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 indicates that there may be several different autism causes. Amazingly, it took many years for researchers to to conclude say without an uncertainty that cold parents are not one of the Autism causes. Patients, researchers and doctors from throughout the world have banded together to commence to crack the mystery of what leads to autism. 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 thought about what affects autism, and a push to look harder at possible environmental influences. No one knows precisely what causes Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), but scientists believe 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 substantial push to promote investigation into the causes of autism. Autism is a neurological disorder that leads to impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. Clearly put, autism affects a kid to retreat into an inner world. Little is known in regards to the causes, care and prevention of autism. Because the main causes of autism in children are not perfectly understood, targeted prevention is difficult.
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 causes behavioral changes in rats. There are other mechanisms of autism besides peptides, although maybe as much as 80% are peptide mediated. Though autism's causes are hidden, one reality about the syndrome is clear: it runs in households. The causes of autism have long baffled investigators and frustrated parents. Theories in regards to 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 probable 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 obvious that genetic factors contribute substantially to the appearance of the disorder.
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 become obvious that genetic elements contribute significantly to the presence of the disease.
New Autism Research Clues
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 possible causes. In the attempt to identify autism's causes, researchers had long sought to pinpoint precisely when the disorder begins. A peptide found in schizophrenia and autism causes 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. 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 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. 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 diverse causes that are needed to explain the various 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 too far in suppressing feeling. More than likely several causes and etiological pathways lead to disorders in the autism spectrum.
Autism Research
NIH research on possible genetic, infectious, immunological, and environmental causes and mechanisms of autism carries on. 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. 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 researching 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.
MMR vaccination
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. Current scientific evidence does not substantiate 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. 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, together with regressive forms of autism. However, determination of whether MMR vaccination leads to autism is best made by studying the incidence of autism in both vaccinated and un-vaccinated children. These studies supply minimal evidence to validate 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
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 thing about the syndrome is clear: it runs in families. Some people with autism, largely males, have fragile X syndrome, which leads to mental retardation.
Conclusion
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 probably the result of a multitude of causes. Nothing will make the search for autism's causes simple. We don't know precisely what causes autism, but we do recognize 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 cause or a contributing factor to the cause or causes of autism.
