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Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Real-time Imaging of Axonal Transport of Quantum Dot-labeled BDNF in Primary Neurons
Published on: September 15, 2014
BDNF levels are associated with autistic traits in the general population
Natascia Brondino1, Laura Fusar-Poli1, Matteo Rocchetti1
1Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, via Bassi 21, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
Abstract:
Evidence supports the notion that autistic symptoms and behaviors should be regarded as dimensional traits. The present study aimed to investigate the role of vasopressin (AVP), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and oxytocin (OXT) as potential biochemical correlates of subclinical autistic traits in a cohort of healthy young adults. One hundred and fifty-three subjects (80 males, 73 females) were recruited. Participants completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), a widely used measure for the identification of autistic traits in the general population. Additionally, blood samples were obtained from all participants at the same time of the day to control for circadian variation. We conducted a multiple regression analysis using the AQ score as the dependent variable and age, sex, AVP, BDNF and OXT levels as the independent variables. The model explained approximately the 22% of the variance of the AQ score. Among the parameters included in the analysis, only BDNF levels were independent predictors of AQ score.
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