vented her diagnosis? There is no known cause of autism. Current research links autism to biological or neurological differences in the brain although at this time no gene has been directly linked to autism.(2, pg 105) Several theories, which exist, link the disorder to environmental and genetic factors. One such research project, performed by Vijendra K. Singh, Ph.D., is based on the concept of Neuro-immunopathogenesis in Autism. (1, pg. 26) Doctor Vijendra K. Singh identified his research and resolution as follows: Based on our ongoing research of a reciprocal relationship between nervous system and immune system, we studied autism as a neuroimmune dysfunction syndrome in which auto-immunity to brain was strongly implicated. We found that autoantibodies to M[yelin] B[asic] P[rotein] were selectively present in up to 80 percent of the autistic children, but they were only rarely detected in the controls. Regarding virus serology, autistic children had a significantly higher level of measles virus antibodies as compared to controls; however, the antibody level of [the] other three viruses [assessed] did not significantly differ between the two groups. This suggested a temporal link of measles virus with autoimmunity in autism. This examination of brain auto-antibody and virus serology data revealed that there was a serological association between measles virus and MBP auto-antibodies, i.e., the higher the measles virus antibody level the greater the chance of MBP auto-antibody. Collectively, these observations led us to speculate that an autoimmune response, presumably secondary to an atypical measles virus infection, may cause autism. The idea that autism is an autoimmune disorder is further strengthened by the fact that many autistic children respond well to treatment with immune modulating [treatments]... In conclusion, autism involves a neuroautoimmune response that occurs at the neuroimmune biology interface. Clinically, there...
