REHABILITATION OF AUTISM WITH IMMUNE MODULATION THERAPY

Abstract

Autoimmunity may play a key role in the pathogenesis of autism, an early-onset disorder of the developing central nervous system. Viruses such as measles virus might induce autoimmunity as evidenced by a strong correlation of brain autoantibodies and measles antibodies. Autistic children also harbor brain-specific autoantibodies and elevated levels of autoimmunity-specific cytokines interleukin-12 and interferon-gamma.  Collectively, there is compelling reason to believe that autism involves immune activation and autoimmunity to brain and patients show responsiveness to immune modulation therapy. Furthermore, for the purpose of identifying Autoimmune Autistic Disorder (AAD), a protocol for testing autoimmunity is developed. In this article, novel research developments are described to suggest that autoimmunity is a very important target that should be used to offer rehabilitation to autistic patients through immune therapy.