Brief Report: Allergic Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. More than Meets the Eye?

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21210299

 

J Autism Dev Disord. 2011 Jan 6. [Epub ahead of print]

Brief Report: " Allergic Symptoms " in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

More than Meets the Eye?

Angelidou A, Alysandratos KD, Asadi S, Zhang B, Francis K, Vasiadi M,

Kalogeromitros D, Theoharides TC.

Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of

Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine,

Suite M & V-208, 136 on Avenue, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.

Abstract

Many children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have either family and/or

personal history of " allergic symptomatology " , often in the absence of positive

skin or RAST tests. These symptoms may suggest mast cell activation by

non-allergic triggers. Moreover, children with mastocytosis or mast cell

activation syndrome (MCAS), a spectrum of rare diseases characterized by

increased number of activated mast cells in many organs, appear to have ASD at a

rate tenfold higher (1/10 children) than that of the general population (1/100

children). Mast cell activation by allergic, infectious, environmental and

stress-related triggers, especially perinatally, would release pro-inflammatory

and neurotoxic molecules. We speculate these could disrupt the gut-blood-brain

barriers, thus contributing to brain inflammation and ASD pathogenesis.

Increased mast cell responsiveness may define at least a subgroup of ASD

subjects, who could benefit from inhibition of mast

cell activation.