GFAP and autism: By using immunochemistry and cytokine protein arrays, Vargas first showed an increase in CSF level cytokines (macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 and tumor growth factor β1) and microglia-astroglial activation (increased glial fibrillary acidic protein-GFAP) in the medial frontal gyrus and cerebellum in children and adults with autism (96).