Binstock, T. Hypothesis: Infection, antibiotics, vaccination-induced neuropathies: Mechanisms of pathogenesis in some cases of autism, ADHD, Tourette's, OCD, and other neurological disorders. Bit.listserv.autism January 3 1997.

.....ABSTRACT..... Cytokines are released in response to vaccination (i) as part of the processes by which vaccinations induce antibody formation, and (ii) as indicated by the occurrence of fever and, in many children, lethargic behavior. The cytokines so released are causally associated with two other processes: (i) edema within the cns, and (ii) clonal expansions of T-cell and B-cell subsets already activated by specific antigens from recent processes within the central nervous system (cns). Of significance to autism, OCD, Tourette's, ADHD, etc, is that some T-cells and B-cells in peripheral circulation may be encoded with neuron-derived epitopes (NdEs) subsequent to various infections and/or various treatments with antibiotics. In children having such NdE-encoded T-cells, B-cells, and antibodies, vaccination-induced clonal expansions of those T-cells and B-cells may, in some cases, initiate further neuronal damage. In other words, brain regions whose pre-vaccination neuronal damage had been relatively insignificant may, via vaccination-induced clonal expansions, suffer additional damage. The sequence is as follows: individuals primed with NdE-encoded immunological cells may, given cytokines-release induced by one or more vaccinations, experience clonal expansions of those T-cells and B-cells, which can re-cross the bbb into the brain and then induce additional damage, ie, resulting in vaccination-enhanced neuropathy presenting clinically as autism, tics, Tourette's syndrome, OCD, ADHD,

.....RATIONALE.....

1. In his book VACCINATION, SOCIAL VIOLENCE, AND CRIMINALITY, Harris Coulter makes an important observation: in many children, post-vaccination traits appear to be similar to those described as sequelae to various CNS infections (15). This paper's hypothesis presents molecular mechanisms that may account for the similarities in sequelae to various CNS infections and, in some children, to vaccinations.

2. Based upon the facts (i) that fever is a vaccination reaction experienced by many individuals (9), and (ii) that fever and edema are stimulated by similar cytokines (34, 43, 57), a subset of vaccinated children -- as a direct result of vaccination-induced cytokines release -- may be likely to experience both encephalitis and subsequent encephalopathy.

3. For instance, recent research findings are instructive regarding autistic children for whom -- as neonates, infants or toddlers -- medical records show a history of infections, antibiotic treatments, vaccinations, and temporally associated onset of autistic traits (eg, 3, 15).