Maternal serotonin levels and neurodevelopmental outcomes in autism spectrum disorder

Alicia K.Montgomery, Lauren C.Shuffrey, Stephen J.Guter. George M.Anderson, SumaJacob, Matthew W.Mosconi,John A.Sweeney. BlakeTurner, James S.Sutcliffe, Edwin H.Cook, JeremyVeenstra-VanderWeele.  Maternal Serotonin Levels are Associated With Cognitive Ability and Core Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.  Available online 24 September 2018

Abstract

Objective

The serotonin (5-HT) system has long been implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Whole blood 5-hydroxytryptamine level (WB5-HT) is a stable, heritable biomarker that is elevated in more than 25% of children with ASD. Recent findings indicate that the maternal 5-HT system may influence embryonic neurodevelopment, but maternal WB5-HT has not been examined in relation to ASD phenotypes.

Method

WB5-HT levels were obtained from 181 individuals (aged between 3 and 27 years) diagnosed with ASD, 99 of their fathers, and 119 of their mothers. Standardized assessments were used to evaluate cognitive, behavioral, and language phenotypes.

Results

Exploratory regression analyses found relationships between maternal WB5-HT and nonverbal IQ (NVIQ), Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) Nonverbal Communication Algorithm scores, and overall adaptive function on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II. Latent class analysis identified a three-class structure in the assessment data, describing children with low, intermediate, and high severity across measures of behavior, cognition, and adaptive function. Mean maternal WB5-HT differed across classes with the lowest maternal WB5-HT levels seen in the highest severity group, (Welch's F(2, 46.048) = 17.394, p < .00001). Paternal and proband WB5-HT did not differ between classes.

Conclusion

Maternal WB5-HT is associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring with ASD. Prospective, longitudinal studies will be needed to better understand the relationship between the function of the maternal serotonin system during pregnancy in relation to brain development. Further studies in animal models may be able to reveal the mechanisms underlying these findings.

Courtesy of:  https://neurologistconnect.com/posts/5bb39aab634e886c2f8b456a?SKUID=6656d46c04553656b04bf4a8e0248071&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWXpabFl6TXlORFU0WTJVMSIsInQiOiJQcjduTEpOTUp0VHVwN0NkQ1RYRWx3Nk85TEFBUmtpZWlid05HYkI4SVpudDA3Szg5V29MOEFCOUtqU3lWMEtiXC9TNWlERk1Sd3ZQS3FBNmRkRjBVVXRcL1Qwa05JeXc3MTNDN0FnSWFHamQxTWMwc3hZcFl4R3IzR04xWjlLK3NUIn0%3D