Articles tagged with Autism
Researchers discovered a new genetic signature that correlates strongly with autism and involves the way genes are turned on and off. The finding may suggest new approaches to diagnosis and treatment of autism, potentially identifying individuals who will respond better to oxytocin treatment.
A new study has identified a possible link between autism and non-DNA sequence mutations in the oxytocin receptor gene, OXTR. The research found that this alteration is present in both peripheral blood cells and the brain's temporal cortex, suggesting a major role in human development.
Researchers at UC Davis MIND Institute report that after adjusting for factors, typically developing children and those with autism have similar blood-mercury levels. The study, conducted as part of the CHARGE Study, looked at various sources of mercury in participants' environments, including fish consumption and vaccinations.
Amy Wetherby's research aims to detect autism in children as young as 18 months using a screening tool and culturally sensitive methods. The NIH grants will fund studies of 600 children across different cultures to improve early diagnosis and access to intervention.
Research on autism spectrum disorders has made significant progress, with advancements in early brain development and diagnosis. The review highlights the importance of parent involvement and genetic factors in the disorder, and suggests potential future treatments using neuroimaging tools and intensive behavioral therapies.
A Stanford University researcher has pinpointed the mechanism by which a gene associated with both autism and schizophrenia influences behavior in mice. The study identified behavioral changes in the mice similar to some symptoms of autism and schizophrenia, highlighting the complexities of cognitive disorders.
A new article reviews published research and finds no convincing evidence supporting a relationship between vaccines and autism. The onset of autism occurs prior to age three, with various possible associations examined but no clear cause identified.
A genome-wide study has identified a single-letter change in the genetic code associated with autism, highlighting the role of common DNA variation. The research also uncovered two other genomic regions likely containing rare genetic differences that may influence autism risk.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are testing a new intervention called Responsive Teaching, designed for parents and caregivers of children under 3 years old with autism. The study aims to improve social emotional functioning and daily routines, without direct instruction or rote learning activities.
Researchers identified semaphorin 5A, a gene involved in neuronal contact and communication, as a potential biological target for pharmaceutical intervention in individuals with autism. The study utilizes genome-wide association studies and extends prior research findings to brain tissue samples.
Eight fellows have been selected for the prestigious fellowship program, which aims to encourage autism research as their chosen career path. The fellows will work with leading scientists and receive research training opportunities in various areas of autism spectrum disorders.
A $4.5 million grant will fund whole-genome sequencing of children with autism using new technologies. Researchers aim to discover noncoding DNA regions controlling gene activity and relate clinical autism to genetic variations in DNA and gene expression.
Researchers from UT Houston and Jamaica are launching a two-year, $300,000 study to explore the potential connection between genes and toxic metals in causing autism spectrum disorders. The study aims to identify specific genes that may interact with exposure to toxins like mercury, lead, and arsenic.
The Johns Hopkins Center for the Epigenetics of Common Human Disease has been awarded a $16.8 million NIH grant to advance genomics research. The team will focus on studying epigenetics' role in diseases such as bipolar disorder, aging, and autism.
A major study into adults living with autism has found that one in every hundred adults in England has the condition, similar to child prevalence rates. The study also reveals distinct characteristics of individuals with autism, including employment status and housing type.
A Barrow scientist has received a $400,000 grant to investigate Von Economo Neurons (VENs), cells potentially linked to quick decision making and social disabilities in autism. The research aims to understand the neural basis for human awareness and VENs' role in species evolution.
Researchers identified the amygdala as the brain structure responsible for our sense of personal space. The discovery sheds light on the neural mechanisms involved in social behavior and offers new perspectives on autism and other disorders where social distance is an issue.
A study by Scripps Research, UCSD, and University of Oslo teams found that genetic variations in the MECP2 gene correlate with brain structure, particularly in males. The research opens up new avenues for understanding autism and other neurological conditions, and may lead to potential treatments.
The study uncovered the unlikely genetic suspect, FOXC1, which critically contributes to Dandy-Walker malformation, a brain defect causing mental retardation and motor delays. The discovery provides new mechanisms and potentially improves treatment for the disorder, offering insights into embryonic brain development.
Research at Durham University suggests that people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) struggle to identify emotions from short video clips of body movements without seeing faces or hearing sound. Adults with ASD performed poorly in a test detecting the direction of coherent movement on a screen, attributed to visual processing problems.
Researchers found social cognition brain activity in children as young as 6 years old, similar to adults. By age 11, the 'right tempero-parietal junction' took on a more specialized role in thinking about others' thoughts.
A new genetic study has identified 27 genes associated with Asperger syndrome, autistic traits, and empathy. The research found that single nucleotide polymorphisms in these genes were nominally associated with autistic traits and empathy, providing preliminary leads for understanding the genetic basis of Asperger syndrome.
A Queen's University study reveals that preschoolers' brain development is linked to their social reasoning abilities. The research found that children with more mature brain activity patterns showed a better understanding of false beliefs.
Research found that mothers of children with autism had higher levels of parenting-related stress and psychological distress, while daily living skills were not associated with increased stress. The study suggests that addressing problem behaviors in autism is crucial for family well-being and early intervention.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified a single gene mutation responsible for catastrophic epilepsy, a condition marked by severe muscle spasms, persistent seizures, and mental retardation. The discovery provides a new model for studying the disease and has sparked hope for potential treatments.
Researchers found that children with autism rely heavily on proprioception to learn new actions, leading to greater impairment in social skills and motor skills. This understanding can inform targeted interventions to enhance visuo-motor associations in children with autism.
A pilot study has confirmed that children with autism require smaller group teaching settings due to difficulties in understanding speech in noisy environments. The research suggests a delay of almost five years in developing multisensory abilities compared to typically developing children.
Researchers found rare copy number variations in genes of children with autism spectrum disorders but not healthy controls. The study identified two novel genes, BZRAP1 and MDGA2, thought to be important in synaptic function and neurological development.
A recent study has discovered 27 genetic regions associated with autism spectrum disorders, revealing the complex interplay of inherited and new mutations. The research identifies multiple genes, including BZRAP1 and MDGA2, which play crucial roles in synaptic function and neurological development.
Researchers engineered mice with a duplication of the autism-linked chromosomal region and found they exhibited behaviors associated with human autism, including poor social interaction and repetitive behavior. The study provides a valuable model for therapeutic development and sheds light on the molecular pathways underlying autism.
Researchers have developed a specific and quantitative method to measure FMRP protein levels, which is mutated in fragile X syndrome. This test will help correlate protein levels with clinical severity of the disease.
Michigan State University is part of the largest epidemiological study on autism, collecting and analyzing data from nearly 3,000 families to identify factors that may put children at risk for the disease. The study will also explore physical and behavioral characteristics, health conditions, and risk factors associated with autism.
Researchers at UC Davis have visualized the formation of a new synapse using neuroligin, a protein linked to autism. The study reveals the dynamic process of molecule recruitment, showing how neuroligin stabilizes adhesion between neurons and recruits other proteins important for synapse function.
A new study published in Human Brain Mapping found that autistics are up to 40 percent faster at problem-solving than non-autistics, with improved perceptual abilities. The research used the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices test to measure hypothesis-testing and learning skills.
A new parent questionnaire, Language Use Inventory (LUI), has been developed to evaluate language skills in children with autism. The LUI assesses pragmatic language development, which is critical for effective communication in everyday interactions.
The Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI) study will follow a cohort of up to 1,200 pregnant women who already have a child with autism to investigate early risk factors for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Researchers will collect data on possible environmental risk factors and their interplay with genetic susceptibility duri...
The UGA Collaborative Adolescent Autism Teacher Training (CAATT) project aims to train teachers on how to work with secondary-age students with ASD. The new program will provide fellowships for up to a dozen graduate students annually to learn specialized training in structuring classrooms and designing instruction.
A new study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found that the antidepressant citalopram did not reduce repetitive behaviors in children and teens with autism spectrum disorders. The medication, an SSRI, was tested in a randomized controlled trial involving 149 children with moderate to severe repetitive behavior.
