Autism Spectrum Disorder, Serotonin, and Vitamin D

Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI) has released the results of a study related to social behaviors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In an article published in the FASEB Journal (Federation of America Societies for Experimental Biology) researchers Rhonda Patrick, PhD and Bruce Ames, PhD believe they have discovered a link between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and low levels of the hormone Vitamin D in the brain. Reportedly, the precipitous drop in adequate levels of Vitamin D in the US is concurrent with the rise in autism rates. The authors outlined the impact that Vitamin D may have on social behavior associated with ASD and suggest that dietary intervention with vitamin D, tryptophan, and omega 3 fatty acids would boost brain serotonin concentrations and help prevent and possibly ameliorate some of the symptoms associated with ASD (without side effects.)

http://www.childrenshospitaloakland.org/Uploads/Public/Documents/PDF/Autism%20Research%20Vitamin%20D%20Link%20CHORI.pdf