Afaf K El-Ansary1, Abir Ben Bacha2, Layla Y Al- Ayahdi3. 1. Biochemistry Department, Science College, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Autism Research and Treatment Center, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Shaik AL-Amodi Autism Research Chair, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: elansary@ksu.edu.sa. 2. Biochemistry Department, Science College, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Autism Research and Treatment Center, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Shaik AL-Amodi Autism Research Chair, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 3. Autism Research and Treatment Center, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Shaik AL-Amodi Autism Research Chair, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to clarify the relationship between blood Pb(2+) concentration as a ubiquitous environmental pollutant and plasma neurotransmitters as biochemical parameters that reflect brain function in Saudi autistic patients. METHODS: RBC's lead content together with plasma concentration of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin (5HT) and dopamine (DA) were measured in 25 Saudi autistic patients and compared to 16 age-matching control samples. RESULTS: The obtained data recorded that Saudi autistic patients have a remarkable higher levels of Pb(2+) and significantly elevated levels of GABA, 5HT and DA compared to healthy subjects. ROC analysis revealed satisfactory values of specificity and sensitivity of the measured parameters. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that postnatal lead toxicity in autistic patients of Saudi Arabia could represent a causative factor in the pathogenesis of autism. Elevated GABA, 5HT and DA were discussed in relation to the chronic lead toxicity recorded in the investigated autistic samples.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to clarify the relationship between blood Pb(2+) concentration as a ubiquitous environmental pollutant and plasma neurotransmitters as biochemical parameters that reflect brain function in Saudi autisticpatients. METHODS: RBC's lead content together with plasma concentration of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin (5HT) and dopamine (DA) were measured in 25 Saudi autisticpatients and compared to 16 age-matching control samples. RESULTS: The obtained data recorded that Saudi autisticpatients have a remarkable higher levels of Pb(2+) and significantly elevated levels of GABA, 5HT and DA compared to healthy subjects. ROC analysis revealed satisfactory values of specificity and sensitivity of the measured parameters. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that postnatal lead toxicity in autisticpatients of Saudi Arabia could represent a causative factor in the pathogenesis of autism. Elevated GABA, 5HT and DA were discussed in relation to the chronic lead toxicity recorded in the investigated autistic samples.
Authors: Mohammad H Rahbar; Maureen Samms-Vaughan; Aisha S Dickerson; Katherine A Loveland; Manouchehr Ardjomand-Hessabi; Jan Bressler; Sydonnie Shakespeare-Pellington; Megan L Grove; Eric Boerwinkle Journal: J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng Date: 2015 Impact factor: 2.269
Authors: Remmelt R Schür; Luc W R Draisma; Jannie P Wijnen; Marco P Boks; Martijn G J C Koevoets; Marian Joëls; Dennis W Klomp; René S Kahn; Christiaan H Vinkers Journal: Hum Brain Mapp Date: 2016-05-04 Impact factor: 5.038