Does Autoimmune Disorder Meaning Connect to the Autism Spectrum?

Autism is still largely a mystery to science: what it means, how it affects the mind and body, and why it’s seemingly becoming more common, among many other questions. While science is making progress in understanding the diagnosis, one of the mysteries that still remains is how autism affects the immune system.

Autism and GI issues are common, but do they have anything to do with autoimmune disorder meaning?Many people with autism have problems with their immune system, and research has indicated that autism and gastrointestinal issues are a common co-occurring condition, but how and why? That connection is still being explored, along  with discovering the autoimmune disorder meaning for individuals on the autism spectrum.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition characterized by challenges with social skills, speech and nonverbal communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors. The causes of autism are still not fully understood, but research suggests that both genetic and environmental factors play a role.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in understanding the relationship between autism and GI issues (gastrointestinal). Some studies have found that individuals with autism are more likely to have immune system abnormalities, such as increased autoantibodies, allergies, autoimmunity, chronic infections, and inflammation.

This has led to the belief that autism and the immune system may be linked to immune dysfunction in some individuals. Uncovering these connections of autism and autoimmunity and determining the autoimmune disorder meaning may provide meaningful insight and potential new treatment targets for autism.

Gut issues and autism don’t necessarily end as a person ages, either. Autism and GI issues is a common ailment for adults on the spectrum as well.

In fact, autistic individuals are more likely to suffer from GI issues than neurotypicals. Sometimes, diagnosis is made more difficult due to communications challenges.

Typical symptoms of autism and GI issues include stomach/abdominal pain (undefined tummy aches), constipation, and acid reflux (backwash after eating).

What makes understanding about autoimmunity dysfunction and gut issues and autism difficult is that many autistics may not be able to relay discomfort or pain about what they are feeling, which can lead to behaviors of aggression, meltdowns, self-harm, stress and anxiety, and eating disorders.

Being aware that GI issues and other forms of autoimmune challenges often occur with autism can help autistic adults or parents/caregivers to get the help they need.

Theories Explaining Autism and The Immune System Connection and Autoimmune Disorder Meaning

There are several theories that attempt to explain how autism and the immune system could be connected. (Please note that I am not a medical expert and am not taking a stance for or against any of them. These possible connections of autism and autoimmune diseases should be discussed with your doctor.)

But some of the theories include:

Maternal Immune Activation

During pregnancy, activation of the mother’s immune system can affect the development of the fetus. This may occur due to viral/bacterial infections or autoimmune disorders in the mother. Animal studies support the potential  theory of maternal immune activation, showing behavioral and brain connectivity changes in offspring after stimulation of the mother’s immune system during pregnancy.

In humans, some epidemiological studies have found an association between viral infections, bacterial infections, and autoimmune diseases in pregnant mothers and increased autism risk in their children. However, the findings are mixed – other studies have not found any association.

More research is needed to determine if infections during specific windows of vulnerability in fetal development could trigger immune-mediated changes that affect neural connectivity and possibly contribute to ASD.

Autoimmunity

Autism may sometimes be associated with autoantibodies that target brain cells and neurotransmitters. These autoantibodies are proteins produced by the immune system that mistakenly recognize the body’s own tissues as foreign and attack them.

Multiple studies have detected elevated levels of various autoantibodies in the blood and cerebral spinal fluid of some individuals with ASD compared to neurotypical controls. Additionally, maternal antibodies that cross the placenta and target fetal brain proteins have been associated with increased autism and autoimmunity risk, purportedly.

The theory is that these autoantibodies interfere with normal brain connectivity and development, ultimately leading to the symptoms of ASD. However, since many individuals with autism do not have detectable autoantibodies, they are unlikely to explain all cases of ASD.

More research is needed on how autoantibodies contribute to autism as part of better understanding autism and autoimmune disorder meaning.

