Role of serum levels of neurotensin in children with autism spectrum disorder

AimNeuroinflammation may play a role in the pathogenesis of autism in some patients. The aim of this study was to measure serum levels of neurotensin (NTS) in relation to the degree of the severity of autism.MethodsSerum NTS was measured in autistic children (n = 38; mean age 7.02 ± 2.03 years) and healthy, unrelated sex matched controls (n = 39); mean age 7.25 ± 1.64 years). The severity of autism symptoms was assessed using Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores.ResultsThe serum level of NTS was significantly (P < 0.001) lower in autistic children (mean ± S.D. = 54.71 ± 12.4 pg/ml) than control group (mean ± S.D. = 77.58 ± 10.29 pg/ml). Children with severe autism had significantly lower serum NTS levels than patients with mild to moderate autism (P < 0.002). There was significant negative correlation between serum levels of NTS and CARS SCORES (r2 = 0.79, P = 0.001).ConclusionsSerum NTS levels were elevated in some autistic children and they were significantly correlated with the severity of autism. However, this is an initial report that warrants further research to determine the pathogenic role of NTS and its possible link to neuroinflammation in autism.