Immune mediators in the brain and peripheral tissues in autism spectrum disorder. Nature reviews neuroscience

• There is increasing evidence that immune dysregulation plays a central role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

• Several genes associated with ASD encode components of the immune system.

• Many maternal immune system-related risk factors, including autoimmunity, infection and fetal reactive antibodies, are associated with ASD.

• There is evidence of ongoing immune dysregulation in individuals with ASD and animal models of the disorder.

• Several molecular signaling pathways link immune activation to ASD phenotypes.

• The immune system is a point of convergence for various ASD-related genetic and environmental risk factors. 

APA reference for the article:

Estes, M. L., & McAllister, A. K. (2015). Immune mediators in the brain and peripheral tissues in autism spectrum disorder. Nature reviews neuroscience, 16(8), 469–486.¹