title: Circulating levels of neurotrophic factors in autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate the levels of a neurotrophic factor and some neurotrophins in the plasma of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study enrolled 30 children with ASD and 19 healthy children. Plasma levels of the neurotrophins BDNF, NGF, NT3, NT4 and of the neurotrophic factor GDNF were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.
  
  
  METHODS
  The etiopathogenesis of ASD is largely unknown, but it seems to involve dysfunction in several biological systems. One of these systems comprises the neurotrophic factors, which are molecules involved in many processes in the central nervous system, including neuronal survival, synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Recent studies have shown association between neurotrophic factors and ASD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences in plasma BDNF, NGF, NT3, NT4 and GDNF were found between ASD and control. Neurotrophic factors are not altered in ASD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These molecules may play a minor role in ASD.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Medical Research, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: David Henrique
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Medical Research, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Natália Pessoa
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Medical Research, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Larissa Fonseca da Cunha
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Medical Research, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Izabela Guimarães
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Medical Research, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kummer
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Medical Research, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antonio Lucio
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D008875:Middle Aged; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000097:blood; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D020933:Neurotrophin 3 / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C495039:GDNF protein, human; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C502240:NGF protein, human; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D020933:Neurotrophin 3; C579455:BDNF protein, human; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; C073922:neurotrophin 4