The Effects of Maternal Familial Autoimmunity, Gestational Stress and Autism Severity
Eline Kocharyan
Mentors: Jean Gehricke, Miryha Runnerstrom
Recent studies have shown evidence of maternal gestational immune dysfunction involved in the
pathogenesis of autism. Due to lack of specificity, both maternal protective and autoantibodies access the
fetus and may adversely affect fetal neurodevelopment. Psychological stress can exacerbate the effects of
immune activation among mothers who have autoimmune disorders, leading to more severe autistic
symptoms. Our study addressed this issue by examining differences in stress levels among mothers who had
familial autoimmunity (AI), compared to those who did not (Controls). A computerized online survey was
administered to 62 mothers who had autistic children aged 2-17 years-old. Stress levels during pregnancy were
measured using a self-reported 4-point-likert scale, with values ranging from 1 (less than average stress levels)
to 4 (much greater than average stress levels). Seventeen mothers had neither personal, nor familial
autoimmunity, 21 had personal autoimmunity and 24 had family histories only. Ninety percent of participants
in the AI group, who endured higher than normal stress levels during pregnancy, had a child with severe
autism, compared to only 10% in controls. Within the AI group, mothers who had personal autoimmunity
and experienced higher than normal stress levels during pregnancy, had significantly higher odds of having
children with more severe autism symptoms. Based on our preliminary data, autism symptom severity seems
to vary among children whose mothers have autoimmunity and who endured elevated stress levels during
pregnancy. Stress may enhance the effects of maternal autoimmunity, leading to more autism symptoms.