title: Lowered DHEA-S plasma levels in adult individuals with autistic disorder.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine for the first time neurosteroid levels, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S) in particular, in a group of adult patients with autistic disorder and compare these levels with normal healthy individuals. Levels of DHEA, DHEA-S and cortisol were compared between 15 adult drug-free patients with autistic disorder and 13 healthy controls. The Ritvo-Freeman Real-Life Rating Scale (RLRS) and the Overt Aggression Scale (OAS) were assessed as a measure of symptom severity. Significant lower DHEA-S levels were observed in the group with autistic disorder as compared to controls (p < 0.05). DHEA-S levels appear to be low in patients with autistic disorder and, while speculative, may play a role in the etiopathophysiology of the disorder.
authors.affiliation: Beer Yaakov Mental Health Center, Beer Yaakov, Israel.
authors.forename: Rael D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Strous
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Golubchik
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maayan
authors.forename: Tamar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mozes
authors.forename: Dafna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tuati-Werner
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weizman
authors.forename: Baruch
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Spivak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000097:blood; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D006854:Hydrocortisone