The Neurochemistry of Autism

Marotta, Rosa; Risoleo, Maria Cristina; Messina, Antonietta; Parisi, Lucia; Carotenuto, Marco; Vetri, Luigi; Roccella, Michele

doi:10.3390/brainsci10030163

Cited by 203 publications

(166 citation statements)

References 161 publications

(158 reference statements)

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“…In humans, in addition to the study on social behavior, oxytocin has been linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) [17] and its potential treatment [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Stroking on Salivary Oxytocin and Cortisol in Guide Dogs: Preliminary Results

Ogi

Mariti

Baragli

et al. 2020

Animals

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This pilot study aimed at investigating how salivary oxytocin levels are affected by human interaction and isolation in eight guide dogs (six Labrador retrievers and two golden retrievers; four males and four females, 21.87 ± 1.36 months old) just before assignment to the blind person. Each dog engaged, at one-week intervals, in a positive (5 min of affiliative interaction with their trainer) and a negative (5 min of isolation) condition. Saliva samples used for Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) quantification of salivary oxytocin were collected before and immediately after both experimental conditions. In order to assess potential hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis activation that could have affected oxytocin levels, saliva samples were collected 15 min after both experimental conditions for EIA quantification of salivary cortisol and a behavioral assessment was performed during the negative condition. The results were compared using the Wilcoxon test (p < 0.05). Oxytocin concentrations showed a statistically significant increase after the positive interaction (p = 0.036) and no difference after the negative one (p = 0.779). Moreover, no difference (p = 0.263) was found between the cortisol concentrations after each experimental condition and no signs of distress were observed during the isolation phase. These preliminary findings support the hypothesis that stroking dogs has positive effects on their emotional state independently of hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis activation.

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“…In humans, in addition to the study on social behavior, oxytocin has been linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) [17] and its potential treatment [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Stroking on Salivary Oxytocin and Cortisol in Guide Dogs: Preliminary Results

Ogi

Mariti

Baragli

et al. 2020

Animals

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“…The reason of a so strong association between ASD, epilepsy, and electroencephalographic (EEG) anomalies can probably be found in common neuroanatomical and neurochemical events leading to a disrupted excitatory/inhibitory balance [ 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electroencephalographic Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Characteristics and Therapeutic Implications

et al. 2020

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A large body of literature reports the higher prevalence of epilepsy in subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to the general population. Similarly, several studies report an increased rate of Subclinical Electroencephalographic Abnormalities (SEAs) in seizure-free patients with ASD rather than healthy controls, although with varying percentages. SEAs include both several epileptiform discharges and different non-epileptiform electroencephalographic abnormalities. They are more frequently associated with lower intellectual functioning, more serious dysfunctional behaviors, and they are often sign of severer forms of autism. However, SEAs clinical implications remain controversial, and they could represent an epiphenomenon of the neurochemical alterations of autism etiology. This paper provides an overview of the major research findings with two main purposes: to better delineate the state-of-the-art about EEG abnormalities in ASD and to find evidence for or against appropriateness of SEAs pharmacological treatment in ASD.

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“…Accordingly, GABAergic activity in children with ASD has been reported to be lower (Gaetz et al, 2014). Another neuropeptide thought to be associated with ASD is serotonin, as many studies have demonstrated low serotonin levels in these patients (Marotta et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exenatide, a GLP‐1 analog, has healing effects on LPS‐induced autism model: Inflammation, oxidative stress, gliosis, cerebral GABA, and serotonin interactions

Solmaz

Tekatas²,

Erdoğan

et al. 2020

Intl J of Devlp Neuroscience

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Previous studies have established anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects of Exenatide in the central nervous system. Since these mechanisms are thought to have important roles in the pathophysiology of autism, we hypothesized that Exenatide may have healing effects in autism. We tested this hypothesis by examining the effects of Exenatide in an experimental autism model created by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure in the womb, with behavioral tests, histopathological examinations, and biochemical measurements. The autism model was created by administration of LPS (i.p) to pregnant rats on the 10th day of their pregnancy at a dose of 100 µg/kg. On postnatal 21st day, a total of four groups were formed from offspring with regard to sex distribution and treatment. After a 45‐day treatment, behavioral analysis tests were performed on rats. Subsequently, the rats were sacrificed and biochemical analysis [superoxide dismutase, tumor necrotizing factor alpha, nerve growth factor, 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and glutamic acid decarboxylase‐67] and histopathological analysis were performed. On the 10th day of the intrauterine period, LPS exposure was found to disrupt behavioral findings, increase inflammation and hippocampal gliosis, and decrease 5‐HIAA, GAD‐67, and NGF, especially in male rats. However, among the rats exposed to LPS in the intrauterine period, recipients of Exenatide demonstrated significant amelioration of findings. Exenatide therapy shows positive effects on behavioral disorders in an LPS‐induced autism model. This agent probably exerts its effects by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress and reducing hippocampal gliosis. In addition, Exenatide has also been shown to positively affect cerebral serotonergic and GABAergic effects.

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The Neurochemistry of Autism

Cited by 203 publications

References 161 publications

Effects of Stroking on Salivary Oxytocin and Cortisol in Guide Dogs: Preliminary Results

Effects of Stroking on Salivary Oxytocin and Cortisol in Guide Dogs: Preliminary Results

Electroencephalographic Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Characteristics and Therapeutic Implications

Exenatide, a GLP‐1 analog, has healing effects on LPS‐induced autism model: Inflammation, oxidative stress, gliosis, cerebral GABA, and serotonin interactions

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