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 instigates 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.
Autism Disorder
Autism, also referred as infantile autism or autistic disease, is a lifelong disorder that causes abnormal neurological development. The causes of autism are poorly comprehended, although it is clear that autism is a biological brain disorder. Autism signals impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. It has turn out to be obvious that genetic elements contribute considerably to the appearance of the disorder.
MMR vaccination
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 realities. Current scientific evidence does not substantiate that MMR vaccine, or any combination of vaccines, causes the development of autism, together with regressive forms of autism. However, determination of whether MMR vaccination instigates autism is best made by studying the incidence of autism in both vaccinated and un-vaccinated children. These studies make 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 imply 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 instigates 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. Current scientific evidence does not substantiate that MMR vaccine, or any combination of vaccines, signals the development of autism, including regressive forms of autism. Nonetheless, a small but vocal group of parents have taken to saying that thimerosal causes autism.
New Autism Research Clues
Potential molecular causes of autism and other neurological disorders might 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 disease. Most believe autism to have several possible causes. In the attempt to identify autism's causes, researchers had long sought to pinpoint precisely when the disorder begins. A peptide found in schizophrenia and autism causes behavioral changes in rats. In truth, the only proven genetic causes of autism to date are well-defined syndromes like the Fragile X chromosome anomaly. Genetic factors and brain abnormalities at birth are considered to be some of the most recognized causes of autism. Because autism itself and its causes are so mystifying, the international symbol for autism is a puzzle piece. It is generally accepted that autism is caused by abnormalities in brain structures. Although researchers aren't sure just what causes the brain's wiring to go awry, reports imply that autism's roots lie in a person's genes. Over-emphasis on genetic aspects may not take an adequate amount of account of different causes that are needed to explain the distinct types of autism. Even for the autism-spectrum disorders with known genetic causes, the molecular mechanism of pathology is not well comprehended. Studies of a Massachusetts town have attributed autism to congenital environmental causes. In some cases, autism may trigger the body's natural painkillers, called endorphins, to go overly far in suppressing feeling. Probably several causes and etiological pathways lead to disorders in the autism spectrum.
Possible Causes of Autism
The causes of autism have long baffled investigators and frustrated parents. Theories regarding 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 likely causes of autism. Though autism's causes are unclear, one reality about the syndrome is clear: it runs in households. Infection of pregnant woman with "wild" rubella virus is one of the few known causes of autism. A peptide found in schizophrenia and autism suggests behavioral changes in rats. There are other mechanisms of autism besides peptides, although maybe as much as 80% are peptide mediated. Congenital rubella, HIV, and herpes simplex have all been suggested as possible autism causes. While the causes of autism still continue a mystery, it has become obvious that genetic factors contribute importantly to the presence of the disorder.
Autism Research
NIH research on possible genetic, infectious, immunological, and environmental causes and mechanisms of autism carries on. The nice news is that investigation 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. Examination into the causes of autism spectrum disorders is being fueled by recent research developments. The U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) carries on to support research into the causes and treatments for autism spectrum disorders. The CDC is committed to protecting the well being of children and to recognizing the biological and environmental causes of autism and additional developmental disabilities.
No one knows exactly what causes 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 attained little financing. During the 1990s, there has been a significant push to promote research into the causes of autism. The excellent news is that research is beginning to reveal autism's causes and signs, in particular evidence of a genetic link. This research reflects a shift in scientific thinking about what causes autism, and a push to look harder at likely environmental influences. Amazingly, it took many years for researchers to to conclude say without an uncertainty that cold parents are not one of the Autism causes. Patients, researchers and Physicians from throughout the world have banded together to commence to crack the mystery of what leads to autism. Autism is a neurological disease that leads to impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. Clearly put, autism leads to a kid 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 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 disease. Research shows that there may be several different autism causes.
Conclusion
We don't know precisely what causes autism, but we do recognize that both genes and environment are involved. There is no theory of the cause of autism which all of us has found convincing. Yet, parenting behaviors are not the cause or a contributing factor to the cause or causes of autism. The popular theory now is that people can be born with a genetic predisposition that, coupled with some environmental trigger, causes autism. Because the disorder is so complex, and because no two people with autism are exactly alike, autism is more than likely the result of multiple causes. Nothing will make the search for autism's causes uncomplicated.
