Glutamate/GABA+ ratio is associated with the psychosocial domain of autistic and schizotypal traits.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The autism and schizophrenia spectra overlap to a large degree in the social and interpersonal domains. Similarly, abnormal excitatory glutamate and inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter concentrations have been reported for both spectra, with the interplay of these neurotransmitters important for cortical excitation to inhibition regulation. This study investigates whether these neurotransmitter abnormalities are specific to the shared symptomatology, and whether the degree of abnormality increases with increasing symptom severity. Hence, the relationship between the glutamate/GABA ratio and autism and schizophrenia spectrum traits in an unmedicated, subclinical population was investigated.

Methods

A total of 37 adults (19 female, 18 male) aged 1

SUBMITTER: Ford TC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5536272 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature