Association of 5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphisms with gastrointestinal disorders in Egyptian children with autistic disorder.

Gastrointestinal disturbances (GID) are frequently reported in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Recently, mounting evidence suggests that there may be a genetic link for autism with gastrointestinal disturbances. We aimed to investigate whether there were any association between the -1438A/G, 102T/C and His452Tyr polymorphisms of the serotonin 2A receptor gene (5-HT2A) in Egyptian children with ASD and GID.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphism and hyperactivity symptoms in Egyptian children with autism spectrum disorder.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) plays an important role in the catabolism of brain dopamine and norepinephrine, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as well as in other neuropsychatric disorders. We aimed to investigate the association of COMT Val158Met gene polymorphism with ASD and to examine the influence of such genotypes on hyperactivity symptoms in ASD patients. Eighty ASD patients (mean age 9 ± 1.