Higher plasma ACTH levels in adults with Asperger syndrome.
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.
Tani
Pekka
P
Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki, Finland. pekka.tani@pp.inet.fi
Lindberg
Nina
N
Matto
Vallo
V
Appelberg
Björn
B
Nieminen-von Wendt
Taina
T
von Wendt
Lennart
L
Porkka-Heiskanen
Tarja
T
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
D015415:Biomarkers; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone