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BDNF Levels Significantly Lower in Mothers of Autistic Individuals

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a growth factor linked depression, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. We used immune arrays to quantitate levels of BDNF in the plasma of mothers of autistic children and neurotypical controls. We found that BDNF levels significantly lower in mothers of autistic individuals compared to controls. This data suggests that mothers of individuals with autism have decreased BDNF levels which may be associated with the etiology of autism in their children.