Neuro-Inflammation, Blood-Brain Barrier, Seizures, Autism

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open access:

Neuro-Inflammation, Blood-Brain Barrier, Seizures and Autism.

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22129087>

Theoharides TC, Zhang B.

J Neuroinflammation. 2011 Nov 30;8(1):168. [Epub ahead of print]

ABSTRACT: Many children with Autism Spectrum Diseases (ASD) present with

seizure activity, but the pathogenesis is not understood. Recent

evidence indicates that neuro-inflammation could contribute to seizures.

We hypothesize that and mast cell activation due to allergic,

environmental and/or stress triggers could lead to focal disruption of

the blood-brain barrier and neuro-inflammation, thus contributing to the

development of seizures. Treating neuro-inflammation may be useful when

anti-seizure medications are ineffective.

Not open access:

Mast cell activation and autism.

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21193035>

Theoharides TC, Angelidou A, Alysandratos KD, Zhang B, Asadi S, Francis

K, Toniato E, Kalogeromitros D.

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2012 Jan;1822(1):34-41. Epub 2010 Dec 28.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders

characterized by varying degrees of dysfunctional communication and

social interactions, repetitive and stereotypic behaviors, as well as

learning and sensory deficits. Despite the impressive rise in the

prevalence of autism during the last two decades, there are few if any

clues for its pathogenesis, early detection or treatment. Increasing

evidence indicates high brain expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines

and the presence of circulating antibodies against brain proteins. A

number of papers, mostly based on parental reporting on their children's

health problems, suggest that ASD children may present with

" allergic-like " problems in the absence of elevated serum IgE and

chronic urticaria. These findings suggest non-allergic mast cell

activation, probably in response to environmental and stress triggers

that could contribute to inflammation. In utero inflammation can lead to

preterm labor and has itself been strongly associated with adverse

neurodevelopmental outcomes. Premature babies have about four times

higher risk of developing ASD and are also more vulnerable to

infections, while delayed development of their gut-blood-brain barriers

makes exposure to potential neurotoxins likely. Perinatal mast cell

activation by infectious, stress-related, environmental or allergic

triggers can lead to release of pro-inflammatory and neurotoxic

molecules, thus contributing to brain inflammation and ASD pathogenesis,

at least in a subgroup of ASD patients. This article is part of a

Special Issue entitled: Mast cells in inflammation.