Research on autism and neurodevelopment. Covers screening and diagnosis gaps, rising diagnoses among girls, prenatal risks, and genomics.
A study published in Neural Computation found that the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) test has flaws, including non-normal scores and clinician influence on diagnoses. The researchers propose combining clinical observations with wearable technology to make data collection less invasive and improve diagnosis reliability
Researchers find that bumetanide reduces symptoms of autism by decreasing GABA to glutamate ratio, improving brain function and social communication. The treatment has been shown to be safe and effective in reducing symptoms in children as young as three years old.
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 KU Leuven study found that oxytocin significantly reduced repetitive behavior and improved attachment in men with autism. The treatment showed long-term effects up to a year after administration.
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.
A Texas policy reducing anti-psychotic medications for foster children showed a 5-8% decrease in non-FDA indicated prescriptions while preserving medication use for those with approved indications.
A new study suggests that an adapted form of low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy can be effective in helping autistic adults with co-occurring depression. The intervention, called Guided Self-Help, aims to reduce depression by encouraging individuals to schedule activities that boost positive mood and become more aware of trigg...
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School and NNI discovered that misregulated potassium ion channel activity causes seizures in AS patients. Suppressing this activity could potentially resolve seizures, benefiting people with autism as well.
A new study reveals that autistic mothers experience higher rates of post-natal depression, with 60% reporting difficulties in coping with domestic responsibilities and creating social opportunities. Despite challenges, many reported prioritizing their child's needs and seeking help when needed.
A Rutgers study found nearly 25% of autistic children under age 8 were not diagnosed, highlighting disparities in diagnosis rates for black and Hispanic youth. Researchers suggest screening all toddlers and using patient navigators can help reduce these gaps in care.
A pilot study from the University of Central Florida found that judo lessons increased moderate to vigorous physical activity among children with autism, reducing sedentary time. Participants also showed improved social interaction skills and comfort with physical contact.
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.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that children with autism have trouble entering deep sleep and exhibit shallow brain waves, leading to severe sleep disturbances. The study suggests that increasing daytime physical activity, behavioral therapies, and pharmacological alternatives may help generate deeper sleep.
A recent NIH-funded study analyzing data from 366 identical twin pairs found significant variability in autism symptom severity among those with ASD. The researchers estimated that only 9% of the cause of trait variation was attributed to genetic factors.
A team of scientists has developed a way to quantify disease-causing mutations found only in the sperm of fathers, providing a more accurate assessment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk in future children. The method uses deep whole genome sequencing and reveals that up to 15% of fathers' sperm cells contain such mutations.
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...
A new study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers identified over 100 genetic variants that increase the risk for more than one psychiatric disorder. The study found that many distinct psychiatric diseases share a common genetic structure, with genes producing multiple effects in the body.
A new study found a significant shortage of therapists to treat children with autism, with substantial variation across states and regions. The study suggests that higher public education spending and median household income are associated with more certified Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) providers per capita.
Researchers have discovered a common genetic link between autism and Tourette's Syndrome, which impairs brain communication. Ketamine or related drugs may be a useful treatment for both conditions.
Marci B. Jerome, Severe Disabilities Program Coordinator at George Mason University, has received a $454,955 grant to help teachers prepare for supporting students with severe disabilities and autism through the Virginia Consortium for Teacher Preparation in Special Education Adapted Curriculum.
A mutated gene, USP9X, regulates a network of genes underlying Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Focusing on this network may lead to therapy developments for neurological disorders.
Northwestern University scientists discovered genetic mutations in the Usp9x gene lead to reduced synapses and increased anxiety in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. This research provides a crucial understanding of the biological basis of intellectual disabilities and mental illness, potentially leading to new treatment options.
A new study found that genetic testing in infant siblings of children with autism can predict future diagnoses, allowing for earlier interventions. The study identified copy number variations linked to ASD in 7% of the tested siblings.
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.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered a significant overlap between genetic mutations causing autism and those related to Alzheimer's disease. The study found thousands of mutations in the aging brains of Alzheimer's patients, including those affecting the protein ADNP.
Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have identified a critical role for the Cullin 3 gene in brain development, contributing to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms underlying these complex conditions, potentially paving the way for new treatments.
A team of researchers, led by Gholson Lyon, MD, PhD, has published a study on TAF1 syndrome, identifying brain morphological abnormalities, seizures, hearing loss, and heart malformations. The findings broaden the phenotypic spectrum of TAF1/MRXS33 intellectual disability syndrome.
A study of people with prosopagnosia after stroke reveals that face blindness involves an entire network, rather than a single area, potentially opening the door for improving face recognition. The findings also suggest that face processing deficits in autism may be causal or result from the condition.
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 study by Kristina Scott found that a structured group work protocol increased social interactions among four children with ASD, aged 10-11, who had been excluded from peer groups. The protocol helped them maintain meaningful conversations with peers, although three of the subjects returned to baseline after the experiment.
Researchers found that early exposure to sounds can restore molecular, cellular, and functional properties in the auditory cortex of mice with Fragile X Syndrome. This discovery suggests that facilitating exposure to sounds during early development could be a novel approach to treat hypersensitivity associated with FXS.
