How Prednisone
Works
No-one knows the exact mechanisms of action for prednisone
or other steroids in autism, LKS or epilepsy, or even
in diseases such as multiple sclerosis. As stated, it
helps reduce seizures and normalize EEGs in LKS, but
it is not clear how that is related to its effect on
speech and language functioning.
In fact, no-one knows what causes autism, so it is
far from clear how any medication treats it.
A leading theory is that autism is the result of an
autoimmune reaction (i.e., the body’s own immune
system attacking itself), similar to disorders such
as diabetes and multiple sclerosis. More information
can be found on the Autism
Autoimmunity Project website. The theory goes something
like this: the body’s immune system reacts to an
outside "insult", such as a disease, a vaccine
or a toxin, but it is triggered into an abnormal response
and starts to attack parts of the brain as well. Studies
on diseases such as multiple sclerosis and dyslexia
are beginning to suggest that the autoimmune attacks
on myelin (the sheath surrounding nerve fibers) may
be a key to the disorder.
Some possible mechanisms are:
- Reduction of myelin inflammation
- Restoration and stabilization of cell membranes,
including myelin
- Improvement of neuro-hormonal pathways
- Creation of new synapses
- Multiple effects at the cellular level
Questions or comments about Prednisone and Autism?
Email us at prednisone@aheadwithautism.com.
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Prednisone
and Autism