Study uncovers potential link between immune response to MMR vaccine and autism

By oliviacook // 2025-07-24

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A study published in the Journal of Biomedical Science suggests a possible connection between the immune response to the MMR vaccine and autism, focusing on abnormal immune reactions and autoimmunity affecting the central nervous system (CNS).
Using ELISA, researchers found that children with autism have significantly higher levels of antibodies against the MMR vaccine compared to children without autism, indicating an unusual immune response.
Immunoblotting revealed that 60 percent of autistic children have antibodies targeting the measles hemmaglutinin (HA) protein, a key component of the measles portion of the MMR vaccine, with a molecular weight of 73-75 kilodaltons (kD).
Over 90 percent of autistic children with these unusual MMR antibodies also have antibodies against myelin basic protein (MBP), a key component of the brain's myelin sheath (nerve insulation), suggesting a link between the immune response to the MMR vaccine and CNS autoimmunity.
The study suggests that an atypical immune response to the measles component of the MMR vaccine may trigger autoimmune reactions in some children – potentially contributing to neurological symptoms associated with autism.
The study findings highlight the need for further research to understand the mechanisms behind this immune response, which could lead to new diagnostic tools and treatments for autism, while emphasizing the importance of monitoring vaccine safety and exploring personalized medicine approaches

In a study titled "Abnormal measles-mumps-rubella antibodies and central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity in children with autism," published in the Journal of Biomedical Science, researchers have uncovered a potential link between the immune response to the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and the development of autism. This research, while complex, offers a fascinating glimpse into the intricate world of the immune system and its possible role in neurodevelopment disorders. Autism is a mysterious condition affecting the CNS, characterized by challenges in behavior, communication and social interaction. Scientists believe that genetic, environmental and immune system factors all play a role. One long-debated theory suggests that the immune system in some children with autism may respond abnormally to infections or vaccinations. This study focused on whether children with autism have an unusual immune response to the MMR vaccine. Researchers compared blood samples from 125 children with autism to those from 92 children without autism. They looked specifically for antibodies – proteins produced by the immune system in response to the vaccine – in the blood of children with autism. They also looked for signs of autoimmunity, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. Here's what they discovered:

Elevated MMR antibodies: Using a technique called ELISA, the team found that children with autism had significantly higher levels of antibodies against the MMR vaccine compared to children without autism. This suggests an unusual response to the vaccine in autistic children.
Unusual MMR antibodies: Further analysis using immunoblotting revealed that 60 percent of autistic children had antibodies targeting a specific protein in the MMR vaccine. This protein, with a molecular weight of 73-75 kilodaltons (kD), was identified in the measles hemagglutinin (HA) protein, a component unique to the measles part of the vaccine.
Link to brain autoimmunity: The study also found that over 90 percent of autistic children with these unusual MMR antibodies also had antibodies against myelin basic protein (MBP), a key component of the brain's myelin sheath. This finding suggests a strong association between the immune response to the MMR vaccine and brain autoimmunity in autism.

Brain autoimmunity occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy brain cells, leading to inflammation and potential damage. Breaking down the science into a simple analogy, imagine the immune system as a security team protecting a building (the body). Normally, it recognizes and attacks harmful intruders (like viruses) while leaving the building's structure (the body's tissues) untouched. However, in some cases, the security team might mistakenly identify a part of the building as a threat, leading to "friendly fire" or autoimmunity. In this study, the MMR vaccine appears to be triggering an unusual response in some children, causing their immune system to produce antibodies – not only against the vaccine but also against their own brain tissue. This is akin to the security team attacking the building's wiring (the brain's myelin) after mistaking it for a threat.

Why this matters: A new perspective on autism

This research opens exciting possibilities for understanding autism's origins. While it doesn't prove causation, it suggests a potential mechanism: An inappropriate immune response to the MMR vaccine could trigger brain autoimmunity, contributing to autism's development. It is important to note that this study highlights a possible link between the immune response to the vaccine and autism. This research underscores the need for personalized medicine, where individual immune responses might influence how to approach vaccinations. The study also raises questions about the broader implications of vaccine-induced autoimmunity. If some children have an immune system that reacts unusually to vaccines, could this be a factor in other autoimmune conditions? This research invites further exploration into the complex interplay between vaccines, the immune system and neurodevelopmental disorders. While the study has intriguing insights, it also underscores the need for more research. Understanding the mechanisms behind this autoimmune response could lead to new diagnostic tools and treatments for autism. It also emphasizes the importance of monitoring vaccine safety and exploring the potential risk factors in genetically predisposed individuals. Watch the following video about autism occurrence by MMR vaccine status among U.S. children. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

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Why this matters: A new perspective on autism

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