Articles tagged with Autism
Autism Speaks funds 14 new research projects, including technology-based initiatives, environmental epidemiology studies, and basic clinical research to better understand autism causes, prevention, treatment, and cure. These grants aim to enhance early screening, diagnosis, and access to interventions.
Research at George Washington University reveals that genetic lesions associated with autism disrupt cellular mechanisms for interneuron development. LaMantia found that the Cxcr4 cytokine receptor plays a crucial role in regulating interneuron migration.
A recent study published in Cell reveals that genetic mutations in 'hotspots' are more frequent in genes linked to autism and other disorders, providing new insights into their causes. Researchers found that these regions exhibit higher mutation rates, potentially leading to disruptions in gene function.
Researchers have discovered a higher frequency of the fragile X genetic defect in newborns than previously believed, with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 200 females and 1 in 400 males. The study's findings suggest that large-scale newborn screening for the defect is technically feasible using blood spots from infant heel pricks.
A study found that autism genes are more prone to mutation hotspots, contributing to disease risk. The researchers used whole-genome sequencing on monozygotic twins with autism and their parents, identifying clusters of nucleotide substitutions in specific parts of the genome.
Researchers found a significant association between regional hypermutability and autism in monozygotic twins. The study also discovered that paternal age accounts for a substantial portion of variability in mutation rates, while maternal age has no significant effect.
Researchers have identified numerous new genes associated with autism spectrum disorder using high-throughput sequencing technology. This discovery confirms that the genetic origins of autism are complex and may involve hundreds of mutations.
A leading researcher's findings reveal that mental health is not improving at the same rate as global health and lifespan, with autism prevalence found in males, those without higher education, and social housing residents. Training Health Visitors to assess and support mothers after childbirth can prevent depression in adults.
Researchers developed a portable video-based test to measure language comprehension in toddlers and children with autism. The test, known as IPL, tracks eye movements while watching videos to identify language understanding without relying on verbal responses.
A collaborative research effort has pinpointed the genetic footprint that links fragile X syndrome and autism. The findings identify at least 93 genes controlled by the fragile X mental retardation protein, which are also linked to other neurologic syndromes.
A clinical trial has shown that a diuretic can reduce the severity of autistic disorders in three-quarters of children. The treatment, which involves administering bumetanide to children with autism or Asperger's syndrome, has been found to improve symptoms such as social interaction and communication.
A computer-based design program, SketchUp, helps develop spatial and visual acuity in youth on the autism spectrum. It also improves relationships between grandparents and their grandkids, creating a more supportive environment. The technology provides common ground for grandparents to engage with others, sharing experiences and joys.
Researchers at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute have identified a new genetic process that could lead to novel treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders. Genetic mutations affecting brain development can occur in genes of unknown function, suggesting a previously overlooked pathway in brain development.
A study by Oregon Health & Science University found significant health care shortcomings among autistic adults, including lower rates of preventive services and higher emergency department use. The research highlighted the need for better primary care services for this population.
Researchers identified evidence of immune system involvement in autism development through novel genome analysis approaches, supporting a common molecular physiology behind the condition. Viral infection pathways were found most important in this immune-related mechanism, potentially affecting brain development.
DELSIA and Seaside Therapeutics aim to discover genetic and protein biomarkers to identify patients most likely to benefit from treatment with arbaclofen, a potential treatment for core social impairment in autism. The partnership will help generate critical information to develop targeted treatments.
Researchers found that externalizing symptoms like aggression drove ED visits among children with ASD. Private insurance coverage was linked to a higher likelihood of psychiatric ED visits due to excluded autism coverage and restrictive reimbursement limits.
Researchers explore autism spectrum disorder genetics and biomarker development in a special issue of Disease Markers. Early diagnosis through biomarkers could improve individual outcomes with early behavioral intervention.
A study by Brigham Young University found a strong correlation between the persistence of fears and the severity of classic symptoms of autism. Children with autism took longer to extinguish their original fear in response to a changing visual cue, highlighting the need to help them make emotional transitions.
A Baylor University study suggests that chelation therapy, a popular autism treatment, is ineffective and potentially harmful. The research found methodological weaknesses in existing studies on chelation, which could contribute to cardiac problems and other serious side effects.
A four-year $600,000 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health will support an SDSU scientist's research on brain network connectivity in autistic children and adolescents. The study aims to understand how atypical brain connections link to impaired social functioning in children with autism.
A survey found that 80% of parents with a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) would pursue genetic testing to identify risk in younger siblings. The average lag from initial suspicion to diagnosis was almost three years, with many families experiencing anxiety due to the increased risk of recurrence.
A recent study published in Autism Research found that six-month-old infants at risk for autism spectrum disorder produce cries with higher and more variable fundamental frequency than low-risk infants. The study suggests the potential of cry acoustics as an early screening method for autism.
A study of 279 children with autism and 245 control subjects found exposure to traffic-related air pollution during pregnancy and the first year of life was associated with an increased risk of autism. Children living in homes with high levels of modeled traffic pollution were three times more likely to have autism.
Research has shown a three-fold increase in autism risk associated with air pollution exposure during pregnancy and early childhood. Novel neuroimaging approaches have also confirmed an association between autism and immune function changes, shedding light on mechanisms behind the disorder.
USC/CHLA researchers have found that air pollution is associated with a higher risk of developing autism in young children. Exposure to traffic-related and regional air pollution during pregnancy and early childhood may increase the risk by more than two-fold.
A study in mice found that abnormally high synthesis of neuroligins results in symptoms similar to those diagnosed in ASD. The researchers also discovered that compounds inhibiting protein synthesis or targeting neuroligins can rectify autism-like behaviors in adult mice.
Researchers will track brain development in infants with TSC using advanced imaging techniques to identify those at high risk for autism. The study aims to open new avenues of research and treatment for autism, not only in TSC but also in other causes.
A new study reveals that 34.3% of students with an ASD enroll in STEM majors, higher than peers with other disabilities and the general population. However, young adults with ASD have one of the lowest overall college enrollment rates due to factors like family income and social challenges.
Researchers found that metal-binding agents applied to the skin, prescribed for autism treatment, are not absorbed and ineffective. The study contradicts claims made by some practitioners treating children with mercury-binding agents.
A new study by Columbia University researchers identifies two genetic networks affected in schizophrenia, which also show a connection to autism. The analysis reveals that many genes mutated in schizophrenia are organized into these networks, involved in processes like axon guidance and chromosomal modification.
A new study of eight child prodigies suggests a possible link between their special skills and autism. The prodigies, who scored exceptionally on working memory tests, show elevated autistic traits but lack the typical deficits associated with autism.
Recent studies claiming to use brain scans for autism diagnosis are flawed and unreliable. Researchers need to conduct large-scale multicenter studies to understand the biological basis of autism.
Researchers found moderate to insufficient evidence supporting various autism interventions, highlighting the need for well-designed studies. The expert panel recommends focusing on assessment and monitoring treatment outcomes, addressing needs of preverbal and nonverbal children, and identifying effective strategies for core deficits.
A study found two distinct patterns of language, social and motor development in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). By the third birthday, the level of impairment between early- and late-emerging ASD symptom groups is comparable. Early signs of delay were not easily detected using existing clinical tests.
A new study reveals that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) develop similarly to their peers at 6 months of age, but diverge later on. The research, conducted over three years, examined the development of 235 children with and without ASD from 6 to 36 months.
An autism intervention program that emphasizes social interactions has been found to improve cognitive skills and brain responses to faces, a building block for social skills. The program improved attention and cognition brain activity to social stimuli, making the brain function patterns more similar to typical developing children.
The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) has been found to improve social skills and brain responses to social cues in young children with autism. The study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, showed that ESDM increased brain activity associated with recognizing and perceiving social information.
A nationwide study found that intensive early intervention therapy can normalize brain activity, decrease autism symptoms and improve social skills in young children with autism. The therapy, called Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), was effective in improving cognition and language skills among very young children with autism.
Autism Speaks' new affiliate, DELSIA, will develop medicines, treatments, and products from scientific research, focusing on improving quality of life for those affected by autism. DELSIA's venture philanthropy model aims to translate lab breakthroughs into real-world solutions.
