B./was: autism: immunity; gene-environment; androgens in CAH, autism

[Guest guest]

, how can one find/read the entire article?

Cochran <Ladyshrink111@...> wrote:

1: J Leukoc Biol. 2006 May 12; [Epub ahead of print] Related Articles, Links

The immune response in autism: a new frontier for autism research.

Ashwood P, Wills S, Van de Water J.

*Medical Microbiology and Immunology and the M.I.N.D. Institute and Division of

Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California ,

Sacramento.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are part of a broad spectrum of

neurodevelopmental disorders known as pervasive developmental disorders, which

occur in childhood. They are characterized by impairments in social interaction

and verbal and nonverbal communication and the presence of restricted and

repetitive, stereotyped behaviors. At the present time, the etiology of ASD is

largely unknown, but genetic, environmental, immunological, and neurological

factors are thought to play a role in the development of ASD. Recently,

increasing research has focused on the connections between the immune system and

the nervous system, including its possible role in the development of ASD. These

neuroimmune interactions begin early during embryogenesis and persist throughout

an individual's lifetime, and successful neurodevelopment is contingent on a

normal, balanced immune response. Immune aberrations consistent with a

dysregulated immune response, which so far, have been reported in

autistic children, include abnormal or skewed T helper cell type 1 (TH1)/TH2

cytokine profiles, decreased lymphocyte numbers, decreased T cell mitogen

response, and the imbalance of serum immunoglobulin levels. In addition, autism

has been linked with autoimmunity and an association with immune-based genes

including human leukocyte antigen-DRB1 and complement C4 alleles described.

There is potential that such aberrant immune activity during vulnerable and

critical periods of neurodevelopment could participate in the generation of

neurological dysfunction characteristic of ASD. This review will examine the

status of the research linking the immune response with ASD.

PMID: 16698940

2: World Psychiatry. 2004 Jun;3(2):73-83. Related Articles, Links

Gene-environment interactions in mental disorders.

Tsuang MT, Bar JL, Stone WS, Faraone SV.

Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Mental Health

Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Research clearly shows that both nature and nurture play important roles in the

genesis of psychopathology. In this paper, we focus on 'gene-environment

interaction' in mental disorders, using genetic control of sensitivity to the

environment as our definition of that term. We begin with an examination of

methodological issues involving gene-environment interactions, with examples

concerning psychiatric and neurological conditions. Then we review the

interactions in psychiatric disorders using twin, adoption and association

designs. Finally, we consider gene-environment interactions in selected

neurodevelopmental disorders (autism and schizophrenia).

PMID: 16633461

3: Horm Behav. 2006 Jun;50(1):148-53. Epub 2006 Apr 19. Related Articles, Links

Androgens and autistic traits: A study of individuals with congenital adrenal

hyperplasia.

Knickmeyer R, Baron-Cohen S, Fane BA, Wheelwright S, Mathews GA, Conway GS,

Brook CG, Hines M.

Department of Psychology, City University, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB,

UK.

Testosterone promotes male-typical neural and behavioral development in

non-human mammals. There is growing evidence that testosterone exerts similar

influences on human development, although the range of behaviors affected is not

completely known. This study examined the hypothesis that autistic traits are

increased following prenatal exposure to abnormally high levels of testosterone

caused by congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Sixty individuals with CAH (34

female, 26 male) and 49 unaffected relatives (24 female, 25 male) completed the

Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Females with CAH scored significantly higher than

unaffected females on total AQ score, largely due to enhanced scores on

subscales measuring social skills and imagination. These results suggest that

prenatal exposure to high levels of testosterone influences some autistic traits

and that hormonal factors may be involved in vulnerability to autism.

PMID: 16624315