Reduced serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in adult male patients with autism.
BACKGROUND
The precise mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of autism are currently unknown. Given the key role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain development, we hypothesized that BDNF may play a role in the pathophysiology of autism. In this study, we studied whether serum levels of BDNF are altered in patients with autism.


METHODS
We measured serum levels of BDNF in 18 adult male patients with autism and 18 age-matched healthy male control subjects.


RESULTS
The serum levels of BDNF in patients with autism (25.6+/-2.15 ng/ml (mean+/-S.D.)) were significantly (z = -4.42, p < 0.001) lower than those of normal controls (61.6+/-10.9 ng/ml (mean+/-S.D.)). Nevertheless, we found no correlations between BDNF levels and clinical variables in autistic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that reduced BDNF levels may play a role in the pathophysiology of autism.
Hashimoto
Kenji
K
Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba 260-8670, Japan. hashimoto@faculty.chiba-u.jp
Iwata
Yasuhide
Y
Nakamura
Kazuhiko
K
Tsujii
Masatsugu
M
Tsuchiya
Kenji J
KJ
Sekine
Yoshimoto
Y
Suzuki
Katsuaki
K
Minabe
Yoshio
Y
Takei
Nori
N
Iyo
Masaomi
M
Mori
Norio
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor