Laila Y Al-Ayadhi1,2, Hanan Y Qasem3, Hend Ali M Alghamdi4, Nadra E Elamin3. 1. Autism Research and Treatment Center, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, lyayadhi@ksu.edu.sa. 2. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, lyayadhi@ksu.edu.sa. 3. Autism Research and Treatment Center, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 4. College of Dentistry, Princess Noura University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: In this study, we compared plasma levels of neuroligin 4 (NLGN4) in children with autism versus matched healthy controls to examine a possible correlation between plasma NLGN4 and degree of autism severity as well as social impairment in autistic patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 88 autistic patients aged 3-12 years and 33 age- and sex-matched controls aged 3-9 years were recruited. Plasma levels of NLGN4 were determined using a commercial enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) were used to assess cognitive dysfunction and social impairment in autistic patients. RESULTS: Plasma levels of NLGN4 were significantly higher (p = 0.001) in autistic children than in healthy controls. Despite alterations in the levels of NLGN4 in the subgroups of the autistic children, no correlation between plasma concentration of NLGN4 and cognitive problems or social impairment was observed (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased plasma concentrations of NLGN4 may play a role in the pathogenesis of autism, and it could be a valuable biomarker for autism. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to validate this finding and also to explore the potential links between NLGN4 and the features of autism.
OBJECTIVES: In this study, we compared plasma levels of neuroligin 4 (NLGN4) in children with autism versus matched healthy controls to examine a possible correlation between plasma NLGN4 and degree of autism severity as well as social impairment in autisticpatients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 88 autisticpatients aged 3-12 years and 33 age- and sex-matched controls aged 3-9 years were recruited. Plasma levels of NLGN4 were determined using a commercial enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) were used to assess cognitive dysfunction and social impairment in autisticpatients. RESULTS: Plasma levels of NLGN4 were significantly higher (p = 0.001) in autisticchildren than in healthy controls. Despite alterations in the levels of NLGN4 in the subgroups of the autisticchildren, no correlation between plasma concentration of NLGN4 and cognitive problems or social impairment was observed (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased plasma concentrations of NLGN4 may play a role in the pathogenesis of autism, and it could be a valuable biomarker for autism. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to validate this finding and also to explore the potential links between NLGN4 and the features of autism.
Authors: Geir Bjorklund; Khaled Saad; Salvatore Chirumbolo; Janet K Kern; David A Geier; Mark R Geier; Mauricio A Urbina Journal: Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) Date: 2016 Impact factor: 1.579
Authors: John N Constantino; Sandra A Davis; Richard D Todd; Matthew K Schindler; Maggie M Gross; Susan L Brophy; Lisa M Metzger; Christiana S Shoushtari; Reagan Splinter; Wendy Reich Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2003-08
Authors: Michael A Bemben; Thien A Nguyen; Yan Li; Tongguang Wang; Roger A Nicoll; Katherine W Roche Journal: Mol Psychiatry Date: 2018-09-21 Impact factor: 15.992