A Johns Hopkins University study has found a strong link between brain inflammation and autism. The study was published in 'The Annals of Neurology' today.

Autism is a disease that causes difficulties for young children in social interaction and other areas. Autistic children often demonostrate repetitive behavior and develop unusual attachments to objects or certain routines. Boys are four times as likely as girls to develop autism.

Scientists had previously found a genetic link to the disease since identicle twins were both likely to get the condition. It was rare when one identical twin was autistic and the other was unaffected by the condition.

The study examined the brain tissue of 11 people who had autism and died prematurely, between the ages of five and 44. The brains of people afflicted with autism were found to have distint patterns of two types of immune system proteins called cytokines and chemokines. Both cytokines and chemokines are consistent with brain inflammation.

'These findings reinforce the theory that immune activation in the brain is involved in autism, although it is not yet clear whether it is destructive or beneficial, or both, to the developing brain.' said Dr. Carlos Pardo-Villamizar, one of the researchers on the project.

While the research is still in its early stages, scientists are hopeful that discoveries like this can lead to ways to diagnose and possibly treat autism.