Kerim Munir, MD, MPH, DSc
| Department | Developmental Medicine |
 |
| Hospital Title |
Director Center for Autism and Related Disorders |
|
| Academic Title | Associate Professor of Psychiatry | |
| Phone | 617-355-7166 | |
| Fax | ||
| Kerim Munir | ||
| Location |
300 Longwood Avenue Judge Baker-2 Boston MA 02115 |
Research Overview
Kerim Munir's research is focused on defining the etiology and pathology of autism and other developmental disorders. His recent work has explored the possibility of an autoimmune origin for autism, possibly within the gastrointestinal system, but spreading to the central nervous system. He has identified one candidate "trigger" for such an autoimmune response--secretin--a protein fround in the gut as well as in the CNS. Additional study may determine whether secretin or its receptor bears a molecular resemblance to the MMR vaccine, whose administration has been associated with the onset of autism.
About Kerim Munir
Dr. Munir received his medical degree from University College London. He completed an internship at St. George's Hospital in London and a residency and fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Key Publications
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Munir KM, Beardslee WR. A developmental and psychobiologic framework for understanding the role of culture in child and adolescent psychiatry. Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America 2001; 10: 667-77.
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Mehta BK, Munir KM. Does the MMR vaccine and secretin or its receptor share an antigenic epitope? Medical Hypotheses 2003. 60: 650-653.
- Munir KM, Beardslee WR. Developmental psychiatry: is there any other kind? Harvard Review of Psychiatry 1999. 6: 250-262.
