%0 Journal Article
%T Steroid Metabolites Support Evidence of Autism as a Spectrum
%J Behavioral Sciences | An Open Access Journal from MDPI
%D 2019
%R https://doi.org/10.3390/bs9050052
%X Objectives: It is common nowadays to refer to autism as a spectrum. Increased evidence of the involvement of steroid metabolites has been shown by the presence of stronger alterations in Kanner¡¯s syndrome compared with Asperger syndrome. Methods: 24 h urine samples were collected from 20 boys with Asperger syndrome, 21 boys with Kanner¡¯s syndrome, and identically sized control groups, each matched for age, weight, and height for comprehensive steroid hormone metabolite analysis via gas chromatography¨Cmass spectrometry. Results: Higher levels of most steroid metabolites were detected in boys with Kanner¡¯s syndrome and Asperger syndrome compared to their matched controls. These differences were more pronounced in affected individuals with Kanner¡¯s syndrome versus Asperger syndrome. Furthermore, a specific and unique pattern of alteration of androsterone, etiocholanolone, progesterone, tetrahydrocortisone, and tetrahydrocortisol was identified in boys with Kanner¡¯s syndrome and Asperger syndrome. Interestingly, in both matched samples, only androsterone, etiocholanolone, progesterone, tetrahydrocortisone, tetrahydrocortisol, and 5a-tetrahydrocortisol groups were positively correlated. In the Asperger syndrome group, all metabolites showed a positive correlation. In the Kanner¡¯s syndrome group, 5-a tetrahydrocortisol with androsterone showed a positive correlation. Conclusions: Due to differences in the level of alteration, the premise that Asperger syndrome is on the mild side of the autism spectrum and that Kanner¡¯s syndrome is on the severe side is supported, but alteration patterns yield different phenotypic expressions. View Full-Tex
%U https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/9/5/52