Correlation Between Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) and GABA Plasma Levels in Autistic Children

Background: There is much support for the role of GABA in the etiology of autism.  Recent research has shown that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) modulates GABAergic inhibition and seizure susceptibility. 

Objectives:  To assess plasma levels of HGF, GABA, as well as symptom severity, in autistic children and neurotypical controls.

Methods: Plasma from 59 autistic children and 29 neurotypical controls was assessed for HGF and GABA concentration using ELISAs. Symptom severity was measured in these autistic individuals and compared to HGF and GABA concentrations.

Results: We previously reported that autistic children had significantly decreased levels of HGF. In this study, the same autistic children had significantly increased plasma levels of GABA (p=0.002) and decreased HGF levels correlated with these increased GABA levels (r=0.3; p=0.05). GABA levels correlated with increasing hyperactivity (r=0.4; p=0.01) and impulsivity (r=0.3; p=0.04) severity.

Conclusions: These results suggest an association between HGF and GABA levels in autistic children and suggest that plasma GABA levels are related to hyperactivity in autistic children.