278 Vaccines and Autism
Can Measurements of Abnormal Cytokines Identify
Children Who Are at Increased Risk for Regressive ASD?
Few studies have addressed whether cytokine patterns differ in the sera or
plasma of ASD [84,87,90,106,107]. Three investigating groups have evaluated
whether certain specific cytokine levels are associated with core symptoms of
ASD or whether behavior impairments are associated with the onset patterns
of ASD. A subset of these studies has demonstrated increased levels of cytokines
that can induce inflammation in ASD, such as IFN‐γ or IL‐12 [106], or a
decreased production of cytokines that negatively regulate inflammation, such
as TGF‐β1 [98].
The role of numerous environmental factors in neuroinflammation cannot
be ignored [106–108].
In a large, comprehensive study, cytokine levels were assessed in ASD chil-
dren from 24 to 60 months and compared with age‐matched typically develop-
ing children and children with developmental disabilities other than ASD. In
addition, cytokine profiles in children with ASD were explored for any associa-
tions with clinical behavioral outcomes. Ashwood et al. [98,99] concluded that
levels of IL‐6 and IL‐12p40 were significantly higher in children with ASD
compared with typically developing and children with developmental disabili-
ties other than autism controls. IL‐6 appears to be a common denominator
among hundreds of reports and seems to play a pivotal role in making the BBB
leakiness and is associated with regressive autism. We propose that a simple
test can be used to identify children with increased risk for regressive autism. This
test can be carried out by nursing staff before administration of any thimero-
sal‐containing vaccine. We believe this will significantly prevent the incidence
of post‐vaccination associated regressive autism. We feel this is a scientific
solution to the political debate of regressive autism. Avoiding vaccination is
not the solution, since vaccines save lives. However, scientifically validated
studies that suggest an increased risk of regressive ASD in children who have
received thimerosal‐containing vaccine should not be ignored [109–111]Summary of Contributing Immunological Factors to ASD
An emerging focus of research into the etiology of ASD has suggested neuro-
inflammation as one of the major candidates underlying the biological model.
There is no doubt that organomercury significantly contributes to inducing
regressive ASD and this environmental component can be eliminated. The
study of inflammation in ASD provides a great opportunity to examine poten-
tial cytokines that can be identified via a simple test before administration of
any vaccine that contains mercury or other metallic or nonmetallic agent that
can make a child’s BBB leaky. Here, we have highlighted some of the common