Serum Biomarkers of Neuroaxonal and Astroglial Damage in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Relationship With Symptom Severity, Behavioural Dimensions and Age.

IF 1.4 4区医学 Q3 DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY

International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience Pub Date : 2026-08-01 DOI:10.1002/jdn.70173

Zeynep Nur Dedeoğlu, Necati Uzun, İbrahim Kılınç, Ahmet Osman Kılıç

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and the presence of restrictive, repetitive patterns of behaviour. Although its exact aetiology remains multifaceted and partially understood, recent clinical interest has shifted towards neurobiological substrates, specifically neuroaxonal and astroglial integrity. This study aims to compare serum levels of Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL), Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), Tau and S100B between children with ASD and healthy controls, while investigating the influence of these biochemical variables on autism severity and behavioural manifestations.

Methods: The study cohort consisted of 44 children (aged 24-72 months) diagnosed with ASD according to DSM-5-TR criteria and 40 age-matched healthy controls. Clinical assessments were conducted using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC) and the Autism Behaviour Checklist. Serum concentrations of the targeted biomarkers were measured using the ELISA method from venous blood samples.

Results: Serum NfL, Tau, GFAP and S100B concentrations did not differ significantly between children with ASD and healthy controls. Exploratory analyses suggested possible associations between selected biomarkers and clinical characteristics; however, these associations did not remain statistically significant after age adjustment and correction for multiple comparisons. Further studies using larger cohorts and ultrasensitive analytical platforms are needed to validate these preliminary findings.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that serum NfL, Tau, GFAP and S100B did not differentiate children with ASD from healthy controls. Exploratory biomarker-clinical associations did not remain statistically significant after age adjustment and correction for multiple comparisons. Larger longitudinal studies using ultrasensitive analytical platforms are warranted.

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自闭症谱系障碍中神经轴突和星形胶质细胞损伤的血清生物标志物：与症状严重程度、行为维度和年龄的关系

目的：自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）是一种神经发育疾病，其特征是持续的社会沟通缺陷和限制性、重复性行为模式的存在。虽然其确切的病因仍然是多方面的，并且部分被理解，但最近的临床兴趣已经转向神经生物学基质，特别是神经轴突和星形胶质细胞的完整性。本研究旨在比较ASD患儿与健康对照组血清中神经丝轻链（NfL）、胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）、Tau和S100B的水平，并探讨这些生化变量对自闭症严重程度和行为表现的影响。方法：研究队列包括44名根据DSM-5-TR标准诊断为ASD的儿童（24-72个月）和40名年龄匹配的健康对照。采用儿童自闭症评定量表（CARS）、异常行为检查表（ABC）和自闭症行为检查表进行临床评估。采用ELISA法测定静脉血样品中目标生物标志物的血清浓度。结果：ASD患儿血清NfL、Tau、GFAP和S100B浓度与健康对照无显著差异。探索性分析表明所选生物标志物与临床特征之间可能存在关联；然而，在年龄调整和多重比较校正后，这些关联在统计学上并不显著。进一步的研究需要使用更大的队列和超灵敏的分析平台来验证这些初步发现。结论：血清NfL、Tau、GFAP和S100B对ASD患儿与健康对照无明显差异。探索性生物标志物-临床相关性在多次比较的年龄调整和校正后没有统计学意义。更大的纵向研究使用超灵敏的分析平台是必要的。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience 医学-发育生物学

CiteScore

3.30

自引率

5.60%

发文量

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience publishes original research articles and critical review papers on all fundamental and clinical aspects of nervous system development, renewal and regeneration, as well as on the effects of genetic and environmental perturbations of brain development and homeostasis leading to neurodevelopmental disorders and neurological conditions. Studies describing the involvement of stem cells in nervous system maintenance and disease (including brain tumours), stem cell-based approaches for the investigation of neurodegenerative diseases, roles of neuroinflammation in development and disease, and neuroevolution are also encouraged. Investigations using molecular, cellular, physiological, genetic and epigenetic approaches in model systems ranging from simple invertebrates to human iPSC-based 2D and 3D models are encouraged, as are studies using experimental models that provide behavioural or evolutionary insights. The journal also publishes Special Issues dealing with topics at the cutting edge of research edited by Guest Editors appointed by the Editor in Chief. A major aim of the journal is to facilitate the transfer of fundamental studies of nervous system development, maintenance, and disease to clinical applications. The journal thus intends to disseminate valuable information for both biologists and physicians. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience is owned and supported by The International Society for Developmental Neuroscience (ISDN), an organization of scientists interested in advancing developmental neuroscience research in the broadest sense.