Some physiological hormones in relation with autism disease in children boys: A review

Abstract

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with unclear pathogenesis. Children with autism are classically characterized by deficits in language and social interactions as well as displays of odd or repetitive behaviors. Though historically considered relatively rare, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report currently estimates that an average of 1 in 111 children in the U.S. have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with a gender bias of 4–5 times more males than females having ASD (Rice 2009). Despite this relatively high prevalence, our understanding of the neurodevelopmental biology and pathophysiology of these disorders remains limited. Many clinical observations and hormone studies have suggested the involvement of the neuroprotective hormone ghrelin in autism and other hormones such as: growth hormone (GH), leptin, cortisol, serotonin and oxytocin.