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VEGF, IGF-1 and FGF-2 Serum Levels in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder with and without Bipolar

Gokce Guldiken1, Ali Karayagmurlu2, Canan Kucukgergin3

  • 1Health Ministry of Turkish Republic Reyhanlı State Hospital, Hatay, Turkey. drgokceguldiken@gmail.com.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|September 5, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) were higher in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and bipolar disorder (BD). These growth factors may serve as potential biomarkers for BD in young individuals with ASD.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and bipolar disorder (BD) are complex neurodevelopmental conditions.
  • Co-occurrence of ASD and BD presents unique diagnostic and management challenges in children and adolescents.
  • Identifying reliable biomarkers is crucial for early diagnosis and effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2).
  • To explore the relationship between these growth factors and clinical characteristics in children and adolescents with ASD, with and without comorbid BD.
  • To assess the potential of these factors as biomarkers for BD in the ASD population.

Main Methods:

  • A study group of 40 subjects with ASD and BD was compared to a control group of 40 subjects with ASD.
  • Serum samples were analyzed for VEGF, IGF-1, and FGF-2 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.
  • Clinical characteristics, including ASD severity, self-harming behavior, sleep disturbance, and BD episode history, were assessed.

Main Results:

  • The ASD + BD group exhibited significantly higher ASD severity, self-harming behavior, and sleep disturbances compared to the ASD-only group.
  • Serum levels of VEGF and FGF-2 were significantly elevated in the ASD + BD group versus the ASD group.
  • No significant difference in IGF-1 levels was observed; however, VEGF correlated negatively with age at BD diagnosis, and IGF-1 correlated positively with the number of bipolar episodes.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated serum VEGF and FGF-2 may indicate potential biomarkers for bipolar disorder in young individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
  • These findings suggest that VEGF and FGF-2 could aid clinicians in diagnosing and monitoring BD in this specialized pediatric population.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm the utility of VEGF and FGF-2 as clinical biomarkers for managing comorbid BD in children and adolescents with ASD.
Abstract

Keywords:
AutismBiomarkerBipolarFGF-2VEGF

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