What is the cause of autism?

1
What is the cause of autism?

• Sarah Marckstadt

2
Autism

• What is autism?
• The history of autism.
• Statistics
• Biological concepts
• Frontier issues

3
What is autism?

• Autism is a mental disorder characterized by
• Abnormal behavior such as withdrawal
• Development problems socially, emotionally,
  linguistically
• Appear lost in fantasy
• Very unresponsive to physical and verbal
  communication

4
The History

• In 1943 Dr. Leo Kanner first describes autism as
  a distinct condition.
• In 1977 Sir Michael Rutter and Dr. Susan Folstein
  publish the first autism twin study, revealing
  evidence for a genetic basis for autism.
• 1977-1978 Drs. Rutter and Schopler further their
  studies in defining signs and symptoms of autism.

5
The History

• 1988-1991 Many studies related to Autism and
  genetic connection.
• 1992 The American Psychiatric Association refines
  the diagnostic criteria for Autism.
• 1997 The first report with evidence linking
  chromosome 15q for Autistic disorder.
• 1998 Genetic linkage from chromosome 7q to
  Autistic disorder and the first genomic screen --
  IMGSAC.
• 1999-2001 During this time evidence was found in
  genomic regions that have possible genes that are
  associated with autism.

6
StatisticsU.S. number of school cases 1992-2003
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Autism in the US

• Autism is rising rapidly in the U.S.
• It cost the economy roughly 30,000-65,000 each
  year for every autistic child.
• Second most common developmental disability in
  kids.

8
Autism in California

• According to the state of Ca this is the fastest
  growing developmental disability group.
• 1998-2002 there was a 96.69 increase in reported
  cases.

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Sex Linked?

• Autism is three to four time more prevalent in
  males than females.
• Girls who have autism usually have greater
  cognitive impairment as well as more sever
  symptoms.

10
Biological Concepts

• Expert say that at least two genes and up to
  fifteen genes are involved with autism
  development.
• Autism genes maybe located on the second, third,
  seventh, fifteenth andx chromosome.
• Unsure if act independently or with each other
• In 2003 Duke University found a link from GARB
  gene to autism.

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Biological Concepts

• Chromosome 2 maybe linked to delayed speech.
• Chromosome 3 possesses a gene that produces a
  protein that interacts with GABA. If the GABA is
  not functioning properly it may cause autistic
  behaviors.
• Chromosome 7 is associated with many functions
  speech, language, cell fate, nervous system in
  fetus and adults, and development of the brain.
• Chromosome 15 has three GABA receptor genes.
• Chromosome X may be involved with social
  interaction.

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Biological ConceptsVaccines

• Many believe that the MMR vaccine which contains
  mercury and Thimerosal-Containing vaccines may be
  linked to autism.
• Vaccine for Measles mumps and rubella.
• IOM claims that the vaccines are not associated
  with Autism.

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Biological ConceptsVaccines

• One hypothesis is that MMR may lodge in the
  intestine to cause a over release of toxins
  connected to autism.
• Thimersoal may cause autism with
  folate-dependant methylation by methionine
  synthases
• This happens when the synthesis of active vitamin
  B12 is blocked.
• In recent years the amount of mercury and
  thimersoal in vaccines have been greatly reduced.

14
Biological Concepts

• More studies by the CDC were started and should
  be released in 2006.
• Currently there is no evidence that MMR or any
  other type of vaccine causes Autism, or
  development of autism..
• The studies done have all been concluded as
  theoretical.

15
Treatment

• There are many different approaches to treat
  autism.
• Psychosocial and pharmacological treatments.
• Psychosocial treatments can be very intense with
  behavior and speech therapy.
• ABA-Applied Behavior Analysis, a system which is
  based on rewards as positive reinforcement.

16
Treatment

• Floortime treatment is less intense, children and
  teacher play on the floor while learning
  language.
• Detoxification or chelation therapy is used to
  rid a childs body of metals such as mercury that
  are used in vaccines
• Other parents chose to use diet or vitamin
  therapy, music and vision therapy, as well as
  yoga and horseback riding to improve motor skills.

