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Immunotoxicity, Immune Dysfunction, and Chronic Disease pp 253–269Cite as

Immune Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Part of the book series: Molecular and Integrative Toxicology ((MOLECUL))

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are complex and heterogeneous with a spectrum of diverse symptoms. Current estimates suggest that ASD affects approximately 1% of children and is a major public health issue. Despite decades of research, little is known about factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of the disorder, although both genetic and environmental factors have been implicated. A number of published findings have identified numerous immune abnormalities in subjects with ASD and their families, both at the systemic and cellular levels. In addition, genetic studies have also uncovered a number of candidate genes that link immune function with ASD. Collectively these findings point to a pivotal role for immune-dysregulation in the pathogenesis of ASD. A better understanding of the involvement of the immune response on early brain development and how this is altered in ASD will have important therapeutic implications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology and the M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA

    Milo Careaga & Paul Ashwood

  2. 2805 50th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA

    Milo Careaga & Paul Ashwood

  3. Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA

    Judy Van de Water

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  1. Milo Careaga
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  2. Judy Van de Water
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Correspondence to Paul Ashwood .

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  1. College of Veterinary Medicine, Dept. Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, 14853, New York, USA

    Rodney R. Dietert

  2. National Health and Environmental Effects, Research Laboratories, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, 27711, USA

    Robert W. Luebke

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Careaga, M., Van de Water, J., Ashwood, P. (2012). Immune Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders. In: Dietert, R., Luebke, R. (eds) Immunotoxicity, Immune Dysfunction, and Chronic Disease. Molecular and Integrative Toxicology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-812-2_10

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