The Autism Home Page

Possible Causes of Autism

Fact Link # 6: Autism: An Overview. Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona, MD, PhD (in affiliation with the University of Arizona College of Medicine) has compiled a detailed and thorough discussion of the many theories of the origins of autism. A must-see web site!
Fact Sheet # 6a: Genetics and Autism. A growing list of journal and Internet references on Autism and genetics.
Fact Sheet # 6b: Autism and Metabolism. A Medline search from all years of articles regarding autism and metabolism plus Internet links.
Fact Sheet # 6c: Autism and Brain Structure. A Medline search of articles regarding autism and brain structure differences.
Fact Sheet # 6d: Autism and the Immune System. A collection of web sites and very interesting articles which propose the possibility that Autistic Disorder may be related to a dysfunctioning immune system. Pay close attention to Dr. Michael J. Goldberg's article (Autism and the Immune Connection) - he makes a lot of sense and seems to reconcile many of the conflicting explanations for autism (e.g., Candida, food allergies, metabolism, brain structure/blood flow).
Fact Sheet # 6e: Autism and Childhood Vaccinations. Information and links about what substances are included in your child's vaccines, possible links between autism and vaccines, and the Centers for Disease Control perspective.
Fact Sheet # 6f: Possible Environmental Factors in Autism. Information and links about research on environmental factors and autism.
Fact Sheet # 6g: Diagnostic Breakthrough in Autism and Mental Retardation Reported A study of stored blood samples taken from 249 infants in the 1980's has revealed the presence of unusually high levels of four proteins in children who were later diagnosed with autism or mental retardation. The proteins identified are: vasoactive intestinal peptide (V.I.P.), calcitonin-related gene peptide (C.G.R.P.), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (B.D.N.F.), and neurotrophin-4 (NT4).
Fact Link # 6h: Is Autism a G-Alpha Protein Defect Reversible with Natural Vitamin A? Dr. Mary N. Megson's complete article (thanks to the Autism Research Institute and D.A.N.) on this intriguing subject. The article pulls together all of the seemingly conflicting findings found in autism research: vaccines, secretin, gut motility, vitamin deficiencies, etc. A must-read!
Fact Link # 6i: Autism: A Unique Type of Mercury Poisoning The long version of a facinating study (from the Autism Research Institute) that compares the symptoms and medical findings in autism with the symptoms and medical findings in mercury poisoning. An amazing similarity!
Fact Link # 6j: Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Possible Genetic, Dietary, Biological, and Metabolic Origins From the Partners in Autisms web site, a cool slideshow based on a paper by Michael Lang, nutritionist. It helps to pull it all together.
Fact Link # 6k: Columbia University Study: Lyme Disease and Developmental Delay - A concerned parent emailed me about her child's diagnosis with both Lyme Disease and autism. Aggressive anti-biotic treatment resolved both the Lyme Disease and many of the symptoms of autism. Researchers are not sure of the association but are looking into it. Also the Canadian Lyme Disease Association has an interesting article about the connection.

Please send questions, comments, & suggestions to: Gary J. Heffner.

DISCLAIMER: This site is intended to provide basic information resources on Autistic Disorder. It is not intended to, nor does it, constitute medical or other advice. The author of the web site is not a medical doctor. Readers are warned not to take any action with regard to medical treatment or otherwise based on the information on this web site or links without first consulting a physician. This web site does not necessarily endorse any of the information obtained from any of the links on this page or links that other pages may lead you to. Neither does this web site promote or recommend any treatment, therapy, institution or health care plan. The information contained in this site is intended to be for your general education and information only and not for use in pursuing any treatment or course of action. Ultimately, the course of action in treating a given patient must be individualized after a thorough discussion with the patient's physician(s) and family.