Articles tagged with Autism
Researchers used MRI to identify differences in brain development among high-risk infants, finding that those with autism showed faster brain growth rates between 6-12 months. These early brain changes can help predict autism diagnosis at age 2 years.
A study published in Nature used MRI scans to identify infants at high risk of developing autism as toddlers. The researchers found that brain overgrowth in the first year of life was linked to increased growth rate of overall brain volume in the second year, and this was associated with emerging autistic social deficits.
A new study published in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders found an inverse correlation between brain stem volume and aggression in children with autism. The researchers discovered that a smaller brain stem is associated with greater aggression, suggesting a potential target for treatment.
Research suggests that characteristically male brain anatomy is associated with a higher probability of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in males. The study found that biological females with more typical male brain anatomy were about three times more likely to have ASD than those with characteristically female brain anatomy.
A study by Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science identifies a specific brain circuit in the amygdala as crucial for empathy, providing hope for new treatments of social difficulties in autism. The findings suggest that targeting this region may help individuals with autism spectrum disorder develop social abilities.
Research from Penn State College of Medicine found that Medicaid waivers improving access to home and community-based services for children with autism also support parental employment. Waiver programs with increased cost limits and enrollment limits helped lower-income households, while those with higher limits benefited higher-income...
A federal law aimed at ensuring equal insurance benefits for physical and mental health care has led to modest increases in healthcare utilization among children with autism spectrum disorder. Despite these gains, researchers highlight the need for stronger enforcement of the parity law to ensure adequate access to services.
Neuroscientist David Heeger proposes a new theory that explains how the brain uses prediction and inference to make decisions. The brain's neural network can process sensory input in a feedforward manner, but also runs in a feedback mode to generate predictions, and combines both modes for optimal performance.
Researchers suggest that universal screening at 18 months and 24 months can help diagnose ASD earlier, reducing disparities among disadvantaged communities. The new policies aim to improve outcomes for relationships and careers.
A study by NYU's Steinhardt School found that adults with autism view their interests positively, believing they should be encouraged. These interests also alleviate anxiety in 92% of respondents and are used as strengths in career paths and educational settings.
A study by NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that adults with autism view their interests positively and believe they should be encouraged. Many participants reported anxiety relief through engaging in their preferred interests, highlighting the potential benefits of utilizing these strengths.
A new study found that negative first impressions formed by potential social partners may reduce the quality of social experiences for people with autism. People with autism were rated similarly on trustworthiness and intelligence but less favorably on likeability and awkwardness.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that children exposed to complications before or during birth were at a higher risk of developing autism spectrum disorder. Children with birth asphyxia and preeclampsia had a significantly increased risk, with a 10-44% greater risk compared to those without perinatal complications.
NAP, a fragment of activity-dependent neuroprotective protein, enhances Tau-microtubule interactions to block neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease. This stabilizes microtubules and protects biological material transport in nerve cells.
Recent research from the University of Maryland found that autism-related neural defects begin early in mammalian development, when key neurons form their first circuits. This study could lead to a stronger understanding of autism and possible early intervention strategies.
Researchers created a genetically modified rat model of autism and intellectual disability to study Phelan-McDermid syndrome. The study found that oxytocin improved social memory, attention, and nerve cell activity in the rat model.
A new study led by TSRI researchers discovered early brain changes in patients with Fragile X syndrome, a disorder affecting brain development. The study found that the mutation on the X chromosome triggers genome-wide DNA methylation changes, which may help explain similarities with autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers have discovered 30 genes as potential therapeutic targets for reversing Rett syndrome, a severe form of an autism spectrum disorder affecting approximately 15,000 girls and women globally. The study, led by Dr. Antonio Bedalov at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, aims to reactivate the silenced MeCP2 gene in affected individuals.
A new study by UC San Francisco researchers reveals that distinct sets of genetic defects in a single neuronal protein can cause either infantile epilepsy or autism spectrum disorders. The study identifies SCN2A as the human gene with the strongest evidence for a causal role in driving ASDs.
Reducing Pcdh10 function leads to impaired social behavior and altered amygdala circuitry, but treatment with d-cycloserine improves social interactions. The study suggests a possible target for autism treatment and parallels the male predominance of ASD in humans.
