This article is a summary in Spanish of the publication Dr Daniel A. Rossignol and Dr Richard E Frye. can find it here.

ASD is a prevalent and lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder with no known cure. Standard of care treatments are effective in some people, but not in all. A better understanding of the underlying physiological abnormalities is beginning to emerge with evidence supporting abnormalities in immune function making the immune system a potential target for treatment of autism. 

Several common treatments for children with ASD also have effects on the immune system, suggesting that its effect on ASD may be partly related to its effects on modulating immune function. Test the immune system 

This study has found that there is limited evidence that some children with ASD have abnormal IgG concentrations.

This Meta-Analysis supports the idea that at least a subset of children with ASD have immune abnormalities, particularly in humoral immunity characterized by an abnormal concentration of immunoglobulins and may respond to the immunomodulatory effect of IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) therapy. This study has found that there is limited evidence that some children with ASD have abnormal IgG concentrations, but this may be due to a subgroup with abnormalities. 

The other important finding in this meta-analysis was an elevation of IgG4 subclass. Variations in IgG concentration could be related to the severity of ASD symptoms, suggesting that for some people with abnormal IgG levels, IVIG may be an ideal treatment.

Intravenous immunoglobulins as treatment

IVIG has many other clinical effects in addition to replacing endogenous IgG. IVIG can modulate the immune system and is commonly used in neurological disorders to treat pathophysiological processes that involve inappropriate activation of the immune system. immune system. IVIG is a common treatment because it is generally well tolerated with a minimum of mild side effects. In addition, compared to other treatments that modulate the immune system, IVIG modulates immune function while providing immune protection, thereby minimizing concerns of immune suppression and opportunistic infections.

In general, IVIG seems to be effective in many children with ASD, particularly those with immunological problems identified at the test the immune system it also appears to be well tolerated. However, the quality of the evidence for the use of IVIG is still below what is commonly accepted for a routinely used treatment as most of the studies were not controlled.

More studies are required, but these first pieces of evidence pave the way for a promising new line of research.