 |
|
New studies suggest brain overgrowth in 1-year-olds linked to development of autism
December 10, 2007Brain overgrowth in the latter part of an infant's first year may contribute to the onset of autistic characteristics, according to research presented today at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) annual meeting. These findings support concurrent research which has found brain overgrowth in autistic children as young as two years old.
Lead researcher Joseph Piven, M.D., Director of the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Research Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and an ACNP member, says that behavioral studies of infants at high risk for autism suggest that the onset of most behavioral symptoms which define the disorder, such as problems with and social interaction, also occur at about age one. "One reason these findings are important is because early post-natal onset raises the possibility that there may be a window for early treatment and prevention that could be identified by future studies," Piven says.
In normal brain development, neuronal connections are eliminated through a process called "pruning." This process refines normal brain connections and increases the efficiency of remaining connections in the brain. Piven says one possibility is that there is less pruning in children with autism and therefore, their brains become larger than in children without autism.
Piven cautions that while the study seems to suggest a link between brain overgrowth and autism, there are many variants of autism among children, so the ways in which autistic children develop and are affected by brain growth can vary greatly.
Piven says he will continue to study brain development in autism through a study which is part of the new Autism Centers of Excellence funded by the National Institutes of Health. This study will examine more than 500 infant siblings of autistic individuals with magnetic resonance imaging at the University of North Carolina, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Washington University of St. Louis and the University of Washington in Seattle. Siblings of autistic children will be examined at 6, 12 and 24 months. Some of them are expected to develop autistic behavior during the course of the study.
Previous studies of both brain development on MRI and behavioral development have not been conducted in children this young, at risk for an autism spectrum disorder. This study will provide important new information on brain changes in infancy that are associated with the development of autistic symptoms.
American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
Autistic Current Events and Autistic News RSSClinical tests begin on medication to correct Fragile X defect
NIH-supported scientists at Seaside Therapeutics in Cambridge, Mass., are beginning a clinical trial of a potential medication designed to correct a central neurochemical defect underlying Fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability.
Intelligent system to help autistic children recognize emotions
Computer scientists from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore are working on the development of an efficient and intelligent facial expression recognition system.
Stanford scientist's new findings of autism-associated synapse alterations lead to coveted NIH grant
A Stanford University School of Medicine researcher has pinpointed the mechanism by which a gene associated with both autism and schizophrenia influences behavior in mice. And just recently, he received a $1.65 million government grant to expand his efforts to include many more such genes.
Genome-wide study of autism published in Nature
In one of the first studies of its kind, an international team of researchers has uncovered a single-letter change in the genetic code that is associated with autism.
Scripps Research, UCSD, and University of Oslo team ties genetic variations to brain size
Using advanced brain imaging and genomics technologies, an international team of researchers co-led by Scripps Research Institute scientists has shown for the first time that natural variations in a specific gene influence brain structure.
Nanotech particles affect brain development in mice
Maternal exposure to nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO2) affects the expression of genes related to the central nervous system in developing mice.
New map of genomic variations will enable disease research
Genetics researchers have unveiled a powerful new resource for scientists and health providers studying human illnesses--a reference standard of deletions and duplications of DNA found in the human genome.
Parts of brain involved in social cognition may be in place by age 6
Social cognition-the ability to think about the minds and mental states of others-is essential for human beings. In the last decade, a group of regions has been discovered in the human brain that are specifically used for social cognition.
New genetic study of Asperger syndrome, autistic traits and empathy
Scientists from the University of Cambridge have identified 27 genes that are associated with either Asperger Syndrome (AS) and/or autistic traits and/or empathy.
Further gene mutations linked to autism risk
Pieces in the complex autism inheritance puzzle are emerging in the latest study from a research team including geneticists from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
More Autistic Current Events and Autistic News Articles
 |
Born On A Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant by Daniel Tammet (Author) Born on a Blue Day is a journey into one of the most fascinating minds alive today -- guided by the owner himself. Daniel Tammet is virtually unique among people who have severe autistic disorders in that he is capable of living a fully independent life and able to explain what is happening inside his head. He sees numbers as shapes, colors, and textures, and he can perform extraordinary calculations in his head. He can learn to speak new languages fluently, from scratch, in a week. In 2004, he memorized and recited more than 22,000 digits of pi, setting a record. He has savant syndrome, an extremely rare condition that gives him the most unimaginable mental powers, much like those portrayed by Dustin Hoffman in the film Rain Man. Fascinating and inspiring, Born on a Blue Day explores... |
 |
Kimochi Mixed Feelings Pack 2: Kind, Hurt, Sorry, Uncomfortable, Friendly, and Make-your-own by Kimochi Having mixed feelings? Mixed Feelings Pack 2 gives you more feelings to share with family and friends. Includes: Kind, Hurt, Sorry, Uncomfortable, Friendly, and one Make-Your-Own feeling with washable pen all in a clear pouch! Happy? Smile. Sad? Frown. Kimochis help children identify and express feelings and help parents understand the thoughts their children try to communicate. Kimochi is Japanese for feeling. Each interactive Kimochi has a pouch to store its feelings, felt cushions in bright colors with a facial expression on one side and the name of the emotion on the other side. Children learn by placing the cushion that best matches their feelings into their Kimochi and sharing the experience. The process calms, comforts and instills confidence. These cuddly toys are modern,... |
 |
Uneasy Flowers by Autistic Daughters |
 |
Autistic-Like: Graham's Story Directed By: Erik Linthorst Also With: Jody Becker (Producer) When their son was just 15 months old, Erik and Jennie Linthorst suspected something was not quite right. Experts and therapists told them their son was autistic. Sort of. Maybe. Some called him autistic-like. Others said he was not autistic at all. With his parents still seeking a clear diagnosis, Graham was launched into a program of behavioral therapy. Speech therapy. Occupational therapy. Soon after the therapy began, Erik and Jennie noticed something else: the treatment he was getting didn't seem to be on target. Erik took on the conundrum confronting many parents of kids who are "mildly disordered." Handed a fuzzy diagnosis, what should the treatment be? AUTISTIC-LIKE: GRAHAM'S STORY is an intimate family portrait showing one dad's determined quest to find the right therapies,... |
|
|
Kimochis Feelings Pack 3 by Kimochi Having mixed feelings? Mixed Feelings Pack 3 gives you more feelings to share with family and friends. Includes: Sleepy, Surprised, Embarrassed, Guilty, Excited, and one Make-Your-Own feeling with washable pen all in a clear pouch! Happy? Smile. Sad? Frown. Kimochis help children identify and express feelings and help parents understand the thoughts their children try to communicate. Kimochi is Japanese for feeling. Each interactive Kimochi has a pouch to store its feelings, felt cushions in bright colors with a facial expression on one side and the name of the emotion on the other side. Children learn by placing the cushion that best matches their feelings into their Kimochi and sharing the experience. The process calms, comforts and instills confidence. These cuddly toys are... |
 |
He's Not Autistic But...: How We Pulled Our Son From the Mouth of the Abyss by Tenna Merchent (Author) "There are countless mothers and fathers out there who can benefit directly from what this struggle for better health teaches. In the place of despair, frustration, grief, and the torment in the pit of illness this work provides hope and a formula for better health for many." --Dr. Eugene C. Watkins, Director of The Center for Building Better Health Naturally, and the Herbal Research Group, B.S., B.S.ed, M.S., N.D. "I applaud the author's determination and willingness to `think outside the box' when mainstream medicine continually failed her sick child. By trusting her own powerful maternal instincts when the advice of so many experts didn't feel right, she persevered and finally discovered the simple solution that empowered herself and cured her son. Her... |
 |
Communication - England by Natl Autistic Society Contains research into the causes of autism and Asperger syndrome, new approaches and treatments, and developments in education and other services. |
 |
Know the Code: Social Skills Card Game by Attainment Company Inc (Author) The Know The Code Cards illustrate 50 social skills in five easy to follow steps. Each card shows a skill with a relevant photo, lists sequential steps and suggests talking points. Use these oversized cards for 8 different games, role plays and individual cue sets. Two sets of 50 laminated 4" x 6" color cards with instructions. |
|
A Real Rainman: Potrait of an Autistic Savant (Inspiration For Rain Man) Starring: Richard Wawro Documentary on Richard Wawro one of the most talented savants in the world. | |
 |
Uneasy Flowers Autistic Daughters (Primary Contributor) |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |