Articles tagged with Autism
A study using fMRI found that individuals with ASD exhibit different neural activity patterns when viewing emotional faces compared to typically developing participants. This suggests that ASD is not a uniform condition and may be linked to differences in how the brain processes emotional stimuli.
A new video inventory developed at McGill University may aid in diagnosing disorders that make it hard for individuals to recognize non-literal speech like sarcasm and teasing. This is particularly challenging for men and people with conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or Autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered a new potential treatment for MECP2 duplication syndrome by normalizing MeCP2 levels using antisense oligonucleotides. This approach largely reversed behavioral, molecular, and other deficits in mice, providing hope for human treatment.
Researchers found that brain activation patterns of individuals with autism spectrum disorder adapt differently during implicit learning, with slower recognition of familiar patterns. The severity of symptoms correlates with the degree of brain adaptation, suggesting a link between neural characteristics and core ASD symptoms.
The research demonstrates that increasing oxytocin levels can improve social interactions in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Additionally, the study reveals a link between oxytocin and anandamide production, which may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating ASD.
A Rutgers study finds that adults with ASD in New Jersey primarily rely on family members for transportation, leading to stress and negative employment consequences. The report offers recommendations to address these challenges, including establishing a research center and developing training programs for vehicle operators.
Researchers found that treatment with Lovastatin can correct high levels of protein production in the brain linked to intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. The study suggests that different types of intellectual disabilities may share common disease mechanisms, which could benefit from common therapeutic approaches.
Researchers have discovered that autism-relevant biomarkers can be measured in adult saliva, providing a promising avenue for non-invasive diagnosis and treatment. The study, which analyzed levels of 10 biomarkers in saliva from neurotypical adults, brings us closer to effectively diagnosing and treating autism.
Researchers at Monash University have found that perforin-like proteins control the release of a critical growth factor governing head and tail development in fruit flies. This discovery may provide new opportunities for treating brain developmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder.
A five-week oxytocin treatment improved social, emotional and behavioral issues in young children with autism. The study found significant improvements in social responsiveness at home and in therapy settings.
York U researchers list products expectant mothers should avoid during first trimester, including cleaning solvents, pesticides, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals can disrupt brain development and increase the risk of autism spectrum disorders.
A team of scientists from the University of Michigan Medical School has discovered a new way for RNA to regulate genetic activity on the X chromosome in females. The finding, which could lead to better treatment for sex-linked disorders, shows that female cells produce a special type of RNA called XistAR to silence one of their two X c...
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that premature babies have weaker brain connections, particularly in networks linked to attention, communication, and emotions. Early intervention may improve outcomes for these children.
The Autism & Beyond app, developed by Duke University researchers, uses smartphone questionnaires and video analysis to gather information about children's development. The six-month study aims to detect early signs of autism and other developmental disorders, with the potential to provide broader access to mental health screening.
A new study by researchers at SISSA found that individuals with autism have difficulty interpreting facial expressions due to impaired facial mimicry, which can be exacerbated when making joint attention. The study suggests that understanding the interaction between these two functions is crucial for social interaction.
Youths with high-functioning ASD exhibit underdeveloped and insufficiently networked social brain areas, with increased blood flow in frontal regions important for navigating social interactions. Reduced long-range connectivity between default mode network nodes may explain impairment in social responsiveness.
A new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) responds differently to others' good fortune depending on an individual's level of empathy. Participants with high empathy scores showed a specialized ACC response only when another person was likely to win, while those with low empathy ...
A new study published in Nature Neuroscience found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder struggle to transfer learned knowledge to new contexts when trained through repetition. In contrast, breaks in repetition allow autistic individuals to learn efficiently and generalize, promoting broader concept understanding.
A Vanderbilt study found significant differences in social ability among children with autism who participated in a 10-week theatre-based program compared to those who did not. The program improved social cognition, interaction, and communication skills, including face recognition and group play.
Researchers have uncovered a significant relationship between a chemical transmitting brain signals and genetic mutations in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Targeting a specific serotonin receptor, 5-HT2cR, can reverse social deficits in mouse models of the autism risk gene Pten.
