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Is autism spectrum disorder an inflammation?
Yüksel Sümeyra Naralan1, Abdulhakim Hasan Gül2, Konca Altunkaynak3
1Rize Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Rize, Turkey.
Insights
This study found higher Adenosine deaminase and lower dipeptidyl peptidase IV levels in children with autism spectrum disorder, suggesting inflammation may contribute to autism etiology.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
- The role of inflammation in ASD etiology is an area of ongoing research.
- Biomarkers for inflammation in ASD require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate serum Adenosine deaminase (ADA) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) levels in children with ASD.
- To assess the relationship between these enzyme levels and ASD severity, as measured by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS).
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 37 children diagnosed with ASD and 27 typically developing children (ages 2-12).
- Serum samples were collected to measure ADA and DPP-IV levels.
- Psychiatric evaluations using DSM-5 criteria and CARS were conducted.
Main Results:
- No significant demographic differences were observed between ASD and control groups.
- Children with ASD exhibited significantly higher serum ADA levels compared to controls.
- Children with ASD showed significantly lower serum DPP-IV levels than controls.
- A positive correlation was found between DPP-IV levels and CARS scores.
Conclusions:
- Altered serum ADA and DPP-IV levels in children with ASD suggest a potential role for inflammation in the disorder's development.
- These findings may contribute to understanding the biological underpinnings of ASD.
- Further research is warranted to explore the therapeutic implications of targeting inflammation in ASD.
Background And Purpose:
In our study, we aimed to evaluate inflammation by measuring serum Adenosine deaminase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV levels of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and to determine its relationship with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale.
Methods:
37 children aged 2-12 years with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and 27 children aged 2-12 years without any psychiatric disease were included in the study. Psychiatric examination and clinical evaluation according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder were performed on the children included in the study. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale was filled in by the researcher by interviewing the parents of the children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. 5 ml of venous blood samples were taken from the children in both groups in the morning on a full stomach.
Results:
There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, and sociodemographic data. While serum adenosine deaminase levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in the group with autism spectrum disorder, serum dipeptidyl peptidase IV levels were found to be significantly lower. A positive correlation was found between dipeptidyl peptidase IV and Childhood Autism Rating Scale.
Conclusion:
We think that inflammation may play a role in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder due to altered adenosine deaminase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV levels in children with autism spectrum disorder.
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