17
Bibliography

• "A Look At the Genetics of Autism." Exploring
  Autism. 2002. National Alliance of Autism
  Research. 05 Mar. 2006 ltwww.exploringautism.orggt.
• "Autism." Duke Center for Human Genetics. 2005.
  Duke university medical center. 06 Mar. 2006
  ltwww.chg.duke.edugt.
• California. California health and human services
  agency. department of developmental services.
  Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Apr. 2003. 02 Mar.
  2006 ltwww.dds.ca.govgt.
• "FAQ About MMR Vaccines and Autism." Center for
  Disease Control and Prevention. 07 Sept. 2005.
  Department of health and human services. 05 Mar.
  2006 ltwww.cdc.govgt.
• "Fighting Autism, Research, Education,
  Treatment." Fighting Autism. 04 Mar. 2006
  ltwww.fightingautism.orggt.
• Masland, Molly. "Autism the Hidden Epidemic?"
  MSN. 23 Feb. 2005. 02 Apr. 2006
  ltwww.msnbc.msn.comgt.

18
Bibliography

• "MMR Vaccine and Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines
  are Not Associated with Autism, IOM Report Says."
  The National Academies. 18 May 2004. 05 Mar. 2006
  ltwww4.nas.edugt.
• Mosbys Medical Dictionary. St. Louis Mosby, 7th
  ed., c2006.
• Professional Guide To Diseases. Pennsylvania
  Springhouse, 7th edition, 2001.
• "Rep. Burton Holds Hearing on Mercury and
  Autism." Autism Society of America. 14 Sept.
  2004. 06 Mar. 2006 ltwww.autism-society.orggt.
• "Unraveling Autism." National Institute of Mental
  Health. 17 Feb. 2006. national institutes o0f
  health. 04 Mar. 2006 ltwww.nimh.nih.govgt.

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Bibliography-Photo

• Autistic Society of America. Awearness Ribbon
  Illustration. Run for Autism. Joe Zwiller. 15 Mar
  2006.ltme.earthlink.net/ jjzwiller/run4autism/gt.
• Brilliant Content. Child, DNA. illustration.
  2002.Genetic Overview. National Alliance for
  Autism Research. 04 Mar 2006 ltwww.exploringautism.
  orggt.
• California Health and Human Services Agency.
  Rate Increase of Autism Ca. graph. April 2003.
  Autistic Spectrum Disorders. California Health
  and Human Services Agency. 02 Mar 2006.
  ltwww.dds.ca.govgt.
• Center for Disease and Control. Increase in
  Autism. graph. Fighting Autism. 04 Mar. 2006
  ltwww.fightingautism.orggt.
• Google Labs. Brain. illustration. Dec 2004.
  Cognitive and Learning Impairments. Natacha
  Poggio. March 6 2006. ltwww.ices.utexas.edugt.

20
Bibliography-Photo

• Interior Health. Child Receiving Vaccine.
  Photo. 25 Jan 2006. Protect those you love with a
  timely ounce of prevention. Interior Health
  Authority. 05 Mar. 2006. ltwww.interiorhealth.cagt.
• John Hopkins Public Health. Leo Kanner. Photo.
  Brain Storm. John Hopkins Public Health. March 12
  2006. lthttp//www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/magaz
  ine/archive/Mag_Fall04/brainstorm/gt.
• MedGadget Internet Journal. XY chromosome.
  photo. 12 Sep 2005. Y May Not Die. Medgadget. 06
  Mar 2006. ltwww.medgadget.comgt.
• Paul Thiessen. Gem-DNA. Illustration. 1/6/2004.
  DNA Graphics Created with PovChem. Paul Thiessen
  4/10/2006. ltwww.chemicalgraphics.comgt.
• The Epoch Times. Horse Therapy. photo. 2005.
  The Epoch Times International 09 Apr. 2006
  ltwww.theepochtimes.comgt.
• Tony Fiorini. Autistic.photo. Tony Fiorini
  photo journalist. Tony Fiorini. April 12 2006.
  ltwww.tonyfiorini.com/ pj/stories_main.htmlgt.