Amino Acid Patterns in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Preliminary Biochemical Evaluation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The metabolism of plasma amino acid (AA) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been extensively investigated, yielding inconclusive results. This study aims to characterize the metabolic alterations in AA profiles among early-diagnosed children with ASD and compare the findings with those from non-ASD children.

Methods

We analyzed plasma AA profiles, measured by ion exchange chromatography, from 1242 ASD children (median age = 4 years; 81% male). Additionally, we studied AA profiles from 488 children, matched for age and free of ASD (control group). Principal component and cluster analysis were employed to explore potential associations within the ASD group and to identify subgroups.

Results

We observed lower plasma levels of glutamine in chil

SUBMITTER: Ferraro S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11767892 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature