Yes, they are. Both the intestinal barrier and the brain barrier are affected in autism. The same type of protein (tight junction protein (TJ)) is responsible for both barriers. We can compare this situation to opening two doors with one key. In autism, both barrier functions are impaired and barrier permeability is increased at a high rate. In this case, unwanted substances and molecules pass from the intestine to the blood, and can also pass from the blood to the brain.

The increase in permeability seen in both barriers causes inflammation-initiating molecules to easily and frequently reach the brain, triggering inflammation in the brain. Inflammation seen in the brain initiates a series of processes in the brain that cause behavioral disorders.

Both barriers that initiate pathological changes seen in the brain in autism can and should be repaired with a medical holistic approach.