Abstract
The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 47 children and adolescents with autism was analyzed for the contents of two astroglial proteins, the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFA) and S 100. The results were contrasted with those obtained in similarly aged cases with other neuropsychiatric disorders (n = 25) and in normal children (n = 10). S-100 did not discriminate the groups from each other. However, GFA in autism and autistic-like conditions was at a level almost three times that in the normal group. The results could implicate gliosis and unspecific brain damage in autism. An alternative model would be increased synapse turnover regardless of underlying cause.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Autistic Disorder / cerebrospinal fluid*
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Autistic Disorder / diagnosis
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Autistic Disorder / psychology
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Basal Ganglia Diseases / cerebrospinal fluid
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Basal Ganglia Diseases / diagnosis
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Basal Ganglia Diseases / psychology
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Brain Damage, Chronic / cerebrospinal fluid*
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Brain Damage, Chronic / diagnosis
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Brain Damage, Chronic / psychology
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Child
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Child, Preschool
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Female
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / cerebrospinal fluid*
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Humans
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Infant
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Language Development Disorders / cerebrospinal fluid
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Language Development Disorders / diagnosis
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Language Development Disorders / psychology
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Male
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Neurocognitive Disorders / cerebrospinal fluid*
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Neurocognitive Disorders / diagnosis
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Neurocognitive Disorders / psychology
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Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / cerebrospinal fluid
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Reference Values
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Rett Syndrome / cerebrospinal fluid
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Rett Syndrome / diagnosis
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Rett Syndrome / psychology
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S100 Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid
Substances
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
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S100 Proteins
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Phosphopyruvate Hydratase