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Published on: October 17, 2025
Neurotensin is increased in serum of young children with autistic disorder
Asimenia Angelidou1, Konstantinos Francis, Magdalini Vasiadi
1Laboratory of Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Insights
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show elevated neurotensin (NT) levels, a neuropeptide linked to mast cell activation and potential brain inflammation. This finding may offer new insights into ASD
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social interaction and communication deficits, alongside repetitive behaviors.
- Current understanding lacks definitive causes or diagnostic markers for ASD.
- Some children with ASD exhibit allergy-like symptoms, suggesting non-allergic mast cell activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum levels of neuropeptides (neurotensin, β-endorphin, substance P) in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- To explore the potential role of these neuropeptides in mast cell activation and neuroinflammation associated with ASD.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 19 children diagnosed with autistic disorder and 16 healthy controls.
- Neuropeptide levels were quantified using Milliplex arrays.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare levels between groups.
Main Results:
- Serum neurotensin (NT) levels were significantly higher in children with ASD (105.6 ± 12.4 pg/ml) compared to controls (60.5 ± 6.0 pg/ml), p = 0.004.
- No significant differences were observed in serum levels of β-endorphin or substance P.
- Elevated NT suggests a potential link to mast cell stimulation and neuroinflammation in ASD.
Conclusions:
- Neurotensin (NT) is significantly elevated in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- This elevation suggests NT may play a role in mast cell activation and/or direct brain inflammation contributing to ASD.
- Further research is warranted to explore NT's specific mechanisms in ASD pathogenesis.
Abstract:
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 β-endorphin or substance P (SP). NT could stimulate immune cells, especially mast cells, and/or have direct effects on brain inflammation and ASD.
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