Author Interviews, Autism, Biomarkers, JAMA, NIH, Pediatrics / 21.09.2016
BDNF Is Potential Biomarker For Autism Spectrum Disorder
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Yong Cheng, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
NIH
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders which affect about 1 in 68 children in the United States, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important moderator in neurodevelopment and neuroplasticity, and studies have suggested the involvement of BDNF in ASD. Although some clinical studies show abnormal expression of BDNF in children with ASD, findings have been inconsistent. Therefore, we undertook a systematic review of the scientific literature, using a meta-analysis to quantitatively summarize clinical data on blood BDNF levels in children with ASD, compared with healthy peers.
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