Asperger Syndrome and Autism
Though autism's causes are murky, one fact about the syndrome is clear: it runs in families. Some people with autism, largely males, have fragile X syndrome, which causes mental retardation. 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.
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 reality about the syndrome is clear: it runs in families. The causes of autism have long baffled investigators and frustrated parents. Theories regarding potential autism causes include genetics, environmental toxins, infections, and even vaccinations. Many other hypotheses, such as the consumption of folic acid in pregnancy, have been proposed as potential causes of autism. Congenital rubella, HIV, and herpes simplex have all been suggested as possible autism causes. While the causes of autism still continue a mystery, it has become clear that genetic factors contribute importantly to the occurrence of the disorder.
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. Anyhow, a small but vocal group of parents have taken to saying 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 realities. Current scientific evidence does not confirm 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 validate 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 hint that 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 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.
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 investigation into the causes and treatments for autism spectrum disorders. The CDC is committed to protecting the health of children and to distinguishing the biological and environmental causes of autism and additional developmental disabilities. NIH research on likely genetic, infectious, immunological, and environmental causes and mechanisms of autism continues. 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.
New Autism Research Clues
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. Probably several causes and etiological pathways lead to disorders in the autism spectrum. Potential 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. Most believe autism to have a good number of probable causes. In the effort to identify autism's causes, researchers had long sought to pinpoint precisely when the disorder begins. A peptide found in schizophrenia and autism instigates 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. Genetic factors and brain abnormalities at birth are considered to be some of the most recognized causes of autism. Although researchers aren't sure just what leads to the brain's wiring to go awry, reports imply that autism's roots 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 diverse types of autism. Even for the autism-spectrum disorders with known genetic causes, the molecular mechanism of pathology is not well comprehended. Because autism itself and its initiation are so puzzling, the international symbol for autism is a puzzle piece. It is usually accepted that autism is caused by abnormalities in brain structures.
Autism is a neurological disorder that leads to impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. Simply put, autism causes a kid to retreat into an inner universe. Little is known in regards to the causes, treatment and prevention of autism. Due to the fact that 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 preventing, diagnosing and treating the disorder. Research shows that there may be various different autism causes. The good 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 causes autism, and a push to look harder at potential environmental influences. No one knows exactly 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, investigation into the causes of autism was limited to a few dedicated individuals who obtained little financing. During the 1990s, there has been a significant push to promote research into the causes of autism. Amazingly, it took many years for researchers to in the end say without a doubt 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 leads to autism.
Autism Disorder
Autism affects impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. It has turn out to be obvious that genetic factors contribute significantly 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, though it is clear that autism is a biological brain disorder.
Conclusion
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 everybody has found convincing. However, parenting behaviors are not the basis 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 a small amount of environmental trigger, causes autism. Due to the fact that the disorder is so complex, and because no two people with autism are exactly alike, autism is more than likely the result of multiple causes. Nothing will make the search for autism's causes simple.
