Studies help explain link between autism, severe infection during pregnancy

MIT News ^ | September 13, 2017 | Anne Trafton

[Enchante]

Fascinating research, seems to point to important linkages between maternal gut bacteria, the immune system, and possible development of autism in the child. Certainly merits a lot more attention....

[Enchante]

I wonder if this work can point to any possible research on therapeutic tools for kids who already have autism, or is the only hope here to try to address preventative measures during pregnancy?

For instance, could any medicine(s) be developed which would target the appropriate molecules in the brain? Probably a long way away still, but maybe hopeful....

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[exDemMom]

I still think autism is a result of a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Plenty of women get sick during pregnancy and give birth to perfectly healthy infants. I wonder if there could be variants in the IL-17 receptors in the brain that make them particularly susceptible to damage.

I’ve also seen where some studies link higher rates of autism to febrile illness in the mother. Although it could be that febrile illnesses induce higher levels of IL-17 or other cytokines which are responsible for the damage.

This is fascinating stuff, and so very important. Because once the cause(s) of autism are described, that removes a huge talking point of the anti-vax (anti-baby) fraudsters. Plus, it opens doors to prevention—possibly treatment, but that’s a lot harder.

[logi_cal869]

I have been doing battle with pro-vaccination sycophants - the same ones who consider vaccines sacrosanct and label ALL those who criticize vaccines as “anti-vaxxers” - for some time. It is an irony that so many educated & normally-intelligent people would hysterically-defend all vaccines while ignoring other factors, including both adjuvants and biological factors themselves.

That stated, modern medicine has NO KNOWLEDGE whatsoever of the gut and, in fact, has no medical name for the condition from which I recovered.

This research is no doubt interesting, but for me it’s a face-palm moment that no researcher ever considered the linkage between vaccines and negative reactions from the heart of our immune system: The gut.

[Nifster]

Oh the anti vaxers won’t like that

[logi_cal869]

It would be a mistake to deride those who go to the extreme of becoming anti-vaccine, aka the euphemism beloved by vaccine sycophants, “anti-vaxxer.”

I know far too many people who have children with autism, Asperger and other disabilities. If modern medicine was not so intransigent, people wouldn’t become anti-vaccine to protect their children.

Vaccines are not sacrosanct; vaccine safety should be positive-feedback, not ignorant and defensive in the face of harm perpetrated upon children as a result of failure to make vaccines and their application safe for the mother and their offspring.

The simple fact of the matter is that many vaccines use chemicals & compounds which can be easily linked to biological reactions, yet they continue to be used.

For decades those critiquing vaccines and their sycophant defenders claimed that ethyl mercury was safe when injected into the bloodstream, on face value a laughable position from anyone who understands the elements. Not only did the establishment finally overcome the powerful lobby which persisted in using thimerosal, research has finally been performed which demonstrates toxicity resulting from ethyl mercury.

My response: Duh.

This research could be (emphasis on “could”) a sign of a trend, but the pressure to move to single-payer will quash all such research and destroy any remaining integrity in medicine & medical research.

Those who are considering having children in the coming years have genuine reason to be concerned, as it is best analogous to Russian Roulette whether you’re going to have a healthy child, given statistics on pre-term births and all the other unknowns.

Again, the ratio of affected children I know personally is quite troubling.

One observation: The “environmental factors” you refer to include “choices” by the mother. I’ve make the case in my book that mothers should be proactive in planning for pregnancy for up to 2 years prior to consideration of going full-term, as the one aspect medical research totally-ignores is rather academic: Mother’s health. People are far too quick to jump on the “new drug” or “gene therapy” bandwagon when basic health is likely the order of the day...

[Nifster]

You just keep doing you boo

[mad_as_he$$]

After many years of observation I am convinced that gut bacteria is/are critical in having a healthy body. This will be the next big medical field of new discoveries.

[logi_cal869]

Say what?

[mewzilla]

And if a pregnant mom catching the flu, for example, increases the risk of having an autistic child, seems to me that makes another great case for vaccination. Not to mention staying home when you’re sick, for example, with something like viral gastroenteritis. Why put others at risk?

[Mr Ramsbotham]

The simple fact of the matter is that many vaccines use chemicals & compounds which can be easily linked to biological reactions, yet they continue to be used.

It's not just chemicals and compounds that should cause concern, but rather, the action of the antigens on the immune system, which can be diverted and left vulnerable to other agencies. Vaccination should be used judiciously. Just as bad as the "anti-vaccination" mentality is the "pro-vaccination" counterpart that considers any vaccination, in any combination, at any time and under any circumstances is beneficial. The veterinary profession (to its great cost, for vaccination is the mainstay of its practitioners' incomes) has adjusted its recommended vaccination protocols for dogs and cats after concluding that many adverse conditions can be caused by over-vaccination, including autoimmune conditions and cancers.

[Gay State Conservative]

Vaccines are not sacrosanct; vaccine safety should be positive-feedback, not ignorant and defensive in the face of harm perpetrated upon children as a result of failure to make vaccines and their application safe for the mother and their offspring.

Thanks for the bit of educated wisdom.Now would you like to explain how WTC7 was deliberately brought down by explosives planted in the basement?

[logi_cal869]

Exactly, top to bottom, except your comment, “vaccination should be used judiciously.”

In the absence of balancing safety, it becomes reckless...rebounding back to your other which echoes my assertion that pro-vaxxers’ histrionics are as bad as the others.

The thimerosal debacle is evidence that without changes in the discipline itself, it may be decades before basic ethics returns to medical research and ensures vaccine safety.

[logi_cal869]

You spew just like the liberal idiots I do battle with daily.

A little conflicted, are we?

[Gay State Conservative]

You spew just like the liberal idiots I do battle with daily.

I have 25+ years experience at Harvard Medical School.What does your CV look like?

[logi_cal869]

It’s good that you admit your conflict of interest.

But I have a question, oh wise one:

How many of the top 10 leading causes of death has medicine identified a cause?

Your ‘discipline’s’ intransigence is that which has delivered this country an epidemic of disease, autism among them.

I guaran-damn-tee you that I have a better understanding of the linkage than you.

[Gay State Conservative]

It’s good that you admit your conflict of interest.

OH,God...gimme a break.

C'mon now...tell us how Bush and Cheney personally planted hi tech explosives in the basement of WTC 7.The world has a right to know!

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

Bookmark

[Gay State Conservative]

I guaran-damn-tee you that I have a better understanding of the linkage than you.

Your CV...we're still waiting!