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.
A study has identified a chromosomal abnormality on chromosome 16 that appears to increase the risk of autism by 100-fold. The deletion or duplication of this segment was found in 5% of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder, but not in unaffected parents.
The study found that autism cases continued to increase in California despite the elimination of thimerosal from most childhood vaccines. Exposure to thimerosal was estimated to have contributed to the upswing in reported cases, but this link was not proven by the study.
A study found that a small portion of chromosome 16, known as 16p11.2, is significantly associated with autism. The deletion occurs in only four out of 712 subjects with autism, yet it is the second most common recurrent genomic disorder linked to the condition.
The University of Washington is launching a groundbreaking study to prevent autism symptoms in high-risk infants. Led by Annette Estes, researchers will assess and intervene with 200 Seattle-area infants who have an older sibling diagnosed with autism, aiming to identify early risk factors and intervene before symptoms appear.
Researchers have developed a first-ever genetic animal model of autism, allowing for the study of abnormal brain function and potential treatments. The model mimics human autism symptoms, including social interaction deficits, while also displaying enhanced spatial learning abilities.
The Autism Consortium has released genetic data from 3,000 individuals with autism spectrum disorders to the scientific community. The data set provides a comprehensive look at genetic variation patterns in families with autism, shedding light on the complex causes of the disorder.
The University of Southern California has received a five-year, $8.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to survey the genetic, physical and behavioral profiles of children with autism. The grant will increase the reach and ethnic diversity of the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) database.
Scientists engineered mice with a single mutation in the neuroligin-3 gene to study autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), finding improved spatial learning and memory while impairing social interactions. The mouse model may help understand how specific defects in neural development lead to ASDs.
The Simons Simplex Collection will be a core resource for researching sporadic genetic mutations in autism. Researchers will analyze DNA samples from 2,000 families with one autistic child to understand the underlying causes of autism.
Researchers warn of the growing prevalence of ineffective and potentially dangerous fad treatments for autism. Despite limited scientific evidence, parents are often willing to try various therapies in hopes of finding relief for their child.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory propose a new model for understanding how autism is acquired, suggesting that spontaneous germ-line mutation is a significant cause. This mutation can be carried by women without severe symptoms and passed on to their children, increasing the risk of sons developing autism.
Researchers identified early signs of autism development in 14-month-olds, including social and communication disruptions, irregular play patterns, and reduced verbal communication. Early diagnosis can make a significant difference in helping children with autism reach their full potential.
A two-year study at McMaster University aims to find an effective treatment for children with severe autism who do not respond to Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI). The study will provide a functional behavioural skills program and additional training for parents.
A research team led by UCSD scientists has discovered how genetic mutations affect the structure of proteins implicated in autism spectrum disorders, contributing to developmental abnormalities. This study represents a solid starting point for understanding the disorder and developing new drug therapies.
A study found children with both autism and ADHD are four times more likely to bully than their peers, highlighting the need for additional support services.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics found no association between Rh immune globulin preserved with thimerosal and an increased risk of autism. Researchers investigated the exposure to thimerosal during pregnancies resulting in children diagnosed with autism and found no correlation.
A recent study published in American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A found no causal link between Rh immune globulin (preserved with thimerosal) exposure before birth and the development of autism. The study included over 200 mothers of children diagnosed with autism, revealing that Rh negative status and pregnancies with thimerosal...
The Interactive Autism Network has achieved significant milestones in its first month, registering over 13,000 individuals and families living with autism. Researchers can now access this large pool of family-provided data to supplement existing research studies and explore new hypotheses.
Researchers identified two DNA regions linked to autism on chromosomes 11 and 17 using a quantitative approach. They found significant linkage to symptoms of autism in families with affected children, which may lead to the discovery of multiple genes contributing to the disorder.
University of Iowa researchers have identified a genetic mutation in sperm cells that contributed to autism in two daughters. The study provides insight into how this mutation affects the glutamate synapse and may lead to diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
A study of 34 children with autism compared to 34 without autism found no connection between the two conditions. Researchers looked for specific antibodies associated with celiac disease, but none were found in autistic children.
The US Army's Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Program aims to improve treatment outcomes for individuals with ASD. The program promotes innovative research that advances understanding and leads to better treatments.
Younger siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders show weaker performance in non-verbal problem-solving and social-communication interactions at 12 months. The broader autism phenotype may represent an early sign of developmental problems.
Emerging genetic research may help identify children with autism at a younger age, potentially treatable. Behavioral interventions are becoming increasingly sophisticated and effective for young children with autism.
A study estimates that individuals with autism incur approximately $35 billion in annual costs to society, primarily due to lost productivity and adult care. These costs can be felt well into adulthood, highlighting the need for financial planning and counseling for families of children with autism.
Researchers found that babies who don't respond to their names by 12 months are more likely to have developmental problems. The study identified a link between failure to respond to name and autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays.
The Interactive Autism Network (IAN) is a national online autism registry launched by Kennedy Krieger Institute to accelerate autism research. IAN connects parents of children with autism to local and national research studies, collecting valuable data and facilitating the search for causes, treatments, and a cure.
A new protein, CADPS2, has been identified as a potential cause of autism. Research found that mice lacking this protein exhibited autistic-like characteristics, including impaired social interactions and hyperactivity.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have found that spontaneous mutations in DNA are more common in sporadic cases of autism than in familial or healthy children. The study, published in Science, reports that at least 10% of children with autism carry a genetic alteration not found in either parent.
A study found that tiny spontaneous gene mutations are 10 times more prevalent in sporadic cases of autism spectrum disorders than in healthy control subjects. The researchers propose that these anomalies are primary causes of the disorder in most cases when present, and may contribute to disease equally across the sexes.
Researchers at Yale University identified a potential autism gene through a global genome scan involving 120 scientists from 50 institutions. The study found two genes linked to autism: neurexin 1 and a gene on chromosome 11, which may contribute to the disorder's susceptibility.
Researchers will collect DNA samples from 3,000 autism patients to identify variants and develop treatments. The project will advance knowledge on subtypes of autism, promoting targeted therapies.
A genome-wide study of 1,200 families with multiple cases of autism has identified a previously unidentified region on chromosome 11 and implicated genes affecting glutamate neurons. The findings provide new insights into the genetic basis of autism and offer potential routes to breakthroughs in treatments.
The largest search for autism genes to date has implicated components of the brain's glutamate chemical messenger system and a previously overlooked site on chromosome 11. Tiny variations in genes may heighten risk for autism spectrum disorders, with evidence pointing to gene variants affecting neurotransmitter systems.
A massive international study identifies potential genetic links for autism, shedding light on the disorder's neurological basis. The research, involving over 1,400 families, suggests that certain genes increase the risk of developing autism, while environmental factors also play a role.
Researchers from the Autism Genome Project have made significant discoveries about the genetic basis of autism, implicating previously unidentified regions and genes in chromosome 11 and neurexin 1. The study's findings hold promise for diagnosis and treatment breakthroughs.
An international team of researchers has identified one gene and a previously unidentified region on chromosome 11 as potential contributors to autism. The study, published in Nature Genetics, is based on genetic samples from nearly 1,200 families with two or more children who have autism.
A five-year study involving over 1,200 families has identified two new genetic links to familial autism, with one gene associated with neurexin 1 and a previously unidentified region of chromosome 11 implicated. The findings suggest that autism has numerous genetic origins rather than a single cause.
The incidence of autism and two other childhood neuropsychiatric disorders increased significantly among Danish children between 1990 and 2004. This trend suggests a broader pattern in childhood mental illness, with the exception of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
In the most severely socially impaired males with autism spectrum disorders, researchers found a smaller-than-normal amygdala, an almond-shaped danger-detector deep in the brain. The study suggests that social fear triggers hyperactivity in the amygdala, which eventually leads to toxic adaptation and cell death.
Researchers found that oxytocin significantly reduced repetitive behaviors and improved social cognition in adult autism patients. Intravenous and intranasal administration showed promising results, with effects lasting up to two weeks after treatment.
A version of a gene has been linked to autism in families where more than one child is affected. The variant, which impairs brain development, was found in people with autism spectrum disorders and their parents, but not in controls.
A new MUHC study provides conclusive evidence that the MMR vaccine is not associated with autism spectrum disorders. The study's findings contradict previous molecular studies that falsely linked the vaccine to autism. The research team uncovered fundamental errors in these earlier studies, clearing the MMR vaccine of its link to autism.
The NIMH has launched three major clinical studies on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to better define subtypes and explore possible new treatments. Researchers will compare children with regressive, non-regressive, and other developmental disorders to investigate environmental factors that may trigger symptoms of autism.
Research suggests that older fathers are more likely to have autistic children, with a significantly increased risk compared to younger fathers. The study, which analyzed data from over 318,000 individuals, found that advancing age among fathers was associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder.
A recent study found that autism is a global disorder affecting how the brain processes information, particularly when it becomes complicated. The study discovered that individuals with autism perform well in basic functioning tasks but struggle with complex tasks involving sensory perception, movement, and memory.
Researchers found children with autism have abnormal blood vessel function and high levels of oxidative stress, which may contribute to the disorder's symptoms. The study suggests that targeting this imbalance could lead to new therapies for autism.
Researchers discovered that different genes may be responsible for causing autism in boys than in girls, with varying degrees of severity. The study also found evidence for multiple genetic subtypes of autism, including male versus female and early versus late onset forms.
Researchers from the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute have found significantly fewer neurons in the amygdala of males with autism, a key brain region responsible for emotional responses and social learning. The study provides new insights into the neuroanatomical basis of autism, which may help advance research into this lifelong neurodevel...
Research suggests a significant increase in childhood autism prevalence in the UK, affecting approximately 1% of the child population. The study found that children with autism constitute 39 per 10,000 and 77 per 10,000 in South London, indicating a much higher prevalence than previously estimated.
Studies found that people with autism have reduced connections and coordination between brain areas, leading to difficulties in problem-solving and communication. The research provides evidence for a new theory that views autism as a failure of brain regions to communicate with each other.
A study by Dr. Eric Fombonne and colleagues found no link between MMR vaccinations and autism rates in Quebec children, contradicting previous concerns. The incidence of autism remained high despite reductions in thimerosal use.
A study of 192 children found that most diagnosed with autism at age 2 were also diagnosed at age 9, with 76% receiving the same diagnosis. Parent interviews and clinicians' judgment also predicted future diagnoses.
A new study challenges the notion of an autism epidemic in the US, citing inconsistencies in special education data and diagnostic practices. Researchers argue that changes in how children are labeled as having special needs can lead to misleading trends and undermine efforts to accurately measure the scope of developmental disability.
The Autism Phenome Project is a large-scale, longitudinal study enrolling 1,800 children with autism, developmental delay, and typically developing children. The project aims to identify specific types of autism and develop a database of biomedical information to refine understanding and develop targeted treatments.
A panel of autism experts will assess widely held stereotypes about the developmental disability, including the notion that autistic individuals lack a theory of mind, vaccines cause autism, or are cognitively impaired. Experts aim to move beyond myths and misconceptions to set scientific reality straight.
A study by Utah researchers confirms that a specific region on chromosome 3 is linked to autism, with results showing strong similarities to Finnish studies. The researchers used genetic markers to analyze the DNA of 31 family members, seven of whom have autism or an autism-related disorder.