Levels of Salivary Sialic Acid in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder; Could It Be Related to Stereotypes and Hyperactivity?
10.9758/cpn.2019.17.3.415
- Author:
Esra DEMIRCI
1
;
Yunus GULER
;
Sevgi OZMEN
;
Mehmet CANPOLAT
;
Sefer KUMANDAS
Author Information
1. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erciyes University School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey. esra_z_d_r@hotmail.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Saliva;
Sialic acid;
Child;
Autism spectrum disorder;
Stereotypes
- MeSH:
Autism Spectrum Disorder;
Autistic Disorder;
Behavioral Symptoms;
Brain;
Checklist;
Child;
Cognition;
Humans;
Infant;
Learning;
Memory;
N-Acetylneuraminic Acid;
Saliva
- From:Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
2019;17(3):415-422
- CountryRepublic of Korea
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Sialic acid (Sia) is an essential nutrient for brain development, learning, memory and cognition and plays a role in neurodevelopment of infants. The aim of this study was to determine whether Sia levels are significantly associated with the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: Forty-six ASD children and 30 typically developing children aged 3 to 10 years were included in the study. Behavioral symptoms in ASD children was assessed by the Autism Behavior Checklist (AuBC), the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, and the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). After the collection of saliva samples, the supernatant was separated. All the samples kept at −80°C until Sia analysis was done. RESULTS: Sia level was found to be significantly lower in the ASD group when compared to healthy controls (p = 0.013). There was no correlation between severity of ASD and salivary Sia levels. We found a negative correlation between AuBC scores and Sia levels and a negative correlation in both ABC Stereotypic Behavior and Hyperactivity/Noncompliance subscales with Sia levels in ASD group. CONCLUSION: The obtained data indicate that Sia levels could have an effect on autism-like behaviors, particularly on stereotypes and hyperactivity.
