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Evaluation of Appetite-Regulating Hormones ın Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Çağla Çelikkol Sadıç1,2, Ayhan Bilgiç3, İbrahim Kılınç4

  • 1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Necmettin Erbakan University Meram School of Medicine, Konya, Turkey. dr.cagla90@gmail.com.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|June 26, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Leptin and ghrelin levels were higher in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These hormones may contribute to the development of ASD, but further research is needed.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
  • Altered appetite-regulating hormones like leptin and ghrelin have been implicated in ASD.
  • The role of specific hormones, including nesfatin-1 and neuropeptide Y, in young children with ASD requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between plasma levels of leptin, ghrelin, neuropeptide Y, and nesfatin-1 in young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • To compare hormone levels between children with ASD and typically developing controls.
  • To explore potential correlations between hormone levels and ASD symptom severity or eating problems.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 44 children with ASD and 44 healthy controls, aged 18-60 months.
  • Quantitative measurement of plasma leptin, ghrelin, neuropeptide Y, and nesfatin-1 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.
  • Statistical analysis to compare hormone levels between groups and assess correlations with clinical measures.

Main Results:

  • Significantly elevated plasma leptin and ghrelin levels were observed in the ASD group compared to controls.
  • No significant differences in plasma neuropeptide Y or nesfatin-1 levels were found between the ASD and control groups.
  • No significant correlations were identified between the plasma levels of these hormones and the severity of ASD symptoms or eating problems.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated leptin and ghrelin levels in young children with ASD suggest a potential role in the disorder's pathogenesis.
  • Neuropeptide Y and nesfatin-1 do not appear to be significantly altered in this cohort of young children with ASD.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which leptin and ghrelin may influence ASD development and presentation.

Keywords:
AutismEarly childhoodGhrelinLeptinNesfatin-1Neuropeptide Y

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