bbc news. Genes linked to inflammation and immune response in the brains of autistic

[bluebelle31]

Been 'lurking' on this site since xmrv news broke 2009.

Thought this article interesting
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13539922

(Hope the link works I'm not very expert yet)

Seems to me that autistic people and those with ME have the immune and inflammatory response in common and am I correct in thinking that xmrv or retro viruses can change DNA?

 

[Enid]

Interesting area of research bluebelle31 for us too.

 

[currer]

I dont think this research is saying that people with autism are genetically different to start with.
I think what it says is that different genes are switched on in the course of brain development which lead to the abnormalities discussed here.
So yes, a virus could cause this difference in development, as the virus switches different genes on.
Unfortunately the title suggests the opposite! That autism is genetic.
(I'm open to correction on this interpretation from anyone else.)

 

[ukxmrv]

It says "gene expression" but is obviously not written by anyone with a background in the general subject.

309 genes were under expressed and 235 over (in only samples from 19 "brains with autism" compared to 17 "without")

It also says that these genes have already been linked with autism.

It's so badly written.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature10110.html

Dr Kerr did work on gene expression and ME so the genes could be compared (if tested) if anyone wants to do this.