Croonenberghs Jan, Van Grieken Sarah, Wauters Annick, Van West Dirk, Brouw Lucas, Maes Michael, Deboutte Dirk
University Center of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Antwerp, CAPRI youth, Belgium.
Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2010;31(4):483-8.
Research on the biological pathophysiology of autism has found some evidence that alterations in androgenic hormones may play a role in the pathophysiology of that disorder. We studied morning concentrations of serum testosterone in a very homogenic group of postpubertal youngsters with autism and a group of normal controls.
This study examines the serum testosterone concentration on 9 consecutive time points between 08.00 AM and 12.00 AM in 18 high- functioning male youngsters with autism (age 12-18) and 22 healthy volunteers participated in this study. All subjects passed the onset of puberty (Tanner-stage III-IV) and were of the Caucasian race.
Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant time effect, with a decline in the testosterone concentration during the test and time X diagnosis interaction.The total testosterone concentration was significantly lower in the autism group compared to the group of normal controls.
The significant decrease in serum testosterone concentration in male youngsters with autism suggest that the turnover of testosterone may take part in the pathophysiology of autism. Suggestions for further research are discussed.
自闭症生物学病理生理学研究发现一些证据表明雄激素的改变可能在该疾病的病理生理学中起作用。我们研究了一组青春期后患有自闭症的高度同质青少年和一组正常对照者血清睾酮的早晨浓度。
本研究在上午8点至12点之间的9个连续时间点检测了18名患有自闭症的高功能男性青少年（年龄12 - 18岁）和22名健康志愿者的血清睾酮浓度。所有受试者均已进入青春期（坦纳分期III - IV期）且为白种人。
重复测量方差分析显示出显著的时间效应，测试期间睾酮浓度下降以及时间×诊断交互作用。自闭症组的总睾酮浓度显著低于正常对照组。
患有自闭症的男性青少年血清睾酮浓度显著降低表明睾酮的代谢可能参与自闭症的病理生理学过程。讨论了进一步研究的建议。
