Chapter 13 - Functional foods and neuroinflammation: Focus on autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia are neurodevelopmental diseases characterized by a severe and chronic course, and complexity in management and medical treatment causing a severe impairment in social and occupational functioning. Both conditions show vary degrees of brain dysfunction including alterations in synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission associated with behavioral deficits. Although some of the pathogenetic aspects have been elucidated in the last decades of preclinical and clinical research, the underlying causes are not completely understood. Etiopathogenetic mechanisms involve individual genetic vulnerability and early-life adverse experiences, which, combined, result in epigenetic alteration in gene expression and pathological phenotype. Current pharmacological treatments for ASD and schizophrenia are based on the activity of antipsychotics, usually the second generation atypical antipsychotics including risperidone and aripiprazole, that bind dopamine and serotonin receptors for symptoms control, but they do not address the underlying causes, or cognitive impairments associated with these conditions. In addition, ASD and schizophrenia population have higher risk to develop dysmetabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases due mostly to their disadvantageous lifestyle that significantly interfere with their quality of life and overall health. Prenatal nutrition quality has been considered a candidate risk factor for both ASD and schizophrenia. Also, vitamin deficiencies including low vitamin D during early phases of life has been reported to be associated with ASD and schizophrenia. More recently, immune system dysregulations, systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation have been considered major pathological factors underlying both ASD and schizophrenia pathogenesis. Thus, identification and management of modifiable risk factors such as nutrition and dietary patterns which affect systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation should be part of the overall health status evaluation and integrated as additional strategy for long-term management. Addressing inflammation by adopting a functional antiinflammatory diet rich in functional foods may adjuvant brain function, immune system, and metabolism and improve the severity and progression of these disorders, and life expectancy.