Cerebrospinal fluid and serum markers of inflammation in autism

Andrew W. Zimmerman, Harumi Jyonouchi, Anne M. Comi, Susan L. Connors, Sheldon Milstien, Angeliki Varsou, Melvyn P. Heyes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

209 Scopus citations

Abstract

Systemic immune abnormalities have no known relevance to brain dysfunction in autism. In order to find evidence for neuroinflammation, we compared levels of sensitive indicators of immune activation: quinolinic acid, neopterin, and biopterin, as well as multiple cytokines and cytokine receptors, in cerebrospinal fluid and serum from children with autism, to control subjects with other neurologic disorders. In cerebrospinal fluid from 12 children with autism, quinolinic acid (P = 0.037) and neopterin (P = 0.003) were decreased, and biopterin (P = 0.040) was elevated, compared with control subjects. In sera from 35 persons with autism, among cytokines, only tumor necrosis factor receptor II was elevated compared with controls (P < 0.02). Decreased quinolinic acid and neopterin in cerebrospinal fluid are paradoxical and suggest dysmaturation of metabolic pathways and absence of concurrent infection, respectively, in autism. Alternatively, they may be produced by microglia but remain localized and not expressed in cerebrospinal fluid.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)195-201
Number of pages7
JournalPediatric Neurology
Volume33
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2005

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Neurology
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neurology

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