title: Higher plasma ACTH levels in adults with Asperger syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this preliminary study was to characterize the levels of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol in adult patients with Asperger syndrome (AS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty medication-free individuals with high-functioning AS were recruited from a clinic specialized in autism spectrum disorders. Ten age-matched healthy persons (hospital staff or students) with no neuropsychiatric disorders served as controls. Blood samples for the assessment were collected at 8:00 a.m.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients with AS had significantly higher plasma-ACTH values than did the healthy controls. Plasma-cortisol levels were similar in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased plasma-ACTH levels are associated with AS. Future studies are needed to clarify whether this finding is a biological consequence of chronic anxiety and elevated stress, or a sign of facilitated response to an acute novel stressor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki, Finland. pekka.tani@pp.inet.fi
authors.forename: Pekka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tani
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lindberg
authors.forename: Vallo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Matto
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Appelberg
authors.forename: Taina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nieminen-von Wendt
authors.forename: Lennart
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: von Wendt
authors.forename: Tarja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Porkka-Heiskanen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D013315:Stress, Psychological
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone