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Yaowen
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Default Aug 07, 2022 at 10:37 AM
  #1
I've been doing a lot of reading lately in scholarly publications about possible links between a type of herpesvirus and illnesses such a depression, bipolar and schizophrenia.

Sadly much scholarly research on the internet is blocked by expensive pay walls and so I can only access free open source research or abstracts.

There seems to be a body of evidence that links Betaherpesvirus 6A to some mental illnesses in those genetically predisposed. Other studies have not reproduced those findings.

Differing studies often differ because of outside factors: size of study, duration of study, methods employed, objectivity of study, confounding variables and new research so it is sort of impossible to compare studies in head to head comparisons.

What do you think about the idea that some mental illness might be caused by a virus like BHV-6. BHV-6 seems to remain dormant until reactivated by stressful situation. This might [?] explain the chronic nature and periodicity of some mental illnesses.

There is an animal pathogen called Bornovirus that causes depression-like systems in mammals, especially horses and birds. Animals who contract this virus spend most of their time inactive and stop eating which often leads to their demise. Some researchers have hypothesized that humans can contract Bornovirus too. Research is just beginning in this area.

Anyone reading this . . . I would be interested in your opinions since the research is still in its infancy. Thanks.
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downandlonely
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Default Aug 07, 2022 at 10:44 AM
  #2
Is chicken pox a BHV-6 virus? I know it's herpes but don't know exactly what it is. I did have that as a child.
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Default Aug 07, 2022 at 01:46 PM
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Don't know too much about that, downandlonely. I know some herpesvirus subtype infections can be recurrent where the virus is in a state of latency and then reactivated by things such as stress.

Shingles can result from those who suffered chicken pox. After recovery from chicken pox, the VZ virus becomes dormant around the spinal cord and in the brain. Stress is thought to be one of the causes of the return of the VZ virus in adulthood to morf into the shingles illness.

Much of the research on the link between herpesvirus 6B and mental illness is highly technical and requires advanced knowledge of organic chemistry and biochemistry. This part of the research is beyond my competence.

It has often been wondered why some mental illnesses are linked to inflammation of various regions of the brain. Inflammation is often caused by an infective agent such as some harmful microbe or when the immune system fighting an infection turns against the human body itself in a cytokine storm.

The viral model of mental illness is fairly new. The research is scant. Seems the whole project is sort of in its infancy. If true, in part or entirely, it would help explain why depressions can be chronic or relapsing. It could explain the brain inflammation seen in some mental illnesses. It could also at least partly explain why stress or trauma could cause return of symptoms.

Medical research is a slow process. It is helped by more and better research studies and by a body of evidence that trends more and more towards the explanations.

Any thoughts?
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Default Aug 07, 2022 at 02:51 PM
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I think the theory makes sense, but i dont know much about it.
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Default Aug 07, 2022 at 04:03 PM
  #5
I have actually wondered if I have an autoimmune condition with internal inflammation that is contributing to my depression. I deal with depression and chronic fatigue most of the time, but a few times I have been prescribed steroids for severe allergic reactions. Steroids reduce inflammation. When I'm on them, I actually have energy and my mood is better. But you can't take drugs that suppress the immune system long term.
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