Serotonin & Metabolic Pathways Play Role in Autistic Behavior

Autism is a challenging condition. While there are many theories on cause and origin, most parents focus on the issues involving management of the disorder and how best to improve the communication and social interaction with their child despite the potential behavioral issues.

As a parent of a child with autism, it is important to understand how your child's biochemical composition may adversely affect your child's development progress and what you can do to improve it. While there is a genetic component associated with the development of autism, there are also biochemical issues that must be addressed.

In the autistic children, there is some evidence to support a rise in serotonin may also be associated. In fact, in as many as one-third of all autistic children, the levels of serotonin are usually quite elevated. Through an unusual metabolic pathway, children with autism, and elevated serotonin levels, may actually be experiencing a complication involving abnormal levels of kynurenine. When kynurenine levels are abnormal, the metabolic pathway is impaired which, ultimately may affect an autistic child's behavior. Interestingly, these same kynurenine abnormalities are also found in children with Tourette's disorder and other mental retardations and psychoses.

If your child has been diagnosed with autism, ask your child's physician about the possible connection between serotonin, kynurenine and the autistic behaviors. While there is still much research to be done in the area of kynurenine metabolic pathways, your child's serotonin levels may be an area that can be effectively managed with medication. When managing serotonin, you may find an improvement in your autistic child's communication, cooperation in therapy and even overall disposition and behavior.

Genetic complications can lead to a variety of health conditions in children. For children with autism, there is believed to be some connection to a genetic pre-disposition. While there are many theories as to how genetics play a role, the one area that does seem apparent involves the increase of blood plasma levels of serotonin. The method by which this increase in serotonin occurs is still highly debatable. However, with medication management, you can address the serotonin levels in your own child and, ultimately, may improve your child's long term outcome when living with autism. Once managed with medications, continue to ask your physician about the developments and continued research in the area of metabolic pathways and autism as there is new information released on this subject on a regular basis. Staying informed, especially on the topics of kynurenine will be important to your involvement in your child's care.