Research on autism and neurodevelopment. Covers screening and diagnosis gaps, rising diagnoses among girls, prenatal risks, and genomics.
New research reveals differences in the brains of girls and boys with autism, particularly in the corpus callosum and social impairments. The study suggests that girls with autism have more severe social impairments than boys, highlighting the need for targeted research and interventions.
A study published in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment found that Catatonia is a treatable cause of regression in individuals with Down syndrome. Patients treated for Catatonia showed improvement, regaining baseline functioning.
Researchers found that genetic mutations passed from mothers to sons are more likely to increase autism risk. The study provides a comprehensive genetic picture of autism and may lead to the discovery of biomarkers for diagnosis and targeted treatments.
Research published in Molecular Autism found that male toddlers with autism have distinct brain structure changes compared to females, suggesting separate evaluation and early developmental markers. Additionally, studies suggest a 'female protective effect' through sex differences in genes and prenatal hormones.
Researchers from USC and CHLA found that adapting dental environments to be more calming for children with autism spectrum disorder significantly reduced psychological anxiety and pain intensity. The study used sensory adaptations such as soothing music, gentle lighting, and deep-pressure hugs to create a comfortable environment.
Researchers found that inactivating Lhx2 in mature neurons can reprogram them to process different senses, expanding one region at the expense of another. This discovery provides proof of brain plasticity and may lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating human disorders such as autism.
A 24-week parent training program improved behavioral problems such as irritability and non-compliance in young children with ASD. The study showed that parent training was superior to parent education in reducing disruptive behavior.
A study found girls with ASD were diagnosed at a mean age of 4 years compared to 3.8 years for boys, while girls with Asperger's syndrome were diagnosed at 7.6 years versus 7.1 years for boys. Girls struggled more with social cognition and had less severe mannerisms.
The 2015 Weatherstone Predoctoral Fellowship class of Autism Speaks will pursue two-year research projects under mentorship of leading scientists. The program aims to advance understanding of autism and support essential training opportunities for the brightest young investigators.
A study found that 7% of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) resolved their symptoms, but most continued to struggle with social and emotional challenges. The children who showed improvement had normal cognition, but residual learning and behavioral issues persisted.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have identified a potential target for treatments for fragile X carriers, who can experience social deficits and milder versions of cognitive and behavioral disorders. A potential way to boost levels of the key brain protein could lead to symptom easing for carriers.
Researchers discovered that parents of children at high risk for autism spectrum disorder reported more early concerns, particularly sensory and motor issues starting at six months. Early parental concerns can be predictive of autism diagnosis, highlighting the importance of talking to parents and taking their concerns seriously.
Researchers found a common genetic link between child prodigies and autism, specifically on chromosome 1. The study identified shared genetic markers in five prodigies and their family members with autism, suggesting a potential genetic component to exceptional abilities.
A 24-week parent training program significantly reduced disruptive and noncompliant behavior in children with autism, compared to a parent education program. The study found that parent training led to greater reductions in behavioral problems, including tantrums and aggression.
A multi-site study found that parent training reduced disruptive behavior by 48% compared to 32% for parent education. Parent training provided specific strategies for managing serious behavioral problems such as tantrums and aggression.
A large study of over 95,000 US children found no association between the MMR vaccine and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), even among those with older siblings already at higher genetic risk for ASD. The study suggests that parents' concerns about the vaccine's link to ASD may be unfounded.
A 24-week parent training study by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center significantly reduced disruptive behavior in children with autism. The study showed that parent training was more effective in reducing behavior problems than parent education, with 70% of children showing a positive response.
A comprehensive report by Drexel University's A.J. Drexel Autism Institute highlights poor life outcomes for young adults on the autism spectrum, including high disconnection rates, limited employment and education opportunities, and increased health risks.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found no genome-wide significant associations between genetic variants and autism spectrum disorder. Instead, the researchers suggest that clinical variability in autism may be due to factors such as epigenetic changes or environmental responses. The study's results have implications for f...
Recent breakthroughs in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research focus on precision medicine approaches, leveraging genetic technologies to identify risk genes and develop personalized therapies. Neuroimaging studies are also helping understand brain structure and function across the lifespan.
