Articles tagged with Autism
The Interactive Autism Network is expanding its research initiative to adults with autism, enrolling individuals to gain insight into their experiences and connect them with researchers. The IAN Project aims to provide much-needed data on the lives of adults with autism, addressing a significant unmet need.
Researchers suggest that autism symptoms may be reversible due to dysregulation of the locus coeruleus, a bundle of neurons processing sensory signals. The new theory proposes that fever can stimulate this system, potentially restoring its normal function.
Autism Speaks announces partnerships with Albania and Ireland to enhance public awareness and develop sustainable autism programs. The organization aims to investigate causes, prevention, and treatments for autism spectrum disorders globally.
Researchers aim to create a whole-brain circuit map in the mouse brain within two to three years, providing insights into neurodevelopmental illnesses. The project would involve tracing inputs and outputs of each area using standardized protocols and technologically feasible techniques.
Two-year-olds with autism lack selective attention to human movements, instead focusing on physically synchronous sounds and motion. Researchers tracked eye movements of children with and without autism while watching cartoon animations, revealing a key difference in how they process social cues.
Researchers found that individuals with autism tend to stare at people's mouths rather than their eyes due to the attraction of audiovisual synchrony. This phenomenon is more pronounced in toddlers with autism, who exhibit a strong preference for lip-sync, whereas unaffected peers focus on socially meaningful movements.
The NIH will commit $60 million in ARRA funds to support autism research, focusing on diagnostic screening tools, early interventions, and adapting pediatric treatments for older children. The grants will promote economic recovery by creating biomedical jobs and supporting innovative projects.
The Nancy Lurie Marks Clinical and Research Fellowship Program in Autism will support HMS faculty and students interested in autism research over six years. The program will fund basic and clinical research in various fields, including genetics and neuroscience.
Increased amygdala activity may cause social deficits in autism by leading to reduced neural habituation and impaired learning of social cues. This hyperarousal affects the ability to pick up subtle social cues, contributing to difficulties with complex social interactions.
A follow-up study published in the Journal of Autism Research found that 41 Utahns with autism had a higher social outcome than similar studies, with 24% having a very good social outcome. The study suggests that early intervention and strong social networks may play a role in determining social outcomes for individuals with autism.
A new study published in BMC Pediatrics reports significant clinical improvements in children with autism after hyperbaric treatment. The treatment, which involves inhaling oxygen at high pressure, showed improvements in overall functioning, language, and social interaction.
A national survey found primary care physicians are more likely to inquire about complementary alternative medicine (CAM) use in children with autism. The study also revealed a desire for specific CAM education tailored to this population. CAM therapies have become increasingly common among children with autism, highlighting the need f...
Researchers will map planum temporale's functional organization to better understand its role in language abilities and disorders. The study aims to find connections between the brain region and conditions such as autism, schizophrenia, and perfect pitch.
A gene variant in the MET gene may contribute to increased risk of co-occurring medical conditions in individuals with autism. The study found that disrupted signaling of the MET gene is linked to a syndrome including autism and gastrointestinal dysfunction.
The project will investigate the genetic and environmental risk factors that contribute to autism, with a focus on prenatal development and early childhood. By analyzing brain development and behavior in infants at high genetic risk, researchers aim to identify potential indicators of autism and improve early diagnosis.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University developed a system to monitor children with autism's emotional state using physiological sensors attached to robots, allowing for personalized treatment. The system achieves an accuracy of over 80% in predicting emotional states like anxiety and engagement.
A new mouse study has identified a genetic component to empathy, showing that certain mouse strains can learn to associate another's distress with a cue. The findings have implications for understanding social interaction deficits in humans and may lead to important discoveries about psychosocial disorders. The researchers hope to deco...
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory found that two genes cause autism-like symptoms in mice, suggesting multiple genetic risk factors influence autistic symptoms' severity. The study may lead to drugs targeting signaling mechanisms between the two genes and a diagnostic target or biomarker.
The Autism Consortium has published a groundbreaking study defining the mechanism behind Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily affecting girls and a leading cause of autism. The research discovered that targeting the IGF1 signaling axis could be a promising therapeutic strategy for treating or reversing Rett Syndrome.
A molecule that promotes brain development may serve as a possible treatment for Rett syndrome, reversing some of its symptoms in mice. Researchers found that injecting the molecule into mice with faulty brain cells helped them develop normally and reduced symptoms.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered a link between a genetic pathway and autism, finding that mutations in this pathway are associated with both autism and other developmental disorders. The study suggests that the lack of specific genes may play a role in the development of autism.
A Brown University research team has discovered a novel Fragile X granule in the brain that could serve as a target for future autism treatments. The finding opens a new line of research into potential treatments for autism, a neurological disorder that affects social interaction and communication.
A recent review summarizes studies refuting the claim of a vaccine-autism link, instead attributing symptoms to coincidental timing or other factors. Immunization rates are crucial in preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Children born preterm are at three times higher risk of screening positive for autism, according to a Boston University study. The modified checklist for autism in toddlers (M-CHAT) is used to assess developmental risks, with over 21% of children in the study screening positive.
Researchers found that 21% of preterm children screened positive for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with cognitive impairments increasing the likelihood. The study suggests a possible correlation between preterm birth and ASD, but further research is needed to confirm direct causality.
Researchers at Children's National Medical Center have identified a specific group of precursor cells that develop into the amygdala, a critical brain region for emotional processing. The discovery sheds light on how the amygdala forms during development and could help understand autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
A study by UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute researchers found that California's seven-fold increase in autism cases since 1990 cannot be explained by changes in diagnosis or counting. Environmental culprits such as chemicals and infectious microbes are likely responsible for the trend.
Research suggests that autism and schizophrenia may stem from similar physical abnormalities caused by disruptions in early organogenesis, typically between 20-40 days after fertilization. This developmental stage is critical in shaping the body's development, and errors during this period can lead to various mental health disorders.
A study reveals a link between dysregulation of a common signaling pathway and repetitive behaviors associated with multiple neurological disorders. Deletion of FK506-binding protein is associated with enhanced mTOR signaling, synaptic plasticity, and memory deficits.
Decreasing FKBP12 gene activity in mice disrupted neuron-to-neuron communication, leading to enhanced long-term potentiation and repetitive behaviors. The study provides insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disease.
Researchers estimate RASD affects 25-30% of children with an autistic disorder. Children with RASD typically develop normally until 18-24 months, then regress and lose previously acquired skills. Identifying early signs is crucial to address potential neurological development issues.
Researchers used magnetoencephalography to detect brain magnetic fields in children with autism, finding a delay of up to 50 milliseconds in processing sound. This abnormality may lead to impaired language and communication skills.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that women who take valproate during pregnancy may significantly increase their child's risk of developing autism. The research found that children exposed to valproate were seven times more likely to develop autism than those not exposed.
Researchers used MEG to identify timing abnormalities in the brains of patients with autism, finding a fraction of a second delay in brain activity. This delay may underpin language processing and communication impairment in autistic children.
The Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS) is expanding its research on infant brain development and autism symptoms. The study aims to identify changes in brain structure and behavior that may indicate the onset of autistic symptoms, with potential benefits including early screening measures and treatments.
Research by the M.I.N.D. Institute shows that mutations of the fragile X gene cause a range of diseases, including neurodevelopmental delays, autism, infertility, and neurodegenerative disease in older adults. The institute urges testing for all patients who show signs of diseases linked to FMR1 mutations.
Researchