Plasma Glutamate and Glutamine Levels in Children with High-Functioning Autism
Author Information
Author(s): Shimmura Chie, Suda Shiro, Tsuchiya Kenji J., Hashimoto Kenji, Ohno Koji, Matsuzaki Hideo, Iwata Keiko, Matsumoto Kaori, Wakuda Tomoyasu, Kameno Yosuke, Suzuki Katsuaki, Tsujii Masatsugu, Nakamura Kazuhiko, Takei Nori, Mori Norio
Primary Institution: Hamamatsu University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Plasma levels of glutamate, but not those of other amino acids, would be elevated in children with autism relative to those of healthy children.
Conclusion
The study suggests that plasma glutamate and glutamine levels can serve as a diagnostic tool for the early detection of autism.
Supporting Evidence
- The HFA group had higher levels of plasma glutamate and lower levels of plasma glutamine compared to the control group.
- The correct classification rate for distinguishing between the HFA group and controls was 91%.
- The effect size for glutamate and glutamine was large, indicating significant differences.
Takeaway
This study found that kids with autism have more glutamate and less glutamine in their blood than kids without autism, which might help doctors diagnose autism earlier.
Methodology
Plasma levels of 25 amino acids were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography in drug-naïve male children with high-functioning autism and healthy controls.
Limitations
The sample size was small, and the findings cannot be generalized to the entire population of individuals with autism.
Participant Demographics
Drug-naïve male children with high-functioning autism (N=23) and normally developed male controls (N=22).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.002 for glutamate, p<0.0004 for glutamine
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 3.3 to 10.7 µM for glutamate, 95% CI: -97.2 to -37.5 µM for glutamine
Statistical Significance
p<0.0004
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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