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University reveals that many over-50s diagnosed with autism late in life had grown up believing they were 'bad people', citing lack of support as a major issue. The research suggests receiving a diagnosis can be a positive eureka moment, bringing relief and understanding.
A pilot study found that cognitive behavioral therapy significantly improved sleep quality and behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as reduced parent fatigue. After eight sessions of therapy, 85% of the children no longer experienced insomnia, and their parents reported better sleep and reduced fatigue.
A new study by Anne Hamby and colleagues found that people are more willing to update their memories if something bad has happened to a character, such as a death or serious illness. The researchers discovered that explaining alternative causes of events can help change beliefs and promote tolerance.
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 study of nearly 1,000 mother-child pairs found an association between fetal exposure to acetaminophen and increased risk of childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The research used umbilical cord blood samples to investigate potential developmental effects.
A recent NIH-funded study suggests that exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy may increase the risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. The study found that higher levels of acetaminophen exposure were associated with a significantly increased risk of both conditions.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that parents can effectively teach daily living skills to teens with autism using iPads. The study showed that video prompting interventions led to significant improvements in skill deficits, even when parents used varying methods of consequence strategies.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University found that children with autism exhibit variable and idiosyncratic gaze patterns when watching social interaction movies. This new method has high sensitivity and specificity for detecting ASD cases, making it a promising tool for early detection and assessing treatment responses.
A new study by the University of Cambridge found that people with a higher genetic likelihood of autism are more likely to experience childhood maltreatment, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. The study suggests that individuals with a high number of autistic traits may be vulnerable to adverse outcomes without adequate support.
Researchers developed a computer model inspired by biological brain mechanisms to predict and recognize new information, enabling robots to mimic behaviors. The model may help reveal the cognitive underpinnings of Autism Spectrum Disorder, where individuals tend to minimize error and prefer repetitive social interactions.
Researchers have identified two brain circuits that help tune out distracting sensory information and found a way to reverse noise hypersensitivity in mice by boosting the activity of those circuits. Targeting both circuits is more effective than treating either one alone, suggesting a new approach to treating neurological disorders.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a comprehensive system to classify arrogance across three levels: individual, comparative, and antagonistic. This framework provides an analytical perspective on arrogance, which could inform psychological research and applications in various relationships.
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 randomized clinical trial in Australia compared the effectiveness of SSRIs like fluoxetine with placebos for reducing obsessive-compulsive behaviors in children and adolescents with ASD. The study found lower scores for fluoxetine, but interpretation is limited by high dropout rates and baseline differences between groups.
Recent advances using lab-grown brain organoids have improved understanding of human brain development and diseases. However, questions remain about how well these brain models mirror the complexity of the cortex. Studies show that organoids can reproduce a rich diversity of cell types found in the cerebral cortex, but fail to capture ...
The study explores how behaviors like empathy and team flow are represented in the brain, shedding light on conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and social anxiety. Brain imaging reveals specific neural circuits involved in social behaviors, providing potential new avenues for researching these complex processes.
Studies of autism spectrum disorder have identified new features of the condition in the brain, including the role of placental hormones and gene editing technologies. These findings may contribute to the development of therapeutic treatments for individuals with ASD.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have developed a new therapeutic approach to treat symptoms associated with PTEN deficiency, which is linked to autism and other neurological disorders. The treatment targets the mTORC2 complex and has shown promising results in reversing behavioral abnormalities and reducing seizures in mice.
A study in experimental models found that allopregnanolone, a hormone produced by the placenta, is essential for normal fetal brain development. Insufficient production of this hormone can lead to autism-like behaviors and cerebellar abnormalities.
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.
A new method called PedBE clock estimates age in children under 20 using DNA methylation patterns from cheek cells. This technique is linked to gestational age and autism spectrum disorder, suggesting its potential for studying child development through epigenetics.
A study by MU researcher Bradley Ferguson found that 60% of the time before an individual showed behavioral issues, there was a rise in electrodermal activity - indicating physiological stress response. This allows parents and caregivers to intervene and de-escalate situations, ensuring health and safety.
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 study of postmortem brain tissue found increased expression of IL-18 and IL-37 in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), suggesting these cytokines may inhibit microglia-driven inflammation and represent a potential therapeutic candidate for ASD.
Research shows that neurons outside the brain play a crucial role in autism spectrum disorders, particularly in touch perception and social behavior. Peripheral somatosensory neurons are key players in this process, suggesting a potential new approach to treating ASD-related symptoms.
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 WVU researcher recorded single neurons in epilepsy patients to study the pre-supplementary motor area's role in visual search tasks. The study found that 40% of neurons signaled target detection, regardless of task format or cue.
A recent study published in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders found that full-body interaction videogames can foster more social initiation and improve social skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), particularly when played alone or in pairs.
Researchers found the widely used M-CHAT/F screening tool is less accurate in real-world settings than shown in previous studies. The study also revealed disparities in detecting early autism symptoms in minority, urban, and low-income children. Despite these findings, experts recommend continuing universal screening for all toddlers.