Possible Causes of Autism
Though autism's causes are unclear, one truth about the syndrome is clear: it runs in families. The causes of autism have long baffled investigators and frustrated parents. Theories regarding possible 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 probable causes of autism. 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 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 signals behavioral changes in rats. There are other mechanisms of autism besides peptides, although maybe as much as 80% are peptide mediated.
New Autism Research Clues
Probable molecular causes of autism and other neurological disorders may 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. Although researchers aren't sure just what signals the brain's wiring to go awry, studies suggest 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. 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 reality, 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 cause 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 confusing, the international symbol for autism is a puzzle piece. It is mainly accepted that autism is caused by abnormalities in brain structures. Genetic factors and brain abnormalities at birth are thought to be to be some of the most recognized causes of autism.
Autism Disorder
Autism signals impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. It has turn out to be obvious that genetic factors contribute considerably to the appearance of the disease. 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, even though it is clear that autism is a biological brain disease.
Autism Research
NIH research on prospective genetic, infectious, immunological, and environmental causes and mechanisms of autism carries on. The nice news is that investigation 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. Investigation 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 identifying the biological and environmental causes of autism and supplementary developmental disabilities.
Asperger Syndrome and Autism
Though autism's causes are murky, one fact about the syndrome is clear: it runs in families. Some people with autism, primarily 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.
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 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 causes autism is best made by studying the incidence of autism in both vaccinated and un-vaccinated children. These studies supply little evidence to validate 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 suggest that measles causes autism. Therefore, these findings return evidence against the hypothesis that MMR vaccination 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. Current scientific evidence does not confirm that MMR vaccine, or any combination of vaccines, causes the development of autism, including regressive forms of autism. Nonetheless, a small but vocal group of parents have taken to declaring that thimerosal causes autism.
Amazingly, it took several years for researchers to in the end say without an uncertainty that cold parents are not one of the Autism causes. Patients, researchers and Physicians from around the world have banded together to commence to crack the mystery of what leads to autism. The nice news is that research is beginning to reveal autism's causes and signs, in particular evidence of a genetic link. This research reflects a shift in scientific thought about what causes autism, and a push to look harder at potential 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, investigation into the causes of autism was limited to a few dedicated individuals who attained little financing. During the 1990s, there has been a major drive to promote investigation 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 avoiding, diagnosing and treating the disorder. Research suggests that there may be multiple different autism causes. Autism is a neurological disease 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 regarding the causes, treatment and prevention of autism. Due to the fact that the primary causes of autism in children are not perfectly understood, targeted prevention is difficult.
Conclusion
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. However, 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 little environmental trigger, causes autism. Because the disorder is so complex, and because no two people with autism are exactly alike, autism is probably the result of a multitude of causes. Nothing will make the search for autism's causes uncomplicated.
