Increased Immunoglobulin in Children with Autism
Irva Herts-Picciotto, Ph.D.
University of California Davis
NIEHS Grants P01ES011269 and R01ES015359
New data on autism from NIEHS-supported grantees at the University of California Davis presents additional information that immune dysfunction is associated with autism disorders. Previous reports have shown abnormal immunoglobulin levels, including increases in blood levels of autoreactive antibodies in people with autism.
Since IgG is the predominant antibody isotype found in the blood, the researchers hypothesized that an altered immune response could result in an abnormal IgG profile in children with autism. They measured plasma levels of four different isotypes of IgG in 241 children from the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment study, a large epidemiologic case-control investigation. The study included 114 children with autism disorder, 96 typically developing control children, and 31 children with developmental delays.
They found significantly increased levels of the IgG4 subclass in children with autism disorder as compared with the control children and the children with developmental delays. The results suggest an underlying immunological abnormality in children with autism disorder. The researchers conclude additional investigation is necessary to determine the relationship between immunological findings and behavioral impairments in autism.
Citation: Enstrom A, Krakowiak P, Onore C, Pessah IN, Hertz-Picciotto I, Hansen RL, Van de Water JA, Ashwood P. Increased IgG4 levels in children with autism disorder. Brain Behav Immun. 2009 Mar;23(3):389-95.
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