Low Plasma Levels ofArginine Vasopressin (AVP) in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Lntroduction: autism is a result of psycho-neurological deficits that affect the development and functioning of the brain. the disorders are characterized by compulsive behavior, communication deficits and social impairment. individuals with autism are associated with altered plasma levels of neuropcptide hormone arg-vasopressin(avp). a nonapcptide produced in the paraventricular nucleus(pvn) and supraoptic nucleus (son). avp exerts. its central effect on the hippocampus region of the brain and has regulating effects on behavior, memory and social interaction. objective: the aim of the current study was toassess plasma levels of vasopressin in autistic children. also, to correlate plasma levels of those neuropeptides to the degree of autism of the affected child. methods: the study was conducted in tehran in 2008. thirty nine autistic child from saba rehabilitation center participated in thc study. with the confirmed diagnosis according to dsm-iv diagnostic criteria of autism. the parents! guardians filled a simple related questionnaire, then plasma vasopressin levels were measured in autistic and control children. results: results showed a statistically significant lower plasma level of vasopressin in autistic children as compared to controls. there was no significant correlation between the degree of autism or the age of the affected child and plasma levels of vasopressin. plasma concentrations of avp were significantly lower in children with autistic spectrum disorders (n =39, < 10 years) than in the control group (n = 41, < i0 years). discussion: the result may explain the memory and learning difficulties of children with autism.