Understanding on neuroimmunology in Autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of severe pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders (PDD) affecting between 1 and 3% of pediatric populations. It is characterized by a highly variable impairment in social interaction and verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as by a stereotyped repetitive behavior, learning problems, and aloofness. ASD behavioral symptoms are frequently accompanied by immunological derangements, including cellular immune dysregulation, chronic inflammatory states, and neuroimmune alterations. Currently, the involvement of the immune pathology in autism remains unclear, and we consider that a better understanding would be useful for earlier clinical and therapeutic interventions. The main aim of this chapter is to review the most current aspects regarding the etiology of autism, with particular reference to the contribution of inflammatory events occurring in the periphery and into the brain, and how they can influence the abnormal development of the offspring and modulate the typical behaviors frequently observed in autism.