Dr. Andrew Wakefield first cautioned parents of the potential link between autism and the MMR vaccine in 1998. He raised fears that the MMR vaccination could trigger bowel disorders in susceptible children.

His studies have shown the presence of persistent measles virus in children with ileocolonic lymphonodular hyperplasia which was shown repeatedly in children with developmental disorders. Dr. Wakefield's work confirmed an association between the presence of measles virus and gut pathology in children.

There is still ongoing research by Dr. Vijendra Singh, Dr. Arthur Krigsman, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, and others into this link. For more information on current research you can read the full transcript from the Congressional Hearing on June 19, 2002. All three of these doctors testified and shared current research information.