Potential Factors that Can Cause Autism

Autism is a spectrum disorder that encompasses a large number of symptoms. Doctors, scientists, and researchers have yet to find a specific cause for Autism. A large amount of resources have been dedicated to finding a cause for Autism. While a clear cut cause for Autism has yet to be found, there are a few factors that seem specific to Autism.

A large number of people with Autism have abnormalities in the brain. Doctors and researchers have compared the brains of people with Autism against non-autistic people. The brains of people with Autism were found to differ in both shape and function. Medscape Today described the research findings between Autism and brain abnormalities as, "Researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine transverse relaxation (T2) of cortical gray and white matter in the brains of 60 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and found their brains were structurally different from children with typical brain development (TD) or those with idiopathic developmental delay (DD)."

Genetics seems to play a role in Autism. Research has shown that there may be a correlation between Autism and genetics. Science Daily described that, "the gene, called contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2), likely plays a key role in the development of autism." Researcher are not clear on the source of genetic mutation or passing of Autism genes from one generation to the next. One theory is that unstable genes hinder proper brain development, in the early years of life, by hindering the proper alignment of brain tissue.

In past years, many were quick to ignore any link between Autism and environmental factors. However, recent research has greatly changed these beliefs. Researchers have found multiple potential links between Autism and environmental factors including vinyl flooring, mercury, and many other factors.

One study found a potential link between Autism and vinyl flooring. Cone described this link as, "Children who live in homes with vinyl floors, which can emit phthalates, are twice as likely to have autism, according to a new study by Swedish and U.S. researchers. Scientists call the discovery "intriguing and baffling." Experts suspect that genetic and environmental factors combine to cause autism, which has increased dramatically in children over the past 20 years."

Research has also found a potential link between Autism and low Vitamin D levels. Goepp stated, "According to several respected leaders in child and adult nutrition from across the United States, the current meteoric rise in autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may well be a direct consequence of significant vitamin D deficiencies in pregnant women and their infants."

One Cambridge researcher has even proposed a link between Autism and increased Testosterone levels. One Cambridge research project found that being exposed to large testosterone levels, in the womb could cause Autism in children. Harrell stated, "The study highlights for the first time the association between fetal testosterone and autistic traits and indicates that fetal testosterone not only masculinizes the body; it masculinizes the mind."

Mercury has even been looked at as a potential cause of Autism. Hincha-Ownby states, "The link between vaccines and autism is probably the most well known, and most debated, possible cause of autism. Numerous studies have been released both supporting the claim that some individuals do have vaccine-induced autism and refuting the idea that vaccines can cause autism. In 2007, the world watched as parents in the United States testified in a landmark case that vaccines were directly responsible for their child's condition. The case is still in progress but the results will likely lead to more scientific research looking into the autism/vaccine link."

Research has shown a potential link between previous medical history and Autism. In research studies, children who have had tuberous sclerosis and congenital rubella syndrome may have an increased rate of Autism manifestation, after disease diagnosis. Research has also linked a large number of cases of phenylketonuria (PKU) and fragile X syndrome to the development of Autism. While the number of cases is enough to warrant further research, researchers are not sure if the overall percentage of cases is high enough to prove correlation.

While doctors, scientists, and researchers are not 100% sure of Autism's cause, they have ruled out some misconceptions. Parenting (good, bad, or otherwise) does not cause a child to develop Autism. Parents have no control over DNA. Even if there is a link between Autism and environmental factors, parents would not be to blame for this either. Parents have little control over the amount of chemicals in the water or air. Until doctors, researchers, and scientists find a definite cause for Autism, we must focus on helping those afflicted with Autism, live as normal a life as possible.

References
New Genetic Link To Autism Discovered By Studying Speech. Jauary 2008. Science Daily. Retrieved on December 8, 2009 from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080110144835.htm
Structural Brain Abnormality Found in Autistic Children. August 2006. Retrieved on December 8, 2009 from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/543482
Scientists find 'baffling' link between autism and vinyl flooring. March 2009. Environmental Health News. Retrieved on December 8, 2009 from http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/autism-and-vinyl-flooring
Goepp, Julius M.D. April 2009. The Link Between Autsim and Low Level Vitamin D. Life Extension Magazine. Retrieved on December 8, 2009 from
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2009/apr2009_The-Link-Between-Autism-and-Low-Levels-of-Vitamin-D_01.htm
Harrell, Eben. January 2009. A Link Between Autism and Testosterone? Time.com. Retrieved on December 8, 2009 from http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1871515,00.html
Hinca-Ownby Melissa. January 2008. Environmental Exposure, Genetic Predisposition, or Vaccine-induced. Suite 101. Retrieved on December 8, 2009 from http://autismaspergerssyndrome.suite101.com/article.cfm/causes_of_autism