Immune abnormalities in patients with autism

We have begun an investigation on the immune systems of patients with autism in attempt to determine if immune mechanisms are involved in the development of this severe developmental disorder. A study of 31 autistic patients has revealed several immune-system abnormalities, including reduced respons...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 16; no. 2; p. 189
Main Authors Warren, R P, Margaretten, N C, Pace, N C, Foster, A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.06.1986
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Anticonvulsants - pharmacology
Autistic Disorder - etiology
Autistic Disorder - immunology
Child
Child, Preschool
Concanavalin A - pharmacology
Female
Humans
Leukocyte Count
Lymphocytes - physiology
Male
Phytohemagglutinins - pharmacology
Pokeweed Mitogens - pharmacology
T-Lymphocytes - analysis
T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer - analysis
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - analysis
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Summary:We have begun an investigation on the immune systems of patients with autism in attempt to determine if immune mechanisms are involved in the development of this severe developmental disorder. A study of 31 autistic patients has revealed several immune-system abnormalities, including reduced responsiveness in the lymphocyte blastogenesis assay to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen; decreased numbers of T lymphocytes; and an altered ratio of helper to suppressor T cells. Immune-system abnormalities may be directly related to underlying biologic processes of autism, or these changes may be an indirect reflection of the actual pathologic mechanism.
ISSN:0162-3257
DOI:10.1007/BF01531729