Neurotensin is increased in serum of young children with autistic disorder

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed in early childhood. They are associated with a set of "core symptoms"that include disabilities in social interaction skills, verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as repetitive and stereotypic behaviors.

There is no definite pathogenetic mechanism or diagnostic tests. Many children with ASD also have "allergic-like"symptoms, but test negative implying mast cell activation by non-allergic triggers.

We measured by Milliplex arrays serum levels of 3 neuropeptides that could stimulate mast cells in children with autistic disorder (n=19; 16 males and 3 females; mean age 3.0 +/- 0.4 years) and healthy, unrelated controls (n=16; 13 males and 3 females; mean age 3 +/- 1.2 years). Only neurotensin (NT) was significantly increased from 60.5 +/- 6.0 pg/ml in controls to 105.6 +/- 12.4 pg/ml in autistic disorder (p=0.004).

There was no statistically significant difference in the serum levels of beta-endorphin or substance P (SP). NT could stimulate immune cells, especially mast cells, and/or have direct effects on brain inflammation and ASD.

Author: Asimenia AngelidouKonstantinos FrancisMagdalini VasiadiKonstantinos-Dionysios AlysandratosBodi ZhangAthanasios TheoharidesLefteris LykourasKyriaki SideriDimitrios KalogeromitrosTheoharis Theoharides
Credits/Source: Journal of Neuroinflammation

Published on: 2010-08-23

Copyright by the authors listed above - made available via BioMedCentral (Open Access). Please make sure to read our disclaimer prior to contacting 7thSpace Interactive. To contact our editors, visit our online helpdesk. If you wish submit your own press release, click here.

Comments Page 0 of 0

There are currently 0 comments to display.

+ Add New Comment

Custom Search