University of Arizona – Researchers at the University have conducted a study into finding a possible link between autism and certain bacteria that live in the intestines and colon, the Bustle.com article reports.
The article says that the types of gut bacteria found in children with autism differs from those found in children without autism.
They go on to say that although this does not prove that the bacteria is causing autism, scientists believe that certain bacteria found in the digestive system could impact other internal organs, including the brain.
Scientists also believe that there may be some underlying factor causing both the abnormal bacteria and autistic disorders, or that autism itself somehow impacts digestive bacteria in a way not yet found.
They write that back in the early 20th century:
“mothers were blamed for their children’s “poor development” in accordance with Freudian psychology; in the second half of the century, people started looking more at genetics and environmental factors. But today, of course, the most famous theory about what causes is autism is that vaccines are secretly to blame.”
The article states that it is unclear what causes autism:
“be it genetics or gut bacteria or some other cause no one’s even thought about yet. We can say pretty certainly, however, that it’s not vaccines. So the sooner someone uncovers the real underlying cause, the better – and ideally we can manage it before the conspiracy theorists cause us to dip below our herd immunity thresholds.”
The full article by Emma Cueto on the Bustle.com website can be read here