Florida Atlantic University has received a $1.2 million grant to develop a graduate program preparing teachers to work with students with autism spectrum disorder. The program will provide tuition support and state endorsement for teachers earning a master's degree in ASD.
A recent analysis suggests that devastating ultra-rare mutations in vulnerable genes play a causal role in roughly half of all ASD cases. The study identifies 239 genes whose 'vulnerability' to such mutations makes them priority research targets.
A $13 million NIH grant will fund a collaborative effort to build reproducible assays to model autism spectrum disorder. The project, called COPACABANA, uses a universal stem cell model derived from patient tissue to study the effects of individual genetic variation on mental health diseases.
Researchers at UCI have found a biomarker for diagnosing certain forms of autism, which involves a cellular calcium signaling process. The study also points to potential new drug discovery advances by targeting the inositol trisphosphate receptor, a key player in this process.
Researchers found female mice singing back to male mice during courtship, with voices registering at 35-125 kilohertz. The discovery could lead to advances in understanding autism and social communication in the brain.
A large study of individuals with autism found that both men and women with the condition performed similarly to typical males on an empathy test. This result supports the 'extreme male brain' theory, which predicts lower empathy scores in individuals with autism compared to females.
Researchers found significant gender differences in the severity of repetitive and restricted behaviors in girls with autism compared to boys. The study also identified distinct brain structure differences between boys and girls with autism, particularly in motor regions.
A University of Miami research team proposes a four-component model of cognitive flexibility, which helps understand autism spectrum disorder and other behavioral/neurological disorders. The study may inform the development of new interventions to improve cognitive flexibility skills in individuals with autism.
Dr. Kristin Sohl is expanding the ECHO Autism program to an additional 10 sites, aiming to improve healthcare for children with autism in underserved communities. The $15 million grant will enhance early identification of autism and treatment of co-occurring conditions in primary care.
A study found that two newer genetic testing technologies can identify genetic mutations potentially linked to autism in children with certain physical anomalies. The findings suggest that medical evaluation of ASD children may help identify populations more likely to achieve a molecular diagnosis.
Mutations in genes involved in synaptic communication can drive neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases like autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease. Disruption of a new sorting pathway severely hampers neuron-neuron communication.
Researchers have developed a nearly complete human brain model, engineered from adult human skin cells, with an identifiable structure and containing 99% of the genes present in the human fetal brain. The lab-grown brain has the potential to accelerate studies of genetic and environmental causes of central nervous system disorders.
New research found that individuals with high autistic traits generate fewer but more original and creative responses during divergent thinking tasks. The study suggests that these individuals may approach creativity problems in a unique way, utilizing less common strategies to produce unusual responses.
Psychologists at Cardiff University developed a reliable adult self-assessment test to measure repetitive behaviors in autism. Adults with an autism diagnosis consistently scored higher on this measure than those without an autism diagnosis, highlighting its potential as a diagnostic tool.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discovered that a single genetic mutation disables a molecular switch in the UBE3A gene, leading to hyperactivation and abnormal brain development. This finding has implications for diagnosing and treating autism, particularly for individuals with Dup15q syndrome.
The Interactive Autism Network (IAN) has been awarded $1.6 million by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to join PCORnet, a national health research resource. IAN will collaborate with researchers, patient communities, and clinicians to accelerate autism research and improve patient outcomes.
A study by researchers at UCLA found that a social skills program for high-functioning young adults with autism improved their ability to engage with peers. The gains persisted 16 weeks after the program ended and were accompanied by increased empathy and greater responsibility.
UC Davis researchers estimate that the total costs of caring for people with autism spectrum disorder will range from $162 to $367 billion in 2015 and potentially reach $1 trillion by 2025. The study recommends increased investment in research and early intervention programs to reduce these costs.
A study by UCLA and University of Pittsburgh researchers has isolated specific genetic differences between people with DiGeorge syndrome who have autism and those who have psychosis. The findings suggest a potential way to determine which child is at risk for which disorder, allowing for early intervention and improvement.
The new guideline provides a comprehensive framework for clinicians to manage gastrointestinal symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders. It highlights the importance of nutrition management in addressing feeding and GI concerns, and recommends a standard manual of care for clinicians worldwide.
A study analyzing special education data found that autism diagnoses increased, but so did reclassifications of intellectual disability cases. Researchers believe this shift may be attributed to the variability of autism and its overlap with other related disorders.
A new study from Stanford University School of Medicine suggests that low levels of vasopressin, a hormone involved in social behavior, are associated with social deficits in children with autism. Researchers found that autistic children who had the lowest vasopressin levels in their blood also displayed greater social impairment.
A new study reveals that young people with autism are struggling to find and keep jobs, with only 47% securing employment after receiving vocational services. Experts emphasize the importance of vocational counseling, guidance, and coordination between high schools and rehabilitation systems to support this growing population.
A recent breakthrough by Tel Aviv University and Antwerp University researchers has identified the mutation of a neuroprotective protein as the probable cause of ADNP-related autism syndrome. This discovery provides new insights into the condition and offers potential avenues for diagnosis and treatment, ultimately improving the lives ...
Researchers are collecting data from children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to identify non-invasive biological markers for diagnosis, tracking, and assessment. The study aims to advance treatment research in autism by creating methods to measure social function and develop indicators of long-term clinical outcome.
Scientists have discovered a mutated gene, JMJD1C, responsible for cases of unknown origin intellectual disability and autism. The study analyzed the genome of 215 patients with these conditions and found that this gene contributes to Rett syndrome.
A new study by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio found that mothers with chemical intolerances are two to three times more likely than other women to have a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children of these mothers reported having more illnesses an...
The NIH is supporting a multi-year project to develop and improve clinical research tools for studying social impairment in children with autism. The project aims to create reliable tools for assessing potential treatments, which will aid in precision medicine approaches.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have developed a stem cell study that could help predict autism spectrum disorder and identify new drug targets. The study used skin cells to generate simulated brain organoids, revealing gene expression and developmental abnormalities in autism.
Researchers created miniature brains from patient skin cells to study autism, finding altered gene expression networks and an imbalance in neuron type. Suppressing a key gene corrected this bias, suggesting possible clinical interventions.
Researchers at VIB have identified a promising target pathway for treating fragile X syndrome and autism. By targeting the APP-ADAM10 pathway, scientists may be able to ameliorate deficits associated with these conditions. The study's findings open new avenues for developing non-toxic therapeutic agents.
A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that a specific brain mutation can impair a biochemical process in the brain, leading to impaired synaptic function and contributing to neurological diseases. The researchers found that a mutation called A548T in synapsin 1a reduces its ability to regulate chemical transmission.
Individuals with autism spectrum disorders often exhibit poor nutrition due to selective eating patterns and sensory sensitivity. Early warning signs include lower folate, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12 concentrations, as well as abnormally accelerated growth rates in infants and children.
Researchers have discovered a key mechanism behind brain growth abnormalities in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, revealing how PTEN gene mutations alter the trajectory of early brain development. Excess glia cells and changes in β-Catenin signaling contribute to the observed brain overgrowth.
Researchers discovered over 100 DNA segments, known as enhancers, that play a vital role in normal development by controlling gene activity in the human brain. The study provides new insights into the genetic basis of autism and related neurological disorders.
A study by researchers at the University of Miami found that individual traits such as optimism, social and spouse support, benefit finding, and coping styles positively associated with better relationship satisfaction for parents of children with ASD. The study highlights the importance of positive traits in enhancing family functioni...
A large-scale study has identified structural brain abnormalities in patients with schizophrenia, including smaller hippocampus and amygdala volumes and larger ventricle volumes. The findings provide new insights into the condition's development and potential treatment responses.
A new NIH-funded study at Indiana University will investigate the potential connection between fever and relief of some autism symptoms in children. The researchers aim to understand how physiological deficits in regulating body temperature affect social behaviors associated with autism.
Researchers discovered that children with autism spectrum disorder exhibit a unique sniffing pattern when exposed to pleasant or unpleasant odors, allowing for accurate classification with high accuracy. The study suggests that olfactory tests could be used as an early indicator of ASD, potentially leading to more effective intervention.
A small study found that premature babies who avoid eye contact in early infancy are less likely to display symptoms of autism at age 2 compared to those who maintain eye contact. The researchers suggest that preemies may avert their gazes as a coping mechanism, signaling an inability to handle stressors.