Clinical neurochemistry of autism and associated disorders.

Kunz et al. (1982) wrote a story-style review. They pulled together early lab work on brain chemicals in autism.

They focused on monoamine systems. These are messengers like dopamine and serotonin.

The paper saw hints that these chemicals act different in autism. Yet every child’s profile looked mixed.

The authors said we need more lab work before we can trust the story.

Rimmer et al. (1995) answered the call. They sampled spinal fluid from infants. After 24 weeks the chemical levels still did not line up with behavior.

Neupane et al. (2025) later ran a big sweep. Basal levels of stress chemicals were mostly normal. Only quick spikes of epinephrine looked high, pointing to momentary stress, not chronic brew.

The trio moves the tale. G et al. sparked the hunt. H et al. showed weak links. Krisha et al. trimmed the hype.

For you at the clinic this means: don’t blame every behavior swing on “bad brain soup.” Track what happens right before the spike. Use ABA to teach coping right at that trigger moment. Let the chemists hunt for pills; you hunt for context.