Document Type : review article

Author

• AIKATERINI SALAVOURA

CHILDRENS' HOSPITAL 'AGIA sOPHIA'

Abstract

Abstract

Aim: Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) are still regarded and treated as psychiatric disorders. A lot of research evidence support the inflammatory basis of ASDs implicating a new basis for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Methods. An extended recording of relative literature and new research findings.

Main findings. The genetic background of ASDs is analyzed. The inflammatory molecular basis of autism is emphasized.

Conclusions. Although autism is diagnosed based on psychiatric criteria and treated with mainly anti-psychotic drugs, a multidisciplinary approach should be established taking into account new research findings and incorporate them to treatment.

Keywords

• ASD
• neuroinflammation
• CNS immunity
• neurotransmitters