title: Role of endocrine factors in autistic spectrum disorders.
abstract: It is possible that autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have a multifactorial cause along with more than one predisposing and perpetuating factor, all of which culminate in expression of these disorders. Endocrine and neuropeptide factors are among the list of possible etiologic or predisposing contenders. The search for an endocrine model to explain the etiopathogenesis of ASD is a new endeavor. In this article, the authors look at some of the emerging literature that is available regarding any possible relationship between the endocrine hormones and factors and whether it can possibly be etiologic or merely coincidental with autism and ASDs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, MI, USA. tareen@kcms.msu.edu
authors.forename: Ruqiya Shama
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tareen
authors.forename: Manmohan K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kamboj
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D006728:Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides