Two studies published this month in the Journal of Neuroinflammation found that children with autism have altered regulatory T cells, immune components that act as "brakes" on inflammation, compared to typically developing children. In an animal model, Treg therapy reduced neuroinflammation, changed gene expression in brain regions tied to autism, and improved social and behavioral outcomes. The research comes from the UC Davis MIND Institute and was led by Professor Paul Ashwood. It's one of the first studies to test whether increasing regulatory T cells (Tregs) can address both immune dysfunction and behavioral challenges in autism. What the Studies Found. The first study characterized Tregs in 36 children with autism and 18 typically developing children. Researchers found that autistic children had altered Tregs both in number and in the genes those cells express. Children with fewer Tregs showed more challenging behaviors. The study also identified distinct Treg patterns in autistic children with gastrointestinal problems compared to those without GI symptoms. In the second study, researchers used a maternal immune activation (MIA) mouse model, in which offspring exhibit autism-like behaviors. They transferred Tregs from healthy mice into MIA offspring and examined tissues commonly affected in autism: blood, brain, and gut. Male mice showed the most significant improvements after Treg treatment. Changes included increased helpful Treg cells, reduced pro-inflammatory cells in the spleen and gut, fewer inflammatory cytokines, and altered gene expression in the cerebellum, frontal cortex, and hippocampus. Males also showed behavioral improvements in self-grooming and socializing. "These results suggest that...

UC Davis study finds altered regulatory T cells in autistic children; Treg therapy reduced neuroinflammation in mice.

New Research Links Immune System 'Brakes' to Autism Behaviors and Points to Possible Treatment

Two studies published this month in the Journal of Neuroinflammation found that children with autism have altered regulatory T cells, immune components that act as "brakes" on inflammation, compared to typically developing children. In an animal model, Treg therapy reduced neuroinflammation, changed gene expression in brain regions tied to autism, and improved social and behavioral outcomes. The research comes from the UC Davis MIND Institute and was led by Professor Paul Ashwood. It's one of the first studies to test whether increasing regulatory T cells (Tregs) can address both immune dysfunction and behavioral challenges in autism. What the Studies Found. The first study characterized Tregs in 36 children with autism and 18 typically developing children. Researchers found that autistic children had altered Tregs both in number and in the genes those cells express. Children with fewer Tregs showed more challenging behaviors. The study also identified distinct Treg patterns in autistic children with gastrointestinal problems compared to those without GI symptoms. In the second study, researchers used a maternal immune activation (MIA) mouse model, in which offspring exhibit autism-like behaviors. They transferred Tregs from healthy mice into MIA offspring and examined tissues commonly affected in autism: blood, brain, and gut. Male mice showed the most significant improvements after Treg treatment. Changes included increased helpful Treg cells, reduced pro-inflammatory cells in the spleen and gut, fewer inflammatory cytokines, and altered gene expression in the cerebellum, frontal cortex, and hippocampus. Males also showed behavioral improvements in self-grooming and socializing. "These results suggest that...

UC Davis study finds altered regulatory T cells in autistic children; Treg therapy reduced neuroinflammation in mice.

European drug regulators recommended approval of tolebrutinib, branded as Cenrifki, on April 24 for adults with non-relapsing secondary progressive MS, a form of the disease where disability steadily worsens without the episodic relapses that characterize earlier MS stages. The European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued a positive opinion, which typically leads to European Commission approval within months. If the drug later gains FDA approval, it would mark the first treatment shown to meaningfully slow disability progression in this MS population. What Non-Relapsing Secondary Progressive MS Is. Secondary progressive MS (SPMS) is a stage of MS that typically follows years of relapsing-remitting disease. In the relapsing form, people experience distinct flare-ups (relapses) followed by periods of recovery. In secondary progressive MS, that pattern shifts. Disability accumulates steadily, with or without relapses. Non-relapsing SPMS is the subset where there's been no relapse activity for at least two years. You're watching function decline without the dramatic flare that might trigger a treatment adjustment. The immune system continues attacking the nervous system through what researchers call smoldering neuroinflammation, a slower-burning process that current relapse-focused therapies don't address. An estimated 400,000 Americans live with MS. A significant portion will eventually transition to secondary progressive disease, and many of those will enter the non-relapsing phase. Until now, there hasn't been an FDA-approved drug specifically proven to slow that progression. What the HERCULES Trial Showed. The CHMP recommendation is based on data from the HERCULES Phase 3 trial, which enrolled adults...

CHMP recommends tolebrutinib (Cenrifki) for non-relapsing SPMS, the first drug shown to slow worsening disability in this MS population.

EU Drug Regulators Recommend First Treatment to Slow Disability Progression in Non-Relapsing Secondary Progressive MS

European drug regulators recommended approval of tolebrutinib, branded as Cenrifki, on April 24 for adults with non-relapsing secondary progressive MS, a form of the disease where disability steadily worsens without the episodic relapses that characterize earlier MS stages. The European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued a positive opinion, which typically leads to European Commission approval within months. If the drug later gains FDA approval, it would mark the first treatment shown to meaningfully slow disability progression in this MS population. What Non-Relapsing Secondary Progressive MS Is. Secondary progressive MS (SPMS) is a stage of MS that typically follows years of relapsing-remitting disease. In the relapsing form, people experience distinct flare-ups (relapses) followed by periods of recovery. In secondary progressive MS, that pattern shifts. Disability accumulates steadily, with or without relapses. Non-relapsing SPMS is the subset where there's been no relapse activity for at least two years. You're watching function decline without the dramatic flare that might trigger a treatment adjustment. The immune system continues attacking the nervous system through what researchers call smoldering neuroinflammation, a slower-burning process that current relapse-focused therapies don't address. An estimated 400,000 Americans live with MS. A significant portion will eventually transition to secondary progressive disease, and many of those will enter the non-relapsing phase. Until now, there hasn't been an FDA-approved drug specifically proven to slow that progression. What the HERCULES Trial Showed. The CHMP recommendation is based on data from the HERCULES Phase 3 trial, which enrolled adults...

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Special Needs
Articles

New Research Links Immune System 'Brakes' to Autism Behaviors and Points to Possible Treatment

EU Drug Regulators Recommend First Treatment to Slow Disability Progression in Non-Relapsing Secondary Progressive MS

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

New Research Links Immune System 'Brakes' to Autism Behaviors and Points to Possible Treatment

EU Drug Regulators Recommend First Treatment to Slow Disability Progression in Non-Relapsing Secondary Progressive MS

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles