Is autism caused by a virus?

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I saw on google that according to this site www.s3support.com autism is caused by a virus. what is the basis for this thinking?

There is some evidence for that hypothesis (link). All that we know for sure is that autism is caused by a genetic susceptibility in combination with an environmental trigger that occurs either in utero or shorty after birth. This trigger could very well be a virus that crosses the blood-brain barrier and causes an autoimmune response that negatively affects the brain development of an infant.

That was a very thorough/accurate explanation CrazyCatlord. Thank you for posting that. I believe what you have posted is true and accurate.

I was born a low birth weight, premature twin with respiratory issues. I had developmental problems and many health issues as a young child and throughout my whole life. I am 53 yrs. old now and still dealing with the health issues, but if I watch what I eat - can't eat sugar, just maintain very low carbs, stay on Special Carbohydrate diet, low Oxalate diet, drink plenty of water - 8 glasses a day, exercise, take a good pro-biotic, amino acids, Omega 3, Vitamin B Complex, 5-HTP for good brain health and a good herbal anti-viral, then I will have better quality of life and will keep the viral load inside me replicating less or at a slower rate. One thing though: I want to look into Glutathione. I want to start taking a Glutathione supplement. Our bodies produce less and less Glutathione as we age. Glutathione is a small protein manufactured inside the cells that consist of 3 amino acids. One of the amino acids is cystine. Cystine detoxifies. Glutathione is sometimes referred to as the body's master antioxidant. Studies and research show Glutathione slows the aging process, improves mental function and increases energy.

How can it possibly be a virus when it runs in the same family for generations?

If a mother has a virus and gives birth to her child, her child will have the virus inside him/or her. I have a viral infection (which I didn't realize was a virus at the time) but I got married, got pregnant and gave birth to a baby boy. My son is 15 yrs old now and he has all the symptoms that I had as a child and is still dealing with them because I passed on the virus I had to him (unknowingly, of course). Like me, my son has asthma, allergies, chronic fatigue, de-realization, depression, sensory integrative dysfunction, digestive issues, etc. These are all symptoms of Autism. I want to see if I can send you a private message now with further info.

Meh, this virus thing is just the latest craze. Who knows, maybe there's something to it, but I personally have doubts. I think the best bet is that autism is genetic.

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer

It takes two to tango, the genetic predisposition for autism and an environmental trigger (such as an autoimmune neurological response to a virus infection). The genetic predisposition runs in families.

Genetic sure.... but don't you think a virus can be passed on from generation to generation? Yes, it sure can and so it is.

I believe this is accurate and true info that Crazycatlord posted:


It takes two to tango, the genetic predisposition for autism and an environmental trigger (such as an autoimmune neurological response to a virus infection). The genetic predisposition runs in families.

It is genetic, but that's only half the truth. Think of it like a genetic predisposition for heart disease or cancer. A healthy lifestyle can prevent these diseases, even if people are genetically susceptible.

The same has been found for neurological disorders such as schizophrenia. Not all genetically predisposed people develop this disease. It only kicks in when certain environmental stressors occur (in this case increased stress, abuse, or a dysfunctional family environment).

In case of autism, it is assumed that the environmental trigger occurs at a very early age. We don't know exactly what the trigger is, but we do know that there must be one thanks to twin studies ( link). The autoimmune antibodies that have been found in the brains of autistics (see link in my first post in this thread) point towards an infection during early development, followed by a misguided immune response that attacks brain tissue.

I agree, some virus infections can spread from mother to fetus. So both the genetic predisposition and the virus may be passed on by the mother.

Perhaps.

_Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer

I know nothing about this, except experience. It seems in utero could be right. Could there be other reasons apart from a virus. For example, my own mother was very nervous and had two miscarriages. Added to that I was a blue baby, born on a very cold 3.00 am morning with no room heating.

Which viruses are these?

ruveyn

Exposure to rubella and thalidomide (although that is not a virus) increases the chance of autism in a newborn.

Not sure about that website though...there is anti-vaccine rhetoric one section of the website.

I'm afraid that last part makes the site suspect to me.

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer