Increased CNTF levels in adults with autism spectrum disorders

• Published in: The world journal of biological psychiatry Vol. 20; no. 9; pp. 742 - 746
• Main Authors: Brondino, Natascia, Rocchetti, Matteo, Fusar-Poli, Laura, Damiani, Stefano, Goggi, Arianna, Chiodelli, Giuseppe, Corti, Serafino, Visai, Livia, Politi, Pierluigi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 21.10.2019
• Subjects: neurotrophin; biomarker; Autism spectrum disorder; ciliary neurotrophic factor; intellectual disability
• ISSN: 1562-2975; 1814-1412; 1814-1412
• DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2018.1481999

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a neurotrophin which could signal neuronal suffering and at the same time acts as a neuroprotective agent. In the present study we aimed to evaluate CNTF serum levels in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). In fact, considering the role of CNTF as a neuronal damage signal and the role of neuroinflammation, excito-inhibitory imbalance and excitotoxicity in the pathogenesis of ASDs, a possible alteration of CNTF in ASDs could be hypothesised. We recruited 23 individuals with ASDs and intellectual disability (ID), 20 ID subjects and 26 typical adults. A complete medical and psychopathological characterisation of the participants was performed. CNTF serum levels were measured with ELISA. CNTF serum levels were significantly higher in the ASD + ID group compared to ID (  < .001) or typically developed subjects (  < .001). CNTF may be considered as a potential biomarker candidate for ASDs in the context of severe ID. Our results support the hypothesis of neurotrophic imbalance in ASDs.