Research on autism and neurodevelopment. Covers screening and diagnosis gaps, rising diagnoses among girls, prenatal risks, and genomics.
Researchers found that autistic brains concentrate more activity in temporal and occipital regions, which are involved in pattern recognition and object perception. This enables them to perform well in visual tasks that require reasoning and decision-making.
Researchers have observed improvements in eye contact, social interaction, and speech in adults and children with autism and Fragile X syndrome treated with acamprosate. Larger studies are needed to determine effectiveness and tolerability.
A new online resource, JobTIPS, aims to assist youth with ASD or other disabilities in developing job-related skills. The website provides guidance on how to behave in workplace situations and offers resources for educators, job coaches, and transition coordinators.
Researchers found that toddlers who played with fewer toys showed improvement in communication skills after parent-guided treatment. However, the treatment did not show a significant effect on all children, but rather those who had limited playtime.
A new study published in the Journal of Vision uses a unique method to evaluate brain activity when recognizing faces. The technique, called steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP), found that the brain signal is larger when presenting different faces than when repeating the same face.
Developmental biologist Hazel Sive proposes using the term 'tool' to define biological systems that don't accurately recapitulate human disorders, but provide valuable insights. These 'tools' can be used in loss-of-function studies and screening for chemicals that affect gene activity, potentially leading to therapeutic targets.
A recreation program that allowed autistic adults to choose their own leisure activities improved their communication and social skills, according to Penn State researchers. Participants scored higher on personality tests than a control group, showing significant improvement in recognizing and labeling emotions.
UK child psychiatrist Sir Michael Rutter reviews the latest scientific developments in autism research, covering clinical features, genetics, environmental factors, and psychological treatments. Despite substantial gains in knowledge, prevention and cure remain major puzzles in autism research.
Researchers identified new gene variants contributing to autism, disrupting brain development and nerve signaling. The study suggests multiple genetic paths to autism, with similar functional roles in the nervous system.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals a potential link between immunity, infectious disease, and conditions such as schizophrenia and autism. Researchers found that an immune molecule called Major Histocompatibility Complex type 1 (MHC type I) regulates brain connections during early postnatal development.
Researchers have found that increasing serotonin levels improves social behavior in mice with autism. A medication called buspirone was used to mimic the effects of serotonin, resulting in improved social interaction behaviors. Further study is planned to investigate the impact of a diet rich in tryptophan on social behavior.
A noninvasive EEG test using machine-learning algorithms can identify infant autism risk at 9 months with 80% accuracy, suggesting a safe and practical approach to early diagnosis. The test captures differences in brain organization and function, allowing for behavioral interventions before traditional testing.
Researchers found a gene called RORA that plays a critical role in brain development and is affected by sex hormones. In individuals with autism, aromatase conversion of testosterone to estrogen is reduced, leading to increased male hormone levels and decreased RORA expression.
A Scripps Research study reveals a new mechanism controlling brain formation, where reelin regulates glial-independent migration of nerve cells. The findings have significant implications for understanding diseases such as schizophrenia and autism.
Rates of service use decline significantly after young adults with autism spectrum disorder exit high school. Disparities in service usage exist by race and socioeconomic status.
High-functioning autistic adults tend to blame others for accidents, even if they had good intentions. This challenges the typical understanding of theory of mind and morality in autism.
The hospital has established a Diagnostic, Clinical & Research Center for Autism to support clinical and translational research. Participation in the ATN will enable them to engage in cutting-edge clinical and translational research.
The Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network has expanded to 17 leading children's hospitals and academic medical centers in the US and Canada. The network provides comprehensive and multidisciplinary care models for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders, supported by evidence-based research and practice.
The collaboration aims to verify the existence of a higher ASD prevalence among Somali children in Minneapolis. The project will use surveillance methods developed at the CDC to investigate the issue, which has been raised by parents and community members.
Researchers developed a non-invasive ultra-high-speed microscope to visualize brain activity in real-time, recording the firing of thousands of individual neurons in 3D. This technology could help decipher 'miscommunications' in neuropsychiatric disorders like autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have made a breakthrough in understanding how neural circuits self-assemble. By observing the formation of inhibitory synapses, they found that GABA transmission regulates synaptic adhesion. The discovery sheds light on neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
New research reveals that children with autism are unable to search effectively for objects in real-life environments, contrary to previous findings. This skill is crucial for achieving independence in adulthood.
Autism Speaks has awarded $2.309,233 in funding for 21 new research grants over three years, including pilot projects and special research initiatives. The grants focus on epigenetic and gene-environment influences, neurobiology, and studies concerning adolescents and adults with autism.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have begun testing mecasermin, a drug that may reverse features of Rett syndrome by enhancing synapse maturation. The three-year pilot study aims to improve neurodevelopment and cardiorespiratory function in girls with the condition.
A study found that living within 309 meters of a freeway at birth was associated with a two-fold increase in autism risk. Air pollution exposure during pregnancy has been linked to physical and developmental effects on the fetus in other studies.
Mount Sinai researchers create mouse model to investigate the impact of a single SHANK3 gene mutation on nerve cell communication and social behavior. The study identifies impaired communication and altered plasticity in nerve cells, providing critical insight into the development of autism spectrum disorders.
A new study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health found that toddlers with autism who received a targeted intervention showed significant improvements in social and communication skills. The intervention, which focused on core social deficits, yielded sustained gains even in very young children.
Eastern Virginia Medical School researchers have identified a potential novel treatment strategy for the social impairment of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The medication, D-Cycloserine, showed promising effects in resolving the BALB/c mouse's deficits of sociability.
Harvard and University of Utah researchers have developed a biologically based test for autism, detecting high-functioning autism with 94 percent accuracy. The test uses MRI to measure deviations in brain circuitry, revealing insights into the biological basis of autism and potential improvements in management and treatments.
A UC Davis study found that children with autism have more trouble fueling their cells due to dysfunctional mitochondria. The researchers analyzed blood samples from 10 children with autism and 10 typically developing children, detecting mitochondrial dysfunction and changes in mitochondrial DNA.
Researchers discovered that children with full syndrome autism have impaired mitochondrial function and mitochondrial DNA abnormalities, which may contribute to brain dysfunction. The study suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction could amplify and propagate brain problems in autism.
A new study by UC Davis researchers found that children with autism have deficits in cellular energy production, suggesting a strong link between autism and mitochondrial defects. The study's lead author suggests that deficiencies in mitochondria may contribute to cognitive impairments associated with autism.
Children with autism improved their creative skills by building Lego structures in new ways, learning to use creativity in everyday life. Researchers used Applied Behavior Analysis and positive reinforcement to teach the children, who were able to apply their new skills to different situations.
Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., has been recognized as a "Rock Star of Science" for her extensive contributions to autism research and advocacy. Her work aims to discover the causes and effective treatments for autism, with a focus on improving lives for individuals with autism and their families.
A study by researchers at the University of Washington found that 90% of high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorders showed discrepancies between their IQ score and performance on standardized tests. These children often have above-average academic abilities, suggesting that traditional IQ scores may not be an accurate pre...
Researchers found boys are more likely to receive an autism diagnosis despite equally severe symptoms, suggesting a gender bias in diagnosis. The study also discovered older mothers are better at identifying their children's difficulties and have more confidence in bringing concerns to the clinic.
Researchers at Yale University used fMRI to identify three distinct 'neural signatures' in children with autism and their unaffected siblings. These patterns, including reduced activity in certain brain regions and enhanced compensatory activity, may help with earlier and more accurate diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that children with autism are likely to continue experiencing handwriting problems into their teenage years. The research found that teenagers with autism scored significantly lower than those without autism on a handwriting assessment test.
A recent study published in Neurology found that children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are unlikely to outgrow handwriting problems into their teenage years. Researchers at the Kennedy Krieger Institute also discovered that perceptual reasoning skills are a key predictor of handwriting performance in adolescents with ASD.
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine created functional neurons from patients with Rett syndrome, providing a new human cellular model for studying autism spectrum disorder. The neurons featured fewer synapses, reduced spine density, and altered calcium signaling, suggesting that synaptic deficiencies may not be permanent.
