with a large set of more or less traditional mice. This strain has the most extreme position for 80% of the comparisons.

Aggression↗
PubMed1997

Plasma beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotropin hormone, and cortisol in autism.

Plasma levels of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis hormones beta-endorphin (BE), adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), and cortisol were measured in autistic (N = 48), mentally retarded/cognitively impaired (MR/CI, N = 16), and normal control (N = 26) individuals. Comparison of log transformed data from the three groups revealed that levels of BE and ACTH were significantly higher (p < .05) in the autistic individuals than in normal controls. The higher means in the autistic group were due to significantly higher plasma levels of BE and ACTH, indices of acute stress response, in the more severely affected individuals. The data support the idea that individuals with severe autism have a heightened response to acute stressors rather than chronic hyperarousal or elevated basal stress response system functioning.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

A comparative study of defense styles of bulimic, anorexic and normal females.

We have compared the defense styles of anorexic (N = 41), bulimic (N = 37) and normal females (N = 72) living in Paris, using the Bond Defense Style Questionnaire relating to 17 defenses: sublimation, anticipation, suppression, undoing, idealization, reaction formation, projection, passive aggression, acting out, isolation, devaluation, autistic fantasy, denial, displacement, dissociation, splitting and somatization. The objective of this study was to better understand the personality structure in terms of psychological defenses of adolescent girls and young women suffering from anorexia or bulimia nervosa (DSM-III-R). Data showed significant differences of psychological functioning between control subjects and eating disorder subjects, particularly for the projection, undoing and sublimation defenses. Anorexics differed from the bulimic females only on the passive aggression, isolation and devaluation defenses. These data are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that anorexics and bulimics can be situated on the same continuum ranging from normal to eating disorders with certain common psychological features as risk factors shared by the eating disorder females.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Linkage between brain serotonin concentration and the sex-specific part of the Y-chromosome in mice.

The implication of the sex-specific part of the Y-chromosome (YS-SP) on brain serotonin (5-HT) level was investigated using congenic strains for this chromosomal region. The 5-HT level, which was higher in the NZB than in the CBA/H strain of mice, was depleted by the transfer of the YS-SP from NZB on CBA/H whereas the transfer of the YS-SP from CBA/H on NZB had no effect. The variations of 5-HT levels were not correlated with plasma testosterone concentration which is also dependent of the YS-SP.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Plasma androgens in autism.

Plasma levels of testosterone and the adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) were measured in male autistic subjects (31 prepubertal, 8 postpubertal), mentally retarded/cognitively impaired subjects (MR, 12 prepubertal), and normal control subjects (NC, 10 prepubertal, 11 postpubertal). Mean levels of plasma testosterone were similar in the postpubertal autistic (4.54 +/- 1.12 ng/ml) and postpubertal NC (5.02 +/- 1.87 ng/ml) groups. Plasma DHEA-S levels in postpubertal autistic (2170 +/- 1020 ng/ml) and postpubertal NC (1850 +/- 777 ng/ml) groups also were not significantly different. Similarly, no significant group differences were seen for testosterone or DHEA-S in the prepubertal autistic, MR, or NC individuals, although prepubertal MR individuals with cerebral palsy did have increased plasma DHEA-S levels compared to age-matched MR or NC individuals. Significant negative correlations were found between testosterone and whole blood serotonin (5-HT) levels in the combined (all subjects, all ages) groups and in the autistic group, suggesting that the effect of puberty on whole blood 5-HT may deserve further study. Data indicate that altered secretion of the androgens is not a common feature of autism. However, abnormalities of adrenal androgen secretion may be present in individuals with cerebral palsy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Clinical guide scale for the developmental stages of treated autism].

