Researchers identified semaphorin 5A, a gene involved in neuronal contact and communication, as a potential biological target for pharmaceutical intervention in individuals with autism. The study utilizes genome-wide association studies and extends prior research findings to brain tissue samples.
Eight fellows have been selected for the prestigious fellowship program, which aims to encourage autism research as their chosen career path. The fellows will work with leading scientists and receive research training opportunities in various areas of autism spectrum disorders.
A $4.5 million grant will fund whole-genome sequencing of children with autism using new technologies. Researchers aim to discover noncoding DNA regions controlling gene activity and relate clinical autism to genetic variations in DNA and gene expression.
Researchers from UT Houston and Jamaica are launching a two-year, $300,000 study to explore the potential connection between genes and toxic metals in causing autism spectrum disorders. The study aims to identify specific genes that may interact with exposure to toxins like mercury, lead, and arsenic.
A major study into adults living with autism has found that one in every hundred adults in England has the condition, similar to child prevalence rates. The study also reveals distinct characteristics of individuals with autism, including employment status and housing type.
Research at Durham University suggests that people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) struggle to identify emotions from short video clips of body movements without seeing faces or hearing sound. Adults with ASD performed poorly in a test detecting the direction of coherent movement on a screen, attributed to visual processing problems.
Research found that mothers of children with autism had higher levels of parenting-related stress and psychological distress, while daily living skills were not associated with increased stress. The study suggests that addressing problem behaviors in autism is crucial for family well-being and early intervention.
Researchers found that children with autism rely heavily on proprioception to learn new actions, leading to greater impairment in social skills and motor skills. This understanding can inform targeted interventions to enhance visuo-motor associations in children with autism.
Researchers engineered mice with a duplication of the autism-linked chromosomal region and found they exhibited behaviors associated with human autism, including poor social interaction and repetitive behavior. The study provides a valuable model for therapeutic development and sheds light on the molecular pathways underlying autism.
A recent study has discovered 27 genetic regions associated with autism spectrum disorders, revealing the complex interplay of inherited and new mutations. The research identifies multiple genes, including BZRAP1 and MDGA2, which play crucial roles in synaptic function and neurological development.
Michigan State University is part of the largest epidemiological study on autism, collecting and analyzing data from nearly 3,000 families to identify factors that may put children at risk for the disease. The study will also explore physical and behavioral characteristics, health conditions, and risk factors associated with autism.
The Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI) study will follow a cohort of up to 1,200 pregnant women who already have a child with autism to investigate early risk factors for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Researchers will collect data on possible environmental risk factors and their interplay with genetic susceptibility duri...
A new study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found that the antidepressant citalopram did not reduce repetitive behaviors in children and teens with autism spectrum disorders. The medication, an SSRI, was tested in a randomized controlled trial involving 149 children with moderate to severe repetitive behavior.
A multi-center study found that antidepressant citalopram had no significant effect on reducing repetitive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder. The study included 149 children aged five to 17 and tested the treatment over a 12-week period.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a link between a variant of the CACNA1G gene and increased autism risk in boys. The study found that nearly 40% of the population carry the common variant, which increases the correlation to autism spectrum disorder.
A magnetic resonance imaging study found that toddlers with autism tend to have an enlarged amygdala, a brain area associated with processing faces and emotion. This brain abnormality is also linked to improved joint attention ability in children with autism.
The study found that children with autism rely on a region of the brain for conscious movement, while typically developing peers use a region for automating motor tasks. Decreased connectivity between brain regions involved in motor planning and execution was also observed.
Two studies identify genes that may contribute to autism, including a region of chromosome 5 associated with neuronal cell-adhesion molecules. These findings suggest a significant role for genetics in the development of autism, potentially leading to new treatments.
Researchers identified genetic factors affecting autism risk, including genes involved in forming and maintaining brain cell connections. These findings may lead to better diagnostic strategies for children with autism.
A large study at Penn Medicine has detected variations in central nervous system genes that contribute to the genetic risk of autism. The research found a particular genetic variation linked to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder in children.
Researchers have identified a new gene variant associated with autism, found to be highly active in fetal brain regions critical for language and social behavior. The study suggests that this gene variant may contribute to an increased prenatal risk of autism.
Research suggests that being firstborn, having a breech birth, or maternal age over 35 may increase autism risk. This study analyzed Utah children with ASD and found significant correlations between these factors.
The Interactive Autism Network is expanding its research initiative to adults with autism, enrolling individuals to gain insight into their experiences and connect them with researchers. The IAN Project aims to provide much-needed data on the lives of adults with autism, addressing a significant unmet need.
Researchers suggest that autism symptoms may be reversible due to dysregulation of the locus coeruleus, a bundle of neurons processing sensory signals. The new theory proposes that fever can stimulate this system, potentially restoring its normal function.
Autism Speaks announces partnerships with Albania and Ireland to enhance public awareness and develop sustainable autism programs. The organization aims to investigate causes, prevention, and treatments for autism spectrum disorders globally.
The NIH will commit $60 million in ARRA funds to support autism research, focusing on diagnostic screening tools, early interventions, and adapting pediatric treatments for older children. The grants will promote economic recovery by creating biomedical jobs and supporting innovative projects.
A national survey found primary care physicians are more likely to inquire about complementary alternative medicine (CAM) use in children with autism. The study also revealed a desire for specific CAM education tailored to this population. CAM therapies have become increasingly common among children with autism, highlighting the need f...
A gene variant in the MET gene may contribute to increased risk of co-occurring medical conditions in individuals with autism. The study found that disrupted signaling of the MET gene is linked to a syndrome including autism and gastrointestinal dysfunction.
The project will investigate the genetic and environmental risk factors that contribute to autism, with a focus on prenatal development and early childhood. By analyzing brain development and behavior in infants at high genetic risk, researchers aim to identify potential indicators of autism and improve early diagnosis.
The Autism Consortium has published a groundbreaking study defining the mechanism behind Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily affecting girls and a leading cause of autism. The research discovered that targeting the IGF1 signaling axis could be a promising therapeutic strategy for treating or reversing Rett Syndrome.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered a link between a genetic pathway and autism, finding that mutations in this pathway are associated with both autism and other developmental disorders. The study suggests that the lack of specific genes may play a role in the development of autism.
A Brown University research team has discovered a novel Fragile X granule in the brain that could serve as a target for future autism treatments. The finding opens a new line of research into potential treatments for autism, a neurological disorder that affects social interaction and communication.
Researchers used MEG to identify timing abnormalities in the brains of patients with autism, finding a fraction of a second delay in brain activity. This delay may underpin language processing and communication impairment in autistic children.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that women who take valproate during pregnancy may significantly increase their child's risk of developing autism. The research found that children exposed to valproate were seven times more likely to develop autism than those not exposed.
Scientists have identified a relationship between two proteins in the brain linked to both nicotine addiction and autism. The discovery suggests that existing drugs used to curb nicotine addiction might serve as a basis for potential therapies to alleviate autism symptoms.
Researchers found that infants later diagnosed with autism displayed unusual exploration of objects, including spinning and repetitive visual examination, as early as 12 months. These behaviors could be added to parent check-lists or quickly assessed during pediatric visits, potentially improving early diagnosis and treatment.
A study found that children living in counties with higher annual precipitation had a higher risk of developing autism. The association suggests an environmental trigger for the condition, potentially related to increased indoor activities and decreased exposure to sunshine.
Researchers discovered that children with autism spend less time looking at a teacher's face when imitating new skills, compared to typically developing children. This finding sheds light on why children with autism struggle to learn from others and may lead to potential interventions.
A national survey reveals that nearly one in four parents believe vaccines cause autism, leading to fewer vaccinations and a growing number of measles infections. The study's findings highlight the lingering fear and confusion surrounding vaccines, despite overwhelming scientific evidence debunking the link.
The symposium will showcase cutting-edge research on autism, including a follow-up study of Hans Asperger's original patients and investigations into the brain basis of social difficulties. Researchers will present their latest findings on the disorder, shedding light on its fundamental nature and future directions.
A study published in Public Library of Science found no association between the MMR vaccine and the onset of autism or gastrointestinal symptoms in children. The study analyzed bowel tissues from 25 children with autism and GI disturbances, as well as 13 controls, and found no presence of measles virus RNA in either group.
Research has identified several genes associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including neuroligins and SHANK3. These genetic findings provide new understanding of the underlying causes of ASD, which affect approximately 60 in 10,000 children worldwide.
University of Missouri researchers are studying facial features and brain structures in children with autism to develop a formula for earlier detection. The study aims to reveal genetic clues that can direct additional research and lead to more precise diagnosis.
Researchers identified six genes associated with autism by analyzing large Middle Eastern families where both parents shared a recent ancestor. The study suggests that these genes affect learning and memory, and may be treatable through gene therapy or enriched learning environments.
A study of Middle Eastern families with a high incidence of autism identified six new genes involved in the brain's ability to form new connections. The findings suggest that autism may stem from disruptions in experience-dependent learning, which is essential for learning and memory.
Recent advances in autism research have highlighted the importance of genetics in the causes of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Scientists have identified the first autism disease genes, which may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treatment interventions.
Research at the University of Washington suggests that faulty brain connections might be responsible for social impairments in adults with autism. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to compare brain activity in individuals with high-functioning autism and typically developed adults while looking at faces.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed an eye-tracking technology that can detect autism in babies as young as nine months old. This tool distinguishes between siblings with autism and those without at this early age, offering a faster and more objective diagnostic process.
A multi-site consortium is gathering genetic and behavioral information about cases with only one family member having autism. The Simons Simplex Collection will create a database of genetic and behavioral information, leading to the discovery of new genetic factors that increase the risk of autism.
Research linked parents' psychiatric disorders to autism in children, revealing a higher rate of schizophrenia and depression among mothers. The study suggests genetic and environmental factors may be shared among related diseases.
The Drexel University School of Public Health has been awarded a $14.3 million NIH grant to study risk factors and biological indicators for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in expectant mothers and their babies. The researchers aim to follow 1,200 mothers of children with autism and document the development of newborns through 36 months.
The NIH has awarded grants to researchers studying early brain development, social interactions, rare genetic variants, and potential environmental risk factors for autism. Researchers at Yale and Wayne State University aim to identify novel treatments using buspirone and explore the relationship between genes and physical traits.
The Interactive Autism Network (IAN) has facilitated connections between parents and researchers, providing valuable data on causes, treatments, and potential cures for autism. The registry has revealed significant insights, including maternal depression and ineffective treatments.
Researchers at Northwestern University have found that children with high-functioning autism produce more contingent sentences when interacting with virtual peers. This suggests that virtual peers can be a useful tool in helping children with autism develop communication and social skills. The study aims to generalize these skills to m...
A study by UC-Davis researchers found that antibodies in mothers of children with autism bind to fetal brain cells, potentially disrupting healthy development. The findings suggest a possible link between the maternal immune system and autism risk, paving the way for future research on prenatal identification and prevention.
A study found that high-functioning individuals with autism have impaired 'self' responses in the brain, affecting their ability to understand themselves and others. This discovery could lead to new diagnostic tools and a better understanding of social cognition in autism.
A recent study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood finds no association between the MMR vaccine and autism spectrum disorders, contradicting previous research. The study analyzed blood samples from nearly 250 children with autism, as well as comparison groups without autism or special educational needs.
Children with autism typically have normal-sized heads at birth but experience accelerated head growth between six and nine months of age, according to a new study. This aberrant growth is present in both early onset and regression types of the disorder, making it a potential biological marker for autism.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics reveals that chromosomal abnormalities contribute substantially to autism, with 7% of children carrying unique genetic changes. The researchers identified 13 regions of the genome with overlapping or recurrent chromosomal changes in unrelated individuals with autism.
Researchers at UCLA discovered a strong association between the contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2) gene and autism, particularly in boys. The study found that CNTNAP2 is most active in brain regions involved with language and thought, suggesting a link to speech delay and other symptoms of autism.