Research summaries for autism therapy: immunoglobulin | Healing Thresholds

Research summaries for autism therapy: immunoglobulin

definition of immunoglobulin: Proteins that are normally made by white blood cells of the immune system to help fight infections. Immunoglobulins bind to cells, viruses, or chemicals in the body and help the immune system destroy these foreign things. Immunoglobulins are also used for treatment of a variety of health conditions including autism; also called antibodies.

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Autism: An Emerging ‘Neuroimmune Disorder’ in Search of Therapy, Summarized Dec 4, 2009

Scientists are learning that the immune system may contribute to autism symptoms, and may be a good target for autism therapies.

The immune system is the system in the body that fights infections. Scientific evidence is building that tells us that the immune system might contribute to some autism symptoms. Studies show that people with autism have signs of inflammation (turned-up immune system), including inflammation in the brain. Some people with autism had antibodies (immune-active proteins) against brain proteins. If the immune system is important, new drug therapies to help balance the immune system might be helpful.

Syndrome of Allergy, Apraxia, and Malabsorption: Characterization of a Neurodevelopmental Phenotype that Responds to Omega 3 and Vitamin E Supplementation, Summarized Sep 4, 2009

Combined vitamin E and omega 3 therapy may help a type of verbal apraxia (speech problems) that may be caused by food allergies and nutritional problems, and could affect children with autism.... They reported low carnitine levels, high anti-gluten antibodies, low vitamin D levels, fat absorption problems, and other results. The authors described how nutrition and metabolism might be different in some children with autism.... Read more...

A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Oral Human Immunoglobulin for Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Children with Autistic Disorder, Summarized Jul 14, 2009

Oral immune therapy does not seem to improve digestive problems in children with autism.... The authors tested whether oral immunoglobulin treatment might calm down the immune system in the gut and improve symptoms of autism. This study was randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled.... Read more...

Autoimmunity in Autism, Summarized Jul 7, 2009

The immune system may be involved in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and may be damaging the nervous system in some people with autism.... For example, some mothers of children with autism have antibodies (certain proteins) in their blood that bind to fetal brain tissue. Some people with autism have increased cytokines, another marker of an active immune system.... Read more...

Synonyms for immunoglobulin include: antibodies, antibody, immunoglobulins

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