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 facts. Current scientific evidence does not confirm 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 causes 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 leads to 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 provide evidence against the hypothesis that MMR vaccination causes autism. Contemporary scientific evidence does not demonstrate that MMR vaccine, or any combination of vaccines, causes 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. 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.
Possible 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 signals 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 remain a mystery, it has become obvious that genetic factors contribute a good deal to the occurrence of the disorder. The causes of autism have long baffled investigators and frustrated parents. Theories about prospective 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 Research
NIH research on prospective genetic, infectious, immunological, and environmental causes and mechanisms of autism continues. 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 investigation into the causes and treatments for autism spectrum disorders. The CDC is committed to protecting the health of children and to recognizing the biological and environmental causes of autism and other developmental disabilities.
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. Current 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.
New Autism Research Clues
Most believe autism to have a good number of probable 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 instigates 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, reports hint that that autism's roots lie in a person's genes. Over-emphasis on genetic aspects may not take enough account of various 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 understood. Possible 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. 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. Because autism itself and its initiation are so puzzling, the international symbol for autism is a puzzle piece. It is usually 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.
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. No one knows precisely what leads to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), but scientists believe that both genetic and environmental components may play a role. Until the mid 1990's, probing into the causes of autism was limited to a few dedicated individuals who obtained little funding. During the 1990s, there has been an extensive drive to promote research into the causes of autism. 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 begin to crack the mystery of what causes autism. 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 thinking about what affects autism, and a push to look harder at possible environmental influences. Autism is a neurological disorder that leads to impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. Clearly put, autism affects a kid to escape into an inner world. Little is known in regards to the causes, care and prevention of autism. Due to the fact that the main causes of autism in children are not greatly understood, targeted prevention is difficult.
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 understood, although it is clear that autism is a biological brain disease. Autism leads to impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. It has become clear that genetic factors contribute considerably to the appearance of the disorder.
Conclusion
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 all of us has found convincing. Yet, parenting behaviors are not the basis 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 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 exactly alike, autism is likely the result of multiple causes. Nothing will make the search for autism's causes simple.
