Steroid Metabolites Support Evidence of Autism as a Spectrum
<i>Objectives</i>: It is common nowadays to refer to autism as a spectrum. Increased evidence of the involvement of steroid metabolites has been shown by the presence of stronger alterations in Kanner’s syndrome compared with Asperger syndrome. <i>Methods</i>: 24 h...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-05-01
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| Series: | Behavioral Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/9/5/52 |
| _version_ | 1818129111085744128 |
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| author | Benedikt Andreas Gasser Johann Kurz Bernhard Dick Markus Georg Mohaupt |
| author_facet | Benedikt Andreas Gasser Johann Kurz Bernhard Dick Markus Georg Mohaupt |
| author_sort | Benedikt Andreas Gasser |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Objectives</i>: It is common nowadays to refer to autism as a spectrum. Increased evidence of the involvement of steroid metabolites has been shown by the presence of stronger alterations in Kanner’s syndrome compared with Asperger syndrome. <i>Methods</i>: 24 h urine samples were collected from 20 boys with Asperger syndrome, 21 boys with Kanner’s syndrome, and identically sized control groups, each matched for age, weight, and height for comprehensive steroid hormone metabolite analysis via gas chromatography−mass spectrometry. <i>Results</i>: Higher levels of most steroid metabolites were detected in boys with Kanner’s syndrome and Asperger syndrome compared to their matched controls. These differences were more pronounced in affected individuals with Kanner’s syndrome versus Asperger syndrome. Furthermore, a specific and unique pattern of alteration of androsterone, etiocholanolone, progesterone, tetrahydrocortisone, and tetrahydrocortisol was identified in boys with Kanner’s syndrome and Asperger syndrome. Interestingly, in both matched samples, only androsterone, etiocholanolone, progesterone, tetrahydrocortisone, tetrahydrocortisol, and 5a-tetrahydrocortisol groups were positively correlated. In the Asperger syndrome group, all metabolites showed a positive correlation. In the Kanner’s syndrome group, 5-a tetrahydrocortisol with androsterone showed a positive correlation. <i>Conclusions</i>: Due to differences in the level of alteration, the premise that Asperger syndrome is on the mild side of the autism spectrum and that Kanner’s syndrome is on the severe side is supported, but alteration patterns yield different phenotypic expressions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T07:43:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-76ecba53d340488c99ca64b4d6b2ab2f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-328X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T07:43:57Z |
| publishDate | 2019-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Behavioral Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-76ecba53d340488c99ca64b4d6b2ab2f2022-12-22T01:15:30ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2019-05-01955210.3390/bs9050052bs9050052Steroid Metabolites Support Evidence of Autism as a SpectrumBenedikt Andreas Gasser0Johann Kurz1Bernhard Dick2Markus Georg Mohaupt3Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Berne, SwitzerlandIntersci Research Association, Karl Morre Gasse 10, 8430 Leibnitz, AustriaDepartment of Clinical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Berne, SwitzerlandDepartment of Clinical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Berne, Switzerland<i>Objectives</i>: It is common nowadays to refer to autism as a spectrum. Increased evidence of the involvement of steroid metabolites has been shown by the presence of stronger alterations in Kanner’s syndrome compared with Asperger syndrome. <i>Methods</i>: 24 h urine samples were collected from 20 boys with Asperger syndrome, 21 boys with Kanner’s syndrome, and identically sized control groups, each matched for age, weight, and height for comprehensive steroid hormone metabolite analysis via gas chromatography−mass spectrometry. <i>Results</i>: Higher levels of most steroid metabolites were detected in boys with Kanner’s syndrome and Asperger syndrome compared to their matched controls. These differences were more pronounced in affected individuals with Kanner’s syndrome versus Asperger syndrome. Furthermore, a specific and unique pattern of alteration of androsterone, etiocholanolone, progesterone, tetrahydrocortisone, and tetrahydrocortisol was identified in boys with Kanner’s syndrome and Asperger syndrome. Interestingly, in both matched samples, only androsterone, etiocholanolone, progesterone, tetrahydrocortisone, tetrahydrocortisol, and 5a-tetrahydrocortisol groups were positively correlated. In the Asperger syndrome group, all metabolites showed a positive correlation. In the Kanner’s syndrome group, 5-a tetrahydrocortisol with androsterone showed a positive correlation. <i>Conclusions</i>: Due to differences in the level of alteration, the premise that Asperger syndrome is on the mild side of the autism spectrum and that Kanner’s syndrome is on the severe side is supported, but alteration patterns yield different phenotypic expressions.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/9/5/52ACTHautistic disorderantiglucocorticoidKannerAsperger |
| spellingShingle | Benedikt Andreas Gasser Johann Kurz Bernhard Dick Markus Georg Mohaupt Steroid Metabolites Support Evidence of Autism as a Spectrum Behavioral Sciences ACTH autistic disorder antiglucocorticoid Kanner Asperger |
| title | Steroid Metabolites Support Evidence of Autism as a Spectrum |
| title_full | Steroid Metabolites Support Evidence of Autism as a Spectrum |
| title_fullStr | Steroid Metabolites Support Evidence of Autism as a Spectrum |
| title_full_unstemmed | Steroid Metabolites Support Evidence of Autism as a Spectrum |
| title_short | Steroid Metabolites Support Evidence of Autism as a Spectrum |
| title_sort | steroid metabolites support evidence of autism as a spectrum |
| topic | ACTH autistic disorder antiglucocorticoid Kanner Asperger |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/9/5/52 |
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