Study of dual angiogenic/neurogenic growth factors among Saudi autistic children and their correlation with the severity of this disorder.
Author: Zakareia, F.A., Al-Ayadhi, L.Y. and Al-Drees, A.A.
Source:
Neuroscience (Riyadh). 2012 Jul;17(3):213-8.
Objectives: To investigate the role of 2 angiogenic/
neurogenic growth factors, vascular endothelial
growth factor (VEGF), and platelet-derived growth
factor (PDGF) in Saudi children with autism.
Methods: The study included a total of 60 children that
included 20 controls and 40 patients with a confirmed
diagnosis of autism. The study was conducted in the
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King
Saud University, and in the Autism Research and
Treatment Center, King Khalid University Hospital,
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between May 2010
and April 2011. Collected blood plasma samples were
analyzed for VEGF and PDGF.
Results: The levels of VEGF showed a non-significant
change in autistic children compared with the
control children (p=0.065). The levels of PDGF were
significantly higher in autistic children compared
with the control children (p=0.01). Furthermore,
this increase was significantly more pronounced in
children with severe autism as compared with children
with mild autism (p=0.001), and it was not correlated
to the severity of the disorder.
Conclusion: A rise in PDGF may contribute to the
pathophysiology of the disorder, either alone or in
synergy with other neurotrophic factors to induce
an angiogenic-neuroprotective effect. Plasma VEGF
has no causative or compensatory contribution to the
pathology of this disorder.