The 11th Annual Autism Conference will showcase notable research on sex education for teenagers with autism, promoting safety and understanding. The event will also feature studies on complex social play in children with autism and better approaches to measuring outcomes, aiming to improve the lives of individuals with autism.
A study published in the journal Microbiome shows that fecal microbial transplants can improve gastrointestinal symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders by 80%, while also improving social skills and sleep habits by 20-25%. The treatment, which involves transferring live gut bacteria from a healthy donor to a recipient, has s...
A small group of children with autism and moderate to severe gastrointestinal problems showed significant improvements in behavioral and gastrointestinal symptoms after receiving a fecal transplant. Parents reported positive changes that lasted at least eight weeks after treatment, while doctor-reported symptoms decreased by 22-24%.
New studies by researchers at UCSF suggest that genetic variants affecting physical traits in men and women are linked to different disease risks. Autism risk is associated with genetic variants known to contribute differently to physical traits in boys and girls.
Researchers found an altered blood-brain barrier and increased intestinal permeability in individuals with autism, supporting the hypothesis that impaired barriers contribute to ASD. The study also revealed reduced expression of barrier-forming cellular components and higher expression of molecules increasing intestinal permeability in...
Researchers found a relationship between increased cortisol response to stress and gastrointestinal symptoms in children with autism. Individuals with autism who experienced frequent constipation and abdominal pain had greater cortisol levels in response to stress.
Research reveals that genes affecting social communication in children overlap with those for autism and schizophrenia, but influence risk differently at various stages of development. This study provides new insights into the genetic basis of psychiatric disorders and their relationship to social competence.
An international team of scientists has identified variants of the EBF3 gene causing a developmental disorder with features in common with autism. The discovery opens the possibility of diagnosing other patients with similar clinical disorders, providing relief to their parents and improving genetic diagnosis.
Adolescents with autism face significant stress as they transition to adulthood, with difficulties in accessing services and adapting to change being major concerns. Social workers can play a vital role in supporting families by coordinating essential services such as medical treatment and independent living.
Researchers induced autistic-like behavior in mice by lowering nSR100 protein levels, showing its causative role in autism. The study identifies nSR100 as a hub that channels molecular miscues contributing to the disorder.
A Penn Medicine study found that elevated levels of mutations in essential genes are significantly associated with an increased risk for ASD and decreased social skills. Researchers identified high-priority essential genes that could serve as targets for future studies and treatments.
A new method devised by Drexel University professor Connor Kerns to diagnose anxiety symptoms in children with autism has been proven effective. The Autism Spectrum Addendum (ASA) adds new questions to the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule - Child/Parent, helping determine behaviors related to autism versus anxiety.
Researchers found that young paternal fathers produced offspring with impaired vocal communication, while older fathers resulted in hyperlocomotion. The study provides insight into the potential mechanisms underlying the rise of these disorders.
Researchers challenged a popular autism hypothesis by studying brain responses to repeated visual and tactile stimuli. The findings showed that brain responses were as stable as those of healthy controls, contradicting the idea that unreliable brain activity causes autism symptoms.
A new UCLA study confirms and extends earlier findings that the brains of people with autism have a distinctive pattern of unusual gene activity. This abnormality suggests possible targets for future autism drugs, and provides insights into brain development during the first decade of life.
A national study led by Baylor College of Medicine aims to understand the link between antibiotic use and improvements in autism symptoms in some children. The research, funded by N of One: Autism Research Foundation, will examine the gut microbiome and metabolome for two years to identify potential causes and effects.
Researchers identified a new genetic cause of syndromic autism linked to the SLC7A5 gene, which transports amino acids into the brain. The study found that treating neurological abnormalities in mice with this gene mutation improved behavioral symptoms.
A recent study by Duke University researchers has identified a crucial link between autism and pain sensation, suggesting that the SHANK3 protein plays a key role in transmitting pain signals. The findings have significant implications for understanding autism-related sensory problems and developing effective treatments.
Researchers at SDSU found that brain connections in individuals with autism are more symmetrical across hemispheres, impacting cognitive development. This asymmetry may contribute to difficulties in assembling information into a cohesive narrative.
A study analyzing brain region connectivity found that people with more flexible brain states perform better on executive-function tasks. The researchers discovered five general brain patterns, with those in the most flexible states excelling in high-level cognition.
