The neonatal levels of TSB, NSE and CK-BB in autism spectrum disorder from Southern China

Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a serious neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs a child's ability to communicate with others. It also includes restricted repetitive behaviors, interests and activities. Symptoms manifest before the age of 3. In the previous studies, we found structural abnormalities of the temporal lobe cortex. High spine densities were most commonly found in ASD subjects with lower levels of cognitive functioning. In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed medical records in relation to the neonatal levels of total serum bilirubin (TSB), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), creatine kinase brain band isoenzyme (CK-BB), and neonatal behavior in ASD patients from Southern China. Methods: A total of 80 patients with ASD (ASD group) were screened for this retrospective study. Among them, 34 were low-functioning ASD (L-ASD group) and 46 were high-functioning ASD (H-ASD group). Identification of the ASD cases was confirmed with a Revised Autism Diagnostic Inventory. For comparison with ASD cases, 80 normal neonates (control group) were selected from the same period. Biochemical parameters, including TSB, NSE and CK-BB in the neonatal period and medical records on neonatal behavior were collected. Results: The levels of serum TSB, NSE and CK-BB in the ASD group were significantly higher when compared with those from the control group (P < 0.01, or P < 0.05). The amounts of serum TSB, NSE and CK-BB in the L-ASD group were significantly higher when compared with those in the H-ASD group (P < 0.01, or P < 0.05). The Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) scores in the ASD group were significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Likewise, the NBAS scores in the L-ASD group were significantly lower than that in the H-ASD group (P < 0.05). There was no association between serum TSB, NSE, CK-BB and NBAS scores (P > 0.05) in the ASD group. Conclusions: The neonatal levels of TSB, NSE and CK-BB in ASD from Southern China were significantly higher than those of healthy controls. These findings need to be investigated thoroughly by future studies with large sample.

Evaluation of serum Neuron‐specific enolase, S100B, myelin basic protein and glial fibrilliary acidic protein as brain specific proteins in children with autism spectrum disorder

“…NSE values will provide more accurate results in the first two years of life, called a critical period for brain development. Thus, a retrospective study by Nv et al found that NSE was higher in ASD children in the neonatal period (Lv et al, 2016). Furthermore, as the integrity of the blood brain barrier may not always be disrupted, increased NSE levels may not be reflected sufficiently in peripheral blood.…”

“…This study retrospectively compared ASD and healthy control groups in the neonatal period. Accordingly NSE was clearly high in the neonatal period in children with ASD (Lv et al, 2016).…”

Blood-brain barrier regulation in psychiatric disorders

“…Arrows indicate a significant increase or decrease in mRNA or protein levels, ns denotes no significant difference between schizophrenia and controls, -denotes that this measurement was not performed. of NSE and CK-BB in the ASD group compared to controls [150]. Lv and colleagues also found that within the ASD group, the levels for both these brain-specific molecules were significantly higher in low-functioning ASD individuals compared to high-functioning ASD individuals.…”

High Serum Levels of Serum 100 Beta Protein, Neuron-specific Enolase, Tau, Active Caspase-3, M30 and M65 in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…Wang et al [29] reported hypermethylation of the NSE gene in 14.5% of autistic children, as well as decreased NSE RNA expression. Higher neonatal serum NSE has also been reported in patients with ASD compared to controls [30].…”

“…In addition, since S100B increases ROS at high concentrations and triggers apoptosis, we also aimed to assess levels of M30, M65, and active caspase-3, associated with apoptosis, and to examine the relation between these parameters and S100-tau in patients with ASD. Additionally, we also intended to examine levels of NSE, reported at high levels in patients with neonatal autism [30], in our patient group and to examine its relations with S100B, tau and apoptosis. There is also still no recognized biomarker for the early diagnosis of ASD.…”