Scientists successfully replicated autism in the lab using human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells derived from patients with Rett syndrome. The study revealed disease-specific cellular defects, such as reduced functional connections between neurons, which are reversible through insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) treatment.
A significant genetic deletion on chromosome 17 has been identified as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. The study found that patients with this deletion were at least 13.58 times more likely to develop ASD or schizophrenia.
A study analyzing genomic DNA from over 23,000 patients with ASD, developmental delay, or schizophrenia found a common deletion on chromosome 17 that increases the risk of developing either condition by at least 13.58 times.
Researchers at UCLA used brain imaging and genetic detective work to illustrate how genetic variants alter the brain, behavior, and learning. The discovery could lead to earlier detection of autism and targeted therapies to rebalance brain function.
A recent study found that total health care expenditures for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) per 10,000 covered lives grew by 32.8% from $1,270,435 in 2000 to $1,686,938 in 2003. The treated prevalence of autism increased by 32.2% during the same period.
Researchers found that individuals with autism were more likely to believe in the vanishing ball trick illusion, despite having trouble interpreting social cues. The study suggests that people with autism may have difficulties allocating attention to the right place at the right time, which could impact their performance in social situ...
A new Université de Montreal study found that trained service dogs can significantly reduce stress hormone levels in autistic children, from an average of 33 problematic behaviors to just 25. The dogs also improved socialization skills and overall well-being for the children.
A team of scientists has made significant progress in understanding how the brain's 'hearing center' processes sound by mapping its acoustic space. They discovered that neurons within the auditory cortex respond to sounds based on their frequency, but also found an unexpected out-of-column pattern for some neurons.
A UCLA study found that exposing fetal neurons to high levels of the immune protein MHC leads to abnormal brain development in mice. This discovery may provide new insights into factors contributing to human neurological disorders like schizophrenia and autism.
Researchers at the University of Utah Health used MRI to identify areas where the left and right hemispheres of the brains of people with autism do not properly communicate. The study found functional connectivity abnormalities in the entire brain, adding to the understanding of this disorder.
A Queen's University study found autistic children are prone to telling white lies to avoid hurting others' feelings. In a test, most nodded or said yes instead of expressing disappointment with a soap gift.
Researchers created a new method called BLINC to directly observe protein-protein interactions in live brain cells. They found that synaptic activity affects the growth of a complex that mediates signaling into neurons, leading to excitatory synapse maturation.
A new study found that siblings of children with autism have more frequent language delays and subtle characteristics of the disorder. The research suggests that genetic factors can influence individuals to varying degrees, even if one child is diagnosed with autism while the other is not.
Eight new researchers will receive funding for their studies on autism spectrum disorders, including genetics, neuroscience and clinical research. The fellowships aim to support the growth of a promising cadre of young autism scientists.
Children with ADHD have more missing or duplicated segments of DNA compared to other children, suggesting a strong genetic link. The study also found significant overlap between these segments and genetic variants implicated in autism and schizophrenia.
New research from CAMH and SickKids reveals that males with specific alterations of DNA on their X-chromosome are at high risk of developing Autism Spectrum Disorder. The study found mutations in the PTCHD1 gene, which may disrupt brain development and contribute to autism.
Researchers identified a mutation in the PTCHD1 gene associated with about one percent of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) or intellectual disabilities, mostly males. The study suggests that this mutation may disrupt crucial developmental processes contributing to autism.
Researchers at University of South Florida (USF) are studying the impact of maternal infections on fetal brain development, aiming to prevent autism. Natural compounds like luteolin and diosmin may block detrimental effects of maternal infection on offspring's brains.
Most children develop contagious yawning by age 4, while those with autism spectrum disorders are less likely to yawn in response to others. Children with more severe autistic symptoms show the least yawn contagion, suggesting empathy and social cues may be delayed in development
A new study found that cognitive skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) vary from child to child and can improve over time. The research, conducted in Western Australia, assessed 37 children with ASD and 31 typically developing children at ages 5-6 and again three years later.