Including Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Articles

Welcome to the New Issue (Vol: 29, No: 3, 2023) and Current News of the European Journal of Therapeutics

Welcome to the New Issue (Vol: 29, No: 3, 2023) and Current News of the European Journal of Therapeutics

Neurovascular crosstalk and cerebrovascular alterations: an underestimated therapeutic target in autism spectrum disorders.

Normal brain development, function, and aging critically depend on unique characteristics of the cerebrovascular system. Growing evidence indicated that cerebrovascular defects can have irreversible effects on the brain, and these defects have been implicated in various neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder with heterogeneous clinical manifestations and anatomical changes. While extensive research has focused on the neural abnormalities underlying ASD, the role of brain vasculature in this disorder remains poorly understood. Indeed, the significance of cerebrovascular contributions to ASD has been consistently underestimated. In this work, we discuss the neurovascular crosstalk during embryonic development and highlight recent findings on cerebrovascular alterations in individuals with ASD. We also discuss the potential of vascular-based therapy for ASD. Collectively, these investigations demonstrate that ASD can be considered a neurovascular disease.

Prevalence rate of ADHD in France: Review of the literature and results from ChiP-ARD study

ObjectivesAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a frequent neurodevelopmental disorder whose first clinical description was published more than two centuries ago. Prevalence rates have been evaluated in many countries and meta-analyses conducted, but the data collected in France are scarce. MethodsA review of the literature was conducted by retrieving the references from four electronic databases leading to the selection of four studies in children and four in adults. Meta-analyses of prevalence rates were performed on this published data as well as unpublished results from the ChiP-ARD study (Children and Parents with ADHD and Related Disorders), separately for children and adults. ResultsWhile the quality of most studies is questionable, the prevalence rates are close to those reported in international meta-analytic studies for children (3.68%), but are higher in adults (5.5%). ConclusionsWell-conducted studies in both general and special populations are needed (e.g., in patients with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, developmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder, behavioural or substance abuse, and incarcerated). Nevertheless, healthcare stakeholders can conservatively consider that .8 million children and 1.4 million adults in the metropolitan French general population are likely to have ADHD and suffer from its multiple consequences.

Intersectin deficiency impairs cortico-striatal neurotransmission and causes obsessive–compulsive behaviors in mice

The generation of appropriate behavioral responses involves dedicated neuronal circuits. The cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical loop is especially important for the expression of motor routines and habits. Defects in this circuitry are closely linked to obsessive stereotypic behaviors, hallmarks of neuropsychiatric diseases including autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCDs). However, our knowledge of the essential synaptic machinery required to maintain balanced neurotransmission and plasticity within the cortico-striatal circuitry remains fragmentary. Mutations in the large synaptic scaffold protein intersectin1 (ITSN1) have been identified in patients presenting with ASD symptoms including stereotypic behaviors, although a causal relationship between stereotypic behavior and intersectin function has not been established. We report here that deletion of the two closely related proteins ITSN1 and ITSN2 leads to severe ASD/OCD-like behavioral alterations and defective cortico-striatal neurotransmission in knockout (KO) mice. Cortico-striatal function was compromised at multiple levels in ITSN1/2-depleted animals. Morphological analyses showed that the striatum of intersectin KO mice is decreased in size. Striatal neurons exhibit reduced complexity and an underdeveloped dendritic spine architecture. These morphological abnormalities correlate with defects in cortico-striatal neurotransmission and plasticity as well as reduced N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor currents as a consequence of postsynaptic NMDA receptor depletion. Our findings unravel a physiological role of intersectin in cortico-striatal neurotransmission to counteract ASD/OCD. Moreover, we delineate a molecular pathomechanism for the neuropsychiatric symptoms of patients carrying intersectin mutations that correlates with the observation that NMDA receptor dysfunction is a recurrent feature in the development of ASD/OCD-like symptoms.

Histone Variants and Their Chaperones: An Emerging Epigenetic Mechanism in Neurodevelopment and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Neurodevelopment is a highly regulated process that relies on the precise regulation of gene expression. Numerous epigenetic mechanisms contribute and cooperate to ensure the proper execution of developmental gene expression programs. Indeed, disruption of the molecular machinery regulating the deposition or removal of epigenetics markers is associated with numerous neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. Among the various epigenetic marks that are fundamental for brain development, research has recently begun to focus on the role of histone variants and their associated chaperone proteins. Replication-independent histone variants can replace replication-dependent canonical histones in neuronal chromatin, giving nucleosomes unique properties that allow them to influence transcription. The deposition and removal of histone variants into neuronal chromatin are controlled by chaperone proteins that are integrated into chromatin remodelling complexes. Several studies report that the deposition and removal of histone variants by chaperone proteins from genes during development is pivotal for the regulation of gene expression, suggesting they are fundamental for neurodevelopment. This review will focus on the histone variants H2A.Z and H3.3, and the exclusive chaperones that regulate their dynamics, in gene expression during neurodevelopment and the progression of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Environmental carcinogens disproportionally mutate genes implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders.

De novo mutations contribute to a large proportion of sporadic psychiatric and developmental disorders, yet the potential role of environmental carcinogens as drivers of causal de novo mutations in neurodevelopmental disorders is poorly studied. To explore environmental mutation vulnerability of disease-associated gene sets, we analyzed publicly available whole genome sequencing datasets of mutations in human induced pluripotent stem cell clonal lines exposed to 12 classes of environmental carcinogens, and human lung cancers from individuals living in highly polluted regions. We compared observed rates of exposure-induced mutations in disease-related gene sets with the expected rates of mutations based on control genes randomly sampled from the genome using exact binomial tests. To explore the role of sequence characteristics in mutation vulnerability, we modeled the effects of sequence length, gene expression, and percent GC content on mutation rates of entire genes and gene coding sequences using multivariate Quasi-Poisson regressions. We demonstrate that several mutagens, including radiation and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, disproportionately mutate genes related to neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Other disease genes including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, congenital heart disease, orofacial clefts, and coronary artery disease were generally not mutated more than expected. Longer sequence length was more strongly associated with elevated mutations in entire genes compared with mutations in coding sequences. Increased expression was associated with decreased coding sequence mutation rate, but not with the mutability of entire genes. Increased GC content was associated with increased coding sequence mutation rates but decreased mutation rates in entire genes. Our findings support the possibility that neurodevelopmental disorder genetic etiology is partially driven by a contribution of environment-induced germ line and somatic mutations.

Defects in early synaptic formation and neuronal function in Prader-Willi syndrome

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), which is a complex epigenetic disorder caused by the deficiency of paternally expressed genes in chromosome 15q11-q13, is associated with several psychiatric dimensions, including autism spectrum disorder. We have previously reported that iPS cells derived from PWS patients exhibited aberrant differentiation and transcriptomic dysregulation in differentiated neural stem cells (NSCs) and neurons. Here, we identified SLITRK1 as a downregulated gene in NSCs differentiated from PWS patient iPS cells by RNA sequencing analysis. Because SLITRK1 is involved in synaptogenesis, we focused on the synaptic formation and function of neurons differentiated from PWS patient iPS cells and NDN or MAGEL2 single gene defect mutant iPS cells. Although βIII tubulin expression levels in all the neurons were comparable to the level of differentiation in the control, pre- and postsynaptic markers were significantly lower in PWS and mutant neurons than in control neurons. PSD-95 puncta along βIII tubulin neurites were also decreased. Membrane potential responses were measured while exposed to high K+ stimulation. The neuronal excitabilities in PWS and mutant neurons showed significantly lower intensity than that of control neurons. These functional defects in PWS neurons may reflect phenotypes of neurodevelopmental disorders in PWS.

Risperidone impedes glutamate excitotoxicity in a valproic acid rat model of autism: Role of ADAR2 in AMPA GluA2 RNA editing

Several reports indicate a plausible role of calcium (Ca2+) permeable AMPA glutamate receptors (with RNA hypo-editing at the GluA2 Q/R site) and the subsequent excitotoxicity-mediated neuronal death in the pathogenesis of a wide array of neurological disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study was designed to examine the effects of chronic risperidone treatment on the expression of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 2 (Adar2), the status of AMPA glutamate receptor GluA2 editing, and its effects on oxidative/nitrosative stress and excitotoxicity-mediated neuronal death in the prenatal valproic acid (VPA) rat model of ASD. Prenatal VPA exposure was associated with autistic-like behaviors accompanied by an increase in the apoptotic marker “caspase-3” and a decrease in the antiapoptotic marker “BCL2” alongside a reduction in the Adar2 relative gene expression and an increase in GluA2 Q:R ratio in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. Risperidone, at doses of 1 and 3 mg, improved the VPA-induced behavioral deficits and enhanced the Adar2 relative gene expression and the subsequent GluA2 subunit editing. This was reflected on the cellular level where risperidone impeded VPA-induced oxidative/nitrosative stress and neurodegenerative changes. In conclusion, the present study confirms a possible role for Adar2 downregulation and the subsequent hypo-editing of the GluA2 subunit in the pathophysiology of the prenatal VPA rat model of autism and highlights the favorable effect of risperidone on reversing the RNA editing machinery deficits, giving insights into a new possible mechanism of risperidone in autism.

Altered offspring neurodevelopment in an L-NAME-induced preeclampsia rat model.

To investigate the mechanism underlying the increased risk of subsequent neurodevelopmental disorders in children born to mothers with preeclampsia, we evaluated the neurodevelopment of offspring of a preeclampsia rat model induced by the administration of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and identified unique protein signatures in the offspring cerebrospinal fluid. Pregnant rats received an intraperitoneal injection of L-NAME (250 mg/kg/day) during gestational days 15-20 to establish a preeclampsia model. Behavioral experiments (negative geotaxis, open-field, rotarod treadmill, and active avoidance tests), immunohistochemistry [anti-neuronal nuclei (NeuN) staining in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and cerebral cortex on postnatal day 70], and proteome analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid on postnatal day 5 were performed on male offspring. Offspring of the preeclampsia dam exhibited increased growth restriction at birth (52.5%), but showed postnatal catch-up growth on postnatal day 14. Several behavioral abnormalities including motor development and vestibular function (negative geotaxis test: p < 0.01) in the neonatal period; motor coordination and learning skills (rotarod treadmill test: p = 0.01); and memory skills (active avoidance test: p < 0.01) in the juvenile period were observed. NeuN-positive cells in preeclampsia rats were significantly reduced in both the hippocampal dentate gyrus and cerebral cortex (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). Among the 1270 proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid identified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, 32 were differentially expressed. Principal component analysis showed that most cerebrospinal fluid samples achieved clear separation between preeclampsia and control rats. Pathway analysis revealed that differentially expressed proteins were associated with endoplasmic reticulum translocation, Rab proteins, and ribosomal proteins, which are involved in various nervous system disorders including autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease. The offspring of the L-NAME-induced preeclampsia model rats exhibited key features of neurodevelopmental abnormalities on behavioral and pathological examinations similar to humans. We found altered cerebrospinal fluid protein profiling in this preeclampsia rat, and the unique protein signatures related to endoplasmic reticulum translocation, Rab proteins, and ribosomal proteins may be associated with subsequent adverse neurodevelopment in the offspring.

Atypical cortical networks in children at high-genetic risk of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders

Although many genetic risk factors for psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders have been identified, the neurobiological route from genetic risk to neuropsychiatric outcome remains unclear. 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a copy number variant (CNV) syndrome associated with high rates of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and schizophrenia. Alterations in neural integration and cortical connectivity have been linked to the spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders seen in 22q11.2DS and may be a mechanism by which the CNV acts to increase risk. In this study, magnetoencephalography (MEG) was used to investigate electrophysiological markers of local and global network function in 34 children with 22q11.2DS and 25 controls aged 10–17 years old. Resting-state oscillatory activity and functional connectivity across six frequency bands were compared between groups. Regression analyses were used to explore the relationships between these measures, neurodevelopmental symptoms and IQ. Children with 22q11.2DS had altered network activity and connectivity in high and low frequency bands, reflecting modified local and long-range cortical circuitry. Alpha and theta band connectivity were negatively associated with ASD symptoms while frontal high frequency (gamma band) activity was positively associated with ASD symptoms. Alpha band activity was positively associated with cognitive ability. These findings suggest that haploinsufficiency at the 22q11.2 locus impacts short and long-range cortical circuits, which could be a mechanism underlying neurodevelopmental and psychiatric vulnerability in this high-risk group.

The Synaptic and Circuit Functions of Vitamin D in Neurodevelopment Disorders.

Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is a public health issue around the world. According to epidemiological studies, low vitamin D levels have been associated with an increased risk of some neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Animal models reveal that vitamin D has a variety of impacts on the synapses and circuits in the brain. A lack of vitamin D affects the expression of synaptic proteins, as well as the synthesis and metabolism of various neurotransmitters. Depending on where vitamin D receptors (VDRs) are expressed, vitamin D may also regulate certain neuronal circuits through the endocannabinoid signaling, mTOR pathway and oxytocin signaling. While inconsistently, some data suggest that vitamin D supplementation may be able to reduce the core symptoms of ASD and ADHD. This review emphasizes vitamin D's role in the synaptic and circuit mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders including ASD and ADHD. Future application of vitamin D in these disorders will depend on both basic research and clinical studies, in order to make the transition from the bench to the bedside.

Acute Severe Behavioral Disturbance Requiring Parenteral Sedation in Pediatric Mental Health Presentations to Emergency Medical Services: A Retrospective Chart Review

To describe the epidemiological factors of mental health presentations in young people to emergency medical services (EMS) and define those experiencing acute severe behavioral disturbance by reviewing parenteral sedation use. We performed a retrospective review of records of EMS attendance for young people (aged <18 years) with mental health presentations between July 2018 and June 2019 to a statewide EMS system in Australia of a population of 6.5 million persons. In addition, epidemiological data and information about parenteral sedation for acute severe behavioral disturbance and any adverse events were extracted from the records and analyzed. A total of 7,816 patients had mental health presentations with a median age of 15 years (IQR 14-17). The majority (60%) were female. These presentations accounted for 14% of all pediatric presentations to EMS. Out of them, 612 (8%) received parenteral sedation for acute severe behavioral disturbance. A number of factors were associated with increased odds of parenteral sedative medication being used, including autism spectrum disorder (odds ratio [OR] 3.3; confidence interval [CI], 2.7 to 3.9), posttraumatic stress disorder (OR 2.8; CI, 2.2 to 3.5) and intellectual disability (OR 3.6; CI, 2.6 to 4.8). The majority (460, 75%) of young people received midazolam as their first-line medication, with the remaining patients being provided ketamine (152, 25%). No serious adverse events were noted. Mental health conditions were a common presentation to EMS. A history of autism spectrum disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, or an intellectual disability increased the odds of receiving parenteral sedation for acute severe behavioral disturbance. Sedation appears generally safe in the out-of-hospital setting.

Equine-Assisted Activities (EAAs) for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Positive Effects Revealed Using an Ethological Approach

Equine-assisted activities (EAAs) are considered a suitable innovative rehabilitative practice for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While standardized scales have been previously used as a tool to evaluate the effects of EAAs on different domains of functioning in ASD children, few studies have considered an ethological approach as a means to describe human–horse interactions in the context of ASD. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the behavior of 19 children with ASD, in comparison with 19 typically developing children (TD), during EAA sessions. We developed an ethogram from the video recordings to assess spatial relationships, social interactions, and communicative behaviors displayed by the child toward the horse, as well as the occurrence of problem behaviors. Results indicate that children’s behaviors during EAA sessions are modulated by sex and age, while previous children’s experience with EAAs appeared to improve interpersonal distance and horse handling. Results from this study highlight the importance of exploring children’s behavioral responses during animal-assisted activities through direct measurements. This may allow linking the quality/strength of the child–horse relationship to the benefits obtained by the child, particularly in the social/communicative domain, a core symptom of ASD.

