Robin Brown, a pioneering autism researcher whose work reshaped understanding of the condition, has died aged 78, his family announced.
Career and contributions
Brown spent decades at the University of Cambridge, where he led groundbreaking studies that challenged prevailing theories about autism. His 1998 paper, which proposed a link between the MMR vaccine and autism, was later retracted and widely discredited.
Despite the controversy, Brown's early work on the genetics of autism laid important groundwork. He was among the first to suggest that autism had a strong hereditary component, a view now widely accepted.
Legacy and impact
His later research focused on early intervention and support for autistic individuals, moving away from the idea of a 'cure' towards acceptance and accommodation.
Brown is survived by his wife, two children, and four grandchildren. His family said he remained active in research until his final months.
