title: The role of cholesterol metabolism and various steroid abnormalities in autism spectrum disorders: A hypothesis paper.
abstract: Based on evidence from the relevant research literature, we present a hypothesis that there may be a link between cholesterol, vitamin D, and steroid hormones which subsequently impacts on the development of at least some of the "autisms" [Coleman & Gillberg]. Our hypothesis, driven by the peer reviewed literature, posits that there may be links between cholesterol metabolism, which we will refer to as "steroid metabolism" and findings of steroid abnormalities of various kinds (cortisol, testosterone, estrogens, progesterone, vitamin D) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Further research investigating these potential links is warranted to further our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying ASD. Autism Res 2017. © 2017 The Authors Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Autism Research. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1022-1044. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gillberg
authors.affiliation: Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fernell
authors.affiliation: Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.|Barts and London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, Blizard Institute, 58 Turner Street, E1 2AB, London.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kočovská
authors.affiliation: Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.|Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, RHSC Yorkhill, Glasgow, Scotland, G3 8SJ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Minnis
authors.affiliation: Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris, France.|CNRS UMR 3571: Genes, Synapses and Cognition, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.|Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Paris, France.|FondaMental Foundation, Créteil, France.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bourgeron
authors.affiliation: Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.|Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, RHSC Yorkhill, Glasgow, Scotland, G3 8SJ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.|School of Health Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester, England.|Honorary Research Fellow in the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences affiliated to the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow.
authors.forename: Clare S
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7640-9505
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Allely
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D006728:Hormones; D014807:Vitamin D; D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D002784:Cholesterol; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: autism; cholesterol; cortisol; estrogens; steroid hormones; testosterone; vitamin D