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Thursday, May 15, 2008
Champagne Terrace/Bordeaux (Novotel London West)
9:30 AM
Background: Various biological observations in children with autism have been reported, but there is limited longitudinal data on the specificity, stability and relationship of the abnormalities with communication and social development.
Objectives: To examine the stability over time and the clinical significance of certain biological markers in children with autism.
Methods: This paper reports the results of two studies in children with autism. In Study 1 GI permeability (Lactulose:Rhamnose ratio (LR ratio)) and antibodies to myelin basic protein were measured and social and communication data was collected, at two time points 1-2 years apart. In Study 2 a single measure of GI permeability was taken in another cohort.
Results: GI Permeability: At baseline, 6/6 (100%) of the children (average age of 46.7 months), had abnormal LR ratios. At follow-up (average age of 70 months), this figure was 1/6 (17%). Combining the results from Study 1 and 2, there was a negative correlation (Spearman’s rho) between LR ratios and age (r=-0.40, p<0.05, n=39) with a tendency for LR ratios to decrease to the normal range with age. Anti-MBP: Ten children had antibodies to MBP measured at two time points. There was no significant difference between these time points for anti-MBP IgG or IgM. However, a significant number of children had abnormal anti-MBP IgA at baseline (50%) compared with at follow-up (10%). (t=3.17(9), p<0.05). There was no significant correlation with either of these biomarkers and the IQ, social and communicative measures.
Conclusions: Abnormal gastro-intestinal permeability and serum antibodies to myelin basic protein (MBP) were highly prevalent in young children with autism, but were not stable over time. There was a negative correlation between LR ratios and age, with a tendency for LR ratios to normalise with age. These findings were not correlated with any of the psychometric or other biological markers measured.
Objectives: To examine the stability over time and the clinical significance of certain biological markers in children with autism.
Methods: This paper reports the results of two studies in children with autism. In Study 1 GI permeability (Lactulose:Rhamnose ratio (LR ratio)) and antibodies to myelin basic protein were measured and social and communication data was collected, at two time points 1-2 years apart. In Study 2 a single measure of GI permeability was taken in another cohort.
Results: GI Permeability: At baseline, 6/6 (100%) of the children (average age of 46.7 months), had abnormal LR ratios. At follow-up (average age of 70 months), this figure was 1/6 (17%). Combining the results from Study 1 and 2, there was a negative correlation (Spearman’s rho) between LR ratios and age (r=-0.40, p<0.05, n=39) with a tendency for LR ratios to decrease to the normal range with age. Anti-MBP: Ten children had antibodies to MBP measured at two time points. There was no significant difference between these time points for anti-MBP IgG or IgM. However, a significant number of children had abnormal anti-MBP IgA at baseline (50%) compared with at follow-up (10%). (t=3.17(9), p<0.05). There was no significant correlation with either of these biomarkers and the IQ, social and communicative measures.
Conclusions: Abnormal gastro-intestinal permeability and serum antibodies to myelin basic protein (MBP) were highly prevalent in young children with autism, but were not stable over time. There was a negative correlation between LR ratios and age, with a tendency for LR ratios to normalise with age. These findings were not correlated with any of the psychometric or other biological markers measured.