Study Suggests Brain Inflammation Is a Hallmark of Autism

Researchers find widespread activation of immune cells in brains affected by autism; a target for new treatments? December 10, 2014 Immune cells called microglia (green) patrol the brain and, when activated, produce potentially damaging inflammation. In a large brain study, researchers found gene-expression patterns (inset) indicating widespread microglial activation. Get The Autism Answer on Paperback FREE – CLICK HERE In the largest study of its kind, researchers studying brains affected by autism found a common pattern: Widespread activation of brain immune cells that produce inflammation. The investigators conclude that the brain inflammation likely resulted from, rather than caused, autism. Still they urge further research to see if new treatments that calm brain inflammation might ease autism symptoms. There are many different ways of getting autism, but we found that they all have the same downstream effect, says study author Dan Arking, of Johns Hopkins’ McKusick-Nathans I
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