title: The minicolumnopathy of autism: A link between migraine and gastrointestinal symptoms.
abstract: Gastrointestinal symptoms are common medical problems among autistic patients. A leaky gut and viruses have been proposed as possible culprits but evidence for these etiological agents remains elusive. In this article, we put forward an alternate etiology: abdominal migraines. Recent postmortem studies in autism indicate the presence of a minicolumnopathy and its relationship to both serotonergic abnormalities and a hyperexcitable cortex. These features of phenomenology are also observed in miganeurs. A putative relationship between autism and migraine is further suggested by similarities in clinical histories and laboratory evidence. Some commonalities include the presence of neuroinflammation, sensory overstimulation (e.g., flickering of fluorescent lights), "food allergies", benefits from similar diets, and the role of nitric oxide. Abdominal migraine therefore stands as a falsifiable hypothesis with added importance accrued to potential therapeutic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 500 South Preston Street, Building 55A, Room #217, Louisville, KY 40292, United States. M0CASA02@louisville.edu
authors.forename: Manuel F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Casanova
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001344:Autopsy; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin