title: The possible relationship of herpes simplex virus infection to cause of retardation in severe mental handicap.
abstract: The relationship between herpes simplex virus type 1 and mental retardation is explored by studying the antibody levels to this virus in a group of 86 severely and profoundly retarded adults. A tendency towards higher antibody levels is found in patients whose retardation is of unknown aetiology. The relationship of these observations to previous research findings and the possible significance of herpes simplex virus in the aetiology of mental retardation are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000209:etiology*; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral