How the Immune System Influences Autism

Last Updated on October 1, 2025 by John Hookway

You may notice a strong link between the immune system and autism in recent studies. Scientists have found that children with autism often have more allergies, asthma, and autoimmune issues than others.

• Researchers report higher rates of asthma, type 1 diabetes, and skin conditions in children with autism.
• Immune changes, such as chronic inflammation and gut differences, may influence behavior and thinking.

Understanding the autism immune system connection can help you and your family find better treatments and improve daily life.

 

Key Takeaways

• Children with autism often experience immune dysregulation, leading to higher rates of allergies, asthma, and autoimmune issues.
• Understanding the link between the immune system and autism can help families find better treatments and improve daily life.
• Chronic inflammation and gut health play significant roles in autism symptoms, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy immune system.
• Maternal immune activation during pregnancy can increase the risk of autism, emphasizing the need for monitoring maternal health.
• Testing for immune issues can provide valuable insights, helping doctors tailor treatments and support for individuals with autism.

Autism Immune System Overview

Immune Dysregulation

You may notice that the immune system works differently in people with autism. Scientists call this “immune dysregulation.” This means the immune system does not always respond the way it should.

Many studies show that children with autism have changes in their immune cells and the chemicals these cells produce.

Here is a table that shows the main types of immune dysregulation found in autism:

You may also see other signs of immune problems, such as:

• Higher levels of IL-18 and other immune markers in the blood
• Immune cells that become active at the wrong times
• The body making autoantibodies, which attack its own tissues
• Imbalances in cytokines and chemokines, which are important for cell signaling
• A blood-brain barrier that becomes more “leaky,” letting harmful substances reach the brain

Some common immune system problems in autism include autoimmune encephalitis, mast cell activation disorders, and recurring infections. These issues can cause symptoms like headaches, muscle pain, skin rashes, and even brain fog.

If you compare the autism immune system to that of neurotypical people, you will see clear differences. The table below highlights some of these differences:

When the immune system does not work as expected, it can affect the brain and body in many ways. You may see changes in mood, behavior, and even how you think or feel.

Neuroimmune Hypothesis

The neuroimmune hypothesis helps explain how the immune system and the brain interact in autism. This idea suggests that immune changes can affect brain development and function.

You may find that children with autism often have signs of neuroinflammation, which means the brain’s immune cells become too active.

Researchers have found several important facts:

• Neuroinflammation and immune cell activation play a role in autism.
• Brain tissue from people with autism shows more active microglial cells, which are the brain’s main immune cells.
• Environmental factors, such as infections during pregnancy, can change the mother’s immune response and affect the baby’s brain.
• Higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, like TNF-α, are linked to behaviors seen in autism.
• Changes in genes related to the immune system, such as the MET gene, may increase immune activity and change brain development.
• Children with autism often have more pro-inflammatory T cells in their gut, which supports the neuroimmune hypothesis.

You may wonder why immune system regulation matters so much. When the immune system becomes unbalanced, it can lead to too much inflammation in the brain.

This can stop new brain cells from growing and even cause some brain cells to die. For example, high levels of cytokines like TNF-α and IL-1β can harm the brain, while IL-6 may help brain cells grow. Too much activity from microglia can also remove too many connections between brain cells, which may change how the brain works.

By understanding the autism immune system, you can see why immune health is important for brain development and behavior. This knowledge can help you find better ways to support children and adults with autism.

Types of Immune Dysfunction

Innate and Adaptive Immunity

You have two main parts to your immune system: innate and adaptive immunity. Both play important roles in autism.

The innate immune system acts as your body’s first line of defense. It recognizes germs and responds quickly. The adaptive immune system learns to fight specific threats over time. In autism, both systems can become unbalanced.

Here is a table that shows how these systems work differently in autism:

Your innate immunity helps recognize threats and activates unspecialized cells. It produces cytokines that guide the adaptive immune system.

The adaptive system uses T- and B-cells to target specific invaders. When these systems do not work well, you may notice more inflammation and changes in how the brain works.

Inflammation

Inflammation is your body’s way of fighting off harm. In autism, inflammation can become chronic and affect the brain. Researchers have found several important links between inflammation and autism:

• Prenatal inflammation can raise cytokine levels, which may disrupt brain development and increase autism risk.
• Children with autism often have higher levels of inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6 in their brains.
• Chronic inflammation in the brain may lead to changes in behavior and thinking.

When inflammation stays high, it can make symptoms of autism worse and affect daily life.

Autoimmunity

Autoimmunity happens when your immune system attacks your own body by mistake. If you have autism, you are almost twice as likely to develop an autoimmune disease compared to others your age. This higher risk appears in both boys and girls.

Autoimmune problems can add to the challenges you face and may cause more health issues over time. Recognizing these risks helps you and your doctor watch for early signs and manage your health better.

Immune Impact on Autism

Maternal Immune Activation

Your mother’s health during pregnancy can shape your brain and immune system. When a mother’s immune system becomes very active, it can increase the risk of autism in her child.

This is called maternal immune activation. Scientists have found that infections or fevers during pregnancy may raise the chance of autism, especially if they happen early.

Here is a table that shows what researchers have discovered:

Animal studies show that when a mother’s immune system is activated, it can change how the baby’s brain develops. This happens through changes in brain cells and immune signals.

Some mothers and children with autism share a genetic variant that affects immune tolerance during pregnancy.

