These levels have a genetic link, as they are inheritable. People with autism have a variant in their gut serotonin transporter which boosts the amount of serotonin into the blood. Conversely, individuals with autism have lower levels of serotonin in the brain than neurotypical individuals.
Tenuous ties between serotonin and autism first surfaced decades ago. In 1961, a study of 23 autistic people reported that 6 of them had an unusually high level of serotonin in their blood. Since then, researchers have consistently found that about one in four people on the spectrum has high blood serotonin.
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid
Alterations in gabaminergic and glutaminergic systems cause a disrupted excitatory/inhibitory balance and are also potential mechanisms for autistic behaviors and for various neurodevelopmental disorders.
Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression. Many medications used to treat anxiety, depression and other mood disorders often target ways to increase the level of serotonin in your brain.
Additionally, there is evidence that ASD is related to the general hypoactivation of the reward system (31). New genetic research has discovered genetic variants and mutations of dopamine transporter (DAT) that alter dopamine transmission and consequently lead to ASD-like behavior patterns (32, 33).
People with autism may lack the ability to recognize and label emotions, and they may have difficulty responding to social cues. This can vary from individual to individual.
Autism spectrum disorders are generally thought to be caused by deficits in brain development, but a study in mice now suggests that at least some aspects of the disorder -- including how touch is perceived, anxiety, and social abnormalities -- are linked to defects in another area of the nervous system, the peripheral ...
Serotonin Deficiency Causes
According to Harvard researcher Datis Kharrazian, PhD, DHSc, author of Why Isn't My Brain Working?, the long-term use of SSRIs, blood sugar imbalances, adrenal fatigue, nutritional deficiencies, hormone imbalances, and birth control pills can be underlying causes of serotonin deficiency.
Low serotonin levels are also linked to a host of psychiatric afflictions other than impulsive aggression. Some of these include migraines, pathological shyness, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, restless leg syndrome, gambling, and depression, besides several addictions (food, sex, and drugs).
You may have a shortage of serotonin if you have a sad depressed mood, low energy, negative thoughts, feel tense and irritable, crave sweets, and have a reduced interest in sex. Other serotonin-related disorders include: Depression.
Studies have shown that children with autism often have lower levels of vitamin D than typically developing children. Similarly, low levels of vitamin B6 can affect the production of neurotransmitters in the brain, which can lead to symptoms associated with autism such as impaired social interaction and communication.
Autism spectrum disorder has no single known cause. Given the complexity of the disorder, and the fact that symptoms and severity vary, there are probably many causes. Both genetics and environment may play a role. Genetics.
The Role of Serotonin in Brain Function
In addition to depression, serotonin may play a role in other brain and mental health disorders, including anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, and even epilepsy.
Does SSRI therapy help autistic children? Research suggests SSRIs don't change the core characteristics of autism in children. Also, emerging evidence suggests they might cause harm. It's possible, however, that SSRIs might help some autistic children with anxiety, but more high-quality research is needed.
The alteration of serotonergic neural systems is associated with some neurodevelopmental and mental disorders, including anxiety, depression and ASD.
If you don't have enough serotonin, you are more likely to develop depression and anxiety. You need the right amount of serotonin to feel happy, calm and emotionally stable. The symptoms of low serotonin levels include: memory problems.
A dopamine imbalance can cause depression symptoms, such as apathy and feelings of hopelessness, while a serotonin imbalance can affect the processing of emotions.
Foods high in trans fats: Eating foods high in trans fats like potato chips, pizza, and fast food are linked to decreasing serotonin levels. These foods affect our mental health by causing inflammation that could prevent the production of Omega-3 fatty acids that improve brain function and mental health.
A chronic deficit of serotonin (5-HT) at the synapse may trigger symptoms of ADHD.
Increasing serotonin levels can be done naturally. The best ways to do this are eating well, getting out in the sun or supplementing with vitamin D, exercising, taking adaptogens, and managing stress. Serotonin can also be increased synthetically with antidepressants.
Early brain changes and autism spectrum disorder
Research is suggesting that, in future, brain scans may be used to diagnose autism, possibly even before behavioral symptoms become apparent.
Autism is not an illness
It means your brain works in a different way from other people. It's something you're born with. Signs of autism might be noticed when you're very young, or not until you're older. If you're autistic, you're autistic your whole life.
The classical approach to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is often limited to considering their neuro-functional aspects. However, recent scientific literature has shown that ASDs also affect many body systems and apparatuses such as the immune system, the sensory-motor system, and the gut-brain axis.