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Faulty serotonin--DHEA interactions in autism: results of the 5-hydroxytryptophan challenge test
Jan Croonenberghs1, Kristien Spaas, Annick Wauters
1University Center of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, A.Z. Middelheim, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium. jan.croonenberghs@zna.be
Background:
Autism is accompanied by peripheral and central disorders in the metabolism of serotonin (5-HT). The present study examines plasma dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S) and the cortisol/DHEA-S ratio following administration of L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), the direct precursor of 5-HT, to autistic patients.
Methods:
Plasma DHEA-S levels were determined both before and after administration of 5-HTP or placebo, on two consecutive days in a single blind order in 18 male autistic patients and 22 matched healthy controls.
Results:
The 5-HTP-induced DHEA-S responses were significantly higher in autistic patients than in controls. In baseline conditions, the cortisol/DHEA-S ratio was significantly higher in autistic patients than in controls.
Discussion:
The results suggest that autism is accompanied by a major disequilibrium in the serotonergic system. The increased Cortisol (neurotoxic) versus DHEA-S (neuroprotective) ratio suggests that an increased neurotoxic potential occurs in autism.
Conclusions:
It is concluded that a disequilibrium in the peripheral and central turnover of serotonin and an increased neurotoxic capacity by glucocorticoids are important pathways in autism.
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