New Autism Research Clues
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 disorder. 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 overly far in suppressing feeling. Likely several causes and etiological pathways lead to disorders in the autism spectrum. Genetic factors and brain abnormalities at birth are thought to be to be some of the most recognized causes of autism. 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. Most believe autism to have various potential 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. Although researchers aren't sure just what causes the brain's wiring to go awry, studies imply that autism's bases lie in a person's genes. Over-emphasis on genetic aspects may not take enough account of different 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.
Autism Disorder
Autism leads to impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. It has become clear that genetic elements contribute substantially to the appearance of the disorder. Autism, also referred as infantile autism or autistic disorder, is a lifelong disorder that causes abnormal neurological development. The causes of autism are poorly understood, although it is clear that autism is a biological brain disease.
Autism Research
NIH research on probable genetic, infectious, immunological, and environmental causes and mechanisms of autism carries on. Research 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 research into the causes and treatments for autism spectrum disorders. The CDC is committed to protecting the well being of children and to identifying the biological and environmental causes of autism and additional developmental disabilities. The nice news is that investigation 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.
MMR vaccination
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. 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, together 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 provide little evidence to support 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 imply that measles causes autism. Therefore, these findings return evidence against the hypothesis that MMR vaccination causes autism. Contemporary scientific evidence does not show that MMR vaccine, or any combination of vaccines, signals the development of autism, including regressive forms of autism. Anyhow, a small but vocal group of parents have taken to saying that thimerosal causes autism.
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 reality about the syndrome is clear: it runs in families. Some people with autism, largely males, have fragile X syndrome, which instigates mental retardation.
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 probable causes of autism. Though autism's causes are unclear, one fact about the syndrome is clear: it runs in families. 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 prominently to the appearance 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 suggests behavioral changes in rats. There are other mechanisms of autism besides peptides, although maybe as much as 80% are peptide mediated.
The nice 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 thought about what leads to autism, and a push to look harder at likely environmental influences. Autism is a neurological disorder that causes impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. Simply put, autism leads to a child to retreat into an inner universe. Little is known about the causes, care and prevention of autism. Due to the fact that the primary causes of autism in children are not greatly understood, targeted prevention is difficult. No one knows precisely 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, research into the causes of autism was limited to a few dedicated individuals who received little funding. During the 1990s, there has been a significant drive to promote research into the causes of autism. The Autism Research Center (www.autismresearchcentre.com) conducts research and disseminates outcomes 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. Amazingly, it took several years for researchers to to conclude say without a doubt 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 causes autism.
Conclusion
The popular theory now is that people can be born with a genetic predisposition that, coupled with a little environmental trigger, causes autism. Because the disorder is so complex, and because no two people with autism are precisely alike, autism is likely the result of many 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 trigger or a contributing factor to the cause or causes of autism.
