Understanding why autism symptoms sometimes improve amid fever
6 hours ago
- #immune system
- #fever effect
- #autism research
- Scientists are researching the 'fever effect,' where some individuals with autism spectrum disorders show symptom improvement during fevers from infections.
- Grants from The Marcus Foundation totaling $2.1 million over three years support MIT and Harvard Medical School researchers Gloria Choi and Jun Huh.
- Studies in mice suggest the improvement is linked to immune molecule IL-17a, which may calm brain circuits, rather than the fever itself.
- The research aims to develop therapies that mimic the fever effect by understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind it.
- Plans include creating a biobank of samples from volunteers to study immune responses in people who experience the fever effect.