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Research Library

A-Z Conditions  Participate in ORR

Lower circulating endocannabinoid levels in children with autism spectrum disorder

  • Journal : Mol Autism.
  • Publication Year : 2019
  • Authors : Adi Aran, Maya Eylon, Moria Harel, Lola Polianski, Alina Nemirovski, Sigal Tepper, Aviad Schnapp, Hanoch Cassuto, Nadia Wattad, & Joseph Tam

Abstract

 

Background

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a major regulator of synaptic plasticity and neuromodulation. Alterations of the ECS have been demonstrated in several animal models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In some of these models, activating the ECS rescued the social deficits. Evidence for dysregulations of the ECS in human ASD are emerging, but comprehensive assessments and correlations with disease characteristics have not been reported yet.

 

Methods

Serum levels of the main endocannabinoids, N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA or anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and their related endogenous compounds, arachidonic acid (AA), N-palmitoylethanolamine (PEA), and N-oleoylethanolamine (OEA), were analyzed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry in 93 children with ASD (age = 13.1 ± 4.1, range 6–21; 79% boys) and 93 age- and gender-matched neurotypical children (age = 11.8 ± 4.3, range 5.5–21; 79% boys). Results were associated with gender and use of medications, and were correlated with age, BMI, and adaptive functioning of ASD participants as reflected by scores of Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-II (VABS-II), and Social Responsiveness Scale-II (SRS-2).

 

Results

Children with ASD had lower levels (pmol/mL, mean ± SEM) of AEA (0.722 ± 0.045 vs. 1.252 ± 0.072, P < 0.0001, effect size 0.91), OEA (17.3 ± 0.80 vs. 27.8 ± 1.44, P < 0.0001, effect size 0.94), and PEA (4.93 ± 0.32 vs. 7.15 ± 0.37, P < 0.0001, effect size 0.65), but not AA and 2-AG. Serum levels of AEA, OEA, and PEA were not significantly associated or correlated with age, gender, BMI, medications, and adaptive functioning of ASD participants. In children with ASD, but not in the control group, younger age and lower BMI tended to correlate with lower AEA levels. However, these correlations were not statistically significant after a correction for multiple comparisons.

 

Conclusions

We found lower serum levels of AEA, PEA, and OEA in children with ASD. Further studies are needed to determine whether circulating endocannabinoid levels can be used as stratification biomarkers that identify clinically significant subgroups within the autism spectrum and if they reflect lower endocannabinoid “tone” in the brain, as found in animal models of ASD.

 

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13229-019-0256-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

 

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder, Endocannabinoid system, Anandamide, N-arachidonoylethanolamine, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, Arachidonic acid, N-palmitoylethanolamine, N-oleoylethanolamine, Biomarkers, Cannabinoids
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PrevPreviousCannabis and cannabinoid use in autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review
NextEffects of cannabidiol on brain excitation and inhibition systems; a randomised placebo-controlled single dose trial during magnetic resonance spectroscopy in adults with and without autism spectrum disorderNext

Conditions:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

Research Information:

Research Keywords:

  • 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), Anandamide (AEA), arachidonic acid, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), biomarkers, Cannabinoid/s, Endocannabinoid system, N-oleoylethanolamine, N-palmitoylethanolamine

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