Аmino acids in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of children with Kanner syndrome

Levels of amino acids in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured in children with Kanner syndrome. Serum aspartate, taurine and glutamine were increased whereas β-alanine, methionine and glycine decreased. In CSF, aspartate, glutamine, GABA, taurine and arginine increased and methionine decreased. Majority of changes in serum were parallel to the changes in CSF, but the changes in serum were more pronounced than in CSF. Together with the deficit in methionine, β-alanine and glycine, obtained data suggest intensification of transportation of glutamine, aspartate and taurine into CSF through blood-brain barrier. Changes in the concentrations of neurotransmitter amino acids (aspartate, taurine) may indicate an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory mediators in brain.

Kanner syndrome, childhood autism, amino acids, blood-brain barrier, neurotransmitters