Research on autism and neurodevelopment. Covers screening and diagnosis gaps, rising diagnoses among girls, prenatal risks, and genomics.
UNC School of Medicine researchers found that faulty cell signaling in progenitor cells can derail cerebral cortex development, potentially leading to autism. The study suggests that disruptions in the Wnt protein pathway may play a crucial role in brain development and autism symptoms.
Researchers found eight mutations associated with autism in the TRIO gene, which can lead to weaker or stronger connections between brain cells. Weaker connections may hinder information storage and processing, while stronger connections cause trouble communicating between brain cells.
A prototype Google Glass app, Holli, recognizes conversational prompts and provides suitable responses, improving social skills for children with autism spectrum disorder. Children find it easy to use and enjoy interacting with the technology.
Two new studies from MIT and UMass Medical School shed light on the link between maternal infection during pregnancy and autism. Researchers found that bacterial populations in the mother's digestive tract can influence offspring behavior and discovered specific brain changes associated with autistic-like behaviors.
A new study from Columbia University Irving Medical Center identified a potential biomarker that predicts atypical development in 1- to 2-month-old infants at high familial risk for developing autism spectrum disorders. Infants at high risk have elevated 'noise' and increased randomness in their spontaneous head movements during sleep.
Research found that fictional autistic characters often display at least nine of the 12 diagnostic criteria, a level rarely seen in real life. In reality, most people with autism lack exceptional skills, contradicting common stereotypes.
Researchers found that mothers who took recommended amounts of folic acid around conception had a significantly lower risk of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) even when exposed to household or agricultural pesticides. Folic acid intake was associated with reduced autism risk, but did not eliminate it.
Researchers at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute are studying the benefits of early detection of autism through a $11.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. Early detection is critical for improving outcomes in social and cognitive functioning, as well as mitigating disabilities over a child's lifetime.
A study published in The BMJ found an association between antidepressant use during pregnancy and a higher risk of psychiatric disorder diagnosis in children. Researchers stress that this finding should be interpreted with caution, as the underlying maternal illness may contribute to the increased risk.
A new study out of Tohoku University found that contagious yawning is more likely associated with perceptual sensitivity than empathy. Researchers observed participants' reactions to photos and videos of people yawning, revealing a stronger link between detecting facial expressions and induced yawning.
Neuroscientists at the University of Nevada, Reno identified a genetic mechanism in fruit flies that disrupts brain pathways connecting the left and right hemispheres, separately linked to autism. The study suggests that the human gene PRRG4 may play a role in regulating nerve fiber guidance and synapse formation.
A new Harvard Medical School study suggests that brain regions key to facial recognition form only through experience and are absent in primates who don't encounter faces. This finding sheds light on neuro-developmental conditions such as autism and developmental prosopagnosia, where individuals struggle with recognizing familiar faces.
Researchers discovered postzygotic mosaic mutations, which occur after conception, contribute to autism risk in 3-4% of individuals. These 'silent' mutations alter genetic message stitching and may increase risk by 1-2% for genes essential for development.
Researchers discovered a single amino acid switch in the CX3CR1 receptor as a potential marker for predicting schizophrenia and autism. The variant affects microglia function and could lead to predictive diagnostics, offering new hope for asymptomatic patient screening.
Scientists identified network inefficiencies in six-month-old infants who later developed autism, with these abnormalities linked to severity of symptoms at 24 months. This study brings us closer to understanding the pathology of autism and developing effective interventions.
A recent study suggests that variations in mitochondrial DNA originating from ancient human migrations may play a key role in predisposition to autism spectrum disorders. Individuals with specific European haplogroups had significantly higher risks of ASD compared to others.
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences create SHANK3-deficient non-human primate model, showing significant reduction in postsynaptic proteins and mature neurons. The study highlights the critical role of SHANK3 in early brain development and its potential for advancing autism research.
A research team has identified two genes, NRXN1 and CNTN6, that are significantly modified in people with Tourette syndrome. These genes encode proteins involved in cell fusion in the nervous system and are linked to an increased risk of developing the condition.
