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Amino Acid Patterns in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Preliminary Biochemical Evaluation
Simona Ferraro1, Laura Saielli2, Davide Biganzoli1
1Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy.
Nutrients
|January 25, 2025
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children shows altered plasma amino acid (AA) profiles, with some patterns possibly indicating neurological issues and others nutritional imbalances. Further research is needed to understand these metabolic differences.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Plasma amino acid (AA) metabolism in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been studied, but results remain inconclusive.
- Early-diagnosed children with ASD require further metabolic characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize alterations in plasma AA profiles in early-diagnosed children with ASD.
- To compare AA profiles between children with ASD and neurotypical controls.
- To identify potential subgroups within the ASD population based on AA profiles.
Main Methods:
- Plasma AA profiles were analyzed using ion exchange chromatography in 1242 children with ASD and 488 controls.
- Principal component and cluster analysis were used to explore associations and identify subgroups within the ASD cohort.
Main Results:
- Children with ASD showed lower glutamine levels compared to controls (p < 0.001).
- Increased levels of six essential, two conditionally essential, and four non-essential AAs were observed in children with ASD.
- Cluster analysis identified two subgroups: NEU (Neurological) with high taurine, aspartate, glutamic acid, and ornithine; and NUT (Nutritional) with elevated branched-chain AAs.
Conclusions:
- Heterogeneous AA patterns in children with ASD may serve as biochemical signatures.
- These patterns may indicate neurological impairment in some individuals with ASD.
- In other individuals, altered AA profiles might suggest nutritional dysregulation.
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