Articles tagged with Autism
A multidisciplinary team at the University of Pittsburgh is developing a novel intervention combining electroencephalography-guided brain-computer interface technology with virtual reality to enhance emotion regulation in individuals with autism. The approach involves creating social interaction scenarios and providing real-time feedba...
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.
Research finds a modest association between prenatal and infant pesticide exposure and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study supports efforts to prevent exposure during pregnancy to protect brain development.
Research finds no difference in children's ability to recognize familiar faces' emotions, a key social cue. High-functioning children with ASD are 'in-tune' with their mothers' feelings and emotions, rivaling those without ASD.
A study published in PNAS shows that an enzyme inhibitor reduces inflammation in the brains of mice born to mothers with maternal immune activation, reversing cognitive and social interaction deficiencies. The findings suggest a potential new treatment approach for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
A new study by Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that 38% of children diagnosed with ASD no longer meet diagnostic criteria, but many continue to struggle with language and learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral problems. Only 3% recovered from ASD with no other issues.
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.
The revised guidelines address pharmacogenetics, diagnosis of mental disorders with new molecular genetic technologies, and ethical challenges of genetic testing in psychiatric patients. Key findings include a lack of consensus on CNV testing in adults with mental illness and the need for more research to identify relevant genes.
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.
A study of 241 high-risk families found that mothers who took prenatal vitamins during the first month of pregnancy had a lower ASD recurrence rate compared to those who didn't. The proportion of children with ASD was 14.1% among vitamin-takers versus 32.7% among non-users.
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.
Researchers challenge decades-old research on emotional intelligence, finding that context is crucial for reading emotions. Study participants accurately identified characters' emotions from background and interactions, not just facial expressions.
A new pilot study found that autistic adults showed real-life improvement after a virtual reality treatment combining graded exposure to fear and anxiety-producing experiences. The approach, which included cognitive behavioral therapy, aimed to minimize anxiety and promote functional improvement in individuals with autism.
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.
A recent study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that children with autism spectrum disorder are at a higher risk of being reported to the Child Abuse Hotline. The study revealed that over 17% of children with ASD had been reported for maltreatment, compared to 7.4% of children without ASD.
Researchers discuss the potential of brain-computer interfaces to aid and restore communication for people with severe speech and physical impairments. The talk highlights the importance of choosing the right technology that maximizes reliability and minimizes fatigue and frustration.
A recent study has clarified the mechanism behind a rare brain disorder called MICPCH syndrome, which affects few individuals worldwide. The research highlights the importance of the protein CASK in maintaining balance between excitation and inhibition in the brain.
A virtual reality therapy called Blue Room has shown lasting effects on anxiety caused by autism phobias in both children and adults. The treatment, developed by Newcastle University, has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms in 40% of treated children at two weeks and 45% at six months.
Researchers at Cardiff University discovered a genetic mutation in the CYFIP1 gene linked to autism-related motor issues. Early intervention with movement therapies shows promise in reversing these difficulties.
A recent study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison reveals that mitochondrial dysfunction caused by a single mutation may be responsible for fragile X syndrome, autism, and other neural disorders. Researchers successfully reversed behavioral deficits in mice using a chemical treatment that restored mitochondria fusion.
Researchers discovered a precise pathway causing neurodevelopmental disorders, including rare condition Kaufman oculocerebrofacial syndrome. Genetic sequencing revealed the buildup of protein BCKDK in the brain, leading to intellectual disability and speech loss.
A mutant gene encoding a human brain protein linked to autism has been introduced into the brains of fruit flies, producing abnormal behaviors reminiscent of autism impairments. The study found hyperactivity, repetitive behavior, and impaired social interaction in the fruit flies.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have successfully applied their big data-based approach to evaluating possible treatments for autism. The findings have the potential to accelerate the development of successful medical interventions by analyzing correlations between metabolite concentrations and adaptive behavior.
Researchers developed a blood test to diagnose autism and applied a big data-based approach to evaluate potential treatments. They used machine-learning algorithms to analyze complex data sets, revealing correlations between metabolite concentrations and changes in behavior.
A Swedish study involving over 500,000 siblings found that lower birth weight was associated with a small but significant increased risk for several psychiatric disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression. After controlling for family-related factors, the study fo...
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 created an interactive audio map of nonverbal vocal communication, revealing 24 kinds of emotion conveyed through 'vocal bursts'. The study suggests humans are attuned to subtle differences in nonverbal signals, allowing for nuanced understanding of emotional states.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that cannabis treatment showed significant improvement in symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in over 80% of patients. The treatment was well-tolerated and improved quality of life, mood, and ability to perform daily activities.
