title: Are there enhanced MBP autoantibodies in autism?
abstract: Autoantibodies to central nervous system antigens, such as myelin basic protein (MBP), may play a role in autism. We measured autoantibody titers to MBP in children with autism, both classic onset and regressive onset forms, controls (healthy age- and gender-matched) and individuals with Tourette syndrome via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. We found a significant difference in autoantibody titers to MBP, not accounted for by age or medication, between Tourette and classic autism (both significantly lower) when compared to regressive autism, but not when compared to controls. Autoantibody responses against MBP are unlikely to play a pathogenic role in autism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, 3R330 SOM, Salt Lake City, UT 84132-2305, USA.
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Libbey
authors.forename: Hilary H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Coon
authors.forename: Nikki J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Kirkman
authors.forename: Thayne L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Sweeten
authors.forename: Judith N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Edward K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: Janet E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lainhart
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Fujinami
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001369:Axons / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006657:Histones / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology*; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000276:immunology; D012016:Reference Values; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D006657:Histones; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein