A new examination suggests that the first study to link autism to the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine was based on doctored information.

The 1998 paper by Dr. Andrew Wakefield and colleagues was renounced by 10 of its 13 authors and later retracted by the medical journal Lancet, where it was published. Still, the suggestion that the MMR vaccination shot was connected to autism spooked parents worldwide and immunization rates for measles, mumps and rubella have never fully recovered.

An analysis by British journalist Brian Deer suggests that Wakefield and his colleagues altered facts about patients in their study after comparing the reported diagnoses to hospital records.

Wakefield could not be reached for comment despite repeated calls and requests to the publisher of his recent book, which claims there is indeed a connection between vaccines and autism that has been ignored by the medical establishment. Wakefield now lives in the U.S., where he enjoys a vocal following that includes celebrity supporters like Jenny McCarthy.

Deer's article was paid for by the Sunday Times of London and Britain's Channel 4 television network. It was published online Thursday in the medical journal, BMJ.

With files by The Associated Press

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Does this new investigation change your view on autism and concerns about a link to the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine? Let us know in the comments below.