The paper presents modern data about leptin and adipokine influence on metabolic processes regulation and energy homeostasis. The role of adipokines in obesity is discussed.

Oxytocin is important for regulating a number of physiological processes. Disruption of the secretion, metabolism or action of oxytocin results in an impairment of reproductive function, social and sexual behaviours, and stress responses. This review discusses current views on the regulation and autoregulation of oxytocin release in the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system, with special focus on the activity of the CD38/cADP-ribose system as a new component in this regulation. Data from our laboratories indicate that an impairment of this system results in alterations of oxytocin secretion and abnormal social behaviour, thus suggesting new clues that help in our understanding of the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders.

We have analyzed different approaches to diagnostics of autism-spectrum disorders based on identifying the genetic, morphological, neurophysiological, neurochemical, immunological, and metabolic biomarkers as well registration of specific traits revealed by scales and questionnaires. Results of application of Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ-test) in the population of healthy adults and adults with mental disorders are discussed.