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 reality about the syndrome is clear: it runs in households. Some people with autism, primarily males, have fragile X syndrome, which causes mental retardation.
New Autism Research Clues
Although researchers aren't sure just what leads to the brain's wiring to go awry, reports indicate 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 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 trigger the body's natural painkillers, called endorphins, to go too far in suppressing feeling. Likely several causes and etiological pathways lead to disorders in the autism spectrum. Potential 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. Because autism itself and its initiation are so confusing, the international symbol for autism is a puzzle piece. It is typically 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. Most believe autism to have numerous potential 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 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.
Autism Disorder
Autism affects impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. It has become obvious that genetic elements contribute prominently to the appearance of the 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 comprehended, even though it is clear that autism is a biological brain disorder.
Autism Research
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 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 additional developmental disabilities. NIH research on probable genetic, infectious, immunological, and environmental causes and mechanisms of autism carries on.
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 realities. Current scientific evidence does not provide evidence 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 make 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. The most recent scientific evidence does not confirm that MMR vaccine, or any combination of vaccines, leads to 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. 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.
Possible Causes of Autism
Though autism's causes are unclear, one fact about the syndrome is clear: it runs in families. The causes of autism have long baffled investigators and frustrated parents. Theories about probable 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 likely causes of autism. Congenital rubella, HIV, and herpes simplex have all been implied as probable autism causes. While the causes of autism still remain a mystery, it has become clear that genetic factors contribute a good deal to the presence 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 excellent 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 leads to autism, and a push to look harder at possible environmental influences. 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 disease. Research indicates that there may be multiple different autism causes. Amazingly, it took a good number of years for researchers to finally say without a doubt that cold parents are not one of the Autism causes. Patients, researchers and doctors from throughout the world have banded together to begin to crack the mystery of what causes autism. No one knows precisely 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 funding. During the 1990s, there has been a significant drive to promote research into the causes of autism. Autism is a neurological disorder that causes impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. Simply put, autism leads to a kid to retreat into an inner universe. Little is known regarding the causes, care and prevention of autism. Because the primary causes of autism in children are not well understood, targeted prevention is difficult.
Conclusion
The popular theory now is that people can be born with a genetic predisposition that, coupled with specific environmental trigger, causes autism. Due to the fact that the disorder is so complex, and because no two people with autism are precisely alike, autism is more than likely the result of a multitude of causes. Nothing will make the search for autism's causes simple. We don't know exactly what causes autism, but we do know that both genes and environment are involved. There is no theory of the cause of autism which everyone has found convincing. Yet, parenting behaviors are not the trigger or a contributing factor to the cause or causes of autism.
