Body attacking brain

[Guest guest]

I wouldn't want anyone to quote me on this, but when saw Dr. G for

the first time, he said something about HHV6 doing something to the

protein structure of the brain, causing the immune system to attack

the brain. I apologize if I've totally mangled his explanation; I was

a little overwhelmed by all the information. Anyway, I came across

this article on Fox News (see below). This little boy had cancer in

his chest that fooled his body into believing his own brain was

cancerous, so the immune system attacked his brain. Could this be

similar to the mechanism we see in our own kids? His symptoms were

eerily similar to autism.

Please dont' mistake me . . . I'm not saying our kids have cancer.

I'm just wondering if the mehcanism is the same. It makes sense to me.

Any thoughts or clarifications, especially the very poor explanation

of HHV6 and the brain, would be greatly appreciated.

Robyn

Boy's Body Attacked His Brain Mistaking It for Cancer

Thursday, April 10, 2008

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PUYALLUP, Wash. — Fifteen-month-old Finn McConnell was diagnosed

with a rare chest tumor late last year that fooled his body into

believing his own brain was cancerous, it is reported by KOMOTV.com.

Last December, Theresa and McConnell took their son Finn to

the doctor after noticing he had stopped talking, was having

difficulty crawling, his balance was " off " and would wake up five or

six times a night screaming, the report said.

Doctors initially believed Finn, who has a twin brother named Owen,

had a brain tumor. But an MRI revealed he had opsoclonus myoclonus

syndrome, a cancer that causes antibodies to confuse the brain for a

cancerous tumor, KOMOTV.com reported.

Finn had the tumor removed several days later. There's no cure for

OMS, and the condition may stunt his growth. But his parents are

hopeful.

" He could have a very normal life, he could maybe have to live with

us for the rest of his life; we just don't know, " McConnell

told the TV station.

Click here to read more on this story from KOMOTV.com.