Neuroinflammation

Ongoing inflammation in the brain and central nervous system has been observed in some individuals with autism through the use of neuroimaging techniques and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. Markers of inflammation have been found to be elevated, according to some researchers.

Neuroinflammation during key stages of brain development could conceivably alter neural circuits and connections, leading to autistic behaviors, according to this theory. Alternatively, inflammation may be a result of the autism disease process itself.

More studies tracking inflammatory markers in early childhood could potentially help determine whether neuroinflammation is a factor in ASD.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Autism and digestive issues often go together, but is there a connection to autism and the immune system?Many children and adults alike with ASD experience gastrointestinal (GI) disorders like diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and bloating. It is estimated that up to 70% of those with ASD have some type of GI abnormality. The GI tract contains a large portion of the body’s immune cells, and inflammation in the gut likely leads to a “leaky gut” that allows passage of toxins, pathogens, and undigested proteins into the bloodstream.

It is hypothesized that autism and digestive issues are connected. Autism and GI issues are surmised to be connected based on research that inflammation generates neuroactive molecules that can travel in the blood and affect the nervous system, potentially altering brain development and behavior.

Autism and GI issues may also cause discomfort, pain, and poor nutrient absorption that generally worsen behavioral symptoms. Treating autism and GI problems often leads to improvement in behaviors.

Infection

Certain maternal viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections during pregnancy have been associated with increased autism risk. Childhood infections have also been linked to increased autism risk by some studies.

It is hypothesized that infections activate the immune system, triggering a cascade of inflammation and autoantibodies that cross the blood-brain barrier to alter brain development. Viruses and bacteria may also directly infect the brain. More research is needed to clarify if infection is a causal risk factor for ASD or merely an indicator of immune dysfunction.

Immune Dysfunction and Genetic Risk Factors

While the above theories have the positions that immune abnormalities may play a direct role in disrupting brain development, another possibility is that autism and autoimmune diseases share an underlying genetic basis. Large studies have identified shared genetic variants that are associated with both ASD and autoimmunity.

This suggests that overlapping genetic risk factors may lead to both immune system abnormalities and autism behaviors. Variants found in genes could possibly jointly contribute to ASD and immune dysfunction in some families, according to findings. More research on these genetic links and further addressing the autoimmune disorder meaning is warranted.

Future Directions about Autism and GI Issues and Autoimmunity

Understanding the relationship between the immune system and autism remains an active area of research. Larger longitudinal studies tracking children’s immune status and relating it to autism onset and progression will help clarify whether there are autism and autoimmunity connections.

Autism and digestive issues can cause pain in children.ASD is a multifaceted condition with both genetic and environmental risk factors contributing to its emergence. Growing body of research suggests immune system abnormalities may play an important role in a significant subset of individuals.

Though questions remain regarding the precise nature and directionality of the relationship between autism and autoimmune diseases, the ties between autism and the immune system offer hope for new treatment approaches. Scientists are still hard at work determining the autoimmune disorder meaning as it relates to autism in general.

Preliminary clinical trials of anti-inflammatory medications, antibody infusions, dietary changes to help with autism and GI issues, and probiotics have shown tentative benefits for some patients, though much more research is needed before these can be widely recommended.

While the path ahead remains full of questions, the converging lines of evidence linking autism and immune dysfunction represent real progress and hope. In the short term, helping individuals to manage autism and digestive issues and other forms of immune system disorders is the real benefit.

After all, nobody wants to go through life with abdominal pain, extreme allergies, infections, skin problems, and more. Knowing that autism and GI issues are real and that relief is possible is a step in the right direction.

Common Autistic Behaviors

There are many behaviors associated with having autism. Keep in mind that everyone presents differently, which is why it is caused a spectrum disorder. However, there are common autism behaviors. Learn more about them. 

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Connor McClure

I'm a young adult navigating life with autism. By sharing my experiences and views, I hope to create a better awareness, understanding, and compassion for those on the spectrum. Let's connect!
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