16p11.2 CNV gene Doc2α functions in neurodevelopment and social behaviors through interaction with Secretagogin

Copy-number variations (CNVs) of the human 16p11.2 genetic locus are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and schizophrenia. However, it remains largely unclear how this locus is involved in the disease pathogenesis. Doc2α is localized within this locus. Here, using invivo and exvivo electrophysiological and morphological approaches, we show that Doc2α-deficient mice have neuronal morphological abnormalities and defects in neural activity. Moreover, the Doc2α-deficient mice exhibit social and repetitive behavioral deficits. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Doc2α functions in behavioral and neural phenotypes through interaction with Secretagogin (SCGN). Finally, we demonstrate that SCGN functions in social/repetitive behaviors, glutamate release, and neuronal morphology of the mice through its Doc2α-interacting activity. Therefore, Doc2α likely contributes to neurodevelopmental disorders through its interaction with SCGN.

The role of the prefrontal cortex in social interactions of animal models and the implications for autism spectrum disorder.

Social interaction is a complex behavior which requires the individual to integrate various internal processes, such as social motivation, social recognition, salience, reward, and emotional state, as well as external cues informing the individual of others' behavior, emotional state and social rank. This complex phenotype is susceptible to disruption in humans affected by neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Multiple pieces of convergent evidence collected from studies of humans and rodents suggest that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a pivotal role in social interactions, serving as a hub for motivation, affiliation, empathy, and social hierarchy. Indeed, disruption of the PFC circuitry results in social behavior deficits symptomatic of ASD. Here, we review this evidence and describe various ethologically relevant social behavior tasks which could be employed with rodent models to study the role of the PFC in social interactions. We also discuss the evidence linking the PFC to pathologies associated with ASD. Finally, we address specific questions regarding mechanisms employed by the PFC circuitry that may result in atypical social interactions in rodent models, which future studies should address.

Transposon insertion profiling by sequencing (TIPseq) identifies novel LINE-1 insertions in human sperm.

Long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1 or L1) comprises 17% of the human genome. Retrotransposons may perturb gene integrity or alter gene expression by altering regulatory regions in the genome. The germline employs a number of mechanisms, including cytosine methylation, to repress retrotransposon transcription throughout most of life. Demethylation during germ cell and early embryo development de-represses retrotransposons. Intriguingly, de novo genetic variation appearing in sperm has been implicated in a number of disorders in offspring, including autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. We hypothesize that human sperm exhibit de novo retrotransposition and employ a new sequencing method, single cell transposon insertion profiling by sequencing (scTIPseq) to map them in small amounts of human sperm. Cross-sectional case-control study of sperm samples (n=10 men; ages 32-55 years old) from consenting men undergoing IVF at NYU Langone Fertility Center. scTIPseq identified novel LINE-1 insertions in individual sperm and TIPseqHunter, a custom bioinformatics pipeline, compared the architecture of sperm LINE-1 to known LINE-1 insertions from the European database of Human specific LINE-1 (L1Hs) retrotransposon insertions (euL1db). scTIPseq identified 17 novel insertions in sperm. New insertions were mainly intergenic or intronic. Only one sample did not exhibit new insertions. The location or number of novel insertions did not differ by paternal age. This study for the first time reports novel LINE-1 insertions in human sperm, demonstrating the feasibility of scTIPseq, and identifies new contributors to genetic diversity in the human germ line.

Combinations of genes at the 16p11.2 and 22q11.2 CNVs contribute to neurobehavioral traits.

