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Molecular Autism
Published in: Molecular Autism 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Short report

Investigation of the serum levels of anterior pituitary hormones in male children with autism

Authors: Keiko Iwata, Hideo Matsuzaki, Taishi Miyachi, Chie Shimmura, Shiro Suda, Kenji J Tsuchiya, Kaori Matsumoto, Katsuaki Suzuki, Yasuhide Iwata, Kazuhiko Nakamura, Masatsugu Tsujii, Toshirou Sugiyama, Kohji Sato, Norio Mori

Published in: Molecular Autism | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Background

The neurobiological basis of autism remains poorly understood. The diagnosis of autism is based solely on behavioural characteristics because there are currently no reliable biological markers. To test whether the anterior pituitary hormones and cortisol could be useful as biological markers for autism, we assessed the basal serum levels of these hormones in subjects with autism and normal controls.

Findings

Using a suspension array system, we determined the serum levels of six anterior pituitary hormones, including adrenocorticotropic hormone and growth hormone, in 32 drug-naive subjects (aged 6 to 18 years, all boys) with autism, and 34 healthy controls matched for age and gender. We also determined cortisol levels in these subjects by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone, growth hormone and cortisol were significantly higher in subjects with autism than in controls. In addition, there was a significantly positive correlation between cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels in autism.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that increased basal serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone accompanied by increased cortisol and growth hormone may be useful biological markers for autism.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Investigation of the serum levels of anterior pituitary hormones in male children with autism
Authors
Keiko Iwata
Hideo Matsuzaki
Taishi Miyachi
Chie Shimmura
Shiro Suda
Kenji J Tsuchiya
Kaori Matsumoto
Katsuaki Suzuki
Yasuhide Iwata
Kazuhiko Nakamura
Masatsugu Tsujii
Toshirou Sugiyama
Kohji Sato
Norio Mori
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Molecular Autism / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 2040-2392
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/2040-2392-2-16

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