Autoimmune connection of autism in Central Saudi Arabia

Objective: Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorderwith unknown etiology. The etiology of autism iscomplex, and the underlying pathologic mechanisms areunknown. This study tests the autoimmune mechanismsin the pathogenesis for autism in autistic children in theRiyadh area.Methods: The study took place in the Riyadh area ofthe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between September 2003and April 2004. Sixty-five autistic children, with aconfirmed diagnosis according to E-2 diagnostic criteriafor autistic spectrum disorders, participated in the study.Serological examination of antibodies to measles,mumps, rubella (MMR), and myelin basic protein (MBP)was carried out in autistic and control children.Results: The level of MBP antibodies was significantlyhigher in autistic children as compared to controls(p 0.01). Furthermore, the level of antibodies to measlesbut not mumps or rubella was significantly higher inautistics compared to the control group (p 0.05).Moreover, 82% of autistic sera positive for measles IgGwas also positive for MBP.Conclusion: The current study supports the hypothesisthat autoimmunity plays a role in the pathogenesis ofautism. However, results from the current study are notenough to support that immunization by MMR is playinga role in the autoimmune process in autistism.