Objective: The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate whether neuronal, axonal, and glial cell markers (Neuron-specific enolase [NSE], tau, serum 100 beta protein [S100B], respectively) and apoptosis markers (active caspase 3, M30, M65) and whether these parameters can be used as diagnostic biomarkers in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Methods: This study measured the serum S100B, NSE, tau, active caspase 3, M30, and M65 levels in 43 patients with ASD (aged 3−12 years) and in 41 age-and sex-matched healthy controls. ASD severity was rated using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. The serum levels were determined in the biochemistry laboratory using the ELISA technique. The receiver operator characteristics curve method was employed to evaluate the accuracy of the parameters in diagnosing ASD. Results: Serum S100B, tau, NSE, active caspase-3, M30, and M65 levels were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (p ＜ 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.002, p = 0.005, p ＜ 0.001, and p = 0.004, respectively). The cutoff value of S100B was 48.085 pg/ml (sensitivity: 74.4%, specificity: 80.5%, areas under the curve: 0.879, p ＜ 0.001). Conclusion: Apoptosis increased in children with ASD, and neuronal, axonal, and glial cell injury was observed. In addition, S100B may be an important diagnostic biomarker in patients with ASD. Apoptosis, and neuronal, axonal and astrocyte pathologies may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of ASD, and further studies are now required to confirm this.

While there have been several reports concerning the treatment of inappropriate sexual behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there have been no reports concerning treatment of childhood masturbation in subjects with ASD aged <3 years. We describe a 30-month-old girl referred to our department due to language delay, behavioral problems, and lower-limb contractions. She was diagnosed with ASD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Edition) criteria and with early childhood masturbation according to the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. Escitalopram was added to treatment when behavioral methods proved insufficient to resolve the masturbatory behavior and due to the patient's young age. The masturbatory behavior resolved entirely 3 weeks after the start of escitalopram treatment. We wish to report the first case of masturbation under the age of 3 successfully treated with escitalopram.

No abstract

Schizophrenia is characterized by an adverse clinical course and poor psychosocial functioning, and causes problems in the social-cognitive sphere. Clozapine is a potent antipsychotic agent used in the treatment of psychotic disorders when other antipsychotic agents failed. It is seen that clozapine causes more seizures at therapeutic doses when compared to standard antipsychotic agents. Various mechanisms have been proposed for seizure onset. Clozapine can induce epileptogenic activity by inhibiting D4 receptors in mesolimbic system and cortex. Clozapine does not only exert its effects on H1 and Ach-Mus receptors but also on several receptors such as gamma-aminobutyric acid A, nicotinic acetylcholine, glutamate, and N-methyl-D-aspartate. Here, we discussed a woman with schizophrenia in whom atonic seizure was developed during clozapine treatment and treated successfully by valproic acid/ sodium valproate. Atonic seizures should be considered in patients who have drop attacks during clozapine therapy and atonic seizures should be treated by using an anticonvulsant agent such as valproic acid/sodium valproate when it is inappropriate to reduce clozapine dose.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder. Risperidone appears to be effective in associated behavioral problems with ASD. Alopecia can be drug-induced and has been associated with several psychotropic drugs. Antipsychotics would seem to act by triggering a premature telogen or resting phase, resulting in hair loss. Here, we report a female patient ASD developing alopecia following risperidone use. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of alopecia induced by risperidone during treatment of self-injurious behaviours in a child female patient with ASD.