Psychiatry & Psychology
Journal Retracts Autism Research
In 1998, a landmark study was published in the medical journal The Lancet. It was the first major research that suggested a link between the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. Almost immediately following publication, the rates of vaccination plummeted and the incidence of measles escalated among children. Since then, the subject has been the source of much controversy, and much of the science has been disproved in other research. Now, the original journal admits it may have made a mistake in publishing the research in the first place.
Recently, the United Kingdom’s General Medical Council (GMC) determined that several elements of the original publication “Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children,” authored by Dr. Andrew Wakefield, are incorrect. Specifically, the GMC found evidence that the authors did not receive the necessary ethical approval for the investigation and they misrepresented the children’s diseases. The GMC issued a startling reprimand that asserted Dr. Wakefield and colleagues showed a “callous disregard” for children and acted “dishonestly” when conducting the research. It turns out that Dr. Wakefield was being paid by a group of parents who believed their children had been harmed by the MMR vaccine. Dr. Wakefield insists that he was motivated by a genuine concern for the welfare of the children.
The original research involved 12 children ranging in age from 3 to 10 years. Eleven of them were boys. Parents of 8 of the children linked the MMR vaccine to the onset of behavioral symptoms associated with autism, psychosis, or encephalitis. The authors concluded that the exposure to the MMR vaccine could not be ruled out as a cause for developmental regression in previously normal children. In 2004, The Lancet issued a partial retraction of the research, but argued they were right to publish the research to promote new ideas and new ways of thinking. In doing so, they sparked a decade of intense controversy and a decline in vaccination rates around the developed world. Now, The Lancet goes further and fully retracts the paper from its published record. Hindsight has led them to rethink their original motives.
No one yet knows exactly what causes autism, or any of the related spectrum of disorders. There is strong evidence for a genetic link, but environmental exposure to toxins cannot be ruled out. New reports of exposure to known mutagens and environmental risk factors before conception appear to be related to an increased risk for autism. A new hypothesis claims that living in urban areas, at higher altitudes, or with high levels of precipitation may decrease sun exposure, increase risk for Vitamin D deficiency, and, therefore, increase the risk for autism. Until large-scale, ethically-compliant, scientifically-sound research in confirmed, the causes and implications of autism will never be known. Until then, everyone should take heed not to believe everything they read – even in prestigious medical journals.
References
Herbert MR (2010). Contributions of the environment and environmentally vulnerable physiology to autism spectrum disorders. Current opinion in neurology PMID: 20087183
Kinney, D., Barch, D., Chayka, B., Napoleon, S., & Munir, K. (2010). Environmental risk factors for autism: Do they help cause de novo genetic mutations that contribute to the disorder? Medical Hypotheses, 74 (1), 102-106 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2009.07.052
WAKEFIELD, A., MURCH, S., ANTHONY, A., LINNELL, J., CASSON, D., MALIK, M., BERELOWITZ, M., DHILLON, A., THOMSON, M., & HARVEY, P. (1998). Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children The Lancet, 351 (9103), 637-641 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(97)11096-0
WAKEFIELD, A., MURCH, S., ANTHONY, A., LINNELL, J., CASSON, D., MALIK, M., BERELOWITZ, M., DHILLON, A., THOMSON, M., & HARVEY, P. (1998). Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children The Lancet, 351 (9103), 637-641 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(97)11096-0
8 Comments/Trackbacks
Ramesh Phillips
For those unfamiliar with Dr. John Cannell’s Vitamin D Theory of Autism see the following link: http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health/autism/vit-D-theory-autism.shtml or simply go to the Vitamin D Council web site and click on the tab for” Autism”. Dr. Cannell has done his research and has considerable evidence to support his theory. And in the end it does no harm for mothers to be to maintain healthy, natural levels of activated vitamin D, at least 50 ng/ml in the blood- year round.
Great job. I’ve posted a link to here from the Faster Times.
Having worked with developmentally disabled persons for 17 years, I see many parents trying to find the “great cure.” While I love their persistence, I’ve also seen children die unnessarilly due to not obtaining vaccinations. This new study can have damaging effects even though it was retracted.
shafaq
12 children were taken as subjects for a very controversial research , the results of which could have been very drastic; especially if the research were known to some of the developing countries,… where vaccination results have been poor since decades.
the responsibility of publishing a research is more than doing one, considering the power of media these days, which has grown so fast and so strong that people think media n live media!
I must admit that it’s quite surprising to know that a bunch of professional doctors would receive payment to research on the MMR vaccine being related to autism in children, risking their professional credibility, if proven wrong. Hhhm….this is such a controversial issue, similar to the Aspartame research.
We all know for a fact that certain chemicals or synthetic drugs have an adverse reaction in the body even if it’s meant to combat a certain disease or meant to boost the immune system.
Drug companies should do further intensive research before approving a certain drug or vaccine to be safe for use, to avoid matters like these.
Lettyv
There’s autism fraud all around us. Recall the case of Amanda Baggs? Or how about Donna Williams? She’s Aspergers, not autism. Amanda is a psychogenic case of autism, a real no no. Autism is a spectrum disorder, however, more and more, Severe autism is not being shown to the public. There is a great video on you tube called “severe autism when there is no answer” The video is made by a man with Aspergers (a fellow aspie) who also has an autistic son. Very enlightening. Youll be surprised.
Trackbacks
- Feb 22, 2010 | FitBuff.com's Total Mind and Body Fitness Blog
Leave a Reply
Friday, March 19, 2010
- Religion - A "Natural" Phenomenon?
- Psychotropics and Youth, Part 1 - The Five Myths
- How Culture Shapes Our Mind and Brain
- Sex, Violence and The Male Warrior Hypothesis
- The Secret to Good Health – Listen to the Data
- If Herbal Medicine is Medicine, Shouldn't it be Treated as Such?
- Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Neuroscience Conferences for 2010
- Too Much Information?
- "I Feel Your Pain" - The Neural Basis of Empathy
- Income Inequality and Health Outcomes
- The Evolution of Depression
- Journal Retracts Autism Research
- Speaking in Tongues - A Neural Snapshot
- Post-Partum Psychosis - Rare but Real
- Is Your Doctor Happy or Burnt-Out?
- Ginkgo Biloba Ineffective... Again
- Worried Well on the Web
- Psychotropics and Youth, Part 2 - The Solutions
- Why Some Human Brains Become Leaders, While Others Followers?
- Bruxism and the Brain
- Let the Matches Begin!
- My Nephew and his Brain, Part 4 – Their Life Today
- My Nephew and his Brain, Part 3 – Try to Work Out their Troubles
- My Nephew and his Brain, Part 2 – Revealed to be Complicated
- My Nephew and his Brain, Part 1 – Introduction
- Deep Brain Stimulation – A New Frontier in Psychiatry
- Psychotropics and Youth, Part 3 – Equip Teachers with Prescription Pads?
- Why Some Human Brains Become Leaders, While Others Followers?
- Brain Blogger Finalist for Two 2010 Research Blogging Awards in Neuroscience and Psychology
- Tall Tales of Diabetic Amputations
- Psychotropics and Youth, Part 2 – The Solutions
- Brain Blogging, Forty-Ninth Edition
- How Your Brain Groups Words
- The Child Brain and the Playing Teacher
- You Have a Right to Choose if we Agree
- Measuring Quality in Primary Care
- Matchmaker, Matchmaker Make Me A Match – The NRMP Main Residency Match
- Psychotropics and Youth, Part 1 – The Five Myths
- When It Comes to Aging, Size Matters
- “I Feel Your Pain” – The Neural Basis of Empathy
- Very touching story. My heart goes out to your family. Seizures are tough. And ...
- Thank you for sharing your nephew's story. So hard on those who love him, but I...
- Congratulations to all who've matched! Although the results of NRMP Main Residen...
- It's been almost 25 years since my son suffered a TBI in an accident. He was onl...
- I tend to agree with the teachers.But a teacher can only keep a record about the...
- Very interesting article, the 5th paragraph gets a little biased...but I still e...
- Dear Dan,There is certainly much clinical interest in this field. ClinicalTr...
- I recently commented on a sciencedaily.com article reporting success with TRD an...
- I have family members who are teachers. After sharing this article with them, th...
- It is great that people are challenging the use of this medication. As, a societ...
- I agree with the stand of the teachers and their children's that more than half ...
- I think that there’s also a social aspect to it. If you grow up in an area where...
- I have had epilepsy since I was 9 and am now 42. I have tried about every med. o...
- In this text is a serious error. Brain areas are found that contain religious ex...
- It's amazing how the brain works....
- Organ transplant for unavoidable patients have been around for quite some time a...
- Diet plays a major role in having diabetes. In today's world, people are finding...
- Interesting... I think that there's also a social aspect to it. If you grow up i...
- I think the article is actually describing a normal human being. Leadership tra...
- I think that applies to leaders within certain fields of knowledge or creativity...
Sponsored Links
Diet and Health Supplements, Best vitamins supplements, Brain Fitness DVD, Home Care, Alcohol Rehab, Emergency Lighting, Online Criminal Justice Degrees, Tattoo, Health Insurance, Electronic Accessories , Rollup Banner Stands , Biotherapeutic Product Information , Breast Cancer Stages , Buy Nutropin , Cystic Fibrosis Signs Symptoms , Pancreas Cancer , Dallas health insurance , Knee Pain Treatment , Individual Health Insurance , Lung Cancer Treatment , immigration attorney Frisco , What Is The Best Weight Loss Pill , Edgepark Medical , Mattress , Hydroxycut, Astrology compatibility.
Neuroscience & Neurology
March 06, 2010 | 6 Comments | By Simi Agarwal, DDS
Why Some Human Brains Become Leaders, While Others Followers?
More In Neuroscience & Neurology
- How Your Brain Groups Words
- The Child Brain and the Playing Teacher
- “I Feel Your Pain” – The Neural Basis of Empathy
- Speaking in Tongues – A Neural Snapshot
- Neuro Case 1 – Using Transcranial Doppler for Basilar Artery Occlusion
Neuroscience & Neurology
Opinion
February 01, 2010 | 1 Comment | By Jennifer Gibson, PharmD
Crossing the Line from Physician to Journalist
More In Opinion
- Sex, Violence and The Male Warrior Hypothesis
- Bruxism and the Brain
- Religion – A “Natural” Phenomenon?
- Natural Good, Chemical Bad – Right?
- Time for a Change – Gender Reassignment
Opinion
Psychiatry & Psychology
March 12, 2010 | 3 Comments | By Shaheen E Lakhan, MS, MEd, PhD, MD
Deep Brain Stimulation – A New Frontier in Psychiatry
More In Psychiatry & Psychology
- Psychotropics and Youth, Part 2 – The Solutions
- Psychotropics and Youth, Part 1 – The Five Myths
- Journal Retracts Autism Research
- White Bears – The Paradox of Mental Suppression
- Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice?


It is a pity that very little coverage of this issue names the journalist who is responsible for exposing this scandal: Brian Deer of the London Sunday Times.