New Autism Research Clues
Because autism itself and its causes are so confusing, the international symbol for autism is a puzzle piece. It is usually accepted that autism is caused by abnormalities in brain structures. Studies of a Massachusetts town have attributed autism to congenital environmental causes. In some cases, autism may signal the body's natural painkillers, called endorphins, to go too far in suppressing feeling. Likely several causes and etiological pathways lead to disorders in the autism spectrum. Although researchers aren't sure just what causes the brain's wiring to go awry, reports imply that autism's bases lie in a person's genes. Over-emphasis on genetic aspects may not take enough account of diverse causes that are needed to explain the various types of autism. Even for the autism-spectrum disorders with known genetic causes, the molecular mechanism of pathology is not well understood. Most believe autism to have a good number of potential causes. In the effort to identify autism's causes, researchers had long endeavored to pinpoint precisely when the disorder begins. A peptide found in schizophrenia and autism instigates behavioral changes in rats. In fact, the only proven genetic causes of autism to date are well-defined syndromes like the Fragile X chromosome anomaly. Probable molecular causes of autism and other neurological disorders may be associated with mis-folding of proteins. NICHD researchers are looking into a variety of possible causes for both early onset and regressive autism. Some people with autism have mutations in the Pten gene, but it is unclear if that's what causes the disorder. Genetic factors and brain abnormalities at birth are thought to be to be some of the most recognized causes of autism.
Autism Research
Investigation into the causes of autism spectrum disorders is being fueled by recent research developments. The U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) continues to support investigation into the causes and treatments for autism spectrum disorders. The CDC is committed to protecting the health of children and to identifying the biological and environmental causes of autism and additional developmental disabilities. NIH research on possible genetic, infectious, immunological, and environmental causes and mechanisms of autism continues. The happy news is that research is starting to reveal autism's causes and signs, in particular evidence of a genetic link. For instance, there is a global research project aiming to pin down the genetic causes of autism by studying 6,000 DNA samples from families affected.
Autism is a neurological disorder that causes impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. Simply put, autism causes a child to retreat into an inner world. Little is known in regards to the causes, treatment and prevention of autism. Because the main causes of autism in children are not perfectly understood, targeted prevention is difficult. The good news is that research is starting to reveal autism's causes and signs, in particular evidence of a genetic link. This research reflects a shift in scientific thinking about what leads to autism, and a drive to look harder at possible environmental influences. Amazingly, it took many years for researchers to in the end say without an uncertainty that cold parents are not one of the Autism causes. Patients, researchers and Physicians from around the world have banded together to commence to crack the mystery of what causes autism. No one knows exactly what leads to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), but scientists think that both genetic and environmental factors may play a role. Until the mid 1990's, investigation into the causes of autism was limited to a few dedicated individuals who received little funding. During the 1990s, there has been an extensive drive to promote research into the causes of autism. The Autism Research Center (www.autismresearchcentre.com) conducts research and disseminates results on the causes of autism and on methods of preventing, diagnosing and treating the disorder. Research suggests that there may be multiple different autism causes.
Autism Disorder
Autism leads to impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. It has become obvious that genetic factors contribute prominently to the presence of the disorder. Autism, also referred as infantile autism or autistic disorder, is a lifelong disease that causes abnormal neurological development. The causes of autism are poorly comprehended, though it is obvious that autism is a biological brain disorder.
MMR vaccination
Contemporary scientific evidence does not demonstrate that MMR vaccine, or any combination of vaccines, signals the development of autism, including regressive forms of autism. In any case, a small but vocal group of parents have taken to saying that thimerosal causes autism. If thimerosal causes autism, the prevalence of the disorder should have declined as the chemical was removed from vaccines. This is not supported by the facts. Current scientific evidence does not provide evidence that MMR vaccine, or any combination of vaccines, causes the development of autism, along with regressive forms of autism. However, determination of whether MMR vaccination causes autism is best made by studying the incidence of autism in both vaccinated and un-vaccinated children. These studies provide minimal evidence to support a hypothesis that MMR vaccination affects autism. Even if measles virus were consistently shown to be present in intestinal specimens of children, this would not conclusively indicate that measles causes autism. Therefore, these findings return evidence against the hypothesis that MMR vaccination causes autism. Many parents blame vaccines for the explosion in autism, which causes bizarre repetitive behavior and an inability to establish emotional ties. There is a theory out there that MMR vaccination with thimerosol causes autism in young children.
Asperger Syndrome and Autism
Though autism's causes are murky, one reality about the syndrome is clear: it runs in households. Some people with autism, mostly males, have fragile X syndrome, which causes mental retardation. Most recent thought among most stipulates that the causes of Asperger syndrome are the same as those of autism. Some disagree, arguing that Asperger syndrome and autism have different causes.
Possible Causes of Autism
The causes of autism have long baffled investigators and frustrated parents. Theories about probable autism causes include genetics, environmental toxins, infections, and even vaccinations. Many further hypotheses, such as the consumption of folic acid in pregnancy, have been proposed as potential causes of autism. Congenital rubella, HIV, and herpes simplex have all been implied as possible autism causes. While the causes of autism still remain a mystery, it has become obvious that genetic factors contribute a good deal to the occurrence of the disorder. Infection of pregnant woman with "wild" rubella virus is one of the few known causes of autism. A peptide found in schizophrenia and autism leads to behavioral changes in rats. There are other mechanisms of autism besides peptides, although maybe as much as 80% are peptide mediated. Though autism's causes are hidden, one fact about the syndrome is clear: it runs in families.
Conclusion
The popular theory now is that people can be born with a genetic predisposition that, coupled with specific environmental trigger, causes autism. Because the disorder is so complex, and because no two people with autism are exactly alike, autism is likely the result of a multitude of causes. Nothing will make the search for autism's causes simple. We don't know precisely what causes autism, but we do understand that both genes and environment are involved. There is no theory of the cause of autism which everybody has found convincing. However, parenting behaviors are not the cause or a contributing factor to the cause or causes of autism.
