ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the correlation of Sonic Hedgehog [SHH], Indian Hedgehog [IHH], and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor [BDNF] in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder [ASD]
Study Design: An observational, comparative study
Place and Duration of Study: Autism Research and Treatment Center, Al-Amodi Autism Research Chair, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from October 2011 to May 2012
Methodology: Serum levels of SHH, IHH and BDNF were determined in recently diagnosed autistic patients and agematched healthy children [n=25], using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay [ELISA]. Childhood Autism Rating Scale [CARS] was used for the assessment of autistic severity. Spearman correlation co-efficient 'r' was determined
Results: The serum levels of IHH and SHH were significantly higher in autistic subjects than those of control subjects. There was significant correlation between age and IHH [r = 0.176, p = 0.03], BDNF and severe IHH [r = 0.1763, p = 0.003], and severe BDNF and severe SHH [r = 0.143, p < 0.001]. However, there were no significant relationships among the serum levels of SHH, IHH and BDNF and the CARS score, age or gender
Conclusion: The findings support a correlation between SHH, IHH and BDNF in autistic children, suggesting their pathological role in autism