Receptor inhibition by immunoglobulins: Specific inhibition by autistic children, their relatives, and control subjects

Abstract

Forty-two parents of children with autistic disorder, 15 children with autistic disorder, 17 siblings of children with autistic disorder, and 12 unrelated normal adult controls were studied to determine if immunoglobulins isolated from their plasma would inhibit binding of the 5HT1A agonist, [3H]-8-hydroxy-N,N-dipropyl-2-aminotetralin (DPAT) to 5HT1A receptors in human hippocampal membranes. There were no significant differences among the means of percentage inhibition of DPAT binding of parents, children with autistic disorder, siblings, or unrelated controls. In addition, there were no differences in the proportion of subjects with > 15% DPAT inhibition among autistic children, their parents, their siblings, or unrelated controls. Immunoglobulin inhibition was not specific for the 5HT1A receptor binding site, since immunoglobulins inhibited binding to 5HT2, D1, D2, and alpha 2-adrenergic binding sites. The immunoglobulins isolated from normal controls inhibited [3H]-rauwolscine binding at alpha 2-adrenergic sites less than immunoglobulins of children with autistic disorder and their parents and siblings. This study did not support the hypothesis that autoantibodies to 5HT1A or 5HT2 receptors are characteristic of autistic disorder.

Early Developmental Regression in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence from an International Multiplex Sample

“…Some authors have suggested that individuals with autism and regression might represent a distinct PDD subtype (Rogers 2004). It has also been hypothesised that regression might follow specific environmental triggers (Kurita 1985;Cook et al 1993;Warren et al 1996;van Gent et al 1997). The possibility of 'environmentally mediated' regression has been investigated indirectly by measuring the rate of autism related milder phenotypes (the broader autism phenotype) amongst the parents of children with autism with and without regression.…”

Review of serotonergic agents and perseverative behavior in patients with developmental disabilities

“…This could be compatible with a compensatory increase in serotonin production, explaining the increased levels in blood. It has been suggested that antibodies to serotonin receptors may be characteristic of some children with autism, but Cook et al [1993] presented data discounting that theory. Apter et al [1991] have reviewed the research on tryptophan (the dietary precursor of serotonin) in relation to autistic disorder.…”

Novel treatments for autistic spectrum disorders

“…Viral infection, or the immune response to viral infection, has been proposed to result in antibody production to neurotransmitter receptors such as serotonin binding sites [Todd and Ciaranello, 1985;Singh et al, 1997]. The possibility of immunoreactivity at serotonin binding sites is controversial [Yuwiler et al, 1992;Cook et al, 1993]. Prenatal exposures that might alter brain development by immunologic mechanisms have also been proposed.…”