AUTHORS: Ostatn\u00edkov\u00e1, D., Kubransk\u00e1, A., Marcin\u010d\u00e1kov\u00e1 Hus\u00e1rov\u00e1, V., Pivovar\u010diov\u00e1, A., Babkov\u00e1, J.<\/p>\n
ABSTRACT: Objectives:<\/span> Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a set of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental <\/span>conditions characterized by early-onset difficulties in social communication and unusu<\/span>ally restricted, repetitive behavior and interests. One of the main features of autism is <\/span>the unequal sex distribution, with higher prevalence in boys. There is evidence that in <\/span>critical prenatal period<\/span> testosterone and its metabolites play crucial role in masculin<\/span>ization of brain structions with the consequences on cognitive and behavioral style. In <\/span>general human population males are more systemized while females are more empathized. <\/span>According to the hypermale brain theory the behaviors seen in autism are exaggerations <\/span>of typical sex differences and therefore exposure to high levels of prenatal testosterone <\/span>might be a risk factor for autism. Oxytocin as a neuropeptide affecting social behavior is <\/span>considered a prosocial hormone and might be protective in autism development. The aim <\/span>of this study was to reveal differences in plasma levels of oxytocin between autistic and <\/span>healthy populations in Slovakia.<\/span> Activitas Nervosa Superior Rediviva. – Vol. 58, No. 3 (2016), s. 65-68. – ISSN (print) 1337-933X<\/p>\n
Methods:<\/span> ASD children were diagnosed by ADOS and ADI-R diagnostic tools, only boys <\/span>were included in this study.<\/span>
Results:<\/span> Oxytocin levels were lower in the prepubertal and also in the pubertal boys with <\/span>ASD, while testosterone levels were higher only in the prepubertal boys with ASD when <\/span>compared with boys from general population.<\/span>
Conclusion:<\/span> Our work brought contribution to the investigation on the influence of <\/span>neuroendocrine milieu to ASD phenotype.<\/span><\/p>\n