A recent study published in eLife has identified the gene SHANK3 as a key player in sleep problems associated with autism spectrum disorder. The research found that individuals with autism have trouble falling asleep due to difficulty regulating their body's circadian clock, which regulates the 24-hour day and night cycle.
A new study from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that autistic girls use more cognitive process words than boys, despite similar levels of autism severity. This suggests the need for sex-informed screening and diagnostic methods to identify girls with autism at an earlier age.
A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a significant increase in autism prevalence in New Jersey, with the rate rising 43 percent from 2010 to 2014. The state's autism rate is now one in 35 among 4-year-olds, significantly higher than the national average of 1.7 percent.
A new study found that Microbiota Transfer Therapy (MTT) led to significant improvements in autism symptoms and gut health, persisting even two years post-treatment. Parents reported slow but steady reductions in ASD symptoms over time.
A study by Anglia Ruskin University found that people with autism lack the 'full body illusion', a test simulating an out-of-body experience. This is linked to a smaller peripersonal space, defining the boundaries of self, which may explain social difficulties and impaired empathy.
A joint Chinese-UK study has revealed that around one in a hundred people in China have an autism spectrum condition, similar to the Western world. The research used a validated screening method and included mainstream school children, confirming under-diagnosis of autism in China.
Researchers at UNH identified 204 proteins more highly regulated in females than males, with 31% associated with autism. The study suggests that female brains may have a protective mechanism preventing autism development.
Scientists discovered consistent brain activity patterns in people with autism that could be used to track treatment progress. The findings suggest that altering these patterns may help improve symptoms, but further studies are needed for confirmation.
A nationwide cohort study of Danish children found no link between MMR vaccination and autism. The study included 657,461 children and analyzed their risk for autism after vaccination. No increased risk was observed in susceptible subgroups or during specified time periods.
Researchers have identified five common genetic variants that increase the risk of autism, providing a new insight into the biological processes involved. The study also found genetic differences between clinical subgroups of autism and a significant overlap with other mental disorders.
New studies provide insight into the struggles of children on the autism spectrum with co-occurring ADHD symptoms, highlighting difficulties with adaptive behavior and brain connectivity. Researchers found a strong relationship between ADHD symptoms and adaptive behavior scores in both home and school settings.
A recent study by CU Anschutz researchers has implicated a complex unexamined gene family in autism severity, suggesting that this underexplored area of the human genome may hold key insights into the disorder and potentially lead to new clinical therapies.
Researchers have found a link between autism, serotonin levels and digestive issues in zebrafish. By replicating a mutation in the SHANK3 gene, they discovered a drastic reduction in serotonin-producing cells, which may lead to treatments for gastrointestinal symptoms.
Researchers found reduced RNA editing in the brain's frontal cortex, temporal cortex and cerebellum of individuals with autism. The study identifies two proteins, FMRP and FXR1P, that regulate abnormal RNA editing in autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers at UAB identified overconnectivity in unimodal-subcortical connections and underconnectivity in supramodal-subcortical connections in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. This finding may help understand the expression of ASD and develop biomarkers for earlier diagnosis.
A recent study found that positive well-being is associated with a lower risk of depression in adults with autism. The research followed 36 newly employed adults with autism and discovered that interventions targeting mental health and well-being in the workplace may be necessary to improve outcomes.
A population-based study of 49 individuals with autism who died by suicide found a significant increase in cumulative incidence rates compared to non-autistic peers. The majority of suicides occurred among women with autism, which was higher than the general population.
A study suggests that a PAC1R mutation may be associated with more severe social problems and disrupted brain connectivity in individuals with autism. The research found high levels of PAC1R expression in key brain regions, particularly in male brains during fetal development and female brains during childhood.
Researchers found that adults with autism can quickly recognize regret and relief emotions in characters, even outperforming neurotypical individuals. The study used eye-tracking technology to monitor participants' responses to stories, revealing a previously overlooked strength in adults with ASD.
A comprehensive meta-analysis of adults with autism found significant impairments in four key domains: theory of mind, emotion perception and knowledge, processing speed, and verbal learning and memory. The study highlights the importance of a broader approach to treating autism in adults, including non-social cognitive domains.
Research on brain activity shows that sensory responses to visual patterns change between childhood and adulthood in people with autism, mirroring a genetic change associated with autism in fruit flies. The study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying sensory issues in autism, potentially leading to new treatments.
A recent study by the University of Helsinki found a connection between autism spectrum disorders and stem cell dysfunction. Gene mutations in certain genes were linked to abnormalities in neuronal network formation and function in individuals with autistic spectrum disorders.
A three-year study found that children with autism improved in various skills, including social interaction and vocal skills, when taught alongside typically developing peers. The results suggest that mainstream pre-schools can provide suitable environments for supporting children with autism.
Researchers discovered a mechanistic link between zinc levels in neurons and the development of autism spectrum disorders, highlighting zinc's role in shaping synaptic connections. Zinc deficiency may contribute to autism through impaired synaptic maturation and neuronal circuit formation.
A saliva-based RNA panel and algorithm can differentiate children with autism from non-autistic peers with 85% accuracy. This test could improve early diagnosis, enabling earlier intensive behavioral therapy to improve symptoms.
Researchers identified a link between MIR-137 and complex brain disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. Mice lacking MIR-137 displayed learning and memory deficits, repetitive behaviors, and impaired sociability, suggesting potential treatment targets.
Donnelly Centre researchers have identified a genetic network linked to autism, revealing a mechanism underlying alternative splicing events. The study reveals that microexons, small protein-coding gene segments, are disrupted in autism and could be targeted for therapeutic applications.
The University of Texas at San Antonio has received a grant to develop an innovative parent-assisted treatment program for infants as young as 6 months at risk for autism spectrum disorder. The project aims to identify biomarkers correlated with later autism diagnosis through electroencephalographic (EEG) technology.
A study in Japanese patients found that common genetic variations, including copy number variations (CNVs), underlie both autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. The researchers identified 12 CNV loci associated with these disorders and observed an overlap of pathogenic CNVs between the two conditions.
Researchers discovered that children without autism who participated in music classes with autistic peers displayed increased empathy and a decrease in antisocial emotions. Children with autism reported feeling less victimized after participating in music lessons, which could lead to improved social interactions and reduced bullying.
A novel saliva-based panel is being developed to aid clinicians in the early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder based on changes in oral microbial communities. The study found altered microbial gene expression patterns associated with energy processing and lysine degradation, indicating potential biomarkers for ASD.
A new study found an association between maternal pesticide levels and autism in children, with elevated DDE levels increasing the risk of autism by twofold. The study suggests a potential biomarker-based link between maternal exposure to insecticides and autism among offspring.
Researchers discovered CPEB4, a molecule regulating protein synthesis, is impaired in most autism cases. The study found defects in CPEB4 lead to dysregulation of hundreds of genes associated with autism.
A Finnish national birth cohort study linked DDT metabolite exposure to increased autism risk in offspring. Maternal blood analyzed for DDE and PCBs found higher odds of autism with intellectual disability among offspring exposed to elevated DDE levels, persisting after adjusting for confounding factors.
A new study shows that a University of Missouri program significantly reduces diagnostic wait times for young children at highest risk for autism. The ECHO Autism program provides hands-on training, virtual discussions and practice to help primary care providers diagnose autism in young children, saving families an average of 172.7 mil...
A large study of over 80,000 children found no increased risk of autism spectrum disorder after prenatal Tdap vaccination. The study's lead author says pregnant women can be reassured that receiving the vaccine is not associated with an increased risk of autism.
Researchers have identified altered brain waves and movement abnormalities in young children with autism spectrum disorder, which can be detected as early as infancy using non-invasive neuroimaging techniques. These findings may represent an objective approach to diagnosing autism in young children.
Researchers found that a mother's microbiome determines the risk of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in her offspring. By manipulating the microbiome through diet or probiotics, it may be possible to prevent autism-like disorders.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found structural and functional abnormalities in the brain's mesolimbic reward pathway in children with autism. The research supports the social motivation theory of autism, suggesting that social interaction is inherently less appealing to those with the disorder.
Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to reduce repetitive behavior in mice with fragile X syndrome, a common cause of autism spectrum disorder. The technique successfully edited the receptor responsible for excessive signaling between neurons, leading to reduced repetitive behaviors such as digging and leaping.
