Scientific Reports (Jun 2023)

The possible role of sodium leakage channel localization factor-1 in the pathophysiology and severity of autism spectrum disorders

  • Sarah Al-Mazidi,
  • Laila Al-Ayadhi,
  • Fatmah Alqahtany,
  • Amani Abualnaja,
  • Abdullah Alzarroug,
  • Turki Alharbi,
  • Karim Farhat,
  • Ahmad AlMnaizel,
  • Afaf El-Ansary

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36953-0
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 1 – 7

Abstract

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Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social, stereotypical, and repetitive behaviors. Neural dysregulation was proposed as an etiological factor in ASD. The sodium leakage channel (NCA), regulated by NLF-1 (NCA localization factor-1), has a major role in maintaining the physiological excitatory function of neurons. We aimed to examine the level of NLF-1 in ASD children and correlate it with the severity of the disease. We examined the plasma levels of NLF-1 in 80 ASD and neurotypical children using ELISA. The diagnosis and severity of ASD were based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), Childhood Autism Rating Score, Social Responsiveness Scale, and Short Sensory Profile. Then, we compared the levels of NLF-1 with the severity of the disease and behavioral and sensory symptoms. Our results showed a significant decrease in the plasma levels of NLF-1 in ASD children compared to neurotypical children (p < 0.001). Additionally, NLF-1 was significantly correlated with the severity of the behavioral symptoms of ASD (p < 0.05). The low levels of NLF-1 in ASD children potentially affect the severity of their behavioral symptoms by reducing neuron excitability through NCA. These novel findings open a new venue for pharmacological and possible genetic research involving NCA in ASD children.