A new UC Davis Health study found that common gastrointestinal symptoms are linked to troubling sleep problems, self-harm and physical complaints in preschool children with autism. The study highlights the link between GI symptoms and some problematic behaviors in young kids with ASD.
Researchers at the University of Basel have discovered a connection between a genetic alteration and social difficulties related to autism. By targeting the oxytocin signaling pathway, they achieved promising results in an animal model and found that treatment with a pharmacological inhibitor can normalize social behavior.
Researchers found a cumulative incidence of 3.1% of autism spectrum disorders among children screened at 18 months, with impaired motor skills and social communication skills as predictive factors. Early detection through health checkups can lead to better prognosis for children with ASD.
A study suggests that a single point mutation in the Cav1.2 channel, G406R, may explain the mechanism of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The mutation causes abnormal calcium overload leading to heart problems and spontaneous gene activation, resulting in uncontrolled long-term dysregulations.
The Merage Foundation has granted Ben-Gurion University $100,000 to develop smart autism day care centers throughout Israel. The project aims to improve outcomes for children with autism using audiovisual technology and software to remotely track behavior and quantify symptoms.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that low levels of the cytokine IL-38 are associated with increased inflammation in the amygdala of children with autism spectrum disorder. This suggests that targeting IL-38 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for treating autism.
Researchers have identified unique metabolic signatures, called metabotypes, in over 50% of children with autism spectrum disorder. These biomarkers, detected through metabolomics tests, show promise in detecting early risk and potentially personalized therapies for ASD.
Girls with autism experience greater reduction and less rise in symptom severity than boys, according to a UC Davis MIND Institute study. Children's symptoms can change with age, and some may even lose their diagnosis entirely.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates existing difficulties for individuals with autism, including communication barriers, sensory issues, and stress. Researchers recommend healthcare providers train staff to recognize signs of autism and adapt care strategies to ensure safe and optimal treatment.
A study reviewing 315 articles on Washington Post coverage of autism found a shift from a focus on 'cause and cure' towards acceptance and accommodation, reflecting changing public attitudes and the autistic rights movement.
A study analyzing data from the Rhode Island Consortium for Autism Research and Treatment found that only 3% of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder reported having fully received clinical genetic tests recommended by medical professional societies. The study reveals a dissonance between professional recommendations and ...
New research suggests that sleep problems in babies may be associated with altered growth trajectory in the hippocampus, a key part of the brain involved in learning and memory. Infants who later develop autism were more likely to have difficulty falling asleep, which was linked to changes in the size of the hippocampus.
Research identifies lower concentrations of neuropeptide arginine vasopressin in infant cerebrospinal fluid of those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This finding suggests a potential biomarker for early detection and prediction of the disorder.
Research from the University of Missouri found that pets lead to reduced stress and increased social interaction for both children with autism and their parents. The study suggests that pets can provide comfort and support for families, making them a valuable addition.
Research implicates ACTL6B gene absence in six families with recessive autism. Altered transcriptional repression and neural circuitry defects suggest conserved function and potential for autism research.
A new study suggests that impairments in microglia play a key role in the development of autism behaviors in some cases. The researchers found that protein overproduction in microglial cells leads to impaired synapse-pruning function, resulting in ASD-like social behavior deficits, primarily in males.
Research suggests that individuals with autism spectrum disorder exhibit differences in attention regulation, which may be attributed to altered locus coeruleus activity. This study found that participants with autism displayed atypically smaller pupil dilations during a distraction task, indicating dysregulation in the brainstem.
A pilot study suggests that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is safe and effective in reducing depressive symptoms and improving quality of life for adults with autism and depression. The treatment showed promising results, with 70% of participants experiencing a decrease in depressive symptoms.
Girls with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit distinct brain activity patterns, including motor and striatal underactivation to social stimuli, and larger rare copy number variants affecting those regions. Typically developing girls show executive engagement when viewing social stimuli, suggesting resilience to autism.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia develop a new tool to measure quality of life for autistic individuals across their lifespan. The tool assesses physical and mental health, relationships, and subjective well-being, providing insights into the struggles and successes of autistic people.