A new blood test for autism has been validated for its exceptional success, predicting autism spectrum disorder with 88% accuracy in a second trial. The test uses an algorithm to analyze metabolites in a blood sample, offering a potential solution to lower the age of diagnosis and improve treatment outcomes.
The €115 million AIMS-2-Trials grant aims to understand autism, develop personalized therapies, and improve quality of life for autistic individuals. It will create a European clinical trials network and partner with charities, governments, and industry to rapidly determine therapy effectiveness.
A study at the University of Missouri-Columbia has identified a link between neurotransmitter imbalance and brain connectivity in individuals with autism. The research found that those with low functional connectivity tended to have impaired listening comprehension and reduced balance of excitatory to inhibitory neurotransmitter levels.
A CAMH study analyzed over 1,000 brain scans to provide new insights into brain networks in people with autism. The personalized brain mapping approach showed that each person's brain has unique differences in network functioning despite sharing the same diagnosis.
Infants who develop autism react more strongly to sudden changes in light at 9-10 months old, according to a new study. The findings support the role of sensory processing in autism development and provide insights into early detection.
Research from the University of Kansas found that minority students with autism are widely underrepresented in special education, with dramatic disparities seen across states. The study showed that African-American and Hispanic students were underidentified at high rates, while Pacific Islander and Asian students were not identified at...
A new study links low vasopressin levels in cerebrospinal fluid to impaired social abilities in monkeys and children with autism, suggesting a potential biomarker for the condition. The researchers hope to further explore the hormone's role in autism diagnosis.
Researchers discovered that rhesus macaques and children with autism spectrum disorder have lower vasopressin levels, linked to reduced sociability. The study suggests vasopressin as a potential biomarker for social deficits in autism.
The US autism prevalence has increased by an average of 15 percent, reaching a national rate of 1.7 percent among childhood population, while New Jersey remains the state with the highest autism rate at 2.9 percent, according to a report by Rutgers researchers.
Researchers found that adults on the autism spectrum have increased use of primary care, mental health services, and laboratory services, but lower use of gynecology visits and cervical cancer screening. The study highlights the importance of considering autism throughout the lifespan and emphasizes the need for better access to afford...
A new study by Swansea University found that children with intellectual disability or autism are more likely to be given antipsychotic medication, leading to higher rates of depression, injury, and hospitalization. The research also highlights the potential long-term health implications of treating behavioral problems in this way.
Researchers at the Center for BrainHealth found that a clinician-driven virtual learning platform improves social competency and socio-emotional abilities in high-functioning adults on the autism spectrum. The study reveals increased activation in the brain's socio-cognition hub, leading to improved empathy and social interaction.
A new study by Kaiser Permanente researchers found that children with autism spectrum disorders and their younger siblings are less likely to receive full vaccinations. The study analyzed data from over 3,700 children with ASD and nearly 500,000 children without ASD, as well as their siblings born between 1995 and 2014.
A study found that simple praise statements increase physical activity in young adults with autism, regardless of delivery method. Praise delivered through technology shows promise for producing more exercise, as participants maintained their performances even without constant support.
A team of researchers at the University of Missouri has identified 286 genes associated with autism, including 193 new genes not found in previous studies. This breakthrough could lead to the development of screening tools and interventions for young children and improve diagnosis accuracy.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a new test that can detect damage to proteins in blood plasma, which may indicate autism spectrum disorders. The test has shown promise in distinguishing between children with ASD and healthy controls.
Researchers at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School developed a two-minute questionnaire to detect autism in toddlers. The Psychological Development Questionnaire (PDQ-1) correctly identified children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from all socioeconomic communities.
Researchers at Oregon State University discovered that exposure to valproic acid, a migraine treatment, causes characteristics similar to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in zebrafish. The study validated zebrafish as a model for studying ASD and its causes, providing a faster and more efficient alternative to traditional rodent models.
Researchers at Indiana University and Rutgers University found a correlation between subtle changes in movement and autism diagnoses, suggesting a potential biomarker for early detection. The study assessed volunteers' arm movements using high-speed sensors, revealing hidden fluctuations that corresponded to previous autism diagnoses.
A recent study has identified over 2,000 regulatory regions involved in learning that are strongly associated with autism. The research team found a genetic mutation linked to increased risk of developing autism in one of these regions, offering a promising new approach to diagnosis and treatment.