Researchers have pinpointed a type of cell that helps the brain navigate and remember important locations, providing insight into psychiatric disorders. The discovery focuses on VIP-expressing cells in the hippocampus, which play a key role in directing flexibility in brain activity.
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 Children's Hospital Los Angeles found a correlation between increased blood flow and social deficits in ASD, suggesting a compensatory mechanism. They also discovered lower levels of healthy neurons were linked to higher brain activity.
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.
Researchers have created a novel mouse model that demonstrates how epigenetic changes can negatively impact a key gene involved in neurodevelopment and behavior. The study provides direct causal evidence linking this gene to autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-like behavior.
Researchers developed a new test to examine theory of mind in people with autism. The study found that individuals with autism struggle with tracking Sally's beliefs about the environment and making logical conclusions about her behavior. This understanding can help develop treatments for autism in the future.
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.
Researchers found that inhibition decreases in autistic mice brains but does not affect spiking rates, instead stabilizing brain activity through compensation. This finding challenges the 'inhibition' theory of autism and suggests other mechanisms may contribute to disease symptoms.
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.
Scientists at Tufts University have discovered a new molecular mechanism that controls brain plasticity, which they can target to restore it in aged brains. By focusing on specific nerve cell connections, researchers may develop treatments with reduced side effects for conditions like autism and stroke.
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 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.
Research suggests that auditory dysfunction can be a clue to monitor children for autism, and early detection can lead to optimized interventions. Hearing issues identified at birth may benefit both children with autism and those without, improving their quality of life.
Researchers evaluated a video game-based treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and co-occurring attention/deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study found that children engaged well with the treatment, showed improved attention, and reported high satisfaction rates.
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.
Researchers from Brigham Young University successfully conducted structural and functional MRI scans of 37 children and adolescents with autism, including those with low verbal and cognitive performance, without sedation. The study found that the brains of individuals with autism exhibited decreased activity between hemispheres and hig...
A new study by Nicolas Davidenko and colleagues reveals that a small tilt of the head can reduce the left-gaze bias and increase the upper-eye bias when viewing faces, making people more approachable. This finding has potential implications for individuals with autism and amblyopia.
A new study found that noncoding mutations in promoter regions contribute to autism risk. The researchers analyzed data from 1,902 families and identified de novo mutations in genes involved in neuronal differentiation and developmental delay.
A comprehensive genomic analysis of the human brain has revealed new insights into its development, variability, and links to neuropsychiatric illnesses. Researchers found that genetic risk variants can influence brain function early in life and manifest themselves later in distinct groupings.
Researchers from Mount Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine published four scientific papers highlighting their work on brain genomics and psychiatric diseases. They analyzed over 2,000 brains to identify non-coding functional genomic elements associated with schizophrenia risk, autism spectrum disorder, and bipolar disorder.
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.
Later-born siblings of children with ASD or ADHD are at higher risk for developing the same conditions. The study found that families with a child diagnosed with ASD have a 30 times higher chance of their younger sibling being diagnosed with ASD, while those with a child diagnosed with ADHD have a 13 times higher chance.
Later-born siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at higher risk of developing the same disorder. The study analyzed data from over 15,000 siblings and found that those born after an older child with ASD or ADHD were more likely to be diagnosed with either condition.
Researchers found associations between infections and higher risk of treated mental disorders in children and adolescents. Infections requiring hospitalization or treatment with antibiotics were linked to increased risks of subsequent mental disorder hospitalizations and psychotropic medication use.
According to a national survey, 2.8% of US children have ever been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), while 2.5% currently have the condition. Despite treatment, 30% of children with ASD remain untreated.
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 new study from Stanford University School of Medicine has developed a method to diagnose autism in children using short home videos, expanding on previous feasibility studies. The researchers employed machine learning to determine relevant behavioral features and devised an algorithm to provide an overall diagnostic score.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found a large-scale association between molecular gene expression activity and neural responses to speech in toddlers with autism. The researchers identified widespread gene expression activity across the genome, which was linked to whole-brain neural response to speech.
A 15-year study of thousands of children reveals that core language skills are stable from infancy to adolescence, with early intervention recommended for lagging development. Individual differences in language competency persist over time, emphasizing the importance of timely interventions.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that mice with a SETD5 mutation have brains less flexible, leading to difficulties in forming new memories and adapting to situations. The researchers also discovered that the gene cooperates with other proteins to regulate gene expression during learning and memory formation.