Research on autism and neurodevelopment. Covers screening and diagnosis gaps, rising diagnoses among girls, prenatal risks, and genomics.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience clarifies the connection between autism and the microbiome, identifying autism-specific metabolic pathways associated with particular human gut microbes. The analysis, which harmonized dozens of previously published datasets, reveals a common microbial signature distinguishing autistic fr...
A new study by University College London researchers estimates that between 150,000 and 500,000 adults aged 20-49 and 250,000 to 600,000 adults over 50 may be undiagnosed with autism. This brings the total autistic population in England to over 1.2 million, approaching double the government's cited figure.
A recent study published in the journal Autism found that the relationship between the age at which someone gets diagnosed with autism and their quality of life is not strongly linked. Instead, factors such as household income, sex, ethnicity, and mental health conditions played a more significant role in determining overall quality of...
A study found that autistic individuals who experience Medicaid coverage disruptions are more likely to receive an intellectual disability diagnosis later. This could be due to the fact that autism diagnoses alone may not be sufficient for retaining Medicaid coverage in states without specific criteria.
A large-scale registry study found that older autistic adults have a significantly higher risk of injury, especially self-inflicted, and physical conditions such as type 2 diabetes and anaemia. Autistic individuals had a seven-fold risk of self-harm compared to non-autistic people.
A randomized crossover trial found sensory-adapted dental environments safe and effective for decreasing distress in autistic children. The intervention enhances oral care, potentially benefiting populations beyond autism.
A new study by USC researchers shows that sensory adapted dental clinics significantly reduce autistic children's distress during teeth cleanings. The adapted environment features visual, auditory, and tactile adaptations, which lead to a decrease in behavioral and physiological stress.
A new training program for primary care pediatricians significantly reduces wait times for autism screening, making it more accessible to children. The developmentally trained clinicians assess patients in a streamlined referral process, resulting in a decrease in average days to initial developmental assessment.
A deep learning system accurately classifies autism spectrum disorder and predicts symptom severity based on behavioral responses to social cues. The method offers a digital measurement of joint attention, but further validation is needed.
Scientists have found that siblings with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) share more of their father's genome than initially thought. In many cases, it is the father who may play a bigger genetic role in ASD. This discovery offers new potential sources for understanding and treating the disorder.
Researchers discovered that marsupial brains exhibit region-specific patterns of cortical activity during early development. This finding provides valuable information about human brain development and may inform strategies for improving cognitive function in humans.
A new study by UC Davis MIND Institute researchers and others finds that the M-CHAT-R/F screening tool is effective in identifying children with autistic traits, but it also flags many children incorrectly. The study highlights the need for clinical judgment and clear communication with parents about the limitations of the tool.
A new approach has been identified that stimulates cells' DNA repair mechanisms to combat fragile X syndrome. By inducing R-loops and triggering repair mechanisms, the expanded CGG repeat is excised, enabling cells to re-express the crucial FMR1 gene.
A new study by Emory University neuroscientists reveals that oxytocin plays a key role in male zebra finches' learning to sing by imitating their elders. The hormone influences young birds' preference for certain 'voice coaches', shedding light on the neural underpinnings of social vocal learning.
Researchers have demonstrated a clinically relevant oxytocin deficiency in patients with vasopressin deficiency, which could lead to new therapeutic approaches for conditions like autism.
Researchers create a human-brain-like environment to study microglia development and function for the first time in living human-derived tissue. The findings suggest that brain environment influences microglia development and function, particularly in diseases such as autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease.
The gene LRRC4 regulates synapse formation, stability and excitatory transmission, playing a crucial role in learning, memory formation and storage. It also has key implications in neuronal disorders and aggressive brain and spinal cord cancer.
Researchers found that Foxp2 mutations disrupt the formation of dendrites and neuronal synapses in brain regions involved in speech production. Mice with these mutations showed impairments in producing high-frequency sounds necessary for communication.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found a link between chemical marks on fathers' sperm and autistic traits in their 3-year-old children. The study identified 94 regions of differential DNA methylation associated with high scores on a social responsiveness scale, indicating potential markers for autism risk.
A recent study found that American children are experiencing higher rates of autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, with special education services increasing by 10.4%. Poor nutrition and heavy metal exposure, particularly in ultra-processed foods, are thought to be primary epigenetic factors contributing to the developme...
A new study found that gestational weight gain z scores, standardized by pre-pregnancy BMI, are associated with susceptibility to autism-related traits in children. Pregnant individuals and clinicians can benefit from healthy weight gain guidelines during pregnancy.
Researchers found that autistic children exhibit higher levels of verbal aggression and disruptive behavioral intensity across three critical developmental periods. Autistic children also show more physical aggression in early childhood, but this gap closes as they age.
A UToledo-led study found early exposure to pyrethroids may increase the risk of autism and developmental disorders in mice. The researchers discovered behavioral changes, including hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors, which are similar to symptoms seen in human patients with neurodevelopmental disorders.
A new study finds that children with more autistic traits exhibit shame-like avoidance after transgressions, rather than less guilt and embarrassment, contradicting previous assumptions. This association is not fully explained by lower Theory of Mind abilities.
A study published in BMJ Open suggests that young children with common ENT issues may be at increased risk of autism or high levels of autistic traits. Early detection and treatment of these conditions could improve their quality of life and potentially shed light on the origins of autism.
Researchers found that starting early intervention coaching at 18 months old led to greater gains in language, social communication, and daily living skills compared to waiting until 27 months. The study provided high-quality evidence for earlier intervention and highlights the importance of screening for autism at 18 months.
A new study has identified disrupted levels of molecular compounds in maternal blood and cord blood linked to later diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. The findings shed light on the biological processes that give rise to ASD and could open the door to early diagnosis and treatment.
A new training program has been shown to increase the accuracy of autism diagnoses in young children by primary care physicians, reducing wait times for specialist care. The ECHO Autism STAT model leverages video-conferencing technology and case-based learning to build capacity among community clinicians.
A new study from Weill Cornell Medicine has identified four clinically distinct groups of people with autism spectrum disorder, each with unique brain connection patterns and behavioral traits. The findings highlight the potential for personalized therapies tailored to individual subgroups, which may lead to more effective treatments.
Researchers found a therapy for babies with early autism signs can reduce long-term disability and associated costs, saving $10,695 per child by age 13. Early intervention may also alleviate strain on health, education, and family systems.
A UC Riverside study identifies how a Fragile X gene mutation contributes to premature ovarian failure, leading to early infertility. Researchers found that the mutation affects neurons regulating reproduction in the brain and ovaries, causing an increase in hormone production and faster secretion rates.
The April issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry features studies on mood disorders, psychotic disorders, autism, and stress-related disorders. A special issue of The American Journal of Psychotherapy honors the work of Otto F. Kernberg, M.D.
Researchers have linked higher lithium levels in drinking water to a moderately higher risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring. The study found that mothers living in urban areas had a slightly stronger association between lithium exposure and autism risk.
A new study reveals that autistic children have distinct brain activity when viewing complex visual motion patterns as early as 5 months old. This suggests that autistic individuals process visual motion differently from a young age, which may impact their development and learning.
Researchers developed a VR imaging system to measure neural activity in mouse brains during behavior, revealing abnormalities in cortical functional network dynamics associated with autism. The system successfully distinguished between autism model mice and wild-type mice based on their brain network patterns.
The CDC report found a continued rise in autism prevalence among 8-year-olds, with girls now surpassing 1% prevalence rate, while boys remain more likely to be diagnosed. The report also showed shifts in racial and ethnic backgrounds of children identified with ASD, with non-white populations having greater diagnostic access.
The latest CDC report highlights changing demographics of autism and its impact on early detection. In California, 2.8% of 8-year-old children have been identified with ASD, while the median age of first diagnosis is just over 4 years.
Young children with autism spectrum disorder are less likely to undergo vision screening than their peers, despite a high risk of developing serious eye disorders. A recent study found that only 36.5% of children with ASD had completed vision screenings at well visits, compared to 59.5% for children without ASD.
Researchers found that autistic adolescents in states without Medicaid waivers had a higher risk of disenrollment, especially after age 22. In contrast, those living in waiver-enabled states remained more likely to stay enrolled.
A meta-analysis of 34 studies found a significant association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and increased risks of developing diabetes, dyslipidemia, and heart disease. Children with ASD were more likely to develop these metabolic complications, prompting clinicians to monitor them closely.
Research at Kobe University reveals that endogenous retrovirus activation increases a fetus's susceptibility to autism, leading to differences in brain structure and behavior. The study identifies BTBR/R mice as a more accurate model of autism, exhibiting autistic-like behaviors without reduced learning ability.
A study published in the European Journal of Pediatrics found that infants at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulty perceiving audio-visual synchrony, a skill typically developed by typically developing children. This finding suggests that an audio-visual test could be used to diagnose ASD earlier than current methods.
A new UC Davis study has identified 194 significantly different genes in the brains of people with autism, with many linked to brain connectivity, immune response, and inflammation. The research also found age-dependent differences in genes related to synaptic function and cell loss.
Children with autism may not process visual illusions in the same way as their peers, indicating a potential issue with predicting and filling in missing visual information. This finding has implications for understanding and supporting individuals on the autism spectrum.
Researchers identify duplicated gene as cause of social deficits and seizures in autism type, finding that reducing PRRT2 levels can restore normal brain activity and behavior. This discovery could lead to novel therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders with brain over-activation.
A new study published by researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin found a significant link between early childhood trauma experienced by mothers and various health problems in their children. The research analyzed data from over 4,300 American mothers and their children, revealing that children of mothers with adverse experi...
Recent findings in spina bifida (SB) care highlight comorbidities such as autism and scoliosis, as well as the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare use. Telecommunication platforms like Zoom have evolved into clinical tools for SB care.
The A.J. Drexel Autism Institute found that the M-CHAT(-R/F) autism screener performs well when used as intended, with high sensitivity and specificity rates. The study analyzed 50 studies published between 2001 and 2020 and found variability in performance depending on factors such as sample size and confirmation strategies.
Researchers discovered that sensory signals are underrepresented in cortical pyramidal neurons of people with Fragile X syndrome (FXS), a common cause of autism. This finding could lead to new therapeutic strategies and improved perception of sensory signals.
Researchers found pronounced delays in brainstem responses to sounds among newborns later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This delay may be linked to limited access to sound frequencies and difficulties integrating sensory streams, ultimately affecting social interactions and communication.
A new drug has shown promising results in reversing autism-associated behaviors in mice by blocking sodium channels. The study, conducted at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), found that a specific drug was able to alleviate functional and behavioral abnormalities in mice with MYT1L-deficient nerve cells.
Researchers from New York Institute of Technology have made significant findings on how the sense of smell is impacted in individuals with autism. The study analyzed a mouse model of autism and found that scent processing was impaired at a later step, after signals were processed at the olfactory bulb input.
Adolescents who feel a stronger sense of purpose tend to be happier and more satisfied with their lives, according to a recent study. The research also found that daily fluctuations in feelings of purposefulness have a significant impact on teens' emotional well-being.
Researchers developed an eye-tracking test that accurately identifies toddlers with ASD based on their level of attention to motherese. Toddlers with low attention to motherese showed weaker social and language abilities.
Researchers developed an automated autism screening test using EHR data from children under 1, achieving clinically meaningful accuracy by 30 days. The model improved over time, suggesting potential benefits when integrated with caregiver surveys for early autism screening.
A recent twin study found that serious eating disorder ARFID is highly influenced by genetic factors, with a significant 79% genetic component. Researchers estimate that between 1-5% of the population is affected by ARFID.
Autism research focuses on understanding heterogeneity between individuals, with Prof Michael Lombardo's project testing stratification by functional skills. The goal is to isolate specific biological markers and treatment responses.
A long-term study by UC Davis MIND Institute researchers identified three distinct paths of intellectual development in autistic children: persistent intellectual disability, an increase in IQ, or average IQ. The study used IQ trajectories to track changes in communication and behavioral development over time.
A new research project aims to promote dual-language development for children with autism in bilingual families. The study will examine the type of bilingual environment and factors related to their ability to speak or understand both languages.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 34 studies found individuals with autism have a higher associated risk of developing diabetes, dyslipidemia, and heart disease. Clinicians should monitor individuals with autism for early signs of cardiometabolic disease and its complications.