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.
SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJun 1, 2017
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateMay 1, 2017
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.
The U.S. National Institutes of Health now requires funding applicants to consider sex as a variable in proposed research, aiming to address disparities in health outcomes. However, some scientists express concerns about the policy's potential impact on research costs and data quality.
A new study finds that deaths in autistic individuals increased 700 percent in the past 16 years, mostly due to injuries. Swimming classes are recommended immediately after diagnosis to prevent drowning-related fatalities.
Researchers at Mie University have found a potential cause of auditory hypersensitivity in autistic model animals, leading to a more precise diagnosis method. The 'inhibitory' pathway abnormality is linked to sound localization skills, enabling clearer and more accurate assessments.
Researchers found activation of maternal immune system during pregnancy alters expression of key genes and processes associated with autism, leading to potential neurological repercussions. MIA-induced effects involve single genes and pathways essential for early fetal neurodevelopment.
Researchers found that maternal immune activation alters the activity of multiple genes and pathways in the fetus's brain, including those important for autism development. This effect may be similar to known biology behind conditions like autism.
A new study by Waisman Center researchers provides a detailed picture of the daily experiences of couples raising a child with ASD, revealing both challenges and strengths. Despite lower closeness to partners, parents of children with ASD reported no increase in negative interactions or feeling unsupported.
Researchers at the University of Queensland found that pregnant mice treated with vitamin D supplements did not develop autism traits in their offspring. Vitamin D is crucial for brain development and maintaining healthy bones, but its role in preventing autism remains unclear.
A new analysis method accurately predicts whether a child has autism by analyzing metabolic biomarkers, offering hope for earlier diagnosis. The method, developed by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers, correctly classified 97.6% of children with autism and 96.1% of neurotypical children.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed an algorithm that accurately predicts whether a child is on the Autism spectrum of disorder based on levels of metabolites found in a blood sample. The algorithm, which uses big data techniques, correctly identified 96.1% of neurotypical participants and 97.6% of children with ASD.
Researchers identified a gene link to impaired sociability in autism and found its neural circuit mechanism. The study suggests a 'toggle switch' that can be turned on or off to regulate sociability, potentially leading to new treatments for patients with autism. Seizures were also found to impair sociability by repressing specific genes.
A study found a link between defects in non-coding DNA and severe language impairment, as well as other neurodevelopmental disorders. Variants in the 3'UTRome region of the genome were associated with changes in protein expression, which may contribute to these conditions.
A new perspective paper warns that the potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act poses a threat to critical mental and behavioral health services for people with autism and other disabilities. The author, David S. Mandell, calls on the scientific community to use evidence to guide policy in this area.
A team of researchers from Michigan State University identified a single protein, ADCY1, responsible for many behavioral and molecular abnormalities in Fragile X syndrome. By reducing the expression of this protein, they eliminated autism-like behaviors and improved neuron signaling.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health warn that renewed focus on debunked autism-vaccine links diverts attention from growing threats to healthcare services. The Affordable Care Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act are under attack, posing a serious risk to essential protections.
Scientists at the University of Sussex have discovered concrete links between autism and synaesthesia, highlighting heightened sensory sensitivity in both groups. The study suggests that sensory traits often seen in autism are also present in synaesthetes.
A recent study found that a combination of genetic predisposition, early stress, and male sex increases the risk of social avoidance in individuals with autism. The researchers tested this theory using mice and found evidence supporting the idea that these three factors build on each other to produce the social avoidance characteristic...
Researchers found mindfulness therapy to be effective in reducing depression, anxiety, and rumination in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Nei Yang Gong therapy also showed positive effects on self-control in children with ASD. The review of 16 studies highlights the potential for mind-body therapies in treating ASD symptoms.
A study found that many toddlers diagnosed with autism at two years of age had a substantially greater amount of extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid at six and 12 months of age, before diagnosis was possible. The more CSF at six months, the more severe the autism symptoms were at two years of age.
The study identified 61 genetic variations that affect autism risk, including copy number variations and chromosomal abnormalities. Many of these variations were found in areas of the genome once considered 'junk DNA,' suggesting a crucial role in controlling gene activity during brain development.
Researchers found that altered CSF distribution in high-risk infants can predict ASD, with 70% accuracy. Increased subarachnoid CSF at six months is associated with more severe autism symptoms.
Researchers are studying novice drivers with autism to determine if specialized training can improve their driving skills and reduce collisions. They will use a high-tech driving simulator and on-road driving to compare the performance of drivers with and without autism.
Researchers found that adults with autism process unrelated words similarly to those without the disorder, using distinct learning strategies. The study suggests that adults with autism use an alternative mechanism to process language, resulting in a different pattern in the brain.
A new study by MIT scholars found that voters in the US heavily rely on their pre-existing views when deciding if politicians' statements are true or not. The study used Trump's statements during the 2016 presidential primaries to examine how partisanship and prior beliefs interact with evaluations of objective fact.