Author/Authors :
Katsuaki Suzuki، نويسنده , , Kenji Hashimoto، نويسنده , , Yasuhide Iwata، نويسنده , , Kazuhiko Nakamura، نويسنده , , Masatsugu Tsujii، نويسنده , , Kenji J. Tsuchiya، نويسنده , , Yoshimoto Sekine، نويسنده , , Shiro Suda، نويسنده , , Genichi Sugihara، نويسنده , , Hideo Matsuzaki، نويسنده , , Toshiro Sugiyama، نويسنده , , Masayoshi Kawai، نويسنده , , Yoshio Minabe، نويسنده , , Nori Takei، نويسنده , , Norio Mori، نويسنده ,
Abstract :
Background
The neurobiological basis for autism remains poorly understood. Given the role of growth factors in brain development, we hypothesized that epidermal growth factor (EGF) may play a role in the pathophysiology of autism. In this study, we examined whether serum levels of EGF are altered in adult subjects with high-functioning autism.
Methods
We measured serum levels of EGF in the 17 male subjects with high-functioning autism and 18 age-matched healthy male subjects.
Results
The serum levels of EGF in the subjects with high-functioning autism (72.4 ± 102.8 pg/mL [mean ± SD]) were significantly lower (Mann-Whitney U = 22.0, p < .001) than those of normal control subjects (322.3 ± 122.0 pg/mL [mean ± SD]). However, there were no correlations between serum EGF levels and clinical variables in the subjects with autism.
Conclusions
This study suggests that decreased levels of EGF might be implicated in the pathophysiology of high-functioning autism.
Keywords :
Human blood , ELISA , AUTISM , epidermalgrowth factor , growth factors , Developmental disorders
