Increased sAPPα Levels in Severe Autism
Author Information
Author(s): Ray Balmiki, Long Justin M., Sokol Deborah K., Lahiri Debomoy K.
Primary Institution: Indiana University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Are levels of sAPPα and sAPPβ altered in autism and do they contribute to brain overgrowth?
Conclusion
The study found that sAPPα levels are increased and BDNF levels decreased in the plasma of patients with severe autism compared to controls.
Supporting Evidence
- sAPPα levels were significantly elevated in severely autistic patients compared to controls.
- BDNF levels were significantly decreased in severely autistic patients compared to controls.
- Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 levels were significantly decreased in severely autistic patients compared to controls.
- The findings suggest a preference for non-amyloidogenic processing of APP in severe autism.
Takeaway
Kids with severe autism have more of a certain protein called sAPPα in their blood, which might be linked to their brain growing too much.
Methodology
Plasma levels of sAPPα, sAPPβ, Aβ peptides, and BDNF were measured using ELISA in a cohort of patients with severe autism, mild-to-moderate autism, and controls.
Limitations
The study had a low number of mild-to-moderate autism patients, which may reduce the power to detect differences.
Participant Demographics
The study included 39 patients, 34 males, with ages ranging from 2.7 to 18.3 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.032
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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