Autism Studies and Related Medical Conditions, January 2009 - TACA

3 - Autism and Neuroinflammation (42 citations):
Ahlsen, G., L. Rosengren, et al. (1993). "Glial fibrillary acidic protein in the cerebrospinal
fluid of children with autism and other neuropsychiatric disorders." Biol Psychiatry
33(10): 734-43.
The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 47 children and adolescents with autism was
analyzed for the contents of two astroglial proteins, the glial fibrillary acidic
protein (GFA) and S 100. The results were contrasted with those obtained in
similarly aged cases with other neuropsychiatric disorders (n = 25) and in normal
children (n = 10). S-100 did not discriminate the groups from each other.
However, GFA in autism and autistic-like conditions was at a level almost three
times that in the normal group. The results could implicate gliosis and unspecific
brain damage in autism. An alternative model would be increased synapse
turnover regardless of underlying cause.
Bradstreet, J. J., S. Smith, et al. (2007). "Spironolactone might be a desirable
immunologic and hormonal intervention in autism spectrum disorders." Med Hypotheses
68(5): 979-87.
Multiple studies now demonstrate that autism is medically characterized, in part,
by immune system dysregulation, including evidence of neuroglial activation and
gastrointestinal inflammation. This neuroglial process has further been
characterized as neuroinflammation. In addition, a subset of autistic children
exhibit higher than average levels of androgens. Spironolactone is an aldosterone
antagonist and potassium-sparing diuretic with a desirable safety profile. It
possesses potent anti-inflammatory and immune modifying properties that might
make it an excellent medical intervention for autism spectrum disorders.
Furthermore, spironolactone demonstrates substantial anti-androgen properties
that might further enhance its appeal in autism, particularly in a definable subset
of hyperandrogenic autistic children. One case report is briefly reviewed
demonstrating objective clinical improvements in an autistic child after
spironolactone administration. Additional research in controlled trials is now
needed to further define the risks and benefits of spironolactone use in children
with autism.
Braunschweig, D., P. Ashwood, et al. (2007). "Autism: Maternally derived antibodies
specific for fetal brain proteins." Neurotoxicology.
Autism is a profound disorder of neurodevelopment with poorly understood
biological origins. A potential role for maternal autoantibodies in the etiology of
some cases of autism has been proposed in previous studies. To investigate this
hypothesis, maternal plasma antibodies against human fetal and adult brain
proteins were analyzed by western blot in 61 mothers of children with autistic
disorder and 102 controls matched for maternal age and birth year (62 mothers
of typically developing children (TD) and 40 mothers of children with non-ASD
developmental delays (DD)). We observed reactivity to two protein bands at
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