title: The possible link between the elevated serum levels of neurokinin A and anti-ribosomal P protein antibodies in children with autism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neurogenic inflammation is orchestrated by a large number of neuropeptides. Tachykinins (substance P, neurokinin A and neurokinin B) are pro-inflammatory neuropeptides that may play an important role in some autoimmune neuroinflammatory diseases. Autoimmunity may have a role in the pathogenesis of autism in some patients. We are the first to measure serum neurokinin A levels in autistic children. The relationship between serum levels of neurokinin A and anti-ribosomal P protein antibodies was also studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum neurokinin A and anti-ribosomal P protein antibodies were measured in 70 autistic children in comparison to 48 healthy-matched children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Autistic children had significantly higher serum neurokinin A levels than healthy controls (P < 0.001). Children with severe autism had significantly higher serum neurokinin A levels than patients with mild to moderate autism (P < 0.001). Increased serum levels of neurokinin A and anti-ribosomal P protein antibodies were found in 57.1% and 44.3%, respectively of autistic children. There was significant positive correlations between serum levels of neurokinin A and anti-ribosomal P protein antibodies (P = 0.004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum neurokinin A levels were elevated in some autistic children and they were significantly correlated to the severity of autism and to serum levels of anti-ribosomal P protein antibodies. However, this is an initial report that warrants further research to determine the pathogenic role of neurokinin A and its possible link to autoimmunity in autism. The therapeutic role of tachykinin receptor antagonists, a potential new class of anti-inflammatory medications, should also be studied in autism.
authors.affiliation: Autism Research and Treatment Center, AL-Amodi Autism Research Chair, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. hafezg@softhome.net
authors.forename: Gehan A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Mostafa
authors.forename: Laila Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Al-Ayadhi
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015288:Neurokinin A / Q000097:blood*; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D012529:Saudi Arabia
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins; C054675:ribosomal protein P0; D015288:Neurokinin A