Decreased levels of serum fibroblast growth factor-2 in children with autism spectrum disorder. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Esnafoglu, Erman; Ayyıldız, Sema Nur
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 257(2017)
• Page Start: 79
• Page End: 83
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Autism spectrum disorder -- Etiopathogenesis -- Fibroblast growth factor-2 -- Basic fibroblast growth factor -- Cortex development; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.07.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract: The neurodevelopment and functioning of the central nervous system, and especially the cerebral cortex, have basic importance to understand neuropsychiatric disorders like autism. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) plays a very important role in the development and functioning of the cortex. FGF-2 is related to developmental processes in the central nervous system such as neurogenesis, migration, differentiation and survival. This study researched the serum FGF-2 levels in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With this aim, 60 ASD children and 40 healthy controls were compared. We applied a sociodemographic form and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) to each subject with their family to assess the severity of autism. Additionally, all subjects had routine laboratory tests performed. Serum samples were studied with ELISA. The results found that serum FGF-2 levels were statistically significantly low in the patient group compared to the healthy control group (p value 0.003). Additionally there was a statistically significant negative correlation identified between serum FGF-2 levels and CARS score for all subjects (r = −0.300; p = 0.02). In conclusion, FGF-2 may contribute to the etiopathogenesis of ASD. Highlights: FGF-2 plays an important role in the developmental processes in the central nervous system. In ASD patients serum FGF-2 levels were lower than levels in healthy control group. There was a negative correlation between CARS score and FGF-2 levels in all subjects. FGF-2 system may contribute to ASD etiopathogenesis.