Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Adjuvant Activity of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in Enhancing the Immunogenicity of Autoantigens During Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
06:57

Adjuvant Activity of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in Enhancing the Immunogenicity of Autoantigens During Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Published on: May 12, 2023

MMR-vaccine and regression in autism spectrum disorders: negative results presented from Japan

Tokio Uchiyama1, Michiko Kurosawa, Yutaka Inaba

  • 1Department of Human Welfare, Otsuma Women's University, 2-7-1, Karakida, Tama-city, Tokyo, 206-8540, Japan. tokiouch@otsuma.ac.jp

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|July 26, 2006
PubMed

Insights

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine does not cause regressive autism. A Japanese study found no increased incidence of regression in children vaccinated with MMR compared to unvaccinated children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric medicine
  • Vaccinology
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders

Background:

  • The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine has been controversially linked to autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
  • Concerns focus on potential regression in children following vaccination.
  • Japan's limited MMR vaccination period (1989-1993) offers a unique natural experiment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that the MMR vaccine causes regressive autism.
  • To analyze the incidence and proportion of regression in children with ASD in relation to MMR vaccination status and timing.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from 904 patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
  • Comparison of regression incidence between MMR-vaccinated and unvaccinated children during the 1989-1993 MMR usage period in Japan.
  • Examination of regression rates across three MMR program-related periods: before, during, and after its use.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in the incidence of regression was observed between MMR-vaccinated and unvaccinated children during the MMR usage period.
  • The proportion and incidence of regression showed no significant difference between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups across the three MMR program-related periods.
  • The overall incidence of regression did not significantly change across the pre-MMR, during-MMR, and post-MMR periods.

Conclusions:

  • The findings do not support the hypothesis that the MMR vaccine causes regressive autism.
  • The study suggests that MMR vaccination is not associated with an increased risk of regression in children with ASD.
  • Public health policies regarding MMR vaccination can be informed by the lack of evidence linking it to autism regression.

More Related Videos

Detection of Polyfunctional T Cells in Children Vaccinated with Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine via the Flow Cytometry Technique09:37

Detection of Polyfunctional T Cells in Children Vaccinated with Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine via the Flow Cytometry Technique

Published on: September 23, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...