Association of Learning and Memory Calcineurin Binding Protein with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association of learning and memory calcineurin binding (CABIN1) protein with autism spectrum disorders.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional comparative study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

The Autism Research and Treatment Center, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from October 2013 to May 2014.

METHODOLOGY

Serum levels of CABIN1 protein in 62 (64%) autistic male children were analysed and 35 (36%) age healthy children measured by using ELISA. The diagnosis of autism was made, based on the criteria of autism as defined in the DSM-IV. CARS (childhood autism rating scale) was used for the assessment of autistic severity. Data was analysed on SPSS version 21. Mann-Whitney U-test was used for comparisons of CABIN1 protein levels between the autistic and control groups at a p-value of <0.05. Spearman's correlation coefficient (r) was used to determine the relationships between different variables.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the levels of CABIN1 between the 1.12 (0.01-8.8) pg/ml and healthy (1.51, 0.12-4.32) pg/ml in children. However, children with mild to moderate autism had higher CABIN1 protein level (1.27 pg/ml, 0.01-10.240) than children with severe autism (0.80 pg/ml, 0.01-4.25, p=0.145). In addition, there was no significant relationships among the serum level of CABIN1 protein, the CARS score, and age.

CONCLUSION

CABIN1 protein level for children with autism was not significantly different from controls subjects as well as between children with mild to moderate and severe autism.