A new study finds that healthcare providers' passive and reassuring responses to parental concerns about early development delays ASD diagnoses by up to 2 years. Early identification of ASD is crucial for improved long-term developmental outcomes.
A small study found distinct patterns of regulatory tags in DNA from fathers' sperm linked to children's early signs of autism. The presence or absence of these tags was statistically related to Autism Observation Scale for Infants scores, suggesting a potential contribution to the condition.
A study from the University of Missouri found that violent video games do not affect adults with autism spectrum disorder differently than typically developing adults. Over 100 participants, half with autism and half without, showed similar aggression levels after playing violent or nonviolent games for 15 minutes.
A new Kaiser Permanente study found that children whose mothers developed gestational diabetes by the 26th week of pregnancy had a 63% increased risk of being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The study also found that early screening for autism in children of women with gestational diabetes may be warranted.
A large study found a significant association between intrauterine exposure to gestational diabetes and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders in offspring. Maternal pre-existing type 2 diabetes was not significantly associated with this risk.
Researchers found that neural activity in language-sensitive brain regions in infants and toddlers with ASD was similar to normal in those who developed good language ability, but nearly absent in those with poor outcomes. The study's results have the potential to predict later language outcome by early childhood.
A new study suggests that non-violent video games with storytelling can have prosocial benefits, improving emotional intelligence and social skills. The research found that immersive gaming experiences foster theory of mind and empathy, which can be helpful in treating disorders like autism.
Researchers used fMRI to analyze brain activity in response to speech in ASD toddlers, finding distinct neural substrates for good and poor language outcomes. The study's findings may lead to more individualized treatments for the heterogeneous condition.
A study by San Diego State University scientists found that children with autism have overdeveloped connections between the cerebral cortex and cerebellum, affecting brain function. This early development leads to muscle in on brain real estate for higher cognitive functions.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute aim to identify biomarkers for accelerated drug development of disorders including autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, and intellectual disability. By validating biomarkers in mice, they hope to create tools and methods for developing new therapeutics.
Scientists have developed a mouse model that lacks the nSR100 gene, which regulates microexon splicing. This process is essential for protein production and brain function. The study found defects in neuron formation and wiring, similar to those found in people with autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers have found that rats can link cause and effect, form causal beliefs, and make rational inferences about their actions. These findings have implications for understanding human reasoning, particularly in older adults, and could inform clinical treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
A study found that children with autism spectrum disorder were more likely to experience gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation and diarrhea, and food allergies/intolerances than their typical development peers. Mothers of children with ASD also reported more persistent GI symptoms in the first three years of life.
A Johns Hopkins-led team of researchers has identified a rare genetic cause of autism, which may also be linked to other complex genetic conditions. The study used a novel approach that focused on families severely affected by autism to pinpoint the CTNND2 gene as a potential culprit.
A large longitudinal survey of Norwegian mothers found that children with autism spectrum disorder were two-and-a-half times more likely to have persistent gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms than children with typical development. The study also found that these symptoms appeared in infancy and persisted through age 3.
A child with autism improved dramatically while taking an antibiotic for strep throat, prompting a quest by the parent to understand the phenomenon. The collaboration led to a scientific conference and special issue in a scientific journal featuring articles on the microbiome's involvement in autism.
A new method called Brain-Wide Association Analysis (BWAS) has isolated the functional differences between autistic and non-autistic brains, identifying regions that may contribute to autism symptoms. The study used a large dataset of MRI scans to compare brain connectivity in individuals with autism and those without.
A large study found twice as many diagnosed autisms among ART births compared to non-ART births, but most of the association was explained by maternal age and education. After accounting for these factors, an elevated risk was only seen in mothers aged 20-34, with no significant increase in singletons.
A recent study suggests a link between genes linked with autism and higher intelligence in individuals who do not have the condition. Researchers found that carrying genetic traits associated with autism is, on average, linked to slightly better cognitive test scores, even in those without autism.
A new blood-based test has been developed to diagnose autism in young males as early as one to two years old, outperforming existing behavioral and genetic screens. The test uses genomic biomarkers that differentiate ASD toddlers from typically developing children with high accuracy.
