Autism may be linked to abnormal immune system characteristics and novel protein fragment
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 - 16:30
in Biology & Nature
Immune system abnormalities that mimic those seen with autism spectrum disorders have been linked to the amyloid precursor protein (APP), according to new research. The study, conducted with mouse models of autism, suggests that elevated levels of an APP fragment circulating in the blood could explain the aberrations in immune cell populations and function -- both observed in some autism patients.