Opioid peptides released during digestion of dietary proteins such as casein, were suggested to contribute to autism development, leading to the announcement of opioid excess hypothesis of autism. This paper examines role of enzyme proline dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPPIV; EC 3.4.14.5) and it is exogenous substrate, β-casomorphin-7 (BCM7) in autism etiology. Our study included measurements of DPPIV and BCM7 concentrations in serum and urine, which were analyzed with ELISA assays and activity of DPPIV was measured by colorimetric test. The effect of opioid peptides from hydrolysed bovine milk on DPPIV gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in autistic and healthy children was determined using the Real-Time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) method. Our research included 51 healthy children and 86 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD, ICDF84). We determined that the concentration of BCM7 in serum was significantly, 1.6-fold, higher in the ASD group than in controls (p < 0.0001). Concentration of DPPIV was found to also be significantly higher in serum from ASD children compared to the control group (p < 0.01), while we did not notice significant difference in enzymatic activity of serum DPPIV between the two study groups. We confirmed correlation according to the gender between analyzed parameters. The inspiration for this study emanated from clinical experience of the daily diet role in relieving the symptoms of autism. Despite this, we have concluded that milk-derived opioid peptides and DPPIV are potentially factors in determining the pathogenesis of autism; conducted studies are still limited and require further research.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of heterogeneous, behaviorally defined disorders whereby currently no biological markers are common to all affected individuals. A deregulated immune response may be contributing to the etiology of ASD. The active metabolite of vitamin D₃ has an immunoregulatory role mediated by binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in monocyte, macrophages, and lymphocytes. The effects of vitamin D and interaction with the VDR may be influenced by polymorphism in the VDR gene. Methods: Genetic association of four different VDR polymorphisms (Apa-I, Bsm-I, Taq-I, Fok-I) associated with susceptibility to the development of autism in children was investigated. Results: We uniquely found an association between the presence of the T allele at position Taq-I and presence of the a allele at position Apa-I of the VDR gene with decreased ASD incidence. There was also an association between female gender and the presence of the T allele. We found no statistical significant correlation between VDR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and vitamin D₃ concentration in serum of ASD children. Conclusion: Genetic polymorphism in two SNP in VDR may be correlated with development of ASD symptoms by influencing functionality of vitamin D₃ metabolism, while vitamin D₃ levels were not significantly different between ASD and non-ASD children.

Celem artykułu było przedstawienie danych i wyników analizy zmian w populacji osób diagnozowanych w Centrum Diagnostyki, Leczenia i Terapii Autyzmu w Olsztynie w latach 2012–2023. Badanie obejmowało wielkość populacji pacjentów, stosunek liczby diagnozowanych kobiet do mężczyzn, a także rozkład osób z autyzmem w określonych grupach wiekowych. Wyniki analizy dostarczyły informacji na temat charakterystyki populacji diagnozowanej w placówce oraz zmian zachodzących w strukturze tej grupy.

Introduction: Social competence and daily living skills are essential for autistic students to function socially in university. There is a lack of research focused on this issue. Research Aim: The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between: 1) the level of social competence and daily living skills in autistic students at the beginning of their first year of study, and 2) their satisfaction with studying and their level of social competence, daily living skills, and educational needs. Method: The study was carried out using standardized tools to examine social competencies (PROKOS), educational needs (QEN), and the ‘I can do/I can’t’ questionnaire, as well as data obtained from interviews. Thirty-one respondents from two leading Polish universities were surveyed. Results: The key result is a negative correlation between social competence and daily living skills. Conclusions: This suggests that those who perform better in communication may experience less pressure to shape self-reliance and develop practical skills.

Problematyka monografii doskonale wpisuje się w zapotrzebowanie na wiedzę o Zespole Aspergera. Ma ona szansę dotrzeć do szerokiego grona odbiorców – badaczy podejmowanych kwestii, pedagogów, w tym pedagogów specjalnych, nauczycieli, pracowników resortu zdrowia i pomocy społecznej oraz osób z innych (niekoniecznie naukowych) powodów nią zainteresowanych, np. rodziców/opiekunów osób z zespołem Aspergera czy zróżnicowanych specjalnościowo profesjonalistów sięgających do zagadnień z obszaru autyzmu i zespołu Aspergera w celu poszukiwania możliwych rozwiązań organizacyjnych i programowych w szeroko rozumianej edukacji i rehabilitacji osób z tym zaburzeniem.

Introduction: In Poland the largest group among the respondents are young people – up to 24 years of age, accounting for over 70% of the diagnosed population of Poles with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Aim: To present the changes taking place in the population of people with ASD in Poland in the years 2012–2023 and to present the current epidemiological situation of ASD in Poland. Material and methods: Desk research was used. Four research questions were posed, to which answers were obtained in the data analysis process. Results and discussion: Estimating the ASD population in Poland is essential for planning healthcare, education, and social services. In the 2022/2023 school year, 82,199 children had special education needs due to ASD – a 30% increase from the previous year. Conclusions: The rise in diagnoses (from 18,924 to 131,440) may reflect both a real increase and better diagnostics and awareness. The declining male-to-female ratio (from 4.56 in 2012 to 2.99 in 2023) suggests improved recognition of ASD in females. The biggest increases are among children and youth, highlighting the need for early diagnosis and school support. Regional differences, such as over 1000% increases in some provinces.