Immunity & Autism (2006)
This study investigated immunity & autism. The authors review research linking autism spectrum disorders with various abnormal immune responses during development. Interactions between the immune system and nervous system begin early in embryonic development, with normal nervous system development dependent on a normal balanced immune response. Several immune system disturbances have been linked to autism. Digestive system disturbances have been found in a significant proportion of autistic patients and the authors review studies linking gluten and casein (cereal and milk proteins) to autism.
P Ashwood, S Wills, J Van de Water, ‘The immune response in autism: a new frontier for autism research’, J Leukoc Biol, vol 80(1):1-15, 2006.