Maternal immune activation can also disrupt brain development by changing microglia, the brain’s immune cells, and by causing long-term immune changes in children.

Gut-Brain Axis

Your gut and brain talk to each other all the time. This connection is called the gut-brain axis. In autism, changes in gut bacteria can affect your immune system and brain.

Many children with autism have different gut bacteria compared to others. These changes can lead to more inflammation and a “leaky gut,” which lets harmful substances reach the brain.

When your gut is not healthy, your immune system may become more active. This can make symptoms of autism worse and affect how you feel every day.

Behavioral Effects

Problems with the autism immune system can change how you act, feel, and learn. You might notice new behaviors or changes in old ones when your immune system is not balanced. Some common effects include:

• Sudden or repeated obsessive-compulsive behaviors or restrictive eating
• Regression in skills or development
• Trouble with schoolwork
• Strong emotions or mood swings
• Separation anxiety
• Changes in movement or handwriting
• Sleep problems, like trouble falling asleep or restless nights
• Urinary issues, such as urgency or bedwetting

Researchers have found that higher levels of certain immune signals, called cytokines, are linked to more severe autism symptoms.

Lower levels of other immune markers can also make symptoms worse. When your immune system is too active, you may have more social challenges, repetitive behaviors, or trouble adapting to new situations.

Keeping your immune system healthy can help manage some symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Identifying Immune Issues

Testing and Biomarkers

You may wonder how doctors find immune system problems in autism. Testing for immune issues often starts with blood tests.

These tests look for changes in immune cells, antibodies, and special proteins called cytokines. Doctors use these results to spot patterns that are common in autism.

Children with autism often show differences in their immune systems. You might see changes in cytokine levels, lower amounts of certain antibodies, and unusual T cell responses. These differences help doctors understand how your immune system works.

Here is a table showing some important biomarkers linked to autism:

Doctors use groups of these biomarkers to get a clearer picture. When they check for twelve key biomarkers, they can spot immune problems with about 82% accuracy.

Sensitivity reaches 87%, which means the test finds most cases. Specificity is 77%, so the test can tell who does not have the problem most of the time. The area under the curve, a measure of test quality, is 0.86. This means the test works well for most people.

• Biomarkers can help divide autism into different biological subgroups.
• About 13% of children with autism may not show these biomarker patterns.
• Doctors can use these tests to guide treatment and watch for changes over time.

Testing for immune issues gives you and your doctor more information. This helps you find the best care and support for your needs.

Treatments and Interventions

Medical Approaches

Doctors use several medical approaches to help manage immune dysfunction in autism. You may hear about these treatments if you or your child has immune-related symptoms. Some of the most studied options include:

• Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG): Doctors use IVIG to help balance the immune system. Studies show that IVIG can improve immune function in some people with autism.
• Mast Cell Disorder Treatments: Some children with autism have problems with mast cells, which are part of the immune system. Treatments like luteolin may help reduce symptoms linked to mast cell activation.
• Immunoregulatory and Anti-inflammatory Agents: Medicines such as prednisolone, pregnenolone, celecoxib, minocycline, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and omega-3 fatty acids have shown benefits. These medicines can help with behaviors like irritability, hyperactivity, and repetitive actions. They work by lowering inflammation and balancing immune cells.

Doctors choose these treatments based on your symptoms and test results. You should always talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new medicine.

Emerging Therapies

Researchers continue to study new ways to support the autism immune system. Some promising therapies include:

• Sulforaphane (SFN): This natural compound comes from broccoli and other vegetables. Studies show that SFN can lower inflammation in the brain by reducing markers like IL-6 and TNF-alpha. It also helps support energy production in cells, which is often low in autism.
• Ongoing Clinical Trials: Scientists are testing SFN in different age groups. Some studies last up to 36 weeks to see how safe and helpful it is.
• Other New Approaches: Researchers are exploring oxytocin-based therapies to improve social skills. Pharmacogenomics may help doctors choose the best treatment for each person based on their genes.

You should know that every treatment has possible risks and benefits. Some medicines may help with behavior, but more research is needed to make sure they are safe and work well for everyone.

Families should consider the complex role of the immune system in autism and talk with their doctor about the best options.

New research shows that immune health during pregnancy and early life can affect brain development. Understanding these links helps you make informed choices about treatments.

You have seen how your immune system can shape autism in many ways. Research shows that factors like maternal immune activation, autoimmune conditions, chronic inflammation, and gut health all connect to autism.

Ongoing research helps you find better treatments and understand your unique needs. Studies by Meltzer & Van de Water and others show that immune system changes play a key role in autism. You can feel hopeful, knowing that new discoveries may lead to more support and brighter futures for families.

FAQ

What signs show immune problems in autism?

You may notice frequent infections, allergies, or skin rashes. Some children have stomach issues or headaches. Mood swings and sudden behavior changes can also signal immune system problems.

Can changing your diet help your immune system?

A healthy diet supports your immune system. Eating more fruits, vegetables, and fiber can help your gut and reduce inflammation. You should talk to your doctor before making big changes.

Are immune treatments safe for everyone with autism?

Not every treatment works for everyone. Some medicines have side effects. Your doctor will help you choose the safest option based on your needs and test results.

How do doctors test for immune issues in autism?

Doctors use blood tests to check immune cells, antibodies, and cytokines. They look for patterns linked to autism. These tests help guide treatment and track changes over time.