A study found that high-quality early intervention for children with autism can lead to significant cost savings. After just two years, the costs associated with the Early Start Denver Model were fully offset due to reductions in other services. The model uses a developmental curriculum and teaching procedures delivered by therapy team...
A new study published in Radiology found structural abnormalities in the brains of individuals with one of the most common genetic causes of autism. The abnormalities corresponded to cognitive and behavioral impairments, highlighting a potential future role for imaging in identifying those who need urgent intervention.
A recent study published in JAMA found that improvisational music therapy did not improve symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder. The study, which lasted five months, showed small improvements and no significant difference between the groups.
Researchers found that defects in primary cilium structure impaired brain development, resembling those seen in autism and schizophrenia. Restoring signaling through primary cilia resolved wiring defects in the brain.
Researchers suggest that reversing excitation-inhibition imbalance could alleviate autism symptoms, particularly hyperactivity and social deficits. A mouse model study shows reducing excitatory to inhibitory signaling counters these issues.
A new study from York University reveals that parents who participate in cognitive therapy with their children with autism experience improvements in their own depression, emotion regulation, and mindful parenting. The research shows that co-therapy with parents alongside their child's therapist leads to positive outcomes for the family.
Researchers found that genes closely associated with autism in humans are regulated differently in unresponsive honey bees than their more responsive nest mates. The study reveals unique parallels between the behavior of these unresponsive bees and those with autism.
Adults with autism tend to overestimate environmental changeability, reducing prior expectations' influence on behavior. This may contribute to sensory overload and social difficulties.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a link between brain wave frequency and nonverbal IQ in children with autism. The study found that lower peak alpha frequency corresponds to lower non-verbal IQ, suggesting a potential biomarker for detecting autism severity.
A study found that pregnant women who took antidepressants were 45% more likely to have children diagnosed with autism, but the effect was limited. The research suggests that only a small proportion of cases would be prevented if antidepressant use was completely cut off during pregnancy.
A new study suggests that an eye test could be a useful tool in diagnosing Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by assessing the ability of individuals to adapt saccade amplitudes. This test may indicate deficits in the brain's emotional and social development areas, which are often impaired in individuals with ASD.
Researchers discovered that a specific neural signal in the brain regulates young animals' ability to learn behavioral patterns from adults, particularly in zebra finches. The findings suggest that disruptions in this protein complex may be involved in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder.
A large Swedish study found a link between antidepressant use in pregnancy and autism risk, with 4.1% of exposed children developing autism compared to 2.9% of unexposed children. However, the absolute risk was small, and researchers stress that these results should not be considered alarming.
A review of studies suggests infants with autism siblings have less advanced linguistic and motor skills, detectable from 12 months. Differences in language skills were larger than those in motor skills until they were 3 years old.
Researchers discovered a primitive blueprint of organization in primates' brains just days after birth, which gradually fills in with age and experience. The findings have implications for humans, including the potential explanation of aberrations seen in autism-spectrum disorders and the importance of correcting visual deficits at birth.
A new study has identified a tool to detect signs of autism in high-risk infants with TSC, a genetic disorder. The Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI) was found to be a useful clinical tool in determining which infants are at increased risk of developing ASD.
A recent study using three genetic sequencing technologies found that late-breaking mutations occurring after conception are linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These mutations, known as post-zygotic mutations, were discovered in a subset of cells and disproportionately affect the amygdala.
A large study of executive function and adaptive behavior in females with autism spectrum disorders reveals unique challenges in diagnosis and intervention. The study found that girls with ASD struggle more with independence skills despite having better social and communication skills.
Researchers propose a potential connection between carnitine deficiency and mild forms of autism, which disproportionately affect males. They suggest that supplementing infants with carnitine could prevent up to 10-20% of cases of autism.
Researchers found that genetics play a significant role in shaping infants' social behavior, including how they look at and respond to facial expressions. The study also showed that this behavior is disrupted in children with autism, providing a new link between genetic causes and behavioral presentation.
A NIH-funded study suggests that children's visual engagement is heritable and altered in autism, with identical twins showing synchronized eye movements and reduced attention to face regions. Researchers found that genetic factors influence social behaviors, which can help identify new treatments for autism.