A large study of over 196,000 children found no association between a mother having an influenza infection during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders. While there was a suggestion of increased risk with maternal vaccination in the first trimester, this finding was not statistically significant after adjusting f...
A recent trial suggests vitamin D3 supplementation improves symptoms of autism spectrum disorder in children, including hyperactivity and social withdrawal. The study found significant improvements after four months of treatment, but not with a placebo.
A study found that musical training increases brain fiber connections in children, particularly in the minor forceps area of the frontal cortex, which is linked to cognitive abilities and disorders like autism and ADHD. This new understanding may lead to targeted strategies for intervention.
Researchers study how young children with autism pay attention to others' eyes and find they look less at the eyes due to missing social cues. They do not actively avoid eye contact like previously thought.
A new study explores the experiences of undiagnosed adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), revealing key themes such as managing self-doubt and finding a sense of belonging. The research aims to help healthcare professionals identify undiagnosed adults with ASD, reducing their risk of depression and anxiety.
Research reveals that over 68% of individuals with different types of autism share a common set of epigenetic modifications in the brain. This finding suggests that a single global epigenetic pattern could underlie diverse manifestations of the psychiatric disease. Epigenetic drugs may hold potential as novel treatments for ASD.
Researchers found microstructural brain alternations in autism spectrum disorder using Automated Fiber Quantification technique, which provides increased sensitivity to white matter changes. The study supports the hypothesis that autism is caused by large-scale disruptions in brain connectivity.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found significant changes in the brain makeup of fetuses and newborn rats exposed to allergens during pregnancy. Animals exposed before birth showed signs of hyperactivity, antisocial behavior, and decreased anxiety, similar to ADHD. The study could help explain the links between maternal al...
Researchers used magnetoencephalography to discover that brain activity in both the child and mother is low during gazing, but increases with parental responses. This study provides new insights into social interactions and child development for children with autism spectrum disorder.
A recent study suggests that individuals with autism may have played an important role in their social groups due to their exceptional memory skills and heightened perception. Collaborative morality, which emerged around 100,000 years ago, allowed for the acceptance and respect of people with autistic traits.
Researchers developed two approaches to improve behavioral therapy for children with autism. Functional MRI can predict which children will benefit from Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) with high accuracy, while oxytocin administration may enhance social motivation and reward brain circuits in children with autism. These findings have ...
Researchers from Scripps Florida have identified a biochemical cascade called the mTOR pathway that regulates growth in the developing brain as a key factor in autism. Mutations in PTEN affect the assembly of connections between brain areas important for social cue processing, leading to abnormal activity and deficits.
Researchers developed a smartphone app that tracks eye movement to detect signs of autism spectrum disorder, with an accuracy rating of 93.96% and potential for earlier detection and better treatment outcomes.
A new study found that intensive multidisciplinary treatment can eliminate dependence on tube feeding in 71% of children with pediatric feeding disorder at discharge. Treatment also leads to increased oral intake and reduced caregiver stress.
Researchers at Indiana University and UC San Diego create a collaborative network to study movement signatures in children with learning difficulties. They will analyze bodily movements, face expressions, and eye-tracking data to reveal biologically measurable signs of learning disorders like ADHD, autism, and dystonia.
Researchers found a genetic alteration in the DIXDC1 gene that affects brain cell growth and communication in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. This discovery holds promise for identifying new medications targeting core symptoms of autism.
Researchers at Cornell University have confirmed a genetic link between mitochondrial DNA and autism spectrum disorder in children. The study found that autistic children had more than twice as many harmful mtDNA mutations compared to their non-autistic siblings. This finding may lead to better diagnosis and treatment of children with ...
Researchers warn that current ADHD screening tools may not work for children with autism spectrum disorders, leading to misdiagnosis and potentially ineffective treatments. The study recommends refining the tool and supplementing it with clinical interviews to better identify the correct disorder.
A study of 903 children with autism spectrum disorder found that they have more harmful mitochondrial DNA mutations than their unaffected siblings. These mutations can be inherited from the mother or result from spontaneous mutation during development, increasing the risk of neurological and developmental problems.
A study published in The Lancet found that parent-led early intervention for autism can significantly reduce symptom severity, especially social communication and repetitive behaviors. The six-year follow-up analysis showed a reduction of 17% in severe symptoms among children who received the intervention.