Browsing by Subject "sytokiinit"

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which etiology is largely unknown. Genetic factors have been estimated to explain about 40-80 % of incidence of the disorder, but also environmental factors appear to play a major role in autism etiology. Studies based on hospital records and questionnaires, as well as animal experiments, suggest that inflammation during pregnancy could act as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders. This review examines the studies, which focus on inflammatory biomarkers, cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP). They offer detailed information on how prenatal inflammatory state may affect the neurobiological development of the fetus. Studies conducted so far indicate that high levels of certain cytokines during pregnancy are related to autism spectrum disorders. However, the studies do not unambiguously lend support to the association between maternal CRP –levels and autism. Even so, it appears that the mother's inflammatory state during pregnancy is related to neurodevelopmental problems of the fetus, especially when the inflammation has occurred in a critical phase of neurodevelopment. Mechanisms that could mediate the association between maternal inflammatory state and autism are discussed.