Publikácie

- 1. MARCH 2016
Neuroendocrine contribution to autism etiology
AUTORI: Ostatníková, D., Kubranská, A., Marcinčáková Husárová, V., Pivovarčiová, A., Babková, J.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a set of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by early-onset difficulties in social communication and unusually restricted, repetitive behavior and interests. One of the main features of autism is the unequal sex distribution, with higher prevalence in boys. There is evidence that in critical prenatal period testosterone and its metabolites play crucial role in masculinization of brain structions with the consequences on cognitive and behavioral style. In general human population males are more systemized while females are more empathized. According to the hypermale brain theory the behaviors seen in autism are exaggerations of typical sex differences and therefore exposure to high levels of prenatal testosterone might be a risk factor for autism. Oxytocin as a neuropeptide affecting social behavior is considered a prosocial hormone and might be protective in autism development. The aim of this study was to reveal differences in plasma levels of oxytocin between autistic and healthy populations in Slovakia.
Methods: ASD children were diagnosed by ADOS and ADI-R diagnostic tools, only boys were included in this study.
Results: Oxytocin levels were lower in the prepubertal and also in the pubertal boys with ASD, while testosterone levels were higher only in the prepubertal boys with ASD when compared with boys from general population.
Conclusion: Our work brought contribution to the investigation on the influence of neuroendocrine milieu to ASD phenotype.

Activitas Nervosa Superior Rediviva. – Vol. 58, No. 3 (2016), s. 65-68. – ISSN (print) 1337-933X

http://www.rediviva.sav.sk/58i3/65.pdf
- 1. MARCH 2016
Plasma Oxytocin in Children with Autism and Its Correlations with Behavioral Parameters in Children and Parents
AUTORI: Marcincakova Husarova, V., Lakatosova, S., Pivovarciova, A., Babinska, K., Bakos, J., Babkova Durdiakova, J., Kubranska, A., Ondrejka, I. and Ostatnikova, D.

ABSTRACT: Objective: Oxytocin (OT) has been implicated to play an important role in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) etiology. We aimed to find out the differences in plasma OT levels between children with autism and healthy children, the associations of OT levels with particular autism symptoms and the associations of particular parental autistic traits with their ASD children OT levels.
Methods: We included 19 boys with autism and 44 healthy age-matched boys. OT levels were analyzed by ELISA method. Children with autism were scored by Childhood Autism Rating Scale and Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI), adjusted research version. Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Systemizing Quotient (SQ) and Empathizing Quotient were completed by parents of children with autism.
Results: Children with autism had significantly lower plasma OT levels than controls. OT levels positively correlated with ADI Reciprocal Interaction and Communication scores. AQ and SQ of fathers positively correlated with children plasma OT level.
Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis of OT deficiency in autism. The “paradoxical” associations of OT levels and social skills in children with autism indicate disturbances at various levels of OT system. We first reported associations of OT levels in children with autism and behavioral measures in fathers indicating that OT abnormalities stay between parental autistic traits and autism symptoms in their children.

Plasma Psychiatry Investig, 2016. 13(2): p. 174-83.

https://www.psychiatryinvestigation.org/journal/view.php?doi=10.4306/pi.2016.13.2.174

- 1. JANUARY 2016
Association of conduct problems and gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorders
AUTORI: Babinská, K., Pivovarčiová, A., Čelárová, D., Sashova Tomova, A., Ostatníková, D.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: A sizeable fraction of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is affected by a variety of comorbid conditions including behavioural or psychiatric disorders, and medical problems. The evidence indicates that behavioural symptoms and gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction are possibly interrelated phenomena in ASD, and it is hypothesized that they may have common underlying mechanisms. The aim of the study was to investigate associations between GI symptoms and conduct problems in individuals with ASD.
Methods: The study involved 102 participants aged 3–18 years. Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form was used for assessment of the conduct problems, and history of GI symptoms was obtained. Score of GI dysfunction and conduct problem score were calculated.
Results: Only 8.7% of participants were free of GI symptoms, majority (56.3%) suffered from severe GI dysfunction. Of the individuals free of GI disorder 20% displayed conduct problems, the frequency increased to 41.9% in the subgroup with mild GI dysfunction, and to 67.9% in subjects with severe GI dysfunction, respectively (p=0.024). The severity of conduct problems significantly correlated with the severity of GI dysfunction (r=0.26; p=0.018).
Conclusion: Our results show association between GI symptoms and conduct problems. Conduct problems may have profound adverse consequences on the individuals. Many of the GI conditions occurring in ASD are treatable, and treatment of the physical problems might have positive effect also on behavioural presentation of autism. It may be possible that research into GI symptoms might elucidate aspects of the underlying neurobiological mechanisms associated with ASD.

Activitas Nervosa Superior Rediviva. – Vol. 58, No. 3 (2016), s. 69-72. – ISSN (print) 1337-933X

http://www.rediviva.sav.sk/58i3/69.pdf

Neuroendocrine contribution to autism etiology

Plasma Oxytocin in Children with Autism and Its Correlations with Behavioral Parameters in Children and Parents

Association of conduct problems and gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorders