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© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with multifactorial origins, including the potential involvement of neurotrophins and growth factors. These molecules, which are crucial for neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and brain development, have been implicated in ASD pathophysiology. Altered levels of neurotrophins such as NGF, BDNF, NT3, and NT4, as well as growth factors like IGF1, VEGF, and FGF, have been associated with cognitive deficits, sensory processing abnormalities, and behavioral issues in ASD patients. However, the literature presents conflicting results, often due to differences in research methodologies, sample sizes, patient populations, and diagnostic criteria. Despite these inconsistencies, the potential of neurotrophins and growth factors as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ASD remains promising. Future research with standardized methodologies, larger cohorts, and a clearer understanding of genetic influences is needed to further elucidate their roles in ASD diagnosis and treatment.

Details

Title
The Ambiguous Role of Growth Factors in Autism: What Do We Really Know?
Author
Spoto, Giulia 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Butera, Ambra 2 ; Albertini, Maria Ludovica 3 ; Consoli, Carla 3 ; Ceraolo, Graziana 3 ; Antonio Gennaro Nicotera 4 ; Gabriella Di Rosa 1 

 Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dental Sciences & Morpho-Functional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; [email protected] (G.S.); [email protected] (G.D.R.) 
 Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Chemical, Biological, Farmaceutical & Environmental Science, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; [email protected]; Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; [email protected] (M.L.A.); [email protected] (C.C.); [email protected] (G.C.) 
 Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; [email protected] (M.L.A.); [email protected] (C.C.); [email protected] (G.C.) 
 Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Maternal-Infantile Department, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy 
First page
1607
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Publisher
MDPI AG
ISSN
16616596
e-ISSN
14220067
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3171025361
Copyright
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.