title: Beta-endorphin and cholecystokinin 8 concentrations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of autistic children.
abstract: beta-Endorphin (beta-EP) and cholecystokinin 8 (CCK-8) concentrations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were measured in 12 drug-free autistic (AU) children, in 10 drug-free children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) and in 11 healthy controls. The aim of the study was to see whether or not there was an alteration of beta-EP and CCK-8 concentrations in this peripheral compartment, in which it has been suggested that secretion and regulation of the two peptides mimic those of neurons in the central nervous system. Mean beta-EP values were significantly higher in AU than in PDD and control children, while there were no differences in CCK-8 values of the three groups.
authors.affiliation: Ospedale Psichiatrico Pini, Milano, Italia.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brambilla
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guareschi-Cazzullo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tacchini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Musetti
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Panerai
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sacerdote
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D012844:Sincalide / Q000097:blood*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001615:beta-Endorphin; D012844:Sincalide