Changes

==New studies on autism==

==New studies on autism==

Epidemiological research shows an upward trend for autism in recent years. The cause is uncertain; however, a change in diagnostics and census is more likely  than an increase in actual numbers.<ref>B Taylor et al.: ''Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination and bowel problems or developmental regression in children with autism: population study''. British Medical Journal, Vol 324, Feb. 16 2002, p. 393-396 [http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/reprint/324/7334/393?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=1&author1=taylor%2C+b&author2=miller%2C+e&andorexacttitle=and&andorexacttitleabs=and&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1113249908936_21240&stored_search=&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=1,2,3,4 PDF]</ref><ref>[http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/eletters/330/7483/112-d# BMJJournals.com] - 'Rapid Responses to: Increase in autism due to change in definition, not MMR vaccine' ''British Medical Journal'' (Meinungsaustausch der ''BMJ''-Website)</ref><ref name="Barbar">WJ Barbaresi et al.: ''The incidence of autism in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1976-1997: results from a population-based study''. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. Jan. 2005, 159(1), p. 37-44 PMID 15630056</ref> Diagnosis of autism has intensified in recent years, with children being examined more efficiently and at an earlier age than before. A causal link between MMR and autism can be excluded with utmost probability, as is shown by later studies which also happen to be very comprehensive in comparison to Wakefield's. Science today assumes that the different forms of autism are very much controlled by genetic factors. The importance of genetics in this field is emphasized by studies including twins: Whereas identical twins show a correlation of 80% to 90%, this risk is much lower for fraternal twins.

Epidemiological research shows an upward trend for autism in recent years. The cause is uncertain; however, a change in diagnostics and census is more likely  than an increase in actual numbers.<ref>B Taylor et al.: ''Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination and bowel problems or developmental regression in children with autism: population study''. British Medical Journal, Vol 324, Feb. 16 2002, p. 393-396 [http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/reprint/324/7334/393?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=1&author1=taylor%2C+b&author2=miller%2C+e&andorexacttitle=and&andorexacttitleabs=and&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1113249908936_21240&stored_search=&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=1,2,3,4 PDF]</ref><ref>[http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/eletters/330/7483/112-d# BMJJournals.com] - 'Rapid Responses to: Increase in autism due to change in definition, not MMR vaccine' ''British Medical Journal'' (Meinungsaustausch der ''BMJ''-Website)</ref><ref name="Barbar">WJ Barbaresi et al.: ''The incidence of autism in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1976-1997: results from a population-based study''. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. Jan. 2005, 159(1), p. 37-44 PMID 15630056</ref> Diagnosis of autism has intensified in recent years, with children being examined more efficiently and at an earlier age than before. A causal link between MMR and autism can be excluded with utmost probability, as is shown by the studies quoted below which also happen to be far more comprehensive than Wakefield's. Science today assumes that the different forms of autism are essentially coined by genetic factors. The importance of genetics in this field is emphasized by studies including twins: Whereas identical twins show a correlation of 80% to 90%, this risk is much lower for fraternal twins.

* After Wakefields publication, many studies on MMR and autism followed. <ref>List of 17 studies on a MMR-Autism link, Immunization Action Coalition [http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4026.pdf]</ref> In October 2003, a EU-funded meta-study was published, reviewing the results of 120 previous studies, summarizing and analyzing the adverse effects of MMR-vaccine<ref>T Jefferson: ''Unintended events following immunization with MMR: a systematic review''. Vaccine. 2003 Sep 8;21(25-26), p. 3954-60 PMID 12922131</ref>. The authors concluded:

* Following Wakefield's publication, many studies researched a connection between MMR and autism. <ref>List of 17 studies on a MMR-Autism link, Immunization Action Coalition [http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4026.pdf]</ref> In October 2003, a EU-funded meta-study was published, reviewing the results of 120 previous studies, summarizing and analyzing the adverse effects of MMR-vaccine<ref>T Jefferson: ''Unintended events following immunization with MMR: a systematic review''. Vaccine. 2003 Sep 8;21(25-26), p. 3954-60 PMID 12922131</ref>. The authors concluded:

**The vaccine has both positive and adverse effects

**The vaccine has both positive and adverse effects

**A connection between MMR and autism is ''highly unlikely''  

**A connection between MMR and autism is ''highly unlikely''  

**Design and report of results relevant for security in MMR vaccine studies are mostly inadequate

**Design and report of results relevant for security in MMR vaccine studies are mostly inadequate

* In January 2005, after intensive research in Minnesota, an eightfold increase in autism was observed. Research covered a time span from the early 1980ies to the late 1990ies. No connection to MMR was found. Authors suspect that a change in both diagnostics and definition is responsible for this increase.<ref name="Barbar"/>

* In January 2005, an intensive research in one county in Minnesota reported an eightfold increase in autism. Research covered a time span from the early 1980ies to the late 1990ies. No connection to MMR was established. Authors suspect that a change in both diagnostics and definitions is responsible for this increase.<ref name="Barbar"/>

* In March 2005, a study on 30,000 children born near Yokohama concluded that autism is on the rise (from 46-86 cases in 10,000 children to 97-161 cases in 10,000 children), despite the fact that MMR vaccines were no longer used in Japan since April 1993. The authors concluded ''"The relevance of these results is that MMR is most likely not a cause of ASD, as the rise in ASD cannot be explained, and a withdrawal of MMR in countries where it is still in use will not lead to a decline in ASD."''.<ref>H Honda, Y Shimizu, M Rutter: ''No effect of MMR withdrawal on the incidence of autism: a total population study''. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2005 Jun;46(6):572-9. PMID 15877763</ref> Wakefield claims, however, the rise in autism backed by data supported his hypothesis.<ref>''Japanese Study Is The Strongest Evidence Yet For A Link Between MMR And Autism''. The Red Flag, March&nbsp;6, 2005 [http://www.redflagsweekly.com/articles/2005_mar06_2.html]</ref> His point of view was met with little support, however.<ref>I Sample: ''Lingering fears of MMR-autism link dispelled''. The Guardian, 3.&nbsp;März 2005&nbsp;[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0%2C3604%2C1429115%2C00.html]</ref>

* In March 2005, a study on 30,000 children born in a district of Yokohama concluded that autism is on the rise (from 46-86 cases in 10,000 children to 97-161 cases in 10,000 children), despite the fact that MMR vaccines were no longer used in Japan since April 1993. The authors concluded ''"The relevance of these results is that MMR is most likely not a cause of ASD, as the rise in ASD cannot be explained, and a withdrawal of MMR in countries where it is still in use will not lead to a decline in ASD."''.<ref>H Honda, Y Shimizu, M Rutter: ''No effect of MMR withdrawal on the incidence of autism: a total population study''. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2005 Jun;46(6):572-9. PMID 15877763</ref> Wakefield claims, however, the rise in autism backed by data obtained supported his hypothesis.<ref>''Japanese Study Is The Strongest Evidence Yet For A Link Between MMR And Autism''. The Red Flag, March&nbsp;6, 2005 [http://www.redflagsweekly.com/articles/2005_mar06_2.html]</ref> His point of view was met with little support, however.<ref>I Sample: ''Lingering fears of MMR-autism link dispelled''. The Guardian, 3.&nbsp;März 2005&nbsp;[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0%2C3604%2C1429115%2C00.html]</ref>

* In October 2005, the ''Cochrane Library'' published a summary of scientific studies and concluded: ''"There is no plausible proof for the harmfullnes of MMR vaccine"''. On the other hand, these authors, too, criticized the design and the reporting of security-relevant results in MMR studies as mostly inadequate.<ref name= Demicheli2005>V Demicheli,T Jefferson, A Rivetti, D Price: ''Vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella in children''. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD004407. [http://www.cochrane.org/press/MMR_final.pdf PDF]</ref> Cochrane - situated in Oxford, England - is seen as the highest independent control for medical publications and as a guardian of evidence-based medicine by many scientists.

* In October 2005, the ''Cochrane Library'' published a summary of scientific studies and concluded: ''"There is no plausible proof for the harmfullness of MMR vaccine"''. On the other hand, these authors, too, criticized the design and the reporting of security-relevant results in MMR studies as largely inadequate.<ref name= Demicheli2005>V Demicheli,T Jefferson, A Rivetti, D Price: ''Vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella in children''. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD004407. [http://www.cochrane.org/press/MMR_final.pdf PDF]</ref> Cochrane - situated in Oxford, England - is seen as the highest independent control for medical publications and as a guardian of evidence-based medicine by many scientists.

* A case-control study dated 2008 renders a connection between MMR and autism highly improbable.<ref>Hornig M, Briese T, Buie T, Bauman ML, Lauwers G, et al. 2008 Lack of Association between Measles Virus Vaccine and Autism with Enteropathy: A Case-Control Study. PLoS ONE 3(9): e3140 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0003140</ref>

* A case-control study dated 2008 renders a connection between MMR and autism highly improbable.<ref>Hornig M, Briese T, Buie T, Bauman ML, Lauwers G, et al. 2008 Lack of Association between Measles Virus Vaccine and Autism with Enteropathy: A Case-Control Study. PLoS ONE 3(9): e3140 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0003140</ref>