Lowered DHEA-S plasma levels in adult individuals with autistic disorder
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine for the first time neurosteroid levels, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S) in particular, in a group of adult patients with autistic disorder and compare these levels with normal healthy individuals. Levels of DHEA, DHEA-S and cortisol were compared between 15 adult drug-free patients with autistic disorder and 13 healthy controls. The Ritvo-Freeman Real-Life Rating Scale (RLRS) and the Overt Aggression Scale (OAS) were assessed as a measure of symptom severity. Significant lower DHEA-S levels were observed in the group with autistic disorder as compared to controls (p < 0.05). DHEA-S levels appear to be low in patients with autistic disorder and, while speculative, may play a role in the etiopathophysiology of the disorder.
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Decreased neuroactive steroid levels and sterol-related abnormal levels of cortisol, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and vitamin D have been reported in ASD.
“Decreased neuroactive steroid levels [11] and sterol-related abnormal levels of cortisol, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and vitamin D have been reported in ASD [12–14].”
From Sterol and lipid analyses identifies hypolipidemia and apolipoprotein disorders in autism associated with adaptive functioning deficits (2021) · cites this paper as [11]
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- Authors
- Strous, R. D., Golubchik, P., Maayan, R., Mozes, T., Tuati-Werner, D., Weizman, A., & Spivak, B.
- Affiliations
- Tel Aviv University (IL)
- Corresponding author
- Weizman, Abraham
- Venue
- European Neuropsychopharmacology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2005-05
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 305-309
- ISSN
- 0924-977X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2086740582
- Cited by
- 59
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 3.13
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Neuropsychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, DHEA sulfate, dehydroepiandrosterone, neurosteroids, cortisol, autistic adults, symptom severity, aggression
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Autistic Disorder, Dehydroepiandrosterone, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Neurotransmitter Agents, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
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