Possible Causes of Autism
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 significantly to the occurrence 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 causes behavioral changes in rats. There are other mechanisms of autism besides peptides, although maybe as much as 80% are peptide mediated. 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 other hypotheses, such as the consumption of folic acid in pregnancy, have been proposed as likely causes of autism. Though autism's causes are murky, one reality about the syndrome is clear: it runs in households.
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 suggests that there may be different different autism causes. No one knows exactly 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, probing 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 disease that causes 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 about the causes, care and prevention of autism. Because the primary causes of autism in children are not well understood, targeted prevention is difficult. The nice 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 causes autism, and a push to look harder at likely environmental influences. Amazingly, it took many years for researchers to ultimately 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 begin to crack the mystery of what leads to autism.
New Autism Research Clues
Although researchers aren't sure just what leads to the brain's wiring to go awry, reports hint that that autism's bases lie in a person's genes. Over-emphasis on genetic aspects may not take sufficient 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. Most believe autism to have multiple probable causes. In the effort 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. 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. Because autism itself and its initiation are so confusing, the international symbol for autism is a puzzle piece. It is mainly accepted that autism is caused by abnormalities in brain structures. 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 disorder. Genetic factors and brain abnormalities at birth are considered to be some of the most recognized causes of autism.
MMR vaccination
Current scientific evidence does not confirm that MMR vaccine, or any combination of vaccines, leads to the development of autism, including regressive forms of autism. Nevertheless, a small but vocal group of parents have taken to alleging 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 realities. 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 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 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.
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, typically males, have fragile X syndrome, which causes mental retardation.
Autism Research
NIH research on likely genetic, infectious, immunological, and environmental causes and mechanisms of autism continues. The good 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. Examination 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 investigation 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.
Autism Disorder
Autism, also referred as infantile autism or autistic disease, is a lifelong disease that causes abnormal neurological development. The causes of autism are poorly understood, even though it is clear that autism is a biological brain disorder. Autism leads to impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. It has turn out to be obvious that genetic factors contribute prominently to the occurrence of the disease.
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. Because the disorder is so complex, and because no two people with autism are precisely alike, autism is likely the result of multiple causes. Nothing will make the search for autism's causes simple. We don't know exactly what causes autism, but we do understand that both genes and environment are involved. 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.
