1. Croonenberghs J, Grieken SV, Wauters A, West DV, Brouw L, Maes M. {{Serum testosterone concentration in male autistic youngsters}}. {Neuro Endocrinol Lett} (Aug 30);31(4)
OBJECTIVE: Research on the biological pathophysiology of autism has found some evidence that alterations in androgenic hormones may play a role in the pathophysiology of that disorder. We studied morning concentrations of serum testosterone in a very homogenic group of postpubertal youngsters with autism and a group of normal controls. METHODS: This study examines the serum testosterone concentration on 9 consecutive time points between 08.00 AM and 12.00 AM in 18 high- functioning male youngsters with autism (age 12-18) and 22 healthy volunteers participated in this study. All subjects passed the onset of puberty (Tanner-stage III-IV) and were of the Caucasian race. RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant time effect, with a decline in the testosterone concentration during the test and time X diagnosis interaction.The total testosterone concentration was significantly lower in the autism group compared to the group of normal controls. CONCLUSIONS: The significant decrease in serum testosterone concentration in male youngsters with autism suggest that the turnover of testosterone may take part in the pathophysiology of autism. Suggestions for further research are discussed.
2. Endo T, Kitamura H, Tamura R, Egawa J, Sugai T, Fukui N, Suzuki Y, Someya T. {{5-HTTLPR polymorphism influences prefrontal neurochemical metabolites in autism spectrum disorder}}. {Psychiatry Res} (Aug 30);183(2):170-173.
We investigated whether the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism influenced neurochemical metabolism in 26 individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Individuals with the S/S genotype of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism showed significantly lower levels of N-acetylaspartate/creatine in the right medial prefrontal cortex compared with those with the S/L genotype.
3. He Q, Duan Y, Karsch K, Miles J. {{Detecting corpus callosum abnormalities in autism based on anatomical landmarks}}. {Psychiatry Res} (Aug 30);183(2):126-132.
4. Hintzen A, Delespaul P, van Os J, Myin-Germeys I. {{Social needs in daily life in adults with Pervasive Developmental Disorders}}. {Psychiatry Res} (Aug 30);179(1):75-80.
Although social deficits remain a persistent component of the behavioural phenotype of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) in adulthood, it remains unclear whether these represent diminished social needs, as is seen in social anhedonia, or rather thwarted social needs, as is seen in social anxiety. This study used the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) – a structured diary technique – to examine social interaction in daily life of 8 adults with PDD, compared to 14 healthy controls. Multilevel linear regression analyses showed that PDD subjects a) did not spend more time alone, b) had no increased preference to be alone when in company, and c) spent more time with familiar people, compared to control subjects. Patients experienced more negative affect and anxiety when in the company of less familiar people compared to when they are alone, whereas no difference in affect could be found between being alone or being with familiar people. All these lines of evidence suggest that PDD subjects do have a desire to interact. However, this may be thwarted as is seen in social anxiety. Therapeutic interventions should aim at decreasing negative affect and anxiety in social interactions possibly by improving social skills to fulfil the existing social needs in adults with PDD.
