Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how people interact with others and the world, communicate, learn and behave. Symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life, which may include difficulties with social interaction and communication, repetitive behaviors or interest, unusual reactions to sensory stimuli, delayed language development and difficulty understanding social cues. ASD is a spectrum, in that it manifests in a variety of ways with different level of severity and support needed.
Autism and elevated High Sensitivity C- Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
Some studies have shown that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have an elevated High Sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). hs-CRP is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation, even sensitive to low levels of inflammation. This research suggests that inflammation may play a role in the development of ASD, as evidences by higher levels of hs-CRP as well as interleukin-6 (IL-6) in children with ASD compared to typically developing children. Some studies have even noted an increase in ASD of children born to mothers with an elevated maternal C-reactive protein (mCRP), although this may need further studies. Of note, a pooled meta-analysis of over 76,000 records and 43 studies found that children with ASD have significantly higher levels of hs-CRP and GABA (a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger in the brain), and a variation in the colon bacterial flora when compared to other children. These findings suggest that these may have a potential use as a diagnostic tool or could be used for a therapeutic target in treatment of ASD. Further studies are needed, but as yet it does not seem to be widely pursued in standard of care medicine.