Impact of Auditory Integrative Training on Transforming Growth Factor-β₁ and Its Effect on Behavioral and Social Emotions in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Objective: To explore the impact of auditory integrative training (AIT) on the inflammatory biomarker transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and to assess its effect on social behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Subjects and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 15 patients (14 males and 1 female) with ASD aged 3-12 years were recruited. All were screened for autism using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Plasma levels of TGF-β1 were measured in all patients using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) immediately and 1 and 3 months after the AIT sessions. Pre- and post-AIT behavioral scores were also calculated for each child using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and the Short Sensory Profile (SSP). Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 21.0 for Windows). Results: Plasma levels of TGF-β1 significantly increased to 85% immediately after AIT (20.13 ± 12 ng/mL, p < 0.05), to 95% 1 month after AIT (21.2 ± 11 ng/mL, p < 0.01), and to 105% 3 months after AIT (22.25 ± 16 ng/mL, p < 0.01) compared to before AIT (10.85 ± 8 ng/mL). Results also revealed that behavioral rating scales (CARS, SRS, and SSP) improved in terms of disease severity after AIT. Conclusion: Increased plasma levels of TGF-β1 support the therapeutic effect of AIT on TGF-β1 followed by improvement in social awareness, social cognition, and social communication in children with ASD. Furthermore, TGF-β1 was associated with severity in all scores tested (CARS, SRS, and SSP); if confirmed in studies with larger sample sizes, TGF-β1 may be considered as a marker of ASD severity and to assess the efficacy of therapeutic interventions.

The possible link between Fetuin-A Protein and Neuro-inflammation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…The sensory functions of autistic children were recorded by SSP score. 20 Overall, Fetuin-A level of autistic children (n = 46 and CARS score >30) exhibited significantly lower (p= 0.02) plasma level [50.76 (22.2-68.5)] ng/ml Fetuin-A and Neuro-inflammation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Spearman's correlation coefficient (r) was calculated to determine the relationships between Fetuin-A levels and different variables (CARS, SSP) as shown in Fig. 1 and 2.…”

“…Autism severity was measured in all children with ASD by using CARS and SSP scales as described elsewhere. 20 Blood sample collection: "Blood samples from 46 ASD and 42 matched healthy children were drawn after overnight fasting. Blood was taken into 3 mL EDTA containing tubes for blood collection.…”

The Gut-Brain Axis in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Focus on the Metalloproteases ADAM10 and ADAM17

“…Moreover, one study showed that TGF-β1 might be considered as a biomarker of ASD severity. Increasing TGF-β1 levels in the plasma of ASD children consequently improved the behavioral rating score [ 213 ]. TGF-β1 also is essential to the microglial development, phenotypes and functions in vitro and in vivo, which is connected with ASD pathogenesis [ 214 , 215 , 216 ].…”

Rapid Communication: Plasma Interleukin-35 in Children with Autism

“…Immune regulation is mediated by the combination of regulatory immune cells and the release of immune suppressive or anti-inflammatory cytokines. In ASD, several studies have shown that regulatory cytokines such as transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ1) or interleukin (IL)-10 are decreased [9,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25]). Moreover, decreases in regulatory T cells (T regs ) have also been described [26,27].…”