Autism linked with stress hormone levels

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Autism linked with stress hormone levels

April 2, 2009

Source: University of Bath

Some of the symptoms of the autistic condition Asperger Syndrome, such as a need

for routine and resistance to change, could be linked to levels of the stress

hormone cortisol, suggests new research led by the University of Bath.

Normally, people have a surge of this hormone shortly after waking, with levels

gradually decreasing throughout the day. It is thought this surge makes the

brain alert, preparing the body for the day and helping the person to be aware

of changes happening around them.

However, a study led by Dr Mark Brosnan and Dr -Cobb from the

Department of Psychology at the University of Bath, and Dr Jessop from the

University of Bristol, has found that children with Asperger Syndrome (AS) do

not experience this surge.

The researchers believe these findings may help to explain why individuals with

this condition have difficulties with minor changes to their routine or changes

in their environment.

The study has been published in the peer-reviewed journal

Psychoneuroendocrinology.

Dr Brosnan explained: " Cortisol is one of a family of stress hormones that acts

like a 'red alert' that is triggered by stressful situations allowing a person

to react quickly to changes around them.

" In most people, there is a two-fold increase in levels of this hormone within

30 minutes of waking up, with levels gradually declining during the day as part

of the internal body clock.

" Our study found that the children with AS didn't have this peak although levels

of the hormone still decreased during the day as normal.

" Although these are early days, we think this difference in stress hormone

levels could be really significant in explaining why children with AS are less

able to react and cope with unexpected change. "

Dr -Cobb, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Bath and co-author on the

study, said: " These findings are important as they give us a clearer

understanding about how some of the symptoms we see in AS are linked to how an

individual adapts to change at a chemical level. "

Dr Jessop analysed samples from the children for levels of hormone at the

Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology at

the University of Bristol.

He added: " This study suggests that children with AS may not adjust normally to

the challenge of a new environment on waking.

" This may affect the way they subsequently engage with the world around them. "

The researchers hope that by understanding the symptoms of AS as a stress

response rather than a behavioural problem it could help carers and teachers

develop strategies for avoiding situations that might cause distress in children

with the condition.

The next step in the research will be to look at whether children with other

types of autism also lack a peak of cortisol after waking.

Love, Gabby. :0)

http://stemcellforautism.blogspot.com/

 

" I know of nobody who is purely Autistic or purely neurotypical. Even God had

some Autistic moments, which is why the planets all spin. " ~ Jerry Newport