Abstract
Despite the great number of observations being made concerning cellular and the molecular dysfunctions associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the basic central mechanism of these disorders has not been proposed in the major scientific literature. Our review brings evidence that most heterogeneous symptoms of ASD have a common set of events closely connected with dysregulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the brain with enhancement of excitatory receptor function by pro-inflammatory immune cytokines as the underlying mechanism. We suggest that environmental and dietary excitotoxins, mercury, fluoride, and aluminum can exacerbate the pathological and clinical problems by worsening excitotoxicity and by microglial priming. In addition, each has effects on cell signaling that can affect neurodevelopment and neuronal function. Our hypothesis opens the door to a number of new treatment modes, including the nutritional factors that naturally reduce excitotoxicity and brain inflammation.
Keywords: Autism spectrum disorders, excitotoxicity, fluoride, glutamatergic neurotransmission, inflammation, mercury, microglia, cytokines
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Immune-Glutamatergic Dysfunction as a Central Mechanism of the Autism Spectrum Disorders
Volume: 16 Issue: 2
Author(s): R. L. Blaylock and A. Strunecka
Affiliation:
Keywords: Autism spectrum disorders, excitotoxicity, fluoride, glutamatergic neurotransmission, inflammation, mercury, microglia, cytokines
Abstract: Despite the great number of observations being made concerning cellular and the molecular dysfunctions associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the basic central mechanism of these disorders has not been proposed in the major scientific literature. Our review brings evidence that most heterogeneous symptoms of ASD have a common set of events closely connected with dysregulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the brain with enhancement of excitatory receptor function by pro-inflammatory immune cytokines as the underlying mechanism. We suggest that environmental and dietary excitotoxins, mercury, fluoride, and aluminum can exacerbate the pathological and clinical problems by worsening excitotoxicity and by microglial priming. In addition, each has effects on cell signaling that can affect neurodevelopment and neuronal function. Our hypothesis opens the door to a number of new treatment modes, including the nutritional factors that naturally reduce excitotoxicity and brain inflammation.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Blaylock L. R. and Strunecka A., Immune-Glutamatergic Dysfunction as a Central Mechanism of the Autism Spectrum Disorders, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2009; 16 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986709787002745
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986709787002745 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Synthesis and Evaluation of N-substituted (Z)-5-(Benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5- ylmethylene)-2-Thioxothiazolidin-4-one Derivatives and 5-Substituted- Thioxothiazolidindione Derivatives as Potent Anticonvulsant Agents
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Editorial (Thematic Issue: Current Research on Cannabis Use Disorder)
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cardioembolic Stroke: Clinical Features, Specific Cardiac Disorders and Prognosis
Current Cardiology Reviews Synthesis and Anticonvulsant Activity of Some Novel Semicarbazone Containing Benzoxazole: Pharmacophore Model Study
Current Bioactive Compounds Micropropagation: A Tool for the Production of High Quality Plant-based Medicines
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Is Going for Cure in CML Targeting Aberrant Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β?
Current Drug Targets Natural Products and their (Semi-)Synthetic Forms in the Treatment of Migraine: History and Current Status
Current Medicinal Chemistry Ketamine: New Indications for an Old Drug
Current Drug Targets Polyphenols and Neuroprotection against Ischemia and Neurodegeneration
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry α-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone as a Potential Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Review of Topiramate: An Antiepileptic for the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Pharmacological Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: An Update
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors & CNS Disorders
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Epilepsy and Neurosurgery: Historical Highlights
Current Pharmaceutical Design Ring Finger Ubiquitin Protein Ligases and Their Implication to the Pathogenesis of Human Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Molecular Cytogenetics of Autism
Current Genomics A Review on the Phytochemicals, Ethnomedicine Uses and Pharmacology of Ficus Species
Current Traditional Medicine Chinese Herbal Medicine Interventions in Neurological Disorder Therapeutics by Regulating Glutamate Signaling
Current Neuropharmacology Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationship on Anticonvulsant Aryl Semicarbazones
Medicinal Chemistry Editorial (Thematic Issue: Mental Diseases in Medicinal Chemistry: From Synthetic and Natural Drugs to their Therapeutic Treatments)
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry