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An expert on autism is to discuss his beliefs on whether the condition is linked to the MMR vaccine.

Dr Paul Gringas will present his case studies to the Edinburgh International Science Festival tomorrow.

He will discuss the case of a child studying astrophysics by the age of 12, one with a quarter of his brain missing, another who began to regress at 18 months after receiving the triple vaccine and identical twins with autism.

He said: "The case studies illustrate the breadth of the autistic spectrum, which can produce professors and artists but also people with severe learning, behavioural and communication problems."

He will question whether animals suffer autism, if babies are born with it, whether children with autism have bigger brains and if brain scans can detect it.

The consultant in paediatric neuro-disability will also examine whether the condition is caused by diet or if it is genetic.

He will discuss the steady global rise over the past 30 years in autism which now affects one in every 175 children.

But the expert at Harper House Children's Services in Hertfordshire will say he believes the rise in cases is down to more efficient and broader diagnoses of autism.

He will discuss how claims in 1998 by Dr Andrew Wakefield, of the Royal Free Hospital in London, that the MMR jab caused autism have stalled research on the condition.

The expert, who is not convinced by a link between MMR and autism, will argue that new research should focus on treating autistic children and helping their families cope.

Story filed: 17:31 Monday 8th April 2002

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