Articles tagged with Autism
Researchers found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) make mixed judgments when presented with neutral facial expressions in photographic images, unlike control group participants. However, the results remained consistent when synthetic images were used, suggesting that it's not the judgment process itself that differs.
A mouse study identified a malfunctioning neural circuit as the root of motor impairments seen in autism, where abnormal synaptic pruning and Purkinje cell function contribute to motor learning deficits. The findings may shed light on the intense world syndrome phenomenon in autism.
Scientists have pinpointed a novel role of FMRP in the embryonic development of the brain cortex, leading to delays in proper formation and affecting postnatal life and brain connectivity. The study may provide insights into cellular mechanisms affected in patients with Fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorders.
A new international study led by the Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre has identified a molecule that puts a brake on brain processing and when removed, brain function and memory recall are improved. The study found that suppressing the production of molecules required for building new memories leads to stronger con...
Research at Brunel University found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have trouble interpreting changing facial expressions. This impaired ability affects their judgment of others' emotional states and identity.
A new mouse model demonstrates that a genetic mutation in the FOXP1 gene leads to brain degeneration, causing perception and behavior problems. The study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying autism.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute found that moving forward trains the brain to perceive the world normally and calibrates time perception. The study's findings have implications for treating sensory processing disorders like autism and could lead to retraining the brain after stroke or other conditions.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine implicated a new gene in non-syndromic autism, suggesting similar molecular pathways among different types of autism. The study used mouse models, induced pluripotent stem cells and the 'Tooth Fairy' project to identify TRPC6 as a novel predisposing gene for ASD.
A study by a University of Kansas professor found that black and Hispanic children were significantly underrepresented in autism identification rates from 2000 to 2007, despite the overall increase in diagnoses. This disparity may reflect unequal access to services and diagnosis, with white students receiving more intensive supports.
A new article provides 10 practical tips to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), empowering them to participate in their communities and receive personalized care. The 'Ten Tips' offer a framework for clinical practice and global advocacy, prioritizing the individual's hopes, dreams, and self-determination.
A Danish study found that changes in diagnostic criteria and registration systems account for most of the increase in autism cases since the 1990s. The study analyzed data from over 677,000 individuals born between 1980-1991.
Researchers found that brain anatomy in MRI scans of people with autism above age six is mostly indistinguishable from that of typically developing individuals. The study's findings suggest that anatomical measures alone are likely to be of low scientific and clinical significance for identifying children, adolescents and adults with A...
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that changes in reporting practices in Denmark contributed significantly to the rise in autism diagnoses. The researchers analyzed data from 677,915 children born between 1980 and 1991, concluding that 60% of the increase was due to changes in diagnostic criteria and the inclusion of outpatien...
A Florida State University study reveals that parent-led social intervention can improve developmental levels, social communication skills, and autism symptoms in toddlers. The treatment model is affordable, efficient, and accessible to any early intervention system.
Researchers will collect location-specific information from tens of thousands of individuals with autism and their families nationwide to investigate potential environmental influences. The study aims to link self-reported data to relevant social and environmental stressors using geospatial technology.
A groundbreaking study has identified over two dozen high-confidence autism genes, shedding light on the disorder's genetic architecture. The research also reveals a difference in genetic basis between 'higher-IQ' and 'lower-IQ' autism, with implications for early interventions.
Researchers found that de novo mutations, including missense and likely gene-disrupting mutations, contribute significantly to autism. The study also identified recurrent gene-disrupting mutations in 27 genes as causal factors in severe cases.
Two major genetic studies have implicated dozens of genes in autism, affecting communication networks and fundamental biological mechanisms. The research provides a clear path forward for understanding the biology of autism and finding new treatments.
Researchers discovered over 70 additional likely ASD genes, with small differences in as many as 1,000 genes contributing to autism risk. The study found three pathways required for healthy development linked to greater autism risk, including chromatin remodeling.
A research team led by Carnegie Mellon University's Kathryn Roeder and the University of Pittsburgh's Bernie Devlin has identified 33 genes that contribute to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study analyzed data from over 14,000 DNA samples and found that small differences in some of possibly 1,000 risk genes can increase autism risk.
Researchers have identified 107 genes that contribute to the risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), highlighting three key pathways: synaptic function, chromatin remodeling, and transcription. These findings provide a better understanding of genetic and cellular changes in ASD and may eventually lead to potential therapies.
A new study at the University of Kentucky aims to address the challenges faced by individuals with autism as they complete high school and prepare for adulthood. The Collaborative Model for Promoting Competence and Success (COMPASS) will be adapted for young adults, focusing on skills training, social support, and transition planning.
Parents can learn scientifically validated autism therapy through group classes, improving their children's language skills and reducing stress. The treatment involves rewarding the child for trying to talk, with benefits including improved happiness and a sense of community.
A new study shows that Integrated Play Groups are effective in teaching children with autism to interact with peers and engage in symbolic play. The model, developed by Pamela Wolfberg, focuses on collaborative rather than adult-directed activities, allowing children to learn social skills through interactions with peers.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles will recruit 120 children with autism who also have chronic constipation for a year-long study. The goal is to determine if successful GI treatment improves behavioral symptoms in children with ASD.
Research found links between chromium and styrene exposure and increased risk of autism spectrum disorder, affecting one in 68 children.
The Bertarelli Program has awarded $3.6 million in grants to five research projects focused on diagnosing and treating hearing loss, as well as developing new treatments for blindness. The projects aim to combine technologies and approaches to accelerate the delivery of new treatments to the clinic.
Two major research projects will investigate the microbiome and its impact on autism symptoms, as well as chronic constipation treatment to improve behavioral symptoms. The studies aim to establish clear guidelines for personalized treatments and may lead to stool tests guiding treatments for autism and its associated medical conditions.
A new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers has found that about 20% of younger siblings of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will develop the condition by age 3. The study identified specific social-communicative behaviors at 18 months that distinguish infants with ASD from their peers.
Researchers at Marcus Autism Center studied delay discounting in parental decision-making, finding that parents' willingness to engage in treatment for their children's problem behavior decreases with longer delay. The study aimed to design treatment programs that families can stick to and help them adhere to.
Researchers found daily sulforaphane treatment improved behavioral and communication assessments in participants with moderate to severe autism spectrum disorder. The study showed significant improvements in factors such as irritability, lethargy, and communication after 18 weeks of treatment.
A chemical derived from broccoli sprouts, sulforaphane, has shown improvements in social interaction and verbal communication in individuals with moderate to severe autism. The treatment demonstrated significant reductions in repetitive behaviors and increased communication skills within four weeks.
The UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities has established a national Health Care Transitions Research Network for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), focusing on research to improve physical, psychosocial, educational and vocational outcomes for adolescents and young adults with ASD.
Grand Challenges Canada announces funding for 11 innovative projects addressing critical challenges in low-resource settings. The projects aim to integrate screening and services into primary healthcare, improve medication supply, and develop IT technologies to increase access to care.
A new study by UCLA researchers demonstrates how maternal inflammation can trigger excessive division of neural stem cells, leading to brain overgrowth and autism-like behavior in offspring. The findings suggest a potential environmental factor contributing to the complex disorder.
Researchers found that feeding mice with Rett syndrome a diet supplemented with triheptanoin improved their physical and behavioral symptoms. The oil helped normalize body fat, glucose, and fat metabolism, and increased social interest in other mice. The study offers potential hope for dietary treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
A MU researcher has received a $1 million grant from the CDC to enhance prevention efforts for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. The goal is to educate healthcare professionals and increase awareness of the dangers of drinking during pregnancy.
Researchers at Brown University created a culturally compatible diagnostic approach for autism in Tanzanian children. The approach uses a collection of instruments adapted from established tools, including the Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Second Edition (CARS-2) and Malawi Development Assessment Tool.
A new OSU study found that children with autism are more sedentary than their typically-developing peers, averaging 50 minutes less a day of moderate physical activity and 70 minutes more each day sitting. Despite this, they perform similarly on fitness assessments such as body mass index, aerobic fitness levels, and flexibility.
Researchers analyzed data from 7,371 children in Finland and found that those conceived less than 12 months after a sibling's birth were 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism. The risk was also higher for those conceived at long intervals, over 40% higher.
Researchers discovered that autism with early language delay is associated with smaller brain volume in key regions and larger brainstem structures. Current language function also impacts grey and white matter volume changes in specific brain areas.
A new study suggests that measuring how fast the brain responds to sights and sounds can help classify people on the autism spectrum and diagnose the condition earlier. The study found a strong correlation between the speed of processing auditory signals and the severity of autistic symptoms.
A study by researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute found that mothers of children with autism are less likely to report taking iron supplements before and during pregnancy. The risk is five-fold greater in children whose mothers had low supplemental iron and other risk factors for delivering a child with ASD.
New research from the Copenhagen Centre for Social Evolution and Yale University found a strong link between birth weight and risk of developing mental health disorders such as autism and schizophrenia in adolescence. The study, which analyzed medical records of 1.75 million Danish births, found that smaller babies were at higher risk ...
A recent study found that symptoms of autism were unusually common in people with Jacobsen syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting approximately 1 in 100,000 people. The study suggests that knowing this connection can help families investigate early intervention treatments to support their children.
Researchers at Caltech have discovered a seesaw-like circuit in the mouse amygdala that controls whether animals engage in social or repetitive asocial behaviors. The discovery, led by Weizhe Hong, may have implications for understanding neural circuit dysfunctions underlying autism in humans.
A new grant-funded program seeks to expand a 5-year-old autism early detection model, which assesses toddlers for ASD around their first birthday. The program's goal is to reduce the mean age of ASD diagnosis in multiple cities across the U.S., with potential benefits for children's brain development.
A six-month infant intervention program eliminates symptoms of autism and developmental delay by 3 years old. Parents played a crucial role in the success of this early treatment.
Researchers found significantly decreased estrogen receptor beta expression in autistic male brains, which may explain the disorder's higher prevalence in boys. Estrogen receptor agonists could potentially reverse autism's behavioral deficits, such as reclusiveness and repetitive behavior.
A study found that autistic males have lower levels of estrogen receptors and aromatase, an enzyme converting testosterone to estradiol. This could lead to increased testosterone levels, potentially contributing to the disorder's prevalence in men. The findings suggest a possible reason for the gender bias in autism diagnosis.
Researchers suggest that an injury to the cerebellum during early life may disrupt brain development, leading to cognitive and behavioral symptoms associated with autism. The theory proposes that the cerebellum plays a crucial role in processing sensory information and organizing internal processes.
Recent research highlights the impact of gastrointestinal symptoms on medication absorption and availability in autism patients. Alternative modes of drug administration are needed to provide more effective therapy.
A study published in the Journal of Medical Genetics found a genetic change in the ADNP gene associated with autism in at least .17 percent of cases. This discovery could provide a definitive clinical marker for some patients' developmental disabilities.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering found that socially-assistive robots can improve imitation behavior in children with autism by providing varied feedback. The study used humanoid robots to deliver 'graded cueing' prompts, which helped participants achieve improved or maintained performance.
The Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University has received a $600,000 grant from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to implement the Autism Plan for Georgia. The plan aims to increase awareness, access, and coordination of services for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry found no statistically significant link between prenatal antidepressant exposure and autism risk after accounting for severe maternal depression. However, an increased risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) persisted even after controlling for factors related to a mother...
A study found that children with autism have a surplus of synapses in the brain due to a slowdown in synaptic pruning during development. The researchers discovered that administering a drug called rapamycin can improve autistic-like behaviors in mice, even when given after the behaviors have appeared.
A team of scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory developed a new algorithm to analyze genome sequences and pinpoint insertion and deletion mutations involved in diseases. They successfully identified indels associated with autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder, shedding light on the genetic causes of these disorders.
A recent study by York University researchers found that adults with autism are at a higher risk of sexual victimization due to a lack of sex education. The study highlights the importance of improving interventions that focus on sexual knowledge and skill building.
A study published in Cell reveals that the thalamic reticular nucleus acts as a 'switchboard' directing sensory signals during wakefulness and internal information during sleep. This 'switchboard' is crucial in attention and sleep, with faulty cells potentially disrupting filtering of information in psychiatric disorders.