Articles tagged with 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.
Researchers used functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fcMRI) to scan 59 high-risk, 6-month-old infants, finding that brain patterns preceded behavioral symptoms of autism. The technique accurately predicted diagnoses in 82% of cases, with 93% accuracy in smaller groups.
Researchers linked brain connectivity changes to ASD diagnosis in 11 of 59 high-risk infants, predicting symptoms up to two years old. Early detection could significantly improve quality of life for people with autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers used MRIs to analyze infant brain connectivity and synchronize brain regions. The study found that differences in these connections at six months could predict autism diagnoses at two years old, with the machine learning classifier correctly identifying 81% of babies who developed autism.
A new study led by Giulia Righi identified key factors that put young people with autism at high risk of seeking inpatient psychiatric care. Disrupted sleep and mood disorders were found to be significant predictors, while adaptive functioning had a slightly protective effect.
ECHO Autism program trains primary care providers to diagnose and manage autism spectrum disorders, improving confidence and access to care for children with autism in rural areas. The program's expansion aims to bridge gaps in healthcare for underserved communities worldwide.
A large Swedish study found no link between autism and violent offending, but conditions like ADHD that co-occur with autism do. Individuals with co-occurring conditions had a higher risk of convictions for violent crimes.
A new study published in Nature Communications found that differences in toxin and nutrient uptake during critical developmental windows increase autism risk. Researchers analyzed baby teeth to identify associations between metal exposure and ASD severity, suggesting a potential pathway for interplay between genes and environment.
Researchers found higher levels of lead and lower levels of zinc and manganese in children with autism compared to those without. The study used lasers to map growth rings in baby teeth to track metal uptake during development.
A large study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that a diagnosis of autism alone is not associated with an increased risk of violent offending. Instead, conditions like ADHD that co-occur with autism may increase this risk.
A team of neuroscientists discovered a crucial connection between the adult female prairie vole's brain reward system that promotes pair bonds. They found that communication between areas of the brain predicts how quickly each female prairie vole becomes affiliative with her partner.
Adolescents with autism face barriers to health care independence due to lack of support from providers, caregivers, and themselves. Caregivers feel uncertain about their role, leading to confusion over guardianship decisions.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial tested the 100-year-old drug suramin in boys with autism, showing significant improvements in language, social interactions, and restricted behaviors. The study's findings challenge the conventional view of autism as a fixed, genetically-driven condition and suggest a treatable metabolic syndrome.
A small clinical trial found improvements in language and social behavior, restricted repetitive behaviors, and coping skills in children with autism spectrum disorder after a single dose of suramin. The study suggests the cell danger hypothesis as a possible unifying theory for ASD, highlighting a potential new approach to treatment.
Suicide rates among people with autism in England have reached high levels, according to researchers from Coventry and Newcastle universities. The issue remains poorly understood, and action is urgently needed to help those most at risk.
A UCLA study found that people with a 22q deletion have thicker gray matter but less brain surface area compared to those with a duplication. In contrast, those with 22q duplications have thinner gray matter and larger brain surface areas, suggesting differences in social functioning regions.
A widely used diabetes medication, metformin, improves sociability and reduces symptomatic behaviors in adult mice with Fragile X syndrome. Researchers believe the drug could be repurposed as a therapy for this genetic disorder within a few years.
Researchers at McGill University and others have found that metformin improves social, behavioural and morphological defects in Fragile X mice. The study suggests that the drug could be used to treat other autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers developed an ethnically sensitive screening methodology to identify Latino infants at risk for autism spectrum disorder. The unique approach resulted in a 90% screening rate and a 4% referral rate for further testing, mirroring US English-language toddler study findings.
Electronic tracking devices can significantly reduce the frequency of children with autism wandering away from adults, decreasing parent anxiety and improving quality of life. Parents who used these devices reported a significant reduction in concerns about their child's safety, enabling them to participate in activities without worry.
Researchers have identified four damaged genes associated with Tourette syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by vocal and physical tics. These findings suggest that multiple gene mutations contribute to the development of the disorder, offering new hope for personalized treatments.
Researchers studied 240 children with autism between 15-71 months old, finding that IQ, communication skills, and speech ability explained less than 3% of their tantrums. Children with clear speech and high intelligence had the same number of tantrums as those with lower speech skills.
A study has identified four brain-expressed genes as likely risk factors for Tourette disorder, including WWC1, FN1, CELSR3, and NIPBL. De novo variants in these genes were found to have a significant association with the disorder, suggesting a potential target for effective treatments.
A study by RIKEN Brain Science Institute found that remembering goal locations in virtual reality requires the same brain parts as in real life, using a mouse model. The researchers used virtual reality to test how mice learned spatial routes, finding that mice with a protein deficiency performed poorly.
A study found that children of very young and older fathers differ in acquiring social skills from early childhood until adolescence. The researchers suggest that social skills may be a key domain affected by paternal age, with the effects being more subtle than clinical disorders.
Stephanie Solso received the award for her paper on diffusion tensor imaging and axonal overconnectivity in autism spectrum disorder toddlers. The study revealed abnormal brain development and age-related changes in brain regions involved in social, language, and behavioral control functions.
A study of 14,500 participants found that maternal grandmothers who smoked during pregnancy increased the risk of girls displaying autistic traits by 67% and their grandchildren being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by 53%. Further research is needed to understand these molecular changes and potential transgenerational influences.
New studies published in JAMA Network report no increased risk of autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among children exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. The research suggests alternative explanations for previous findings may be responsible.
Researchers found that young adults with autism struggle with financial management, leading to anxiety and frustration in adulthood. Implementing early financial management programs can empower them with essential skills.
A study found that imbalances in neural pathways may contribute to repetitive behaviors in autism. Researchers discovered a key gene, SHANK3, which guides synaptic development and function, and its deficiency led to repetitive grooming behavior and social interaction deficits.
A recent article reviews studies on fetal exposure to antidepressants and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) during pregnancy. The analysis of 10 relevant studies found inconsistent results regarding ASDs risk associated with prenatal exposure to antidepressants.
A new online genetic study called SPARK is enrolling thousands of people with autism and their families to identify the hundreds of autism genes at play. The study seeks to connect these individuals and families to research opportunities that advance the understanding of autism.
Acoustic habituation is a common form of sensory filtering that allows the brain to block out extraneous sounds and focus on important information. The Western-led research identified the underlying molecular mechanism that controls this ability, which can be regulated with drugs in animal models.
A new study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that parent-mediated therapy can reduce emerging signs of autism in high-risk infants. The intervention, delivered through video feedback to parents, improved infant attention, communication, early language development, and social engagement.
A new study from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia finds that nearly 90% of teens with ASD obtain their intermediate driver's license within two years of becoming eligible. Most teens with ASD receive their license in their 17th year, suggesting families make the decision to drive before their teen gets behind the wheel.
Research at University of Bristol found that children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) have difficulty recognizing basic facial expressions. Despite this, the types of mistakes made by those with ASC were similar to those without ASC.
Researchers at Emory University are studying the 3q29 deletion syndrome, a genetic mutation associated with a 40-fold increased risk for schizophrenia. They will create a neuronal model of the syndrome using induced pluripotent stem cells and integrate their research with other targets identified in genetic studies.
Sureni V. Mullegama received the ACMG Foundation/PerkinElmer Diagnostics Travel Award for her platform presentation on Diagnostic Utility of Clinical Exome Sequencing in Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is currently a second year ABMGG Clinical Molecular Genetics Fellow at UCLA.