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Increased serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in autism spectrum disorder
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by measuring serum circulating levels of BDNF as well as calcium and comparing them with age-matched and sex-matched normal controls. The study included 75 drug-naive ASD children and 75 age-sex-matched healthy children. The concentration of serum BDNF was determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method at baseline. Clinical information was collected. The severity of ASD was assessed at admission using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale total score. The results indicated that the mean serum BDNF levels were significantly (P<0.0001) higher in children with ASD compared with the control cases (17.59±5.55 vs. 11.21±2.79 ng/ml; t=8.902). On the basis of the receiver operating characteristic curve, the optimal cutoff value of serum BDNF levels as an indicator for auxiliary diagnosis of autism was projected to be 12.65 ng/ml, which yielded a sensitivity of 80.8% and a specificity of 70.2%; the area under the curve was 0.840 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.777-0.904]. In univariate logistic regression analysis, with an unadjusted odds ratio of 9.42 (95% CI, 4.33-25.95; P<0.0001), BDNF of 12.65 ng/ml or more had an association with a diagnosis of ASD. After adjusting for possible covariates, BDNF of 12.65 ng/ml or more is still an independent indicator of ASD, with an adjusted odds ratio of 7.33 (95% CI, 2.98-16.55; P<0.0001). Serum BDNF levels may be associated independently with the severity of ASD, and higher BDNF levels could be considered an independent diagnostic marker of ASD.
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When examined in older children (4 and 11 years of age), serum levels of BDNF are elevated in children with ASD versus neurotypical controls.
“However, when examined in older children (4 and 11 years of age), serum levels of BDNF are elevated in children with ASD versus neurotypical controls [ 165 , 166 ].”
From DNA methylation: a mechanism linking environmental chemical exposures to risk of autism spectrum disorders? (2016) · cites this paper as [166]
Abnormal levels of several neurotrophic factors such as NGF and BDNF have been reported in a subset of individuals with ASD.
“Abnormal levels of several neurotrophic factors such as nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) have been reported in subset of individuals with ASD [175,176].”
From Vitamin D and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review (2016) · cites this paper as [175]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Wang, M., Chen, H., Yu, T., Cui, G., Jiao, A., & Liang, H.
- Affiliations
- Yuhuangding Hospital (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Liang, Hui
- Venue
- NeuroReport
- Published
- 2015-08-05
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 638-641
- ISSN
- 0959-4965 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2193387424
- Cited by
- 37
- References
- 24
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 3.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neuroreport (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Keywords
- brain-derived neurotrophic factor, autism spectrum disorder, serum BDNF, autism diagnosis, diagnostic biomarkers, ASD severity, calcium, children
- MeSH terms
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Child, Preschool, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Female, Humans, Male, Chi-Square Distribution, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
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