Abstract
In this paper, the effects of all types of Human Herpes Virus (HHV-6) is reviewed in relation to encephalopathy, catatonia and mental health disorders due to recent research indicating that HHV-6 does a lot more than just causing Roseola, encephalitis and encephalopathy and that it could be the key to the recent rise in mental health disorders.
 The review suggests that the hypothesis that HHV-6 can lead to encephalopathy, catatonia and mental health disorders is true. The links between HHV-6, catatonia and mental health disorders are clear, and it seems necessary to do more research into the topic. It is possible HHV-6 plays a big role in causing catatonia among patients due to it causing encephalopathy and possibly causing and/or assisting the onset of mental health disorders, both of which are known to cause catatonia. HHV-6 is a relatively unknown pathogen to the wider population, but research is now indicating its prevalence and its effects could be behind the recent rise in mental health disorders.
Highlights
Infections with human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), a ß-herpesvirus of which two variant groups (A and B) are recognized, is very common, approaching 100% in seroprevalence
The effects of all types of HHV6 will be reviewed in relation to encephalopathy, catatonia and mental health disorders due to recent research indicating that HHV-6 does a lot more than just causing Roseola, encephalitis and encephalopathy, and that it could be the key to the recent rise in mental health disorders
It is estimated that 50% of all bipolar disorder sufferers will experience catatonia, which is why it is so important that we find out why catatonia is a common presentation of such a variety of mental health disorders
Summary
Infections with human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), a ß-herpesvirus of which two variant groups (A and B) are recognized, is very common, approaching 100% in seroprevalence. Those receiving or recovering from stem cell transplants, reactivation of HHV-6 can cause encephalitis and/or encephalopathy. Such presentation has been reported in immunocompetent patients. Sometimes, in a handful of cases, a state of catatonia is seen with no other symptoms of encephalopathy, indicating no physical cause of catatonia This is where looking into the possibility of mental health disorder-induced catatonia is introduced. [6] HHV-6 has been associated with encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, a disease characterised by severe limitations of physical activity This is similar to the effect of HHV6 on motor function as in catatonia. The reason Purkinje cells were researched into by the scientists carrying out the study was because reduced numbers of Purkinje cells, cerebellar atrophy and microstructural/metabolic abnormalities have been reported in BPD. [16]
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