Researchers have discovered a multifunctional protein called BAI1, which is involved in limiting the growth of brain tumors but also critical for spatial learning and memory. Mice lacking BAI1 exhibit changes in neural responses and structure, leading to impaired spatial memory acquisition.
Researchers discovered differences in brain regions associated with trust, particularly the ventral medial prefrontal cortex and amygdala. These findings have implications for future treatments of psychological conditions like autism.
A UK twin study found that genetics account for up to 95% of the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder, with moderate environmental influences also playing a role. The study's results provide new insights into the complex causes of autism and may help inform future treatments.
Researchers at Yerkes National Primate Research Center have shown that inducing oxytocin release can activate the social brain and create bonds. A new drug candidate has been identified to stimulate oxytocin cells, leading to enhanced attention to and learning from social information in people with social disorders.
A clinical trial funded by Autism Speaks' DELSIA will test a cognitive video game designed to improve executive function skills in children and adolescents with autism. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of the game, Project: EVO, in improving brain function and motor skills.
Despite being discredited, interventions like Facilitated Communication remain widely used in the autism community due to emotional appeal and a desire for quick fixes. Experts emphasize the need for better education on effective treatments and caution against false hope.
Researchers have identified a set of neurons in the frontal brain region that predict an opponent's cooperation in strategic decision-making tasks. This discovery sheds light on the neuronal basis of cooperative interactions and may lead to new treatments for autism and antisocial personality disorder.
A study published in Genes, Brain and Behavior found that animal models with autism risk gene mutations exhibit decreased aggressive behavior towards strangers, instead engaging in repetitive patterns. The research suggests a potential counter-narrative to the widespread perception of increased aggression in individuals with autism.
A growth hormone called IGF-1 has been shown to improve social impairment and restrictive behaviors in children with Phelan-McDermid syndrome, a disorder associated with autism. The treatment showed significant improvement in social withdrawal and repetitive behaviors compared to placebo.
Scientists at UC San Diego School of Medicine discovered that autism mutations are connected to a pathway regulating brain development. The study found that specific genes were expressed in different developmental periods, influencing brain growth and behavior.
A study of children with DNA abnormalities on chromosome 16 found a significant delay in processing sound and language, linking the deletion to key biological pathways. The research may lead to future medical treatments for specific subtypes of autism and other neuro disorders.
Researchers have found that mutations in the PTEN gene lead to reduced activity and stability of a critical protein, promoting genetic instability and disease. This discovery could pave the way for new treatments for patients with both autism and cancer.
A study using a tadpole model reveals parallels between fetal chemical exposure and autism spectrum disorder, highlighting altered neural anatomy and behavior. The research suggests that understanding this connection could lead to discovering mechanisms to prevent neurodevelopmental disorders.
Research from King's College London found that spontaneous release of neurotransmitter glutamate causes neurons to branch and connect with each other, enabling the formation of synapses. This process plays a crucial role in regulating electrical signals through the brain.
Research proposes that a brain system called declarative memory compensates for autism, OCD, and dyslexia by providing strategies to overcome learning difficulties. This compensation allows individuals to learn scripts for social situations and control tics and compulsions.
Researchers from Marcus Autism Center found intensive behavioral intervention to be effective in eliminating pica in children with autism spectrum disorder. The treatment involved blocking inappropriate eating, redirecting behavior, and rewarding disposal of non-edible objects, resulting in a 96% reduction in pica in most cases.
A research collaboration found that induced or augmented labor does not increase the risk of children developing autism spectrum disorder. The study, which analyzed data from over 167,000 births, suggests that labor induction or augmentation is safe for mothers and babies.
Researchers found that a parent-coaching intervention called Adapted Responsive Teaching (ART) can significantly improve the outcomes of one-year-old children at risk for autism. The study, published in Autism Research and Treatment, compared ART to early intervention and monitoring, showing promising results.
A Tel Aviv University study found that a mutated gene regulating over 400 proteins affects male and female brains differently, leading to sex-specific learning and memory differences. The research suggests analyzing men and women separately in clinical trials to find cures for diseases due to potential gender differences.
A recent study published in the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting found that induced or augmented labor is not associated with an increased risk of Autism spectrum disorder. The research analyzed data from over 166,000 children and found no link between labor induction/augmentation and ASD diagnosis.