A multi-center study found that antidepressant citalopram had no significant effect on reducing repetitive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder. The study included 149 children aged five to 17 and tested the treatment over a 12-week period.
A six-site clinical trial found that citalopram, commonly prescribed to children with autism spectrum disorders, was no more effective than a placebo at reducing repetitive behaviors. The study included 149 participants and showed negative side effects in nearly all children.
A study funded by NIH found citalopram to be no more effective than a placebo in reducing repetitive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders. The medication was associated with increased side effects, challenging its use as a treatment option.
Researchers from the University of Oregon and University of California, Davis, have identified a locking mechanism that allows neurons to form synapses, essential for transmitting information. This discovery sheds light on autism development, a brain disorder affecting social and communication abilities.
The vaccine-autism debate persists despite scientific consensus, fueled by internet misinformation and declining public trust. Pediatrician Paul Offit's efforts to set the record straight have been hindered by celebrity anti-vaccine advocates like Jenny McCarthy.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a link between a variant of the CACNA1G gene and increased autism risk in boys. The study found that nearly 40% of the population carry the common variant, which increases the correlation to autism spectrum disorder.
A new study estimates that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) costs the UK more than £27 billion a year, with £2.7 billion spent on children's support and £25 billion on adults. Researchers call for increased early intervention and policy review to address these significant economic impacts.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered neurons that mirror the attention of others, which may contribute to social deficits in autism and other disorders. The attention-mirroring neurons were found in the parietal lobe, a part of the brain dedicated to eye movements and attention.
A UNC-Duke study found that impaired brain plasticity in mice with Angelman syndrome is linked to severe cognitive deficits. The researchers discovered a latent ability for brain cells to express plasticity, which could lead to new treatments or a cure for the disorder.
Research at Washington University in St. Louis found that the average age of autism diagnosis is nearly six years old, three to four years after possible diagnosis. Early diagnosis is often linked to more severe cognitive impairment and is less common for females and minority groups.
A magnetic resonance imaging study found that toddlers with autism tend to have an enlarged amygdala, a brain area associated with processing faces and emotion. This brain abnormality is also linked to improved joint attention ability in children with autism.
The study found that children with autism rely on a region of the brain for conscious movement, while typically developing peers use a region for automating motor tasks. Decreased connectivity between brain regions involved in motor planning and execution was also observed.
Researchers identified genetic factors affecting autism risk, including genes involved in forming and maintaining brain cell connections. These findings may lead to better diagnostic strategies for children with autism.
A large study at Penn Medicine has detected variations in central nervous system genes that contribute to the genetic risk of autism. The research found a particular genetic variation linked to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder in children.
Two studies identify genes that may contribute to autism, including a region of chromosome 5 associated with neuronal cell-adhesion molecules. These findings suggest a significant role for genetics in the development of autism, potentially leading to new treatments.
Researchers have identified a new gene variant associated with autism, found to be highly active in fetal brain regions critical for language and social behavior. The study suggests that this gene variant may contribute to an increased prenatal risk of autism.
Research suggests that being firstborn, having a breech birth, or maternal age over 35 may increase autism risk. This study analyzed Utah children with ASD and found significant correlations between these factors.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center found that prenatal exposure to maternal antibodies can trigger neurobehavioral changes similar to autism in mouse pups, including increased anxiety and hyperactivity. The study suggests that the immune system may play a key role in some cases of autism.
A study found that over-the-counter melatonin supplements significantly improve sleep quality in children with autism and Fragile X Syndrome. Children who took melatonin experienced longer total night sleep durations and earlier sleep-onset times, reducing stress on families.
Researchers aim to understand how sensory integration goes awry in autism and its implications for clinical management. They will compare multisensory integration in subjects with autism to healthy control subjects using high-density electrical recordings.
UC Davis researchers found that low levels of PCBs alter brain cell development and excitability, explaining the association between PCB exposure and behavioral deficits in children. The studies show how PCBs affect dendritic plasticity, a key characteristic of neuronal development.
A new tool, Baby Steps, combines photo and video recording with medical record-keeping to track children's developmental milestones. This system led to a three-fold increase in parents recording medically relevant information.