Increased serum levels of glutamate in adult patients with autism.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Precise mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of autism are currently unknown. Given the major role of glutamate in brain development, we have hypothesized that glutamatergic neurotransmission plays a role in the pathophysiology of autism. In this study, we studied whether amino acids (glutamate, glutamine, glycine, D-serine, and L-serine) related to glutamatergic neurotransmission are altered in serum of adult patients with autism.

METHODS:

We measured serum levels of amino acids in 18 male adult patients with autism and age-matched 19 male healthy subjects using high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS:

Serum levels (mean = 89.2 microM, S.D. = 21.5) of glutamate in the patients with autism were significantly (t = -4.48, df = 35, p < 0.001) higher than those (mean = 61.1 microM, S.D. = 16.5) of normal controls. In contrast, serum levels of other amino acids (glutamine, glycine, d-serine, l-serine) in the patients with autism did not differ from those of normal controls. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.523, p = 0.026) between serum glutamate levels and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) social scores in patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

The present study suggests that an abnormality in glutamatergic neurotransmission may play a role in the pathophysiology of autism.

• Authors: Atsuko Shinohe, Kenji Hashimoto, Kazuhiko Nakamura, Masatsugu Tsujii, Yasuhide Iwata, Kenji J Tsuchiya, Yoshimoto Sekine, Shiro Suda, Katsuaki Suzuki, Gen-Ichi Sugihara, Hideo Matsuzaki, Yoshio Minabe, Toshiro Sugiyama, Masayoshi Kawai, Masaomi Iyo, Nori Takei, Norio Mori
• Journal: Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry (Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry) Vol. 30 Issue 8 Pg. 1472-7 (Dec 30 2006) ISSN: 0278-5846 [Print] England
• PMID: 16863675 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Glutamic Acid

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Autistic Disorder (blood, diagnosis, psychology)
• Glutamic Acid (blood)
• Humans
• Male
• Medical History Taking
• Psychological Tests
• Reference Values