Abstract
Many children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have either family and/or personal history of “allergic symptomatology”,
often in the absence of positive skin or RAST tests. These symptoms may suggest mast cell activation by non-allergic triggers.
Moreover, children with mastocytosis or mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), a spectrum of rare diseases characterized by
increased number of activated mast cells in many organs, appear to have ASD at a rate tenfold higher (1/10 children) than
that of the general population (1/100 children). Mast cell activation by allergic, infectious, environmental and stress-related
triggers, especially perinatally, would release pro-inflammatory and neurotoxic molecules. We speculate these could disrupt
the gut–blood–brain barriers, thus contributing to brain inflammation and ASD pathogenesis. Increased mast cell responsiveness
may define at least a subgroup of ASD subjects, who could benefit from inhibition of mast cell activation.
often in the absence of positive skin or RAST tests. These symptoms may suggest mast cell activation by non-allergic triggers.
Moreover, children with mastocytosis or mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), a spectrum of rare diseases characterized by
increased number of activated mast cells in many organs, appear to have ASD at a rate tenfold higher (1/10 children) than
that of the general population (1/100 children). Mast cell activation by allergic, infectious, environmental and stress-related
triggers, especially perinatally, would release pro-inflammatory and neurotoxic molecules. We speculate these could disrupt
the gut–blood–brain barriers, thus contributing to brain inflammation and ASD pathogenesis. Increased mast cell responsiveness
may define at least a subgroup of ASD subjects, who could benefit from inhibition of mast cell activation.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1171-z
- Authors
- Asimenia Angelidou, Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Suite M&V-208, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Konstantinos-Dionysios Alysandratos, Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Suite M&V-208, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Shahrzad Asadi, Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Suite M&V-208, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Bodi Zhang, Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Suite M&V-208, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Konstantinos Francis, Child Psychiatry Section, Second Department of Psychiatry, Attikon General Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, 12462 Greece
- Magdalini Vasiadi, Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Suite M&V-208, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Dimitrios Kalogeromitros, Allergy Clinical Research Center, Allergy Section, Attikon General Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, 12462 Greece
- Theoharis C. Theoharides, Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Suite M&V-208, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257