Cell-El's Research

Cell-El’s mission is to research and publish their new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.  By sharing our research with the medical and scientific community, Cell-El intends to improve ASD patient care.

Authors: Benjamin Gesundheit, Philip David Zisman, Leah Hochbaum, Yehudit Posen, Avraham Steinberg, Gerald Friedman, Hersh D. Ravkin, Eitan Rubin, Ouriel Faktor and Ronald Ellis

Description:  Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present with distinctive clinical features. No objective laboratory assay has been developed to establish a diagnosis of ASD. Considering the known immunological associations with ASD, immunological biomarkers might enable ASD diagnosis and intervention at an early age when the immature brain has the highest degree of plasticity. This work aimed to identify diagnostic biomarkers discriminating between children with ASD and typically developing (TD) children. Read more

Publication: Frontiers in Pediatrics February 2023

Authors: Ashley Ansel, Yehudit Posen, Ronald Ellis, Lisa Deutsch, Philip D. Zisman, and Benjamin Gesundheit

Description: The objective of this paper is to compare the reported accuracy and sensitivity of the various modalities used to diagnose
autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in efforts to help focus further biomarker research on the most promising
methods for early diagnosis. Read more

Publication:  Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal, October 2019

Editors: Benjamin Gesundheit, Joshua Rosenzweig and Yehuda Shoenfeld

Description: This open-access book compiles evidence of the biological basis of autism spectrum disorders which are setting the stage for understanding the mechanisms underlying the behavioral symptoms of the condition and for development of targeted therapeutics.  Read more

Publication: Frontiers in Neuroscience and Frontiers in Pediatrics, February 2017

Authors: Benjamin Gesundheit, Paul Ashwood, Armand Keating, David Naor, Michal Melamed, Joshua P. Rosenzweig

Description: This work presents the rationale behind stem cell-based treatment for autism patients presenting immune and nervous system abnormalities. This approach is regularly applied for the management of a range of immunological and neurological conditions and has proven both effective and safe. Read more

Publication: Medical Hypotheses, December 2014

Authors: Benjamin Gesundheit, Joshua P. Rosenzweig, David Naor, Bernard Lerer, et al.

Description: This paper reviews studies that link between immune dysfunction or abnormalities and autism spectrum disorder. These works bear potential to advance more accurate and objective diagnostics and to identify therapeutic targets for autism management. Read more

Publication: Journal of Autoimmunity, 2013

Additional Prominent Research

Authors: Xiaoyu Che, Mady Hornig, Michaeline Bresnahan, Camilla Stoltenberg, Per Magnus, Pål Surén, Siri Mjaaland, Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud, Ezra Susser and W. Ian Lipkin

Description: Epidemiological studies and work in animal models indicate that immune activation may be a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We measured levels of 60 cytokines and growth factors in 869 maternal mid-gestational (MMG) and 807 child cord blood (CB) plasma samples from 457 ASD (385 boys, 72 girls) and 497 control children (418 boys, 79 girls) from the Norwegian Autism Birth Cohort. Read more

Publication: Molecular Psychiatry, January 2022

Authors: Thomas W Frazier, Daniel L Coury, Kristin Sohl, Kayla E Wagner, Richard Uhlig, Steven D Hicks, Frank A Middleton

Description: Challenges associated with the current screening and diagnostic process for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the US cause a significant delay in the initiation of evidence‐based interventions at an early age when treatments are most effective. The present study shows how implementing a second‐order diagnostic measure to high risk cases initially flagged positive from screening tools can further inform clinical judgment and substantially improve early identification. Read more

Publication: Autism Research: Official Journal of the International Society for Autism Research, June  2021

Authors: Steven D Hicks, Randall L Carpenter, Kayla E Wagner, Rachel Pauley, Mark Barros, Cheryl Tierney-Aves, Sarah Barns, Cindy Dowd Greene, Frank A Middleton

Description: Salivary microRNAs are “altered” in children with ASD and associated with levels of ASD behaviors. Salivary microRNA collection is noninvasive, identifying ASD-status with moderate accuracy. Read more

Publication: Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, February 2020 

Authors: Liming Shen, Kaoyuan Zhang, Chengyun Feng, Youjiao Chen, Shuiming Li, Javed Iqbal, Liping Liao, Yuxi Zhao, Jian Zhai
Description: These above described proteins are found involved in different pathways that have previously been linked to the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The results strongly support that focal adhesions, acting cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, motility and migration, synaptogenesis, and complement system are involved in the pathogenesis of autism, and highlight the important role of platelet function in the pathophysiology of autism. Read more

Publication: Proteomics Clinical Applications, December 2017

Authors: Marvin Natowicz, MD, Judy VandeWater, PhD

Description: This activity provides expert insight about underlying comorbid medical and neurological issues associated with autism spectrum disorders. Increased understanding of the children and adults with autism should be improved by virtue of educating about medical and immunological etiologies associated with this complex disorder. Read more

Publication: Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education and Autism Research Institute, August 2017

Authors: Paula Krakowiak, Paula E. Goines, Daniel J. Tancredi, Paul Ashwood, Robin L. Hansen, Irva Hertz-Picciotto, Judy Van de Water

Description: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that can be reliably diagnosed at age 24 months. Immunological phenomena, including skewed cytokine production, have been observed among children with ASD. Little is known about whether immune dysregulation is present before diagnosis of ASD. Read more

Publication: Biological Psychiatry , August 2015

Authors: Galina Schmunk, Rachel L. Nguyen, David L. Ferguson Kenny Kumar, Ian Parker and J. Jay Gargus

Description: We propose that deficits in IP3-mediated Ca2+ signaling represent a convergent hub function shared across the spectrum of autistic disorders – whether caused by rare highly penetrant mutations or sporadic forms – and holds promise as a biomarker for diagnosis and novel drug discovery. Read more

Publication: Scientific Report, February 2017