MRI Surface-Based Brain Morphometry in Egyptian Autistic and Typically Developing Children

Efficacy of Laser Acupuncture for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Clinical, Molecular, and Biochemical Study

BACKGROUND

Low-level laser acupuncture (LLLA) biostimulation could contribute to improving the symptoms and communication of children manifesting autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Photobiomodulation might influence the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and miR-320 expression. The aim was to investigate the influence of LLLA biostimulation on the severity, language abilities, BDNF levels, and miR-320 in a sample of children with ASD.

METHODS

The participants with ASD (N = 30) were randomly divided equally into groups: Group I received LLLA therapy twice a week for 12 sessions and Group II did not receive it. Assessments of the severity, language abilities, BDNF level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and miR-320 expression by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed before and after the intervention. A comparison between ASD cases (N = 30) before starting the therapy and neurotypical children (N = 15) regarding miR-320 expression was performed.

RESULTS

Following the intervention, the severity of ASD was reduced and language performance was elevated in both groups. The improvement in Group I was higher with (P = 0.002; 0.03). The plasma BDNF level was reduced only in Group I (P < 0.001). The expression level of miR-320 in Group I did not show a change (P = 0.641). A significant difference in miR-320 expression between children with ASD and the neurotypical group (P = 0.000) was observed.

CONCLUSION

This study introduces LLLA therapy as a safe and promising therapeutic procedure for improving the core manifestations and communication abilities and for modulating BDNF levels in children with ASD. The reduced expression of miR-320 showed a good diagnostic value in children with ASD.

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Serotonin Levels in Autistic Children: Do They Differ in Obesity?

BACKGROUND: The risk of obesity among autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children is high which could be related to a disorder in their metabolism. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in metabolic control, language behavior, and intellectual development. Serotonin has a role in satiety and energy expenditure. AIM: Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure the serum levels of BDNF and serotonin in obese compared to non-obese ASD children. The influence of obesity on ASD severity, intellectual, and language development was also investigated. METHODS: The study included 60 autistic children (Group I: 30 ASD children with obesity and Group II: 30 ASD children without obesity). The serum BDNF and serotonin levels were estimated by ELISA and by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: All participants manifested delayed language development. Almost all of them had intellectual disability. The difference between groups regarding ASD severity, language, and intellectual development was non-significant. However, BDNF level in obese group was less than that in the other group while serotonin was higher in the obese group with significant statistical difference. CONCLUSION: The difference between the groups regarding the levels of BDNF and serotonin, which are involved in the brain development, could be related to obesity. The influence of obesity on ASD severity, intellectual, and language development of ASD children was not distinctive in the participants. The influence of such markers on ASD severity and cognitive performance needs further investigations.