NMDA (N-Methyl D- Aspartate) Receptor Antibody in Relation to ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder): Presence and Association with Symptom Profile

Abstract

utism is a neuro developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication, deficits in language development and stereotyped behaviors. Other symptoms are recognized in autism as hypo and hypersensitivity to various sensory stimuli, aggressive behaviors and insistences on sameness. It is also co morbid with other psychiatric disorders as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disability, anxiety disorders and depression. Autism etiology remains largely unknown. About 10-20% of cases of autism can be related to genetic causes. Of those are cases related to fragile x syndrome and tuberous sclerosis. Other suspected causes can be traced back to maternal immune activation or intake of certain medications during pregnancy. Nevertheless, there are still many cases of autism with uncertain etiology. What caught our sight in this study is the relation of autism to immune dysregulation. This was found in several studies across the literature starting from increased rates of family history of auto immune disorders in cases of autism to increased rates of auto immune disorders in the autism population as type 1 DM, thyroiditis and coeliac disease. This was accompanied by several findings of abnormal level of some cytokines and other immunologically related proteins in serum of patients with autism. This was further assured by findings of several auto antibodies in serum of the autistic population. These antibodies were both those directed against brain tissues and structures and general auto antibodies as ANA and anti DNA. Another point of interest in the literature was a growing body of evidence of a dysregulated glutamate neurotransmitter system in autism among other psychiatric disorders. This was further enhanced by a growing understanding of the role of the glutamate system in brain development and many of the higher functions development.