title: Lower cortisol and higher ACTH levels in individuals with autism.
abstract: Blood concentrations of pituitary hormones adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), prolactin, growth hormone, and adrenal hormone-cortisol were measured in 36 autistic and 27 control individuals. Individuals with autism had significantly lower serum concentrations of cortisol (p < 10(-6)), and significantly higher concentrations of ACTH (p = 0.002) than control age- and sex-matched subjects. Also, prolactin concentrations in autistic patients with epilepsy were significantly higher when compared with normal subjects. The observed hormonal changes may indicate dysfunction of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in individuals with autism.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia.
authors.forename: Jasna Marinović
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Curin
authors.forename: Janos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Terzić
authors.forename: Zorana Bujas
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Petković
authors.forename: Ljubinka
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zekan
authors.forename: Ivana Marinović
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Terzić
authors.forename: Ivana Marasović
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Susnjara
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007360:Intelligence / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D006854:Hydrocortisone