A new study, published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, confirms previous studies’ claims that there is no verifiable link between the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism.  An excerpt from the Reuters India article on the topic:

“This study really supports the view these are safe vaccines,” said David Brown, a researcher at Britain’s Health Protection Agency who worked on the study. “The evidence is now so solid there really isn’t a need for further studies here.”

The vaccine/autism debate is one of the most controversial topics in the autism community, often-times causing a divide.  There are those who are certain that vaccines can cause autism and there are those who are equally certain that it doesn’t. 

Read the entire story at Reuters India.
 

Babies Excrete Vaccine-mercury Quicker Than Originally Thought, Study Shows

ScienceDaily (2008-02-04) — New research in Pediatrics offers another reason to rethink blaming the spike in autism diagnoses on thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative routinely used in several childhood vaccines until the late ’90s. Infants’ bodies expel the thimerosal mercury much faster than originally thought — thereby leaving little chance for a progressive building up of the toxic metal. … > read full article

New Gene Linked To Fragile X Syndrome — Suggests Potential Targets For Autism And Other Neurological Disorders

ScienceDaily (2008-02-01) — Scientists have discovered a new gene involved in fragile X syndrome, a condition that often shares many symptoms of autism. The discovery may lead to new tests or treatments for several neurological disorders. … > read full article

Accelerated Head Growth Can Predict Autism Before Behavioral Symptoms Start, Study Suggests

ScienceDaily (2008-01-31) — Children with autism have normal-size heads at birth but develop accelerated head growth between six and nine months of age, a period that precedes the onset of many behaviors that enable physicians to diagnose the developmental disorder, according to new research. … > read full article

As 24 states gear up for the Super Tuesday primaries tomorrow, the Autism Society of America has sent out an email to all of its members reminding voters to look at the presidential candidate’s plans for autism research, treatment, etc.  The ASA created a questionnaire for candidates to fill out but only former candidate John Edwards responded.  The ASA points members to the following websites for information on the candidates’ positions on autism issues.

Hillary Clinton’s Plan to Help Children And Families Affected By Autism

Barack Obama’s Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities

American Association of People with Disabilities Summary of Candidate Responses

Advocates for Children’s Health Affected by Mercury Poisoning

Every Child Matters’ Presidential Election Watch