Autism Studies and Related Medical Conditions, January 2009 - TACA

would be effective in alleviating chronic GI dysfunction in these individuals. In
this pilot study, twelve male subjects diagnosed with AD were evaluated using a
GI severity index (GSI) while receiving daily dosing with encapsulated human
immunoglobulin. Following eight weeks of treatment, 50% of the subjects met
prespecified criteria for response in GI signs and symptoms and showed
significant behavioral improvement as assessed by the Autism Behavior Checklist
and parent and physician rated Clinical Global Impression of Improvement.
Shenoy, S., S. Arnold, et al. (2000). "Response to steroid therapy in autism secondary
to autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome." J Pediatr 136(5): 682-7.
We report a child who developed autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome
(ALPS) secondary to a heterozygous dominant negative mutation in the death
domain of the Fas receptor. Previously developmentally normal, he had
symptoms of autism with rapid regression in developmental milestones
coincident with the onset of lymphoproliferation and autoimmune hemolytic
anemia. Low-dose steroid therapy induced early and complete remission in the
ALPS phenotype. There was subjective improvement, followed by objective
improvement in speech and developmental milestones. We propose that autism
may be part of the autoimmune disease spectrum of ALPS in this child, and this
case represents a novel manifestation and target organ involvement in this
disease.
Singh, V. K., H. H. Fudenberg, et al. (1988). "Immunodiagnosis and immunotherapy in
autistic children." Ann N Y Acad Sci 540: 602-4.
Stefanatos, G. A., W. Grover, et al. (1995). "Case study: corticosteroid treatment of
language regression in pervasive developmental disorder." J Am Acad Child Adolesc
Psychiatry 34(8): 1107-11.
The authors describe a child whose language and behavior regressed at 22
months and in whom pervasive developmental disorder was later diagnosed. At 6
years, he displayed a profound receptive-expressive aphasia accompanied by
behavioral disturbances characterized by hyperactivity, impaired social
interactions, tantrums, gestural stereotypies, and echolalia. A single-photon
emission computed tomography scan and steady-state auditory evoked
potentials suggested bitemporal and left frontal pathophysiology. The overall
profile resembled Landau-Kleffner syndrome, but no electroencephalographic
disturbance was evident. Corticosteroid treatment resulted in amelioration of
language abilities and behavior. These findings suggest that the factors
underlying language regression in pervasive developmental disorder can, in
special circumstances, be amenable to pharmacological treatment.
Stubbs, E. G., S. S. Budden, et al. (1980). "Transfer factor immunotherapy of an autistic
child with congenital cytomegalovirus." J Autism Dev Disord 10(4): 451-8.
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