Decreased serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor in male adults with high-functioning autism

The mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of autism are currently unknown. Given the role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in brain development, we hypothesized that HGF plays a role in the pathophysiology of autism. In this study, we studied whether serum HGF levels are altered in subjects with high-functioning autism. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we measured serum levels of HGF in 17 male adults with high-functioning autism and age-matched 18 male healthy subjects. The serum levels (503.5 ± 160.5 pg/mL (mean ± SD)) of HGF in the subjects with high-functioning autism were significantly (Mann–Whitney U = 34.0, p < 0.001) lower than those (817.6 ± 232.4 pg/mL (mean ± SD)) of control subjects. However, there were no correlations between serum HGF levels and clinical variables in the patients. This study suggests that reduced HGF levels may play a role in the pathophysiology of high-functioning autism.