Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40004071›Full record

ReviewInternational journal of molecular sciences2025

The Ambiguous Role of Growth Factors in Autism: What Do We Really Know?

Giulia Spoto, Ambra Butera, Maria Ludovica Albertini, Carla Consoli, Graziana Ceraolo, Antonio Gennaro Nicotera, Gabriella Di Rosa

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in International journal of molecular sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Review
  7. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Giulia SpotoUnit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dental Sciences & Morpho-Functional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy.ORCID 0009-0003-6714-6952
Ambra ButeraUnit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Chemical, Biological, Farmaceutical & Environmental Science, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy.
Maria Ludovica AlbertiniUnit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy.
Carla ConsoliUnit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy.
Graziana CeraoloUnit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy.
Antonio Gennaro NicoteraUnit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Maternal-Infantile Department, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy.
Gabriella Di RosaUnit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dental Sciences & Morpho-Functional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with multifactorial origins, including the potential involvement of neurotrophins and growth factors. These molecules, which are crucial for neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and brain development, have been implicated in ASD pathophysiology. Altered levels of neurotrophins such as NGF, BDNF, NT3, and NT4, as well as growth factors like IGF1, VEGF, and FGF, have been associated with cognitive deficits, sensory processing abnormalities, and behavioral issues in ASD patients. However, the literature presents conflicting results, often due to differences in research methodologies, sample sizes, patient populations, and diagnostic criteria. Despite these inconsistencies, the potential of neurotrophins and growth factors as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ASD remains promising. Future research with standardized methodologies, larger cohorts, and a clearer understanding of genetic influences is needed to further elucidate their roles in ASD diagnosis and treatment.

Indexed as

Autism Spectrum DisorderAutistic DisorderIntercellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsNerve Growth FactorsAnimalsBiomarkersHumansBiomarkersIntercellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsNerve Growth Factorsautism spectrum disorderBDNFgrowth factorsIGF1neurotrophinsNGF

Identifiers

PMID40004071
PMCPMC11855502

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.