Immune, Autonomic, and Endocrine Dysregulation in Autism and Ehlers-Danlos SyndromeHypermobility Spectrum Disorders Versus Unaffected Controls, bioRxiv, 2019-06-14

ABSTRACTBackgroundA growing body of literature suggests etiological overlap between Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) and some cases of autism, although this relationship is poorly delineated. In addition, immune, autonomic, and endocrine dysregulation are reported in both conditions and may be relevant to their respective etiologies.AimsTo study symptom overlap in these two comorbid spectrum conditions.Methods and ProceduresWe surveyed 702 adults aged 25+ years on a variety of EDSHSD-related health topics, comparing individuals with EDSHSD, autism, and unaffected controls.Outcomes and ResultsThe autism group reported similar though less severe symptomology as the EDSHSD group, especially in areas of immuneautonomicendocrine dysregulation, connective tissue abnormalities (i.e., skin, bruisingbleeding), and chronic pain. EDSHSD mothers with autistic children reported more immune symptoms than EDSHSD mothers without, suggesting the maternal immune system could play a heritable role in these conditions (p = 0.0119).Conclusions and ImplicationsThese data suggest that EDSHSD and autism share aspects of immuneautonomicendocrine dysregulation, pain, and some tissue fragility, which is typically more severe in the former. This overlap, as well as documented comorbidity, suggests some forms of autism may be hereditary connective tissue disorders (HCTD).

biorxiv neuroscience 100-200-users 2019

 

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