Altered expression of CCAT1 and CCAT2 lncRNAs in autism spectrum disorder

Abstract Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proposed as important contributors in the development of brain and in the pathobiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. Altered levels of a number of lncRNAs in the circulation have been linked with the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We measured expression of Colon Cancer Associated Transcripts 1 and 2 (CCAT1 and CCAT2) in the circulation of ASD cases and healthy children. Expression of CCAT1 was remarkably lower in ASD children than in healthy children (Posterior Beta = −0.682, SE = 0.35, adjusted P value = 0.022). Conversely, expression of CCAT2 was higher in ASD cases compared with controls (Posterior Beta = 2.237, standard error (SE) = 0.38, adjusted P value