Autism Studies and Related Medical Conditions, January 2009 - TACA

Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132-2305,
USA.
Autistic disorder (autism) is a behaviorally defined developmental disorder with a
wide range of behaviors. Although the etiology of autism is unknown, data
suggest that autism results from multiple etiologies with both genetic and
environmental contributions, which may explain the spectrum of behaviors seen
in this disorder. One proposed etiology for autism is viral infection very early in
development. The mechanism, by which viral infection may lead to autism, be it
through direct infection of the central nervous system (CNS), through infection
elsewhere in the body acting as a trigger for disease in the CNS, through
alteration of the immune response of the mother or offspring, or through a
combination of these, is not yet known. Animal models in which early viral
infection results in behavioral changes later in life include the influenza virus
model in pregnant mice and the Borna disease virus model in newborn Lewis
rats. Many studies over the years have presented evidence both for and against
the association of autism with various viral infections. The best association to
date has been made between congenital rubella and autism; however, members
of the herpes virus family may also have a role in autism. Recently, controversy
has arisen as to the involvement of measles virus and/or the measles, mumps,
rubella (MMR) vaccine in the development of autism. Biological assays lend
support to the association between measles virus or MMR and autism whereas
epidemiologic studies show no association between MMR and autism. Further
research is needed to clarify both the mechanisms whereby viral infection early
in development may lead to autism and the possible involvement of the MMR
vaccine in the development of autism.
PMID: 15804954 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Lopez-Pison J, Rubio-Rubio R, Urena-Hornos T, Omenaca-Teres M, Sans A, Cabrerizo de
Diago R, Pena-Segura JL. Retrospective diagnosis of congenital infection by
cytomegalovirus in the case of one infant.
Sección de Neuropediatría, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, 50009 Zaragoza,
España. jlopezpi@salud.aragon.es
INTRODUCTION: 10-15% of asymptomatic congenital infections by
cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the neonatal period develop persistent problems with
varying degrees of severity, fundamentally involving neurological disorders,
neurosensory hypoacusis and hypovision, which appear from the age of 6-9
months onwards, when a diagnosis is no longer possible. The PCR (polymerase
chain reaction) technique can detect DNA of CMV in blood samples on filter
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