The role of cytokines in the pathophysiology of autism and depression

Research Project

Project/Area Number	25860997
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
Allocation Type	Multi-year Fund
Research Field	Psychiatric science
Research Institution	Shinshu University
Principal Investigator	SASAYAMA Daimei 信州大学, 学術研究院医学系, 助教 (90447764)
Project Period (FY)	2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
Project Status	Completed (Fiscal Year 2014)
Budget Amount *help	¥3,380,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥780,000) Fiscal Year 2014: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000) Fiscal Year 2013: ¥2,210,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥510,000)
Keywords	自閉症スペクトラム / サイトカイン / 認知機能 / うつ病 / autism spectrum disorder / cytokine / depression
Outline of Final Research Achievements	Evidence indicates that immune system and nervous system reciprocally regulate each other through cytokines. Previous reports have shown that some cytokines are increased in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the present study, we showed that children with ASD who had higher blood levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) had lower verbal comprehension scores. This finding suggests the possibility that IL-6 may play a role in the impairment of cognitive development in those with ASD.