Background Neurotrophic factors are essential regulators of neuronal maturation including
synaptic synthesis. Among those, Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been in
particular focus in the understanding of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Purpose The aim
of our study was to investigate whether BNDF could be used as diagnostic/biological marker
for ASD. For this purpose we examined the plasma levels of BDNF and the precursors pro-
BDNF in patients with ASD and compared it with non-autistic controls; determined whether …