Increased CNTF levels in adults with autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

CNTF may be considered as a potential biomarker candidate for ASDs in the context of severe ID. Our results support the hypothesis of neurotrophic imbalance in ASDs.

A Pilot Study on Covid and Autism: Prevalence, Clinical Presentation and Vaccine Side Effects

“…Additionally, it has been hypothesized that the presence of higher levels of interferon-gamma, displayed by ASD subjects [19], could be protective against COVID-19 [20]. Furthermore, the presence of a pro-inflammatory status [21,22] in ASD could be protective against the cytokine storm which is believed to determine severe COVID-19 symptoms [23]. Our results are in line with a recent pre-print meta-analysis [24] which did not observe an increased mortality or risk for severe COVID-19 in patients with developmental disabilities.…”

Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Acts on Distinctive Hypothalamic Arcuate Neurons and Promotes Leptin Entry Into and Action on the Mouse Hypothalamus

“…CNTF is a member of the interleukin-6 cytokine family, which includes molecules that are quickly induced by a wide range of pathological stimuli and rapidly secreted into the circulation. The few available studies show that CNTF is barely detectable in the blood of healthy subjects, whereas its concentration increases in patients with conditions as diverse as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Laaksovirta et al, 2008), septic shock (Guillet et al, 1995) and autism (Brondino et al, 2018). Recently, a central CNTF-dependent tanycyte pathway has been suggested to be involved in stress-induced cortical alertness and, possibly, in the pathogenesis of post-traumatic stress disorder (Alpár et al, 2018).…”

Antidepressive Therapy Has No Effect on Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Concentration in Blood Serum of Patients with Melancholic Depression

“…influence on the affective behavior, including depression, anxiety and melancholy [3]. There is information about the investigation of CNTF concentration in the blood in healthy persons and in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, myeloma and different neurologic diseases [4]. But there are no reports in the literature regarding the circulating levels of CNTF in depression the aim of the study was to investigate CNTF levels in blood serum in patients with melancholic depression (MD) under antidepressive therapy.…”