Autism and anorexia nervosa could not be less alike. But a trail of
evidence has led scientists to a common culprit: a case of strep
throat.
The infection itself isn't to blame, but rather the antibodies
produced to fight it. In some people, these antibodies mistakenly attack
the delicate tissue of the basal ganglia, an area in the brain that
contributes to the control of movement and emotion.
This damage may lead to obsessive or compulsive behaviors: the
autistic's penchant for repetition, the anorexic's rigid regulation of
calories.
Immunology and psychiatry have crossed paths before, when
scientists tied streptococcal infection to the development of obsessive
compulsive disorder. Knowing of this link, psychiatrist Eric Hollander,
M.D., tested blood samples of eighteen of the autistic children he treats
at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Indeed, most had had strep in the past, but that was not
surprising. What was unexpected was that 78% of the autistic children had
evidence of an elevated B-cell antibody, compared to 20% of a normal
control group. This antibody, called D8/17, is historical evidence that
the child may have a genetic vulnerability to autoimmune diseases.
Mae Sokal, M.D., of the Menninger Clinic, also knew about the OCD
research and thought it might apply to her patients with anorexia
nervosa, an eating disorder that she has always viewed as an obsession.
Sure enough, levels of antibodies in these teenagers' blood were three to
five times the normal average.
Both autism and anorexia are complex disorders with many causes,
and a single antidote is unlikely. Still, Sokal has had impressive
success treating elevated-antibody anorexics: they improved dramatically
on a course of antibiotics.
Tags:
anorexia,
anorexic,
autism,
autistic children,
autoimmune disease,
basal ganglia,
blood samples,
compulsive behaviors,
control group,
gene,
genetic vulnerability,
immune system,
menninger clinic,
mount sinai school,
mount sinai school of medicine,
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,
physical illness,
school of medicine
