Inflammatory Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder in early childhood characterized by impairment in communication and behavior. Recent research is focused on the immune dysregulation as a potential pathomechanism leading to ASD. Thus, we addressed the hypothesis that inflammatory activity might be enhanced in children suffering from ASD. We examined 15 children with ASD (13 boys/2 girls, mean age of 9.3 ± 0.7 years) and 20 age/gender-matched healthy subjects as a control group. All children were medication free and in good health. Hematological parameters in venous blood and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines - tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), and interleukin 8 (IL-8) - were assessed in each subject using human ultra-sensitive ELISA kits. In addition, TBARS as a marker of oxidative stress was evaluated. We found that the level of IL-8 was significantly increased in the ASD children, whereas the other markers remained unappreciably changed compared to controls (p = 0.003). In conclusion, the study demonstrates a discrete immune dysfunction in ASD of pro-inflammatory character.

Simple peripheral markers for inflammation in adolescents with major depressive disorder

“…In a study evaluating iron deficiency in children and adolescents with ADHD and healthy controls, there was no significant difference in the RDW values of the ADHD group compared to the control group [59]. In another study investigating inflammation in autistic children, no significant difference was reported in the mean RDW of the patient group when compared with that of the healthy group [60]. In studies evaluating RDW in children and adolescents with organic disease and in adult patients with depression, RDW has been shown to be associated with inflammation; however, studies evaluating RDW in children and adolescents with ADHD and autism have not shown significant results.…”

Quantitation of plasma thiamine, related metabolites and plasma protein oxidative damage markers in children with autism spectrum disorder and healthy controls

“…The ASD definition now includes Asperger syndrome, classic autism, childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified. In a recent review, Bourgeron [2] discussed the wider notion of "ESSENCE", or "Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations", to refer to children presenting in clinical settings with impairing child symptoms before age 3-5 years in the fields of (1) general development, (2) communication and language, (3) social interrelatedness, (4) motor coordination, (5) attention, (6) activity, (7) behavior, (8) mood, and/or (9) sleep.…”

Neuroimmune Alterations in Autism: A Translational Analysis Focusing on the Animal Model of Autism Induced by Prenatal Exposure to Valproic Acid

“…The large heterogeneity of the symptoms could potentially be explained by individual differences, for example in the immune system. Alterations in cytokine levels are common in autistic individuals, with a frequent observation of elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines [6,7].…”