Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in childhood

Increased serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in autism spectrum disorder

“…However, Mansour et al [15] showed no correlation between BDNF and severity of autistic features (assessed by CARS). Consistent with our findings, one study reported that BDNF serum level was significantly higher in mildly autistic children compared with age-matched and sexmatched control participants [4] and Bryn et al [8] found that patients with ASD were characterized by moderately but significantly elevated plasma levels of BDNF compared with matched controls. Interestingly, Mansour et al [15] showed that there was no statistically significant difference between patients and control groups in BDNF concentration values (P > 0.05) and Hashimoto et al [11] found that the serum levels of BDNF in patients with autism were significantly (Z = − 4.42, P <0.001) lower than those of normal controls.…”

“…Brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophin family of survival-promoting molecules, plays a vital role in the growth, development, maintenance, and function of several neuronal systems [6]. Over the years, research findings have suggested a critical role played by BDNF in the development of autism including increased serum concentrations of BDNF in children with autism and identification of different forms of BDNF in families of autistic individuals [7,8]. However, there have been considerable controversies in relation to the study of the relationship between BDNF and autism.…”

Serum Tryptophan, Tryptophan Catabolites and Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in Subgroups of Youngsters with Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…They do not, however, discuss the possibility that the differences in findings among studies may be due to different subdiagnoses among the included ASD children. Previously, we have stressed the importance of such differentiation, as we found differences in several biomarkers in ASD subtypes (19,20). Subgrouping of ASD patients showed increased BDNF levels in some ASD subgroups, including childhood autism (20).…”

Autistic traits and neuropsychological performance in 6- to-10-year-old children: a population-based study

“…BDNF is involved in activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and there have been a number of studies linking BDNF with ASD (Armeanu, Mokkonen, & Crespi, 2017;Bryn et al, 2015;Kasarpalkar, Kothari, & Dave, 2014;Saghazadeh & Rezaei, 2017;Wang et al, 2015). Within the context of a genetic predisposition for ASD, coupled with environmental factors that result in over excitation of neurons, BDNF levels increase dramatically, resulting in the presence of a fatty coating around the neurons and megalencephaly (Merzenich, Van Vleet, Nahum, 2014).…”