title: Reduced serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in adult male patients with autism.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba 260-8670, Japan. hashimoto@faculty.chiba-u.jp
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.forename: Yasuhide
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Iwata
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Masatsugu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsujii
authors.forename: Kenji J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Tsuchiya
authors.forename: Yoshimoto
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sekine
authors.forename: Katsuaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Yoshio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Minabe
authors.forename: Nori
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takei
authors.forename: Masaomi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iyo
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mori
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor