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Maternal antibodies may cause autism
Issue date: 3/6/08
Singer and his group found that, in some cases of autism, pregnant women's bodies actually raise antibodies against their babies, which sets off a series of events that slowed the normal development of the infants' brains.
The team found that mothers of children with autism had heightened levels of certain antibodies during their pregnancies. "The presence of specific antibodies correlated with the presence of developmental regression in the affected child," Singer said.
"About 40 percent of mothers with autistic offspring had significant differences on Western immunoblots," Singer said, referring to analyses conducted on fetal fluids to measure levels of certain anti-brain antibodies.
This finding suggests that there may be a truly devastating link between maternal antibodies and autism. Singer's team and others are now moving toward a greater understanding of the causes of the illness.
The next step of the research is aimed at trying to discover which proteins are engaged in this immunological backfiring, in hopes of being able to prevent this process.
The team found that mothers of children with autism had heightened levels of certain antibodies during their pregnancies. "The presence of specific antibodies correlated with the presence of developmental regression in the affected child," Singer said.
"About 40 percent of mothers with autistic offspring had significant differences on Western immunoblots," Singer said, referring to analyses conducted on fetal fluids to measure levels of certain anti-brain antibodies.
This finding suggests that there may be a truly devastating link between maternal antibodies and autism. Singer's team and others are now moving toward a greater understanding of the causes of the illness.
The next step of the research is aimed at trying to discover which proteins are engaged in this immunological backfiring, in hopes of being able to prevent this process.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Leslie Feldman
posted 3/07/08 @ 5:26 PM EST
In addition to maternal antibodies there is much evidence that advancing paternal age is a potent risk factor for autism. The Simons Foundation website has this article discussing some of the research: http://www. (Continued…)
Dawn Dyson
posted 3/09/08 @ 7:30 AM EST
This is more of a question than a comment. We have a five year old son who is mild/moderate autistic. I was Rh positive during that pregnancy. I was given the Rhogam shot during the pregnancy and after he was born. (Continued…)
barbara raugh
posted 3/09/08 @ 3:22 PM EST
My (fifth child) youngest child was diagnosed with high-functioning autism/asperger's syndrome at age 35 and has had to rebuild his life from that time on. (Continued…)
BK
posted 3/19/09 @ 12:43 PM EST
My two children also have Aspergers. By accident, I was recently diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid disease, but I think I have had it for many years that was misdiagnosed as IBS. (Continued…)
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