Dear Colleagues,

Special Issue Introduction: Maternal immune activation and early life infections are factors that can increase risk of autism and related developmental disorders. Given this, it follows that treatments which modulate the immune response, either systemically or in the brain, may hold promise for management or amelioration of autism symptoms. This Special Issue on neuro-immune interactions in autism seeks to provide a timely update on both fronts and seeks research contributions of both pre-clinical and clinical findings, as well as reviews on specific topics within this scope.

Autism spectrum disorder is changing the lives of tens of thousands of children around the world, and there has recently been a growing realization that it can be brought on by neuro-inflammation which can occur in the prenatal and the early postnatal period. This inflammation can induce subtle changes in brain anatomy and functioning which can be difficult to recognize and even more difficult to treat. Some of these changes in the brain are seen by decreased number of neurons, shortened axons, and problems with myelinization in individuals with ASD. We have posited that the contributing factors for these changes come from neuro-immune interactions evidenced by changes in amounts and types of interleukins, cytokines, and immunoglobulins. Currently, there is no effective medication to treat the core symptoms of ASD. The endocannabinoid system can control inflammation through receptors on immune system cells. Research has shown that cannabidiol which affects these receptors holds promise as a possible treatment. Papers addressing these and other topics exploring neuro-immune interactions in ASD are invited for this Special Issue, especially those with new ideas for treatment and prevention of this as yet incurable disorder.

Dr. Stephen Schultz
Dr. Dario Siniscalco
Dr. Georgianna G. Gould

Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• Immune activation
• Interleukins
• Cytokines
• Chemokines
• Immunoglobulins
• Immune response
• Immunotherapy
• Myelinization
• Neurons
• Restrictive–repetitive
• Social behavior deficits, Perinatal infections
• Cannabinoids, Autism spectrum disorders