Autism Research
The happy news is that investigation is starting 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 likely genetic, infectious, immunological, and environmental causes and mechanisms of autism carries on. 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 recognizing the biological and environmental causes of autism and additional developmental disabilities.
Autism Disorder
Autism affects impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. It has become obvious that genetic factors contribute prominently to the occurrence of the disorder. Autism, also referred as infantile autism or autistic disorder, is a lifelong disorder that causes abnormal neurological development. The causes of autism are poorly comprehended, even though it is clear that autism is a biological brain disorder.
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, together 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 minimal 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. 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. Contemporary scientific evidence does not demonstrate 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 stating that thimerosal causes autism.
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 signals 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 fact about the syndrome is clear: it runs in families. The causes of autism have long baffled investigators and frustrated parents. Theories in regards to 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 likely causes of autism. Congenital rubella, HIV, and herpes simplex have all been indicated as probable autism causes. While the causes of autism still continue a mystery, it has become obvious that genetic factors contribute a good deal to the occurrence of the disorder.
Amazingly, it took several years for researchers to to conclude 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 causes autism. 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 substantial drive to promote research into the causes of 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 leads to autism, and a drive to look harder at potential environmental influences. Autism is a neurological disorder that leads to impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. Clearly put, autism affects a child to retreat into an inner world. Little is known about the causes, care and prevention of autism. Because the main causes of autism in children are not well understood, targeted prevention is difficult. The Autism Research Center (www.autismresearchcentre.com) conducts research and disseminates outcomes on the causes of autism and on methods of averting, diagnosing and treating the disorder. Research shows that there may be various different autism causes.
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 instigates mental retardation.
New Autism Research Clues
Genetic factors and brain abnormalities at birth are considered to be some of the most recognized causes of autism. 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. 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. Because autism itself and its initiation are so mystifying, 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 signals the brain's wiring to go awry, reports indicate that autism's roots 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 several probable 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 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.
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 exactly alike, autism is likely the result of multiple causes. Nothing will make the search for autism's causes uncomplicated. 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 everyone has found convincing. Yet, parenting behaviors are not the basis or a contributing factor to the cause or causes of autism.
