Argument+One

ARGUMENT ONE: ASD, Immunology and Neurodevelopment are connected In his article //A possible central mechanism in autism spectrum disorders//, Russell Blaylock begins his discussion with the ‘coining’ of a new term: immunoexcitotoxic. This terms is used to refer to the relationship between immune response and chemicals in our brain, which help us to develop, regulate and essentially deal with how we/our brain reacts when encountering a harmful substance. The article begins with a basic premise, chronic microglial activation is present is autistic brains from age 5 to 44 years (Blaylock, 2008). This chronic activation can result in an outpouring of neurotoxic levels of excitotoxins, like glutamate and quinolinic acid (Blaylock, 2008). This begins the article with the idea that the toxins, which may have an impact on the developing brain, are already be present, and are naturally occurring. However, what Blaylock is suggesting is a ‘chronic outpouring’, essentially that the brain cannot inhibit this production in some way. Blaylock continues by giving the specific example that, Studies have shown that careful control of brain glutamate levels is essential to brain pathway development and that excess can result in arrest of neural migration, as well as dendritic and synaptic loss (2008). The premise for this article relies on the activation of the microglia past the initial stages of development. The microglia, which reside in the central nervous system and are, at least partially, responsible for the pruning of neurons and dendritic processes in all of our brains (Blaylock, 2008). In the typically developing brain, the microglia come to a ‘resting’ or ramified state, where they play a passive role in expressive transcripts of mRNA, in macrophage inflammatory proteins, and immune defense/response (Blaylock, 2008). However, when activated the microglia directly expresses both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses, as well as immunomodulatory responses (Blaylock, 2008). When in a typical brain, the mircroglia aid in other precesses after the initial stages of neural development, however, in a person with an ASD this resting state may not be achieved. The microglia then continue to actively effect inflammatory responses, and immunological responses, both present in ASD. Here Blaylock directly addresses how excessive vaccinations and live vaccinations can essentially act as stimulants to the micrglia, increaing the production of chemicals to a neurotoxic level in the brain, directly effecting neurodevelopment. It is known that with the priming of brain microglia, repeated episodes of systemic immune activation can trigger a chronic, exaggerated brain immune response (Blaylock, 2008). It has been observed that autistic children have early and repeated systemic infections, usealy middle ear infections. These infections would serve to prime the microglia. A subsequent vaccination or vaccinations would be expected to produce an exaggerated microglial reaction (Blaylock, 2008). A live vaccine, such as MMR, also posses the threat to ‘chonic activation’ of the microglia, as Blaylock states, Live vaccines could, once established (after just one injection), also prime this microblial reaction (2008). At the end of his article, Blaylock also makes a brief connection to gut dysbiosis and Candida infections. Candida infections are often seen in children with autism spectrum disorders and may also act as a source of strong, chronic immunologic re-activating, especially if they penetrate the gut wall (Blaylock, 2008). Essentially this article does not serve to make a direct chemical, and causal relationship between Ethylmercury and/or vaccinations and ASD. It does, however, address the issue of immunology and how certain relationships between infection, vaccine, or existing immune related (or effecting) disorders may predispose a child to the development of Autism. It serves to make a connection between multiple symptomatic areas of ASD and how they can be connected through this microglial re-activation, and how it is this re-activation (during early development) can lead to neurobiological conditions resulting in neuro-developmental disorders, such as ASDs. Works Cited: Blaylock, Russell L. (2008). //A possible central mechanism in autism spectrum disorders, part 1//. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine (Vol. 14, Iss. 6) Retrieved from Academic Search Premier. October 31, 2009. [] .