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Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
An Investigation of the Levels of Serine Protease and Associated Molecules in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Merve Yaylaci1, Ozlem Dogan2, Fatma Zehra Kirşan3
1Department of Medical Biochemistry, Yozgat Sorgun State Hospital, Yozgat, Turkey.
Insights
Reduced levels of serine proteases and related molecules were found in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These biomarkers showed specific correlations with ASD behaviors, suggesting potential for subtype identification and personalized treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) pathogenesis involves complex neurobiological mechanisms.
- Serine proteases and their regulators play roles in synaptic remodeling and neuroplasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serine proteases and regulatory molecules in ASD etiology.
- To correlate biomarker levels with ASD symptom severity and specific behaviors in children.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 44 children with ASD and 43 controls (ages 2-6).
- Behavioral assessments using CARS, ABC, and RBS-R-TV.
- Serum levels of motopsin, agrin, CAF, tPA, neuroserpin, and PAI-1 measured by ELISA.
Main Results:
- Significantly reduced serum levels of all analyzed molecules in the ASD group.
- No correlation between overall ASD severity and biomarker concentrations.
- Specific correlations found between motopsin, agrin, PAI-1 and behavioral subdomains (imitation, sensory, listening response, activity level, self-injurious behavior).
Conclusions:
- Serine proteases and modulators may contribute to ASD neurobiology.
- Domain-specific associations suggest ASD heterogeneity.
- Peripheral biomarkers could aid in identifying ASD subtypes and guiding personalized therapies.
Abstract:
This study aimed to elucidate the potential role of serine proteases and their associated regulatory molecules in the etiopathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to assess their relationship with symptom severity and specific behavioral domains in children diagnosed with ASD. A cross-sectional design was employed, including 44 children aged 2 to 6 years with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD and 43 age- and sex-matched typically developing children as controls. Behavioral assessments were conducted using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), and the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised, Turkish Version (RBS-R-TV). Serum concentrations of motopsin, agrin, C-terminal agrin fragment (CAF), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), neuroserpin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum levels of all analyzed molecules were significantly reduced in the ASD group compared to controls (p < 0.05 for all). Although no significant associations were observed between total ASD severity scores and biomarker concentrations, notable correlations emerged between specific behavioral subdomains and select biomarkers. Motopsin levels exhibited a moderate positive correlation with the "imitation" subdomain of CARS and the "sensory" subdomain of ABC. Conversely, agrin levels demonstrated moderate inverse correlations with "listening response," "taste-smell-touch response and use," and "activity level" subdomains of CARS. PAI-1 levels showed a significant negative correlation with the "self-injurious behavior" subdomain of RBS-R-TV. The findings suggest that serine proteases and their modulators implicated in synaptic remodeling and neuroplasticity may contribute to the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of ASD. The observed domain-specific associations support the hypothesis that ASD comprises heterogeneous neurodevelopmental trajectories, and that peripheral biochemical markers reflecting these pathways may aid in the identification of ASD subtypes and guide personalized therapeutic strategies.
