Immune/Inflammatory Response and Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Children and Immune/Inflammatory Response Markers

Persistent chronic inflammation/immune response and oxidative stress are hallmarks of ASD. Like autoimmune diseases, an unbalanced immune system leads to unwanted assaults on healthy tissue. In ASD Children, inflammatory/immune response proteins could cross the Blood-Brain Barrier resulting in ongoing neuro-inflammation. This throws out of balance the natural pruning and repair cycle in the brain and could drive the related behaviors and symptoms of ASD Children.

We have been working with ASD children from central Europe residing in areas of heavy industry. All have unhealthy levels of metals in there blood stream and most have persistent viral and/or bacterial infection. This testing is part of our treatment program. Our treatment strategy involves first removing heavy metals and related toxins and the adding stem cell activators (stem cells are key players in modulating the immune system and repairing damage).

Previously I reported results from our testing for neuro growth/repair and oxidative stress markers using our custom ASD array. Here, I report on results from our measuring well known immune/inflammatory markers in 6 of these ASD children. The markers studied were: (IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-alpha). All of the markers were elevated when compared to healthy children. Here're the results:

Graphs: ASD vs Healthy Controls (*Healthy Control Data from Kim et al. Journal of Translational Medicine. 2011: 9:113)

Here's more on these markers:

•  IL-2 is involved in immune regulation. It is one of the key factors in transplant regulation. It is also elevated in many children suffering from ASD. This elevation could be caused by toxins, chronic infection or genetic abnormalities. It should be also noted that IL-2 can cross the blood brain barrier making it a culprit in the symptoms of ASD. 
• IL-6 is a potent pro-inflammatory agent that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of systemic inflammatory diseases like ASD.
• TNF-a has been implicated as main effector of the functional consequences of neuroinflammation on neurodegeneration.

We are seeing improvements in symptoms and behaviors in the ASD Children undergoing treatment. We are early in the our Stem Cell Activating treatment phase. Our plans call for a cycles of testing and treating. If the tests yields movement of these markers to healthy levels, this will confirm how well our these treatments are working. Our plans our to openly share data.

If you would like to learn more about our testing and treatment regimes, I can be reached @ pshuster@neuromics.com or 612-801-1007.