Discovery of XMRV Virus at the Whittemore Peterson Institute

The Whittemore Peterson Institute for Neuro-Immune Disease has discovered a virus called XMRV which seems to be the cause of Fibromyalgia and Myalgic Encephalitis. The XMRV virus may also play a part in some cases of autism who have the XMRV. Because XMRV virus is a retrovirus it is turned on or off by very specific events. XMRV is turned on by a response to hormones (like cortisol–the stress hormone and androgens and progesterones) and a response to inflammatory cytokines (inflammatory events. ) According to the researchers, the virus has been found in a significant number of people who have autism and it might help explain the many reports of autism being triggered by fever. It is a fascinating discovery, with huge ramifications for many, many people.