MMR vaccination
Contemporary scientific evidence does not show that MMR vaccine, or any combination of vaccines, signals the development of autism, including regressive forms of autism. Nevertheless, 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, 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 leads to 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. 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 Disorder
Autism affects impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. It has turn out to be obvious that genetic elements contribute prominently to the appearance of the disease. Autism, also referred as infantile autism or autistic disorder, 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 Research
The good 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 research 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 supplementary developmental disabilities. NIH research on prospective genetic, infectious, immunological, and environmental causes and mechanisms of autism carries on.
Asperger Syndrome and Autism
Though autism's causes are murky, one fact about the syndrome is clear: it runs in households. Some people with autism, by and large males, have fragile X syndrome, which leads to 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.
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 affects autism, and a drive to look harder at possible environmental influences. Amazingly, it took many years for researchers to in the end say without an uncertainty that cold parents are not one of the Autism causes. Patients, researchers and Physicians from throughout the world have banded together to begin to crack the mystery of what causes autism. The Autism Research Center (www.autismresearchcentre.com) conducts research and disseminates results on the causes of autism and on methods of avoiding, diagnosing and treating the disease. Research shows that there may be multiple different autism causes. No one knows exactly 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 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 causes 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 regarding the causes, care and prevention of autism. Because the primary causes of autism in children are not well understood, targeted prevention is difficult.
New Autism Research Clues
Most believe autism to have a multitude 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 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. 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. 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. Because autism itself and its causes 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. Although researchers aren't sure just what signals 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 an adequate amount of 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.
Possible Causes of Autism
The causes of autism have long baffled investigators and frustrated parents. Theories in regards to potential autism causes include genetics, environmental toxins, infections, and even vaccinations. Many further hypotheses, such as the consumption of folic acid in pregnancy, have been proposed as 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 suggests behavioral changes in rats. There are other mechanisms of autism besides peptides, although maybe as much as 80% are peptide mediated. Congenital rubella, HIV, and herpes simplex have all been suggested as probable autism causes. While the causes of autism still continue a mystery, it has become obvious that genetic factors contribute substantially to the presence of the disorder. Though autism's causes are unclear, one truth about the syndrome is clear: it runs in families.
Conclusion
We don't know exactly what causes autism, but we do know 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. The popular theory now is that people can be born with a genetic predisposition that, coupled with a little environmental trigger, causes autism. Because the disorder is so complex, and because no two people with autism are exactly alike, autism is more than likely the result of many causes. Nothing will make the search for autism's causes uncomplicated.
