scholarly journals Serum Tryptophan, Tryptophan Catabolites and Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in Subgroups of Youngsters with Autism Spectrum Disorders

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 626-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Ormstad ◽  
Vesna Bryn ◽  
Robert Verkerk ◽  
Ola H. Skjeldal ◽  
Bente Halvorsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Childhood Autism ◽  
Total Blood ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Tryptophan Catabolites ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Background: There is evidence that changes in neuro-immune responses coupled with dysfunctions in serotonin metabolism underpin the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Objective: This study aimed to delineate whether ASD subgroups or characteristics show aberrations in tryptophan and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) metabolism. Methods: 65 individuals with ASD (diagnosed according to ICD criteria) and 30 healthy control patients were included. Measured were serum levels of tryptophan, kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KA), quinolinic acid (QA), BDNF and PRO-BDNF and total blood 5-HT and 5-OH-tryptophan (5-HTP). Results: Elevated BDNF levels and lower tryptophan and KA levels were characteristics of both childhood autism and intellectual disability disorder, whilst elevated tryptophan and lower 5-HT synthesis were hallmarks of Asperger syndrome. A pathological MRI was associated with elevated tryptophan and lowered KA. Abnormal EEG results and dysmorphology were both associated with an elevated BDNF/ PRO-BDNF ratio. Any brain pathology and gastro-intestinal symptoms were accompanied by lowered KA. Conclusions: Increased BDNF production and changes in the metabolism of tryptophan are associated with many ASD characteristics, showing particularly strong associations with childhood autism and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Peripheral BDNF and tryptophan metabolism appear to take part in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders and their phenotypes.

Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in childhood

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Bryn ◽  
B. Halvorsen ◽  
T. Ueland ◽  
J. Isaksen ◽  
K. Kolkova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

scholarly journals Increased Serum Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, Resistin, and Visfatin in the Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Case-Control Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ali Ghaffari ◽  
Elham Mousavinejad ◽  
Forough Riahi ◽  
Masoumeh Mousavinejad ◽  
Mohammad Reza Afsharmanesh
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Tumor Necrosis Factor ◽  
Tumor Necrosis ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Factor Alpha ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Necrosis Factor

Background. Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are complex disorders where the pathogenesis is not fully understood. Several proinflammatory and immunoinflammatory disturbances have been observed in the etiology of ASD. There is, however, limited knowledge on variations of adipokines in ASD. The present study aimed to analyze the serum levels of resistin, visfatin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in children with ASD in relation to body weight, gender, and ASD severity level. Method. In total, 30 children with ASD (mean age: 7.72±2.65 y; range; 4–12 y) and 30 healthy children (mean age: 8.4±2.66 y; range: 4–12 y), including males and females, were matched for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). Serum samples were collected, and visfatin, resistin, and TNF-α serum levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Result. Serum visfatin, resistin, and TNF-α levels in children with ASD were significantly higher than that in the healthy patients (p<0.05). Two significant correlations were found: a correlation between resistin and visfatin with TNF-α in children with ASD (R = 0.8 and R = 0.62, resp.) and a correlation between resistin and visfatin in children with ASD (R = 0.66). Conclusion. Higher TNF-α, resistin, and visfatin levels were found in children with ASD in comparison with controls, suggesting that elevated levels of serum proinflammatory agents may be implicated in the pathophysiology of ASD.

scholarly journals Neural Basis of Visual Attentional Orienting in Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorders

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric R. Murphy ◽  
Megan Norr ◽  
John F. Strang ◽  
Lauren Kenworthy ◽  
William D. Gaillard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Childhood Autism ◽  
Attentional Orienting ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

scholarly journals Controversial issues in comorbidity between epilepsy and autism: subclinical epileptiform activity and autistic epileptiform regression

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-48
Author(s):  
G. V. Kuzmich ◽  
A. N. Sinelnikova ◽  
K. Yu. Mukhin
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Clinical Significance ◽  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Childhood Autism ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
The Impact

Early childhood autism, or autism spectrum disorders, is an extremely heterogeneous group of conditions that share similar symptoms of dysontogenesis. The most significant comorbidity in patients with autism is epilepsy, which is still associated with a variety of controversies. The present article covers the most controversial aspects of comorbidity between autism and epilepsy, including the impact of psychopharmacotherapy on the risk of epilepsy, clinical significance of epileptiform activity on the electroencephalogram in patients without epilepsy, and criteria for and prevalence of autistic epileptiform regression syndrome. We found that there is still a lack of reliable evidence for the majority of issues related to the combination of autism and epilepsy. We emphasize the need for further studies. We also provide a detailed description of the history, criteria, prevalence, and clinical examples of autistic epileptiform regression syndrome.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document