New research finds that autism prevalence is increasing among poor and minority groups in California, while decreasing in wealthier areas. This trend suggests a growing economic and racial divide in autism risk factors.
A new study published in Experimental Results journal found that a commonly used autism screening tool, the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ10) questionnaire, lacks reliability in measuring autistic personality traits. The researchers suggest that new systems are needed to better capture the range of autistic traits across the population.
Researchers at the Gladstone Institutes report that reducing levels of tau protein prevents core autism symptoms, seizures, and other abnormalities in mouse models. The findings suggest promise as a potential treatment for some forms of autism.
A new non-invasive eye scan could identify autism in children up to 5 years earlier than current methods, using a hand-held device to detect subtle electrical signals in the retina. The scan was tested on 180 people with and without autism between 5-21 years old.
A new AAN guideline provides recommendations for treating sleep problems in children and teens with autism. The guideline suggests starting with behavior-modification strategies, such as setting a consistent sleep routine, before considering medication like melatonin.
A University of Granada study found that gluten- and casein-free diets do not affect the behavior of autistic children. However, those with associated gastrointestinal disorders may benefit from such an approach. The research also suggests a link between intestinal permeability and beta-casomorphin levels in urine.
Researchers mapped 102 new autism genes in a major international study, revealing new insights into the disorder's biology. The findings could lead to earlier diagnoses and more precise treatments for individuals with autism.
Researchers identified a tiny gene fragment impacting brain development and information processing in individuals with autism. The finding may lead to new treatments by targeting a specific microexon that contributes to social behavior and learning deficits.
Researchers identified 102 genes associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including 49 linked to developmental delays. The large international cohort of nearly 12,000 ASD participants enabled the team to increase the number of associated genes from 65 in 2015.
A new study analyzing the first 1,000 participants in the Rhode Island Consortium for Autism Research and Treatment (RI-CART) identifies key trends in the presentation and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Girls with autism receive a diagnosis, on average, nearly 1.5 years later than boys, likely due to advanced language abilities.
Research by Rutgers University found that families caring for children with autism spectrum disorder experience high levels of emotional burnout, social isolation, and financial strain. Families with more than one caregiver tend to fare better in terms of emotional well-being.
A recent study by MU researcher Nancy Cheak-Zamora found that many young adults with autism struggle to achieve independence due to a disconnect between caregiver support and individual efforts. The research recommends shifting the perception towards strengths and skill sets, providing opportunities for mastery of tasks like cooking an...
Researchers from iPSYCH discovered that autism and ADHD share changes in the same genes, particularly the MAP1A gene involved in nerve cell formation. The study found a significantly increased risk of developing autism and/or ADHD for those carrying mutations in this gene.
The grant will fund a conference and policy brief development to address the challenges faced by autistic individuals in the justice system. Autistic individuals are at increased risk of negative outcomes due to lack of understanding and inadequate support.
A large-scale study found that people with autism spectrum disorder have less brain asymmetry, particularly in cortical thickness. The findings suggest altered development of the brain's left-right axis is involved in autism, affecting widespread brain regions.
A new study has found that taking fluoxetine for 16 weeks did not significantly lower the frequency and severity of obsessive compulsive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders. The research suggests that up to one-third of children with ASD are prescribed antidepressants despite inconclusive evidence of their effectiveness.
A study published in Annals of Neurology found that more than two-thirds of autistic brains exhibit perivascular lymphocyte cuffing, a characteristic of chronic inflammation. This could explain the origins of autism and provide new diagnostic and treatment options.
Children with autism spectrum disorders have a 41.1% higher risk of developing obesity compared to matched groups, with 22 out of 100 affected. Additionally, certain subgroups, such as non-Caucasian race and female children, are disproportionately affected by excess weight gain.
A Kaiser Permanente study of nearly 500,000 pregnancies found that children exposed to severe morning sickness during pregnancy were 53% more likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The association was stronger among girls and certain ethnic groups.
A study published in Translational Psychiatry identified elemental signatures in baby teeth unique to ADHD, autism, and co-occurring conditions. The researchers found that each condition has a distinct metabolic signature involving essential and toxic elements.
Researchers have discovered that a low-cost blood pressure drug, propranolol, may improve cognitive and social benefits for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The study found that the drug altered regions of the brain associated with word processing and improved specific task information processing in individuals with autism.
Researchers used state-of-the-art brain imaging techniques to study nonverbal children with autism, finding delayed responses to simple auditory tones. The study suggests that measuring brain activity in the auditory cortex could serve as important objective markers for response to sound.
A study involving over 6,900 people reveals that autism spectrum traits are associated with improved social judgment skills, especially in detecting general patterns and rules. The findings suggest that individuals with autism may excel at perceiving social phenomena due to their unique cognitive abilities.
Researchers found that conversational turns and word count significantly impact 24-month language evaluation performance for both typical children and those with autism. The study emphasizes the importance of parental persistence in talking to infants from an early age.
A Dartmouth-led research team has identified a non-verbal neural marker of autism, which shows individuals with autism are slower to dampen neural activity in response to visual signals. The findings offer an objective way to potentially diagnose autism and were found to be independent of intelligence.
A new study from the University of Cambridge has identified a link between high levels of estrogen in the womb and an increased risk of developing autism. The research found that prenatal estrogen levels were significantly higher in male fetuses who later developed autism compared to those who did not.
Researchers have developed an AI algorithm that can detect abnormal pupil dilation and heart rate patterns in mice with autism-like features. In a study, the algorithm accurately identified 80% of girls with Rett syndrome and showed promise for early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
A new study found that children with Autism are more likely to be bullied by siblings and peers, leading to no respite from victimization. The researchers also discovered that children with Autism are more likely to engage in both victimizing and perpetrator roles in sibling bullying.
A survey of 93 people with 3q29 deletion syndrome reveals a distinct pattern of social disability and anxiety, even without an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. The study indicates a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder at a similar level to schizophrenia, particularly for females.
A study of 177 people found that 14% had a diagnosis of autism and 28% reached the cut off point, highlighting a high number of potentially undiagnosed individuals. The research suggests adapting consultation processes in gender identity clinics to screen for autism spectrum disorders.
A new study from Penn State College of Medicine suggests that atypical eating behaviors may be a sign a child should be screened for autism. Researchers found that 70% of children with autism exhibit unusual eating habits, including limited food preferences and hypersensitivity to textures or temperatures.
Researchers found a correlation between gastrointestinal symptoms and problematic behaviors in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea were associated with different behaviors like anxiety and aggression.
Researchers discovered that rare recessive mutations are more common in autism than previously thought, explaining up to 5% of all cases. The study identified 41 genes that were knocked out only in individuals with autism, providing a likely explanation for the underlying biology of the disorder.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a classification system for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on co-occurring conditions, revealing three subgroups within the cohort. The study found that certain conditions like gastrointestinal and immune disorders often co-occurred in children with autism.
A recent study has confirmed a link between gut problems and autism, revealing that the same gene mutations in the brain can also affect the gut nervous system. The discovery suggests that gastrointestinal issues may stem from the same mutations responsible for brain and behavioral issues in autism.
Dr. Helen Genova of Kessler Foundation has received a $357,000 grant from the New Jersey Governor's Council to develop a virtual reality job training tool for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. The study aims to improve interview skills and increase confidence among teens with autism.
A multicenter research team will scan the brains of 250 infants in North America using MRI scans while they are sleeping, from 6 and 12 months old, to analyze brain structure and function. The goal is to identify differences in the brain that accurately predict which children are most likely to develop autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers are using novel experimental approaches to understand autism spectrum disorder, including studying networks of interacting genes and protein regulation. These studies aim to identify common molecular mechanisms underlying the disorder, which could lead to new treatments.
A two-year project aims to explore the link between the human microbiome and autism spectrum disorder, a developmental disorder affecting communication and behavior. The study, funded by a $1.94 million grant, will analyze key metabolites produced by microbes in patients with central nervous system disorders.
A new study using single-cell analysis of brain cells from autism patients found that specific genetic changes in neural cells and brain circuits correlate with the clinical severity of autism. The research identified autism-specific genes that could represent high-priority targets for new therapeutic treatments.