An evolutionary diagram that takes into account the development of personality and its structuring or restructuring was developed thanks to a better understanding of autistic disorders from a psychodynamic point of view through long term psychoanalytic treatment of autistic children. This grid is organised around the major stages of the formation of the bodily ego which autistic children helped us understand better. The construction of space and the capacities of cognitive instrumentation are logically within this line of structuring. These major stages are defined: the first is the "successful" autistic state; the second is the stage where the primary skin is recovered (feeling of a circular envelope); the third is the symbiotic phase which includes vertical splitting then horizontal splitting of the image of the body; finally, the fourth is the phase of individuation/separation into a whole body. At each stage the following are assessed: state of the image of the body, of the gaze, of language, of writing, the autistic symptoms, emotional-relational manifestations, exploration of space and objects, recognition in time, the aggressive behaviours, reactivity to pain and to immune states (somatic and psychosomatic manifestations).

Autistic Disorder↗
PubMed1994

Preliminary study of eating disorders among French female adolescents and young adults.

We have performed an exploratory study of eating disorders among female adolescents (N = 38) and young adult (N = 38) students living in Paris, France. A high percentage of the subjects in the adolescent (68.4%) and young adult (50%) groups displayed one or more atypical eating behaviors with grazing being prominent (60.5% and 42.1%, respectively) in both groups. Bulimia nervosa (DSM-III-R) was found only in the older group (3/38 vs. 0/38). Binge eating was significantly more frequent among the older subjects (12/38 vs. 1/38). Nicotine dependence and daily grazing with a history of grazing during childhood were reported in all subjects with bulimia nervosa (DSM-III-R). These data, while requiring replication in larger samples, indicate that atypical eating behaviors are common in the populations sampled. Furthermore, daily grazing (especially with a history of grazing during childhood) and nicotine dependence may be strongly associated with the development of bulimia nervosa.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Alleles of the microsomal steroid sulfatase gene (Sts) in the pseudoautosomal region of the heterosomes of the mouse.

The gene (Sts) for microsomal steroid sulfatase (STS-EC 3.1.6.2) is located at the distal end of the pseudoautosomal region of the mouse heterosomes. A new improved method was developed to measure the activity of this enzyme in four inbred strains of laboratory mice, their respective congenics for the non pseudoautosomal region of the Y chromosome and their F1s were employed. The method was shown to be highly reliable (.95). No sexual dimorphism was shown but a polymorphism for the enzymatic activity, corresponding to three functional allelic forms was found. The results presented here are compatible with the location of the Sts gene on the X-Y pseudoautosomal region. The underdominance that appears in the F1s, in one set of strains and the difference between reciprocal F1s in the other set must be interpreted cautiously since it is the enzymatic activity which is only measured and not the protein itself. A complex mechanism, involving the gene responsible for the enzyme located on the pseudoautosomal region and autosomal locus or loci which regulate(s) its activity, is suggested as being responsible for the results obtained with the F1s.

Alleles↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Study of the relationships between self-injurious behavior and pain reactivity in infantile autism].

Autism can be considered as an early general developmental disorder, characterized by problems of social interaction, problems of verbal and non verbal communication, and behavioral or ideational stereotypes. However, within autism we observe a clinical heterogeneity of autistic disorders which suggests the possibility of autistic subtypes. Several authors hypothesize an analgesia among autistic children; this analgesia may be related to self-mutilation found among autistics. The current research had two objectives: 1) to develop and validate evaluation tools for measuring aggression directed towards the self (Yale-Paris Self-Injurious Behavior Scale: YAPA SIB) and pain reactivity (Pre-Linguistic Behavioral Pain Reactivity Scale: PLBPRS); instruments appropriate for autistics and capable of showing different behavioral sub-types; 2) to study in 80 autistic children pain reactivity, self-injurious behavior, and their relation in different observational situations. The results show that the scales of self-injurious behavior and pain reactivity have good discriminative capacity, good test-retest reliability, and good validity. The results suggest additionally that the apparent decreased pain reactivity observed in autistics does not derive from a real analgesia but from a different mode of pain expression related to difficulties with verbal communication, body representation and certain cognitive disorders (learning disorders, problems representing sensations and emotions, problems establishing cause-effect relationships). Additionally, there is a significant relationship between certain self-injurious behaviors and the apparent reduced pain reactivity. Interpretations of this result are presented and the possible role of stress in autism is discussed.

Autistic Disorder↗