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  • Title: Reduced serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in adult male patients with autism.
    Author: Hashimoto K, Iwata Y, Nakamura K, Tsujii M, Tsuchiya KJ, Sekine Y, Suzuki K, Minabe Y, Takei N, Iyo M, Mori N.
    Journal: Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry; 2006 Dec 30; 30(8):1529-31. PubMed ID: 16876305.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: The precise mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of autism are currently unknown. Given the key role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain development, we hypothesized that BDNF may play a role in the pathophysiology of autism. In this study, we studied whether serum levels of BDNF are altered in patients with autism. METHODS: We measured serum levels of BDNF in 18 adult male patients with autism and 18 age-matched healthy male control subjects. RESULTS: The serum levels of BDNF in patients with autism (25.6+/-2.15 ng/ml (mean+/-S.D.)) were significantly (z = -4.42, p < 0.001) lower than those of normal controls (61.6+/-10.9 ng/ml (mean+/-S.D.)). Nevertheless, we found no correlations between BDNF levels and clinical variables in autistic patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that reduced BDNF levels may play a role in the pathophysiology of autism.
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