Autism Research
The good news is that research is beginning 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. NIH research on likely genetic, infectious, immunological, and environmental causes and mechanisms of autism carries on. 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 researching into the causes and treatments for autism spectrum disorders. The CDC is committed to protecting the health of children and to making out the biological and environmental causes of autism and supplementary developmental disabilities.
MMR vaccination
Contemporary scientific evidence does not confirm 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 declaring that thimerosal 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. 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, along 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 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 indicate that measles causes autism. Therefore, these findings provide evidence against the hypothesis that MMR vaccination causes autism.
Asperger Syndrome and Autism
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 leads to 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.
Possible Causes of Autism
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 continue a mystery, it has become obvious that genetic factors contribute importantly to the occurrence of the disorder. The causes of autism have long baffled investigators and frustrated parents. Theories regarding prospective 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. Though autism's causes are hidden, one fact about the syndrome is clear: it runs in households.
New Autism Research Clues
Genetic factors and brain abnormalities at birth are believed to be some of the most recognized causes of autism. Although researchers aren't sure just what signals the brain's wiring to go awry, studies indicate that autism's bases 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 understood. 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. More than likely several causes and etiological pathways lead to disorders in the autism spectrum. Most believe autism to have multiple probable causes. In the effort to identify autism's causes, researchers had long sought to pinpoint precisely when the disorder begins. A peptide found in schizophrenia and autism leads to 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. Because autism itself and its initiation are so puzzling, the international symbol for autism is a puzzle piece. It is mainly accepted that autism is caused by abnormalities in brain structures. Probable molecular causes of autism and other neurological disorders could 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.
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 disorder. Research indicates 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 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 financing. During the 1990s, there has been a substantial push to promote research into the causes of autism. Autism is a neurological disorder that leads to impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. Simply put, autism affects a kid to retreat into an inner universe. Little is known in regards to the causes, care and prevention of autism. Because the main causes of autism in children are not greatly understood, targeted prevention is difficult. 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 doctors from around the world have banded together to commence to crack the mystery of what causes autism. The excellent 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 causes autism, and a push to look harder at likely environmental influences.
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 understood, though it is obvious that autism is a biological brain disease. Autism signals impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. It has become clear that genetic factors contribute considerably to the presence of the disorder.
Conclusion
We don't know exactly what causes autism, but we do know that both genes and environment are engaged. There is no theory of the cause of autism which everyone has found convincing. However, 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 specific environmental trigger, causes autism. Because the disorder is so complex, and because no two people with autism are precisely alike, autism is more than likely the result of many causes. Nothing will make the search for autism's causes uncomplicated.
