Neuroendocrine pathways altered in autism. Special role of reelin.

Autism is the most genetically influenced neuropsychiatric disorder with heritability of approximately 90%. Since genetic factors seem to play a crucial role in autism etiology, enormous attention is focused on genetic analyses of the disorder. Reelin, one of the autism candidates, is necessary in regulation of neuronal migration during brain development and also in maintaining synaptic plasticity during postnatal life period. Reduced reelin levels were observed in sera and brain cortices of autistic patients. In this review, abnormalities in reelin signaling and the relationship between reelin deficiency and principal neuroendocrine pathways are discussed.