Specificity of gut microbiota in children with autism spectrum disorder in Slovakia and its correlation with astrocytes activity marker and specific behavioural patterns.

Recent research suggests the involvement of bidirectional gut-brain axis in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of this study was to establish the role of changed gut microbiota in behavioural and gastrointestinal manifestations, but also in astrocyte activation in children with ASD. Distinct faecal microbiota in children with ASD was found to be more heterogeneous compared to that in neurotypical children. Different bacterial abundance and correlation with behavioural and GI manifestations revealed several bacterial genera possibly important for ASD. Microbial-neuronal cross talk could be accomplished through S100B, released by glial cells, activated by low grade inflammation. More complex studies are required to understand ASD pathogenesis.

Erythrocyte deformability in children with autism spectrum disorder: correlation with clinical features.

Biomechanical properties of erythrocytes play an important role in health and disease. Deformability represents intrinsic property of erythrocytes to undergo deformation that is crucial for their passage through the narrow capillaries. The erythrocyte damage can lead to compromised tissue perfusion and consequently play a role in the pathogenesis of various diseases including neurological ones. Data available in databases indicate that erythrocytes in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are altered. This may affect the clinical symptoms of ASD. The aim of our study was to determine erythrocyte deformability in 54 children with ASD and correlate it with clinical symptoms. We found significant negative correlation between erythrocyte deformability and score in C domain of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) diagnostic tool describing the measure of restrictive, repetitive, and stereotyped behaviors and interests, mainly observable in C1 and C2, but not in C3 and C4 subdomains. This supports the findings of other authors and suggest that behavioral domain C comprises of more subcategories with different underlying etiology. Our results also indicate that abnormalities in erythrocyte deformability may be involved in ASD pathomechanisms and contribute to its clinical manifestation. Further research is necessary to bring more data and identify erythrocyte deformability as prognostic biomarker in ASD.

Plasma levels of glial cell marker S100B in children with autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with increasing incidence. Recent evidences suggest glial cells involvement in autism pathophysiology. S100B is a calcium binding protein, mainly found in astrocytes and therefore used as a marker of their activity. In our study, children with autism had higher plasma concentrations of S100B compared to non-autistic controls. No association of S100B plasma levels with behavioral symptoms (ADI-R and ADOS-2 scales) was found. Plasma S100B concentration significantly correlated with urine serotonin, suggesting their interconnection. Correlation of plasma S100B levels with stool calprotectin concentrations was found, suggesting not only brain astrocytes, but also enteric glial cells may take part in autism pathogenesis. Based on our findings, S100B seems to have a potential to be used as a biomarker of human neurodevelopmental disorders, but more investigations are needed to clarify its exact role in pathomechanism of autism.

Fecal calprotectin levels correlate with main domains of the autism diagnostic interview-revised (ADI-R) in a sample of individuals with autism spectrum disorders from Slovakia.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, as well as repetitive behavior and restricted interests. There is convincing evidence that the intestinal inflammation is involved in etiology of ASD. Increased levels of inflammatory markers were shown to be associated with more aberrant behaviors and communication of subjects with ASD. Calprotectin in the feces is produced by activated neutrophils and epithelial cells of the gut mucosa, and its levels reflect local inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Concentration of fecal calprotectin was determined by ELISA method in 87 individuals with ASD and 51 controls, of that 29 siblings of children with ASD and 22 non-related controls. In non-relatives significantly lower values of fecal calprotectin were observed than in both subjects with ASD and their siblings. In the group with ASD significant correlations of fecal calprotectin with all domains of the ADI-R diagnostic tool were found: qualitative abnormalities in reciprocal social interaction and communication, restrictive and repetitive patterns of behavior. Results suggest that low grade intestinal inflammation may be one of factors implicated in the pathophysiology of ASD.

Testosterone in relation to behavioral problems in pre-pubertal boys with autism spectrum disorders.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by impairment in social communication and presence of stereotyped/restricted behaviors. Children with ASD very often demonstrate co-morbid psychiatric problems, problems known to be affected by testosterone in neurotypical populations. However, there are few reports investigating relationships between testosterone and psychiatric conditions in children with ASD. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between plasmatic levels of testosterone and behavioral/emotional problems in pre-pubertal boys with ASD. The study sample consisted of 31 pre-pubertal boys (ages 3-10) with ASD. Parents completed the Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form (NCBRF) to assess specific behavioral/emotional problems as observed in the previous 2 months. Plasmatic testosterone levels were determined in boys according to standardized procedures. It was found that there were positive correlations between testosterone levels and the conduct problems subscale (p=0.034, rs=0.382) of NCBRF and also between testosterone levels and the hyperactive subscale (p=0.025, rs=0.402) of NCBRF. Findings in this study are in line with research conducted in the neurotypical population. This is the first large study investigating testosterone and emotional/behavioral problems in ASD and warrants further research in this field in order to clarify the etiopathogenesis of psychiatric co-morbidities and improve their treatment.