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Abstract
Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and behaviour. Recent research has implicated nerve growth factor (NGF) in the pathogenesis of ASD, highlighting its role in neural development and connectivity. Dysregulation of NGF levels may disrupt critical processes involved in brain development, potentially contributing to the altered metabolic profiles observed in individuals with ASD.
Objective: To examine the current understanding of NGF levels in autism patients and their implications for diagnosis, treatment, and disease management.
Material and Methods: The study involved collecting EDTA blood sample (5ml each) from 100 individuals (68 Autism cases and 32 Healthy Controls) from different hospitals and clinical settings in Karachi and NGF expression analysis was performed. Statistical analysis were performed using Graph Pad Prism 9.0 to assess the strength of evidence supporting the role of NGF in ASD pathology.
Results: Analysis revealed significantly lower NGF expression in the Autism patients (5.97) as compared to controls (12.87). Specifically, an NGF gene expression decrease correlated with cognitive impairment severity; 80% of participants scored below 9 on the MMSE with mean age 37 years, indicative of severe Neurodegenration.
Conclusion: Low NGF levels appear to be intricately linked to autism severity, highlighting the importance of considering metabolic factors in ASD pathogenesis. The identification of NGF as a potential biomarker offers new avenues for early diagnosis and personalized treatment approaches in ASD. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of NGF dysregulation and evaluate the efficacy of targeted interventions.
Key Words: Autism, NGF, diagnosis, treatment, disease management, severity.
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