Immunologic and neurodevelopmental susceptibilities of autism

• Published in: Neurotoxicology (Park Forest South) Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 532 - 545
• Main Authors: Pessah, Isaac N., Seegal, Richard F., Lein, Pamela J., LaSalle, Janine, Yee, Benjamin K., Van De Water, Judy, Berman, Robert F.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Orlando, FL Elsevier B.V 01.05.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: ADHD; Adult; Animals; Antifungal Agents - toxicity; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - chemically induced; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - psychology; Autism; Autistic Disorder - chemically induced; Autistic Disorder - epidemiology; Autistic Disorder - immunology; Autistic Disorder - pathology; Autoantibodies - analysis; Autoantibodies - toxicity; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Child clinical studies; Developmental disorders; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Environmental Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Environmental Pollutants - toxicity; Female; Humans; Infantile autism; Medical sciences; Mercury; Metals and various inorganic compounds; Neuroimmunology; Organochlorines; Organophosphate; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - toxicity; Pregnancy; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Risk; Thimerosal - toxicity; Toxicology; Autism; ADHD; Organophosphate; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Neuroimmunology; Mercury; Organochlorines; Polychlorobiphenyls; Developmental disorder; Heavy metal; Sensitivity resistance; Organochlorine compounds; Organophosphorus compounds; Attention disorder with hyperactivity
• ISSN: 0161-813X; 1872-9711
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2008.02.006

Symposium 5 focused on research approaches that are aimed at understanding common patterns of immunological and neurological dysfunction contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD. The session focused on genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors that might act in concert to influence autism risk, severity and co-morbidities, and immunological and neurobiological targets as etiologic contributors. The immune system of children at risk of autism may be therefore especially susceptible to psychological stressors, exposure to chemical triggers, and infectious agents. Identifying early biomarkers of risk provides tangible approaches toward designing studies in animals and humans that yield a better understanding of environmental risk factors, and can help identify rational intervention strategies to mitigate these risks.