Is insanity a virus?
Is insanity a virus?
In 2010, Discover reported on a theory that brain diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and schizophrenia might have a common source — a virus. (“The Insanity Virus,” June 2010) Researchers found mounting evidence that we carry this virus in our DNA, like the genes for left-handedness.
Is there a virus that makes you go crazy?
For instance, rabies—a viral disease that infects the central nervous system—can drive people to be violently mad, according to Samita Andreansky, a virologist at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine in Florida who also appears in the documentary.
Can schizophrenia be caused by a virus?
Both researchers are quick to point out that not all schizophrenia is caused by infection. “My feeling is that schizophrenia is a mixture of diseases, so it is extremely unlikely that either a virus or genes will explain all the cases,” Yolken says. “We believe that perhaps 30% of cases may be related to infection.”
Can a virus cause bipolar disorder?
A simple infection by bacteria or viruses, a retroviral infection, or immune dysfunction can precipitate bipolar illnesses. Several varieties of brain infection have been known to cause either manic or depressed states.
What infections cause schizophrenia?
The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus are discussed as examples of infectious agents that have been linked to schizophrenia and in which genes and infectious agents interact. Such infections may occur early in life and are thus consistent with neurodevelopmental as well as genetic theories of psychosis.
Can an infection lead to psychosis?
Infections have been recognized as triggers of acute episodes of psychosis among patients with neuropsychiatric disorders [1].
What is the closest thing to a zombie virus?
The closest mimicking case in the natural world is the toxoplasmosis infection, said Dr. Scholzman. This virus changes behavior in its host so that an animal might aggressively attack its normal predator. (Think of a rat turning around and running to attack a cat.)
Can you have a virus in your brain?
Encephalitis is most commonly due to viruses, such as herpes simplex, herpes zoster, cytomegalovirus, or West Nile virus. It can occur in the following ways: A virus directly infects the brain. A virus that caused an infection in the past becomes reactivated and directly damages the brain.
What virus can cause schizophrenia?
Can viruses affect the brain?
A virus directly infects the brain. A virus that caused an infection in the past becomes reactivated and directly damages the brain. A virus or vaccine triggers a reaction that makes the immune system attack brain tissue (an autoimmune reaction.
Is mental illness caused by a virus?
Viruses that have been associated with schizophrenia and other chronic mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, MDD, and autism include but are not limited to influenza viruses; human endogenous retroviruses; and the herpesviruses, such as cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and herpes simplex virus.
Is Bipolar an autoimmune disorder?
In view of the high comorbidity rate between bipolar disorder and autoimmune diseases, as well as the high compatibility of the characteristics of both illnesses, some researchers have proposed that bipolar disorder is essentially an autoimmune disease.