The 16p11.2 and 22q11.2 copy number variants (CNVs) are associated with neurobehavioral traits including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obesity, and intellectual disability. Identifying specific genes contributing to each disorder and dissecting the architecture of CNV-trait association has been difficult, inspiring hypotheses of more complex models, such as multiple genes acting together. Using multi-tissue data from the GTEx consortium, we generated pairwise expression imputation models for CNV genes and then applied these elastic net models to GWAS for: ASD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, BMI (obesity), and IQ (intellectual disability). We compared the variance in these five traits explained by gene pairs with the variance explained by single genes and by traditional interaction models. We also modeled polygene region-wide effects using summed predicted expression ranks across many genes to create a regionwide score. We found that in all CNV-trait pairs except for bipolar disorder at 22q11.2, pairwise effects explain more variance than single genes. Pairwise model superiority was specific to the CNV region for all 16p11.2 traits and ASD at 22q11.2. We identified novel individual genes over-represented in top pairs that did not show single-gene signal. We also found that BMI and IQ have significant regionwide association with both CNV regions. Overall, we observe that genetic architecture differs by trait and region, but 9/10 CNV-trait combinations demonstrate evidence for multigene contribution, and for most of these, the importance of combinatorial models appears unique to CNV regions. Our results suggest that mechanistic insights for CNV pathology may require combinational models.

Early biomarkers of neurodevelopmental disorders in preterm infants: protocol for a longitudinal cohort study

IntroductionPreterm (PT) infants are at high likelihood for poor neurodevelopmental outcomes, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), which could considerably impair the...

Treatment for ASD patients with the cadherin and catenin complexes

The cadherin and catenin complexes are responsible for refinements and proper neural circuit formation during thecritical period. Abnormal refinement causes deficiencies in spine pruning and neuronal disorders, including autismspectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder caused by defects in the spinecompetition. An increase in the cadherin and catenin complex can simulate the synaptic signal transmission and increasecompetition to maintain average spine density. However, the proper neuronal function requires the elimination ofunnecessary spines. Therefore, this paper designs an experiment using an ocular dominance column in mice to evaluatewhether the cadherin and catenin complex can overcome the deficiencies in spine pruning for ASD mice and whetherspine pruning is correct. Then, the cadherin and catenin complex is adopted on PFC in mice to evaluate the effect ofcorrection on social behavior for ASD mice. This work proposes a better treatment for ASD patients using the cadherinand catenin complex

Multi-Site MRI Data Harmonization with an Adversarial Learning Approach: Implementation to the Study of Brain Connectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) nowadays plays an important role in the identification of brain underpinnings in a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Characterizing the hallmarks in these pathologies is not a straightforward task and machine learning (ML) is certainly one of the most promising tools for addressing complex and non-linear problems. ML algorithms and, in particular, deep neural networks (DNNs), need large datasets in order to be properly trained and thus ensure generalization capabilities on new data. Large datasets can be obtained by collecting images from different centers, thus bringing unavoidable biases in the analysis due to differences in hardware and scanning protocols between different centers. In this work, we dealt with the issue of multicenter MRI data harmonization by comparing two different approaches: the analytical ComBat-GAM procedure, whose effectiveness is already documented in the literature, and an originally developed site-adversarial deep neural network (ad-DNN). The latter aims to perform a classification task while simultaneously searching for site-relevant patterns in order to make predictions free from site-related biases. As a case study, we implemented DNN and ad-DNN classifiers to distinguish subjects with ASD with respect to typical developing controls based on functional connectivity measures derived from data of the multicenter ABIDE collection. The classification performance of the proposed ad-DNN, measured in terms of the area under the ROC curve (AUC), achieved the value of AUC = 0.70±0.03, which is comparable to that obtained by a DNN on data harmonized according to the analytical procedure (AUC = 0.71±0.01). The relevant functional connectivity alterations identified by both procedures showed an agreement between each other and with the patterns of neuroanatomical alterations previously detected in the same cohort of subjects.