title: Cluster analysis of autistic patients based on principal pathogenetic components.
abstract: We have recently described four principal pathogenetic components in autism: (I) circadian and sensory dysfunction, (II) immune abnormalities, (III) neurodevelopmental delay, and (IV) stereotypic behaviors. Using hierarchical and k-means clustering, the same 245 patients assessed in our principal component analysis can be partitioned into four clusters: (a) 43 (17.6%) have prominent immune abnormalities accompanied by some circadian and sensory issues; (b) 44 (18.0%) display major circadian and sensory dysfunction, with little or no immune symptoms; (c) stereotypies predominate in 75 (31.0%); and (d) 83 (33.9%) show a mixture of all four components, with greater disruptive behaviors and mental retardation. The "immune" component provides the largest contributions to phenotypic variance (P = 2.7 x 10(-45)), followed by "stereotypic behaviors." These patient clusters may likely differ in genetic and immune underpinnings, developmental trajectories, and response to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and Neurogenetics, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sacco
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lenti
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saccani
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Curatolo
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Manzi
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bravaccio
authors.forename: Antonio M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Persico
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000145:classification* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D021081:Chronobiology Disorders; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D002658:Developmental Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012678:Sensation Disorders; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior