Autism Research
Examination 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 research 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 other developmental disabilities. NIH research on likely genetic, infectious, immunological, and environmental causes and mechanisms of autism carries on. The good 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.
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 confirm that MMR vaccine, or any combination of vaccines, causes the development of autism, including 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 provide little 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 imply 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, 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.
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 comprehended, although it is clear that autism is a biological brain disorder. Autism affects impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. It has turn out to be obvious that genetic elements contribute considerably to the appearance of the disease.
Asperger Syndrome and Autism
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. 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 instigates mental retardation.
New Autism Research Clues
Because autism itself and its causes are so puzzling, the international symbol for autism is a puzzle piece. It is by and large accepted that autism is caused by abnormalities in brain structures. Although researchers aren't sure just what causes 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 enough account of several causes that are needed to explain the diverse types of autism. Even for the autism-spectrum disorders with known genetic causes, the molecular mechanism of pathology is not well comprehended. Genetic factors and brain abnormalities at birth are thought to be to be some of the most recognized causes of autism. Probable 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. Most believe autism to have a multitude of probable causes. In the attempt to identify autism's causes, researchers had long endeavored to pinpoint exactly when the disorder begins. A peptide found in schizophrenia and autism causes 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. 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. More than likely several causes and etiological pathways lead to disorders in the autism spectrum.
Possible Causes of Autism
Congenital rubella, HIV, and herpes simplex have all been indicated as possible autism causes. While the causes of autism still continue a mystery, it has become clear that genetic factors contribute significantly to the presence of the disorder. 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 probable 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 unclear, one reality about the syndrome is clear: it runs in households.
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 leads to autism, and a push to look harder at potential environmental influences. Autism is a neurological disease that leads to impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. Simply put, autism leads to a kid to escape into an inner universe. 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. No one knows precisely what leads to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), but scientists believe that both genetic and environmental factors may play a role. Until the mid 1990's, research into the causes of autism was limited to a few dedicated individuals who received little financing. During the 1990s, there has been a substantial push 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 preventing, diagnosing and treating the disorder. Research shows that there may be various different autism causes. Amazingly, it took many years for researchers to finally 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.
Conclusion
The popular theory now is that people can be born with a genetic predisposition that, coupled with a little 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 many causes. Nothing will make the search for autism's causes uncomplicated. We don't know exactly 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 trigger or a contributing factor to the cause or causes of autism.
