New Autism Research Clues
Genetic factors and brain abnormalities at birth are believed to be some of the most recognized causes of autism. Because autism itself and its causes are so perplexing, 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 a good number of potential causes. In the attempt to identify autism's causes, researchers had long endeavored to pinpoint precisely when the disorder begins. A peptide found in schizophrenia and autism leads to 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. Potential 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. Although researchers aren't sure just what causes the brain's wiring to go awry, studies hint that that autism's roots lie in a person's genes. Over-emphasis on genetic aspects may not take sufficient account of diverse 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 comprehended. Studies of a Massachusetts town have attributed autism to congenital environmental causes. In some cases, autism may lead to 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.
MMR vaccination
Current 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 alleging 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. 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 show that MMR vaccine, or any combination of vaccines, causes the development of autism, in conjunction 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 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 return evidence against the hypothesis that MMR vaccination causes autism.
Asperger Syndrome and Autism
The 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 fact about the syndrome is clear: it runs in families. Some people with autism, by and large males, have fragile X syndrome, which causes mental retardation.
Autism Research
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 health of children and to recognizing the biological and environmental causes of autism and other developmental disabilities. The nice 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 probable genetic, infectious, immunological, and environmental causes and mechanisms of autism continues.
Autism Disorder
Autism causes impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. It has turn out to be clear that genetic factors contribute significantly to the occurrence of the 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, even though it is clear that autism is a biological brain disease.
Possible Causes of Autism
The causes of autism have long baffled investigators and frustrated parents. Theories in regards to 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 possible causes of autism. Congenital rubella, HIV, and herpes simplex have all been suggested as possible autism causes. While the causes of autism still remain a mystery, it has become clear that genetic factors contribute importantly to the appearance of the disorder. 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 causes behavioral changes in rats. There are other mechanisms of autism besides peptides, although maybe as much as 80% are peptide mediated.
No one knows exactly what causes Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), but scientists think 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 financing. During the 1990s, there has been a significant drive to promote investigation into the causes of autism. Amazingly, it took a good number of 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 throughout the world have banded together to commence to crack the mystery of what causes autism. Autism is a neurological disorder that leads to impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. Simply put, autism leads to a child to escape into an inner world. Little is known about the causes, treatment and prevention of autism. Because the primary causes of autism in children are not greatly understood, targeted prevention is difficult. The Autism Research Center (www.autismresearchcentre.com) conducts research and disseminates results 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. The good 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 affects autism, and a push to look harder at likely environmental influences.
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 all of us 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 likely the result of a multitude of causes. Nothing will make the search for autism's causes simple.
