Prenatal exposure to maternal antibodies linked to autistic behaviors in... (s were not due to human IgG exposure. Fi...)

Prenatal exposure to maternal antibodies linked to autistic behaviors in offspring

Date:2/11/2008

s were not due to human IgG exposure. Five monkeys received no treatment whatsoever and were included as study controls. The behavior and social interactions of all 13 offspring were then carefully observed and recorded over the course of a year-and-a-half in a variety of familiar and novel settings.

The team identified only mild social alterations in the four monkeys treated with IgG from mothers of children with autism. The monkeys behavior, however, was notably distinct, since all of them exhibited repetitive activities such as pacing, backflipping, twirling and swinging with much greater frequency and for longer periods of time than other monkeys in the study. The stereotypies were most pronounced after weaning and were even more striking in unfamiliar settings.

The major significance of this study is that it links exposure to abnormal immune system factors during pregnancy with specific behavioral outcomes in offpsring, said Amaral. The monkeys behavior is profoundly changed from normal, and those changes are similar to impairments that we see in children with autism. The study adds to increasing evidence that immune system factors of mothers could contribute to the development of some forms of autism.

While the finding is remarkable, the results must be replicated in a larger, more comprehensive study before prenatal IgG exposure can be confirmed as a risk factor for autism. At that point, the researchers are hopeful that clinical protocols can be developed to identify this risk factor during pregnancy.

We started with a small study to see if our assumptions had merit, and that definitely proved to be true, said Amaral. If a more exhaustive study has the same results, we will be able to say with confidence that weve identified a causal factor for some cases of autism. The goal after that will be to define blood tests that isolate IgG as a diagnostic marker.

One of many forms of antibodies in blood serum, IgG typicall
'/>"/>

Contact: Karen Finney
karen.finney@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
916-734-9064
University of California - Davis - Health System
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3
Related medicine news :

1. Toward a faster prenatal test for Down syndrome
2. Mission Pharmacal Launches CitraNatal(TM) Prescription Prenatal Vitamin Line
3. Acting Surgeon General Announces National Initiatives to Protect Children by Reducing Exposure to Secondhand Smoke
4. Penn School of Medicine receives $2.3 million to study biomarkers of cigarette smoke exposure
5. Teamsters Applaud Passage of Legislation to Protect Workers From Diacetyl Exposure
6. R rating might be unlikely to affect teens exposure to smoking in movies
7. Occupational exposures may be linked to death from autoimmune disease
8. Low Lead Exposures Can Hurt Kidneys
9. Exposure to sunlight may decrease risk of advanced breast cancer by half
10. Firing clay in unvented kilns may be a source of exposure to dioxins
11. VIDEO from Medialink and EcoQuest: New Technology Reduces Exposure to MRSA Staph

Post Your Comments:

Prenatal exposure to maternal antibodies linked to autistic behaviors in...(s were not due to human IgG exposure. Fi...),Health