Brain Inflammation a Hallmark of Autism, Large-scale Analysis Shows

Researchers have discovered an abnormal immune response within autistic brains by analyzing the genetic structure of cells in one of the largest tissue studies ever to take place. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, analyzed tissue from 72 autistic and non-autistic brains collected from tissue banks by performing gene expressions to study chemical reactions in the reactivated tissue. Within the autistic samples, microgia typically tasked with removing pathogens were found to be perpetually activated as if responding to extensive inflammation throughout the brain. Upon further analysis, researchers were unable to link brain inflammation to typical autistic symptoms, drawing into question how this abnormal immune response was affecting the brain. The leader research explained, “There are many different ways of getting autism, but we found that they all have the same downstream effect. What we don’t know is whether this immune response is making things better in the short term and worse in the long term.” To learn more about this study, click here.