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Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
PLASMATIC LEVELS OF NEUROPEPTIDES, INCLUDING OXYTOCIN, IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, CORRELATE WITH THE
L Kobylinska1,2, A M Panaitescu3, G Gabreanu4
1"Prof. Dr. Al. Obregia" Clinical Psychiatry Hospital - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bucharest, Romania.
Insights
Higher plasma oxytocin levels in children with mild autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suggest a negative correlation between oxytocin and ASD severity, supporting oxytocinergic mechanisms in ASD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
Background:
- Oxytocin is being explored for treating psychiatric disorders.
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
- Neuropeptide dysregulation is implicated in ASD pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively examine plasma levels of oxytocin and other neuropeptides in children with ASD.
- To correlate neuropeptide levels with ASD severity and treatment status.
- To compare neuropeptide profiles between ASD patients and neurotypical controls.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-one children, including 6 neurotypical controls, participated.
- Patients were categorized into mild and severe ASD based on Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scores.
- Plasma levels of oxytocin, orexin A/B, α-MSH, β-endorphins, neurotensin, and substance P were measured using multiplex assays and ELISA.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in plasma oxytocin levels were observed across groups (F(2, 24) = 6.48, p=0.006).
- Children with mild ASD exhibited higher plasma oxytocin levels compared to those with severe ASD (p=0.004).
- A negative correlation was found between plasma oxytocin concentration and ASD severity.
Conclusions:
- Plasma oxytocin levels are negatively correlated with the severity of autism spectrum disorder.
- These findings support the involvement of oxytocinergic pathways in the neurobiology of ASD.
- Further research into oxytocin-based interventions for ASD is warranted.
Context:
Oxytocin has been investigated as a potential medication for psychiatric disorders.
Objective And Design:
This study prospectively investigates correlations between oxytocin and other neuropeptides plasma levels in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) according to severity and treatment, as compared to controls.
Subjects And Methods:
Thirty-one children (6 neurotypical as control) participated in this study. The patients were classified into mildly and severely-affected, according to Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scores. Oxytocin, orexin A and B, α-MSH, β-endorphins, neurotensin and substance P were investigated using a quantitative multiplex assay or a competitive-ELISA method.
Results:
Plasma oxytocin levels differed between the groups (F (2, 24) =6.48, p=0.006, η2=0.35, observed power=86%): patients with the mild ASD had higher values of plasma oxytocin than those with the severe form (average difference=74.56±20.74pg/mL, p=0.004).
Conclusions:
These results show a negative correlation between plasma levels of oxytocin and the severity of ASD and support the involvement of oxytocinergic mechanisms in ASD.
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