A twin study found that genetics play a major role in how children look at the world and their preference for gazing at people's eyes and faces. The study suggests that genes can modify a child's life experience, influencing visual behavior.
Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia found that diet is not a contributing factor to gastrointestinal issues in children with autism spectrum disorder. Stress, rather than nutrition, appears to be a major contributor to these symptoms.
A new Stanford study found that oxytocin improves social behavior in children with autism who have low oxytocin levels, but not those with high levels. The study suggests that baseline oxytocin levels can predict which children will benefit from oxytocin treatment.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation found that measuring two proteins in the blood can accurately diagnose autism spectrum disorder in approximately 75% of children. The diagnostic accuracy increases to 82% when both proteins are measured together.
Children with autism spectrum disorder may benefit from assessments for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) due to overlapping symptoms and co-occurrence. The UTA study highlights the importance of evaluating individuals with autism thoroughly for DCD, which affects up to 7% of school-age children.
A new study found that people carrying certain genetic alterations associated with neurodevelopmental disorders may experience impaired cognition, despite not developing a disorder. The research provides valuable insights into the effects of these genetic abnormalities on cognition in adults from the general population.
Adults with autism spectrum conditions show reduced sensitivity to contextual information but may actually lead to more consistent choices. Participants with ASC made fewer switches and consistently chose the same option, suggesting less susceptibility to cognitive biases.
Studies in mice with a mutated CHD8 gene reveal cognitive impairment, increased brain volume, and excessive DNA packaging, shedding light on the genetic basis of autism. The findings suggest that CHD8 plays a role in brain development throughout life.
A new analysis shows that genetic variation and elevated ozone exposure increase the risk of developing autism, with an added effect when combined. The study found that copy-number variation and particulate matter in the environment had significant individual impacts on autism risk.
A recent study by UCSF researchers found that around 22.8% of children with Tourette's met the criteria for autism, compared to 8.7% of adults. The study suggests that the high rate may be due to shared symptoms rather than an overlapping etiology.
Researchers used fMRI to analyze brain activity in children with ASD, identifying relationships between emotional lability and neuronal activity in two brain regions. The study suggests that differences in neuronal network interactions may play a role in emotion regulation variability in individuals with ASD.
A study of 338 mothers found no evidence of increased autism risk from maternal influenza diagnosis alone, but a trend towards risk was seen in those with lab-verified infection and symptoms.
A new mathematical method identifies ancient genetic variations contributing to autism spectrum disorder, suggesting a small effect of each variant. The approach uses discordant siblings to find a clear signal of these shared variants, which are common among individuals with autism in both affected and unaffected populations.
A new study found that children with feeding disorders who received behavioral intervention and D-cycloserine experienced more rapid treatment gains, with a 76 percent improvement in feeding after five days of treatment. The results also suggest that the brain changes account for the drug's ability to result in behavioral changes.
A new study suggests that children of older fathers are more intelligent and focused on their interests, with better educational and career prospects. The researchers found that 'geekier' children tend to perform better in school exams, particularly in STEM subjects.
Researchers found that restoring a healthy balance in gut bacteria can treat Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms. The review highlights several studies showing positive impacts of probiotics, prebiotics, diet changes and faecal matter transplants on ASD symptoms.
A new study from the Kennedy Krieger Institute found that acupuncture interventions can lead to improved behavior, attention span, sleep quality, and reduced parenting stress in young children with autism spectrum disorder. Most parents reported a positive relationship with their child after participating in the intervention.
A team of investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered that individuals with autism spectrum disorder experience overactivation in subcortical brain structures when viewing eye contact, leading to an aversion to direct gaze. This finding supports the hypothesis of an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory signaling n...
Researchers identified specific brain regions that correlate with improved social abilities after a virtual training program. Adults with higher brain activity in these regions showed better emotional recognition skills.
A study found that fever during pregnancy, especially in the second trimester, increases autism spectrum disorder risk by 40 percent. The risk is further elevated for children of mothers who experienced three or more fevers after the twelfth week of pregnancy.
Researchers found that current assessments are not keeping up with clinical trial advances, highlighting the need for improved treatment outcome measurement tools. Most outcome measures in FXS clinical trials received only a moderate rating due to limited information on reliability and validity.