Immune allergic response in Asperger syndrome

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Immunology
• Autism Spectrum Disorders

Background:

• Asperger syndrome is a form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with social deficits but no language delay.
• The biological underpinnings of ASD remain largely unknown, with ongoing research into potential immune system links.
• Immune dysregulation is controversially associated with autism, prompting further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of atopy in individuals diagnosed with Asperger syndrome.
• To explore the potential association between allergic inflammation and Asperger syndrome.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of atopy incidence between a group of individuals with Asperger syndrome and a healthy control group.
• Assessment included family history of atopy, serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, and cutaneous tests.

Main Results:

• The Asperger syndrome group exhibited a significantly higher incidence of atopy compared to healthy controls.
• Elevated serum IgE levels and positive results in cutaneous tests were observed more frequently in the Asperger group.

Conclusions:

• Atopy is a frequent comorbidity in individuals with Asperger syndrome.
• These findings suggest that allergic inflammation may be a relevant factor in the pathophysiology of Asperger syndrome.