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Why has rubella infection during pregnancy been studied as a possible autism risk factor?

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autism American artist Chris Murray, who has autism, at work.

Rubella infection during pregnancy is studied as a potential risk factor for autism because it is a maternal infection that activates the mother's immune system during the early stages of pregnancy.1

Research indicates that such immunological activity can lead to changes in the developing brain of the embryo or fetus. Because certain maternal infections have been associated with an increased incidence of neurodevelopmental conditions in offspring, the rubella virus has been investigated for its potential role in these developmental outcomes. It is important to distinguish this research on maternal infection from the MMR vaccine; extensive scientific evidence, including large-scale studies, has consistently rejected any causal relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism.12