# Measuring Altered Glutathione in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

> **NIH NIH R21** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $203,383

## Abstract

Project summary
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social and communicative function and
repetitive behaviors. Recent work suggests that oxidative stress (arising from both genetic and environmental
causes) is a contributing factor to the neuropathology of ASD. Emerging evidence suggests that increased
oxidative stress may contribute to the neuronal and cognitive impairments seen in children with Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Glutathione (GSH) is the main redox compound in the brain, and reduced GSH
during development may lead to such increases in oxidative stress and may be a primary cause of secondary
neurophysiological impairments in ASD. GSH can be measured using edited Magnetic Resonance
Spectroscopy (MRS). Here, we propose using a highly novel MRS technique (HERMES) to measure GSH in
the brain of children with ASD and investigate its relation to functional behavioral measures of autism, and
peripheral markers of oxidative stress, work not previously performed. The novelty lies in the application in
children, using a recently developed, more specific and valid MRS technique. Increased oxidative stress, and
associated GSH dysfunction, may therefore be an important contributor to autism-associated alterations in
brain development, contributing in turn to cognitive and social impairments common in ASD. Understanding
the role of oxidative stress in ASD is important for understanding the emergence of ASD and offers a
promising target for future early interventions to increase GSH concentration in the brain.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10223398
- **Project number:** 5R21HD100869-02
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Richard Anthony Edward Edden
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $203,383
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-24 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10223398

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10223398, Measuring Altered Glutathione in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (5R21HD100869-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10223398. Licensed CC0.

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