Is there any other evidence to support the presence of neuroinflammation in the brain of autistic patients?
Yes. Our study has also demonstrated the presence of unique profiles of cytokine expression in the brain and CSF of subjects with autism. Two pro-inflammatory chemokines, MCP-1 and TARC, and an anti-inflammatory and modulatory cytokine, TGF-1, were consistently elevated in the brain regions studied. MCP-1, a chemokine involved in innate immune reactions and an important mediator for monocyte and T-cell activation, and for trafficking into areas of tissue injury, appeared to be one of the most relevant proteins found in cytokine protein array studies. It was significantly elevated in both brain tissues and CSF. The presence of MCP-1 is of particular interest, since it facilitates the infiltration and accumulation of monocytes and macrophages in inflammatory CNS disease. Our immunocytochemical studies of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum showed that MCP-1 is produced by activated and reactive astrocytes, showing that these cells play an effector role in the disease process in autism. Th
Related Questions
- If there is neuroinflammation in the brain of some autistic patients, is treatment with anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory medications indicated?
- Is there any other evidence to support the presence of neuroinflammation in the brain of autistic patients?
- Is neuroinflammation always present in the brain of autistic patients?
