%0 Journal Article
%T A Cohort Study Comparing Women with Autism Spectrum Disorder with and without Generalized Joint Hypermobility
%A Desmond P. Kelly
%A Emily L. Casanova
%A Julia L. Sharp
%A Manuel F. Casanova
%A Stephen M. Edelson
%J Behavioral Sciences | An Open Access Journal from MDPI
%D 2018
%R https://doi.org/10.3390/bs8030035
%X Abstract Reports suggest comorbidity between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the connective tissue disorder, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). People with EDS and the broader spectrum of Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) often present with immune- and endocrine-mediated conditions. Meanwhile, immune/endocrine dysregulation is a popular theme in autism research. We surveyed a group of ASD women with/without GJH to determine differences in immune/endocrine exophenotypes. ASD women 25 years or older were invited to participate in an online survey. Respondents completed a questionnaire concerning diagnoses, immune/endocrine symptom history, experiences with pain, and seizure history. ASD women with GJH (ASD/GJH) reported more immune- and endocrine-mediated conditions than their non-GJH counterparts ( p = 0.001). Autoimmune conditions were especially prominent in the ASD/GJH group ( p = 0.027). Presence of immune-mediated symptoms often co-occurred with one another ( p < 0.001¨C0.020), as did endocrine-mediated symptoms ( p < 0.001¨C0.045), irrespective of the group. Finally, the numbers of immune- and endocrine-mediated symptoms shared a strong inter-relationship ( p < 0.001), suggesting potential system crosstalk. While our results cannot estimate comorbidity, they reinforce concepts of an etiological relationship between ASD and GJH. Meanwhile, women with ASD/GJH have complex immune/endocrine exophenotypes compared to their non-GJH counterparts. Further, we discuss how connective tissue regulates the immune system and how the immune/endocrine systems in turn may modulate collagen synthesis, potentially leading to higher rates of GJH in this subpopulation. View Full-Tex
%K connective tissue diseases
%K autoimmunity
%K mast cells
%K immunity
%K humoral
%K endocrine system diseases
%K neurodevelopmental disorders
%U https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/8/3/35