Biochemical imbalances

At the biological level, autism is characterised by a number of increasingly well-documented biochemical imbalances. These include oxidation/reduction imbalance, oxidative stress and associated mitochondrial dysfunction, etc.

Chronic inflammation

Autistic individuals often display proinflammatory cytokine imbalances and may suffer from overactive or dysfunctional immune systems, with chronic neuroinflammation (neuroglial activation, presence of autoantibodies to certain brain proteins, etc.).

Gastrointestinal disorders

Imbalances in gut microflora are common and the likelihood of suffering from a gastrointestinal disorder is greatly enhanced relative to neurotypical control populations.

Note : the above comments are largely derived from Nevison, A comparison of temporal trends in United States autism prevalence to trends in suspected environmental factors. Environmental Health 13, 73 (2014)

For families

The term comorbidities may sound off-putting, but it refers to the biological conditions that often accompany autism spectrum disorders.

For you, these conditions can also serve as opportunities i.e. tools to support and enhance the well-being of your loved one with autism.

Recent literature reviews have converged on immune system dysregulation as a core biological feature of autism.

Several sources selected in an abundant scientific literature :

  • James SJ, Cutler P, Melnyk S, Jernigan S, Janak L, Gaylor DW, Neubrander JA: Metabolic biomarkers of increased oxidative stress and impaired methylation capacity in children with autism. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004, 80: 1611-1617

  • Chaidez V, Hansen RL, Hertz-Picciotto I: Gastrointestinal Problems in Children with Autism, Developmental Delays or Typical Development. Journal of autism and developmental disorders. 2013, 44: 1117-1127.
  • Pardo CA, Vargas DL, Zimmerman AW: Immunity, neuroglia and neuroinflammation in autism. Int Rev Psychiatr. 2005, 17: 485-495. 10.1080/02646830500381930.
  • Singh VK: Phenotypic expression of autoimmune autistic disorder (AAD): a major subset of autism. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2009, 21: 148-161.
  • Goines PE, Ashwood P: Cytokine dysregulation in autism spectrum disorders (ASD): Possible role of the environment. Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2012, 36: 67-81.

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