Homeostasis: the relative stable equilibrium of interdependent systems in the body, maintained by physiological processes. When one thinks of homeostasis the first two systems that come to mind should be the nervous and endocrine systems due to basic knowledge learned from taking any anatomy and physiology class. However, due to recent 2016 studies; could it be possible to now add a third system into playing a more prominent role in homeostasis and psychological functioning? The immune system is known for its’ defensive roles against pathogens entering the body and fighting off these pathogens to regain health. As biology teaches, organisms are always evolving, whether on a large scale or small, and scientists now believe that some immune system
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Though, genetics play an important role in autism, along with environmental factors, both before and after birth, I believe many people would never have thought to look to the immune system to help find a way to battle the social pathologies that some autistic people suffer from. Could this study possible add to the list of ways to treat autism? Since autism is so individualized to each person suffering from the disorder, I feel that this study could open new doors in the treatment of the social aspects of autism disorder. I could hypothesize that it’s a possibility that we could focus less on psychological treatment and focus more on the molecular and pathophysiology aspect of the disorder. Obviously, early intensive behavioral treatment is necessary, and behavioral therapy is just as necessary, but could we stop or possibly reduce the medication aspect of treatment, by infusion of interferon gamma into the cerebrospinal fluid, which has been shown in mice to produce more social behavior? Could physiology overcome pharmacology in the sense that by delivering interferon gamma into the cerebrospinal fluid, we could reduce the medication given to autistic individuals and not have to worry about the hundreds of side effects and adverse effects that come with prescription medication? It may be taking too big a leap, but I believe that in this day and age the advancements in neuroscience and medicine in general are turning the once “impossible” to the possible and opening many doors to many different approaches in diagnostics and treatment of
Though, genetics play an important role in autism, along with environmental factors, both before and after birth, I believe many people would never have thought to look to the immune system to help find a way to battle the social pathologies that some autistic people suffer from. Could this study possible add to the list of ways to treat autism? Since autism is so individualized to each person suffering from the disorder, I feel that this study could open new doors in the treatment of the social aspects of autism disorder. I could hypothesize that it’s a possibility that we could focus less on psychological treatment and focus more on the molecular and pathophysiology aspect of the disorder. Obviously, early intensive behavioral treatment is necessary, and behavioral therapy is just as necessary, but could we stop or possibly reduce the medication aspect of treatment, by infusion of interferon gamma into the cerebrospinal fluid, which has been shown in mice to produce more social behavior? Could physiology overcome pharmacology in the sense that by delivering interferon gamma into the cerebrospinal fluid, we could reduce the medication given to autistic individuals and not have to worry about the hundreds of side effects and adverse effects that come with prescription medication? It may be taking too big a leap, but I believe that in this day and age the advancements in neuroscience and medicine in general are turning the once “impossible” to the possible and opening many doors to many different approaches in diagnostics and treatment of