New Study Shows Link Between MMR Vaccine and Autism

New Study Shows Link Between MMR Vaccine and Autism

If you're feeling a little nervous about getting your baby their MMR shot and aren't quite sure whether you should believe that there really is no link to autism from it, you should know that a study has recently been done that actually does show a link between MMR and autism in select individuals.

Dr. Vijendra K. Singh, Research Association Professor of Neuroimmunology for Utah State University's Department of Biology, has just published a report in the Journal of Biomedical Science showing that there is an association between the MMR vaccine and autism due to an immune system reaction.

In Dr. Singh's study they took samples of blood from 125 children that are autistic along with 92 blood samples of non-autistic children. 75 out of 125 of the children with autism had antibodies showing that there had indeed been an abnormal reaction when it came specifically to the measles portion of the MMR vaccine. Along with this, 9 out of 10 of these same children also tested positive for antibodies that are currently believed to contribute to autism. These antibodies are responsible for attacking the brain and the building blocks of myelin which is what covers nerve fibres. Because of this, the nerves don't develop in the right way and this could very well affect the brain.

Dr. Singh has done well over 20 years of work in the field of immunology research, and he said of his findings that, "Stemming from this evidence, we suggest that an inappropriate antibody response to MMR, specifically the measles component thereof, might be related to pathogenesis of autism."

If you're worried about the MMR vaccine, you might want to consider getting separate shots, such as a separate shot for measles itself rather than the whole MMR shot. However, there is a problem in some places as single shots for measles, mumps or rubella can be hard to come by as that would lead to fewer and fewer people getting the MMR vaccine. But with the latest news about possible (and probable) links between the vaccine and autism, it's worth remembering that there's no smoke without fire and there is probably a lot more that will come out in the distant future about this vaccine that today's medical professionals refuse to acknowledge.

Story here.