Is autism an autoimmune disease?
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a spectrum of behavioral anomalies characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, often accompanied by repetitive and stereotyped behavior. The condition manifests within the first 3 years of life and persists into adulthood. There are numerous hypotheses regarding the etiology and pathology of ASD, including a suggested role for immune dysfunction. However, to date, the evidence for involvement of the immune system in autism has been inconclusive. While immune system abnormalities have been reported in children with autistic disorder, there is little consensus regarding the nature of these differences which include both enhanced autoimmunity and reduced immune function. In this review, we discuss current findings with respect to immune function and the spectrum of autoimmune phenomena described in children with ASD.
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The research community has long noticed a correspondence between ASD and autoimmune diseases, with some suggesting that autism should be considered an autoimmune disorder.
“The research community has long noticed a correspondence between ASD and autoimmune diseases, with some suggesting autism should itself be considered an autoimmune disorder (Ashwood and Van de Water, 2004).”
From The Role of the Immune System in Autism Spectrum Disorder (2017) · cites this paper as Ashwood and Van de Water, 2004
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- Authors
- Ashwood, P., & Van de Water, J.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Davis (US)
- ORCID
- Ashwood, Paul
- Venue
- Autoimmunity Reviews
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2004-11
- Volume
- 3
- Issue
- 7-8
- Pages
- 557-562
- ISSN
- 1568-9972 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2000855378
- Cited by
- 181
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 0.59
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Autoimmunity Reviews (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (1 P01 ES11269-01, P01ES011269)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, autoimmune disease, immune dysfunction, autoimmunity, immune function, children, autism etiology, autoimmune phenomena
- MeSH terms
- Autistic Disorder, Autoimmune Diseases, Central Nervous System, Humans, Neuroimmunomodulation, Xenobiotics
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