Serum Galanin in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Examining the association between autism spectrum disorder and atopic eczema: meta-analysis of current evidence

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and atopic eczema (AE), shedding light on potential associations and underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

A comprehensive review of literature was conducted to identify relevant studies published up to August 2023. Various electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane, were searched using specific keywords related to ASD and AE.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis covered a total of 30 studies. The first analysis included 23 studies with a combined total of 147430 eczema patients in the ASD group and 8895446 eczema patients in non-ASD group. We calculated the risk ratio of eczema in ASD and non-ASD groups, which revealed a significantly higher risk of eczema in patients with ASD (RR 1.34; 95% CI 1.03, 1.76). The second analysis included seven studies with a combined total of 3570449 ASD patients in the AE group and 3253973 in the non-Eczema group. The risk ratio of ASD in the Eczema and Non-Eczema groups showed a significantly increased risk of ASD in patients with eczema (RR 1.67; 95% CI 0.91, 3.06).

CONCLUSION

This study underscores the possible link between ASD and atopic eczema, shedding light on their potential association.

IMPACT

Our study conducted a meta-analysis on the association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and atopic eczema (AE), shedding light on potential associations and underlying mechanisms. The review we conducted covered a total of 30 studies. This study underscores the possible link between ASD and atopic eczema, shedding light on their potential association.

Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case-Controlled Study

Background and Objectives

Numerous therapeutic and dietary interventions have been examined in the last thirty years for pediatric patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Our interventional study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet in a cohort of Egyptian children with ASD.

Materials and Methods

The present clinical trial was conducted as a prospective 12-month, open-label, case-controlled interventional study. Thirty-six ASD children who were newly diagnosed and had not taken any prior psychiatric or rehabilitation therapy were included in this study. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups: group A, which received the GFCF diet, and group B, which served as the control group and was not restricted to food containing gluten and casein for 12 months. All patients were followed up for 1 year.

Results

Following the implementation of the GFCF diet in group A, significant improvements in CARS scores were observed compared to group B after 6-month and 1-year follow-up periods.

Conclusions

The introduction of the GFCF diet could be helpful and promising for autistic children. Conclusive evidence regarding the effectiveness of the GFCF diet remains a subject of controversy. Nonetheless, our study contributes some evidence supporting its potential benefits for children with ASD. It is recommended that future research on the GFCF diet employ a more sophisticated research design, incorporating a consistent baseline measure that can effectively assess the therapeutic effects of these interventions for individuals with ASD.

Increased Serum Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor, Nerve Growth Factor, Glial-derived Neurotrophic Factor and Galanin Levels in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and the Effect of 10 Weeks Methylphenidate Treatment

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the levels of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and galanin in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

METHODS

The study included 58 cases with ADHD and 60 healthy controls. Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime version (K-SADS-PL) together with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5) criteria were used for diagnostic evaluation. Sociodemographic data form and Conners' Parent/Teacher Rating Scale-Revised:Long Form were applied to all cases. The serum levels of BDNF, NGF, GDNF, and galanin were evaluated in all subjects. Afterwards, methylphenidate was started in the ADHD group. ADHD cases were reevaluated in terms of the serum levels of BDNF, NGF, GDNF, galanin at the 10th week of treatment.

RESULTS

Before the treatment, the levels of BDNF, NGF, GDNF, galanin were significantly higher in the ADHD group compared to the control group. The levels of BDNF, NGF, GDNF, galanin were found to be significantly lower after treatment in ADHD group compared to pre-treatment. No correlation was between scale scores and the serum levels of BDNF, NGF, GDNF, galanin.

CONCLUSION

The levels of neurotrophic factors and galanin were thought to be parameters worth evaluating in ADHD. Further studies on the subject with longer-term treatments and larger sample groups are required.

Increased Serum Neuropeptide Galanin Level Is a Predictor of Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients with Hip Fracture

Background

Hip fracture is a common occurrence in elderly populations and is frequently followed by various levels of cognitive dysfunction, leading to adverse functional outcomes. Risk stratification of hip fracture patients to identify high-risk subsets can enable improved strategies to mitigate cognitive complications. The neuropeptide galanin has multiple neurological functions, and altered levels are documented in dementia-type and depression disorders. The present study investigated the association of serum neuropeptide galanin levels in hip fracture patients with the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction during the first week of admission.

Methods

276 hip fracture patients without preexisting delirium, cognitive impairment, or severe mental disorders were included in a cross-sectional study. Serum galanin levels were assessed by ELISA on the second day of admission. Routine clinical and laboratory variables were documented. MoCA was performed within 1 week, and those with a score < 26 were categorized with “cognitive decline.” Inferential statistics including multiple linear regression analysis were applied to determine the association of serum galanin level and cognitive status.

Results

141 patients were categorized with “cognitive decline,” and 135 patients were categorized as “cognitively normal.” Serum galanin was highly significantly increased in the “cognitive decline” group (34.2 ± 4.8, pg/ml) compared to the “cognitively normal” group (28.9 ± 3.7, pg/ml) and showed significant negative correlation with MoCA scores (r = −0.229, p = 0.016). Regression analysis showed serum galanin as the sole significant independent predictor of lower MoCA scores (β = 0.231, p = 0.035) while age, gender, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels had no significant association.

Conclusion

Higher serum galanin predicted the development of cognitive dysfunction and worse MoCA scores in a cohort of hip fracture patients without preexisting cognitive impairment or delirium at admission, thus warranting large-scale studies investigating galanin as a candidate biomarker to identify hip fracture patients at risk of cognitive decline.