MMR vaccination
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. The most recent scientific evidence does not confirm that MMR vaccine, or any combination of vaccines, leads to the development of autism, including regressive forms of autism. Nonetheless, a small but vocal group of parents have taken to alleging 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 substantiate 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 leads to autism is best made by studying the incidence of autism in both vaccinated and un-vaccinated children. These studies supply minimal evidence to validate a hypothesis that MMR vaccination causes autism. Even if measles virus were consistently shown to be present in intestinal specimens of children, this would not conclusively suggest that measles causes autism. Therefore, these findings provide evidence against the hypothesis that MMR vaccination causes autism.
Autism Research
The nice news is that research is appearing 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. Research 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 researching 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 supplementary developmental disabilities. NIH research on possible genetic, infectious, immunological, and environmental causes and mechanisms of autism continues.
Amazingly, it took many years for researchers to ultimately say without a doubt that cold parents are not one of the Autism causes. Patients, researchers and Physicians from around the world have banded together to begin to crack the mystery of what leads to autism. Autism is a neurological disease that causes impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. Clearly put, autism leads to a kid to retreat into an inner universe. Little is known in regards to the causes, treatment and prevention of autism. Due to the fact that the primary causes of autism in children are not well understood, targeted prevention is difficult. The good news is that research is appearing 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. 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, research into the causes of autism was limited to a few dedicated individuals who obtained little funding. During the 1990s, there has been a substantial push to promote investigation 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 averting, diagnosing and treating the disease. Research suggests that there may be different different autism causes.
Possible Causes of Autism
Though autism's causes are murky, one truth 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 leads to 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 implied as possible autism causes. While the causes of autism still continue a mystery, it has become clear that genetic factors contribute substantially to the presence of the disorder. The causes of autism have long baffled investigators and frustrated parents. Theories in regards to probable autism causes include genetics, environmental toxins, infections, and even vaccinations. Many additional hypotheses, such as the consumption of folic acid in pregnancy, have been proposed as possible causes of autism.
Autism 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, although it is obvious 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 substantially to the presence of the disorder.
Asperger Syndrome and Autism
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. Though autism's causes are murky, one thing about the syndrome is clear: it runs in families. Some people with autism, mostly males, have fragile X syndrome, which instigates mental retardation.
New Autism Research Clues
Most believe autism to have several possible causes. In the attempt to identify autism's causes, researchers had long sought to pinpoint exactly when the disorder begins. A peptide found in schizophrenia and autism causes behavioral changes in rats. In reality, the only proven genetic causes of autism to date are well-defined syndromes like the Fragile X chromosome anomaly. Because autism itself and its initiation are so confusing, the international symbol for autism is a puzzle piece. It is typically accepted that autism is caused by abnormalities in brain structures. Genetic factors and brain abnormalities at birth are believed to be some of the most recognized causes of autism. Studies of a Massachusetts town have attributed autism to congenital environmental causes. In some cases, autism may lead to the body's natural painkillers, called endorphins, to go overly far in suppressing feeling. More than likely several causes and etiological pathways lead to disorders in the autism spectrum. Probable 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. Although researchers aren't sure just what causes the brain's wiring to go awry, reports indicate that autism's roots lie in a person's genes. Over-emphasis on genetic aspects may not take an adequate amount of account of several causes that are needed to explain the diverse types of autism. Even for the autism-spectrum disorders with known genetic causes, the molecular mechanism of pathology is not well understood.
Conclusion
The popular theory now is that people can be born with a genetic predisposition that, coupled with a small amount of environmental trigger, causes autism. Due to the fact that the disorder is so complex, and because no two people with autism are precisely 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 engaged. There is no theory of the cause of autism which everybody has found convincing. Yet, parenting behaviors are not the basis or a contributing factor to the cause or causes of autism.