A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers reveals that individuals with a family history of schizophrenia are 12 times more likely to develop autism. The findings suggest a shared genetic root cause between the two conditions, shedding light on their genetics.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has released a revised autism toolkit for clinicians, featuring over 70 tools for health care providers. The toolkit includes updated guidelines on autism screening, surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, and referral.
New brain imaging studies show that children with autism may recognize socially inappropriate behavior but have difficulty using spoken language to explain why the behavior is considered wrong. This decreased use of language may also make generalization of knowledge more difficult for these children.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that men and women with autism spectrum conditions exhibit different cognitive abilities. Women with autism performed comparably to non-autistic women in tasks involving attention to detail, while men struggled with similar challenges.
Researchers found that small genetic variations can accumulate and contribute to the risk of autism spectrum disorders. In families where only one child has ASD, 40% of the risk is inherited, rising to 60% in families with multiple affected children. These findings provide new insights into the genetic factors underlying ASD.
A new study published in Molecular Autism found that common genetic variations can add up to increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder. The research, which analyzed data from over one million participants, suggests that inherited risk is additive and can significantly impact an individual's likelihood of developing ASD.
A new study found that nearly half of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) attempt to elope at least once after age 4, with 53% going missing long enough to cause concern. The study also reveals that elopement behavior is often goal-oriented and intent-driven, with children seeking to go somewhere or do something.
The study found that 91% of children currently diagnosed with a DSM-IV autism spectrum disorder would be diagnosed with ASD using DSM-V, suggesting that the new criteria will not exclude most children. DSM-5 has also been shown to have higher specificity than DSM-IV.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have discovered a promising treatment for Rett syndrome by reversing abnormalities in brain activity with an FDA-approved anesthesia drug, ketamine. This study provides new evidence that drug treatment can improve neurological function in individuals with Rett syndrome.
University of Miami researchers identified a link between early non-verbal communication skills and the risk of developing autism. The study found that babies as young as eight months old who showed lower levels of referential communication were more likely to exhibit severe autism symptoms by age three.
Autism Speaks has awarded nearly $5 million in research grants to support various studies on autism, including the effects of pregnancy medications on future generations. These grants will fund projects that aim to identify biomarkers for response to autism medications, develop new interventions, and expand food choices for picky eater...
Researchers have created two innovative technologies to detect behavioral markers in children with autism. An eye-tracking system using gaze-tracking glasses and facial-analysis software can automatically measure eye contact, while a wearable system using accelerometers monitors problem behaviors. These tools aim to improve understandi...
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that there is insufficient evidence to support medical interventions in adolescents and young adults with autism. Key findings include the potential benefits of antipsychotic medications in reducing problem behaviors, but limited effectiveness for vocational interventions.
Research by Carnegie Mellon University neuroscientists reveals that autistic adults exhibit poor response reliability in sensory systems, including vision, hearing, and touch. This fundamental neural characteristic may contribute to behavioral changes and social interactions difficulties in autism.
Researchers found a medication to be effective in addressing social withdrawal and challenging behaviors in fragile X syndrome patients. The study suggests potential implications for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, who also experience significant social deficits.
Researchers at NYU have devised a method to reduce afflictions associated with Fragile X syndrome in laboratory mice by targeting the protein synthesis process. The study found improvements in physical attributes and behaviors in FXS mice lacking S6K1, but not uniform reductions in repetitive behaviors.
A clinical trial found that arbaclofen improved symptoms of social withdrawal and challenging behaviors in individuals with fragile X syndrome. The study suggests the compound may also be effective for autism spectrum disorder, offering new hope for treatment options.
STX209 treatment corrects core aspects of FXS pathophysiology, improving social function in patients. The drug has the potential to significantly improve lives of patients with fragile X syndrome and may also have a positive effect on autism spectrum disorders.
Neural activity in response to basic sensory information may be unreliable in individuals with autism, leading to a range of behavioral abnormalities. The study suggests that autism could result from fundamental defects in general neural processing.
A study by University of Missouri researcher Micah Mazurek found that nearly one-fourth of children with ASD also experience chronic gastrointestinal problems, anxiety and sensory sensitivities. These interrelated issues can significantly impact daily life and treatment outcomes for children with autism.