Autoimmunity in Autism

The immune system may be involved in 3 years of age) has been designated childhood disintegration disorder. The term “autism” is usually used to describe disorders included on the autism spectrum.">autism spectrum disorders (3 years of age) has been designated childhood disintegration disorder. The term “autism” is usually used to describe disorders included on the autism spectrum.">ASD), and may be damaging the nervous system in some people with autism.

The immune system protects people from infections and helps fight cancer. The immune system normally attacks foreign invaders like viruses. There can be problems if immune cells are too active and start to attack normal healthy cells; this is called autoimmunity. Some research studies believe that the immune system may be too active in some people with 3 years of age) has been designated childhood disintegration disorder. The term “autism” is usually used to describe disorders included on the autism spectrum.">ASD. For example, some mothers of children with autism have antibodies (certain proteins) in their blood that bind to fetal brain tissue. Some people with autism have increased cytokines, another marker of an active immune system. And there may be more autoimmunity in families of people with autism. Treating an overactive immune system may be helpful for people with autism, though such treatments are not currently used.