Autism Research
The happy news is that research 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 continues. 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 identifying the biological and environmental causes of autism and other 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. Contemporary scientific evidence does not substantiate that MMR vaccine, or any combination of vaccines, signals 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 realities. Current scientific evidence does not provide evidence that MMR vaccine, or any combination of vaccines, causes the development of autism, in conjunction 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 little evidence to support 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 hint that that measles causes autism. Therefore, these findings provide evidence against the hypothesis that MMR vaccination causes autism.
Autism Disorder
Autism causes impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. It has turn out to be clear that genetic elements contribute prominently to the occurrence of the disease. 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 obvious that autism is a biological brain disease.
Asperger Syndrome and Autism
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, typically males, have fragile X syndrome, which instigates mental retardation.
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 throughout the world have banded together to commence to crack the mystery of what causes autism. The good 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 causes autism, and a drive to look harder at likely environmental influences. 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 disease. Research suggests that there may be different different autism causes. Autism is a neurological disease that leads to impairments in communication, ability to learn, and social relatedness. Clearly put, autism leads to a child to escape 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. 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.
New Autism Research Clues
Genetic factors and brain abnormalities at birth are thought to be to be some of the most recognized causes of autism. 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 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. Probably several causes and etiological pathways lead to disorders in the autism spectrum. Because autism itself and its causes are so perplexing, the international symbol for autism is a puzzle piece. It is by and large accepted that autism is caused by abnormalities in brain structures. Most believe autism to have several potential 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. Although researchers aren't sure just what signals the brain's wiring to go awry, studies imply that autism's bases lie in a person's genes. Over-emphasis on genetic aspects may not take enough account of diverse 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 comprehended.
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. 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 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 potential 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 clear that genetic factors contribute importantly to the appearance of the disorder.
Conclusion
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. Because the disorder is so complex, and because no two people with autism are exactly alike, autism is probably the result of multiple causes. Nothing will make the search for autism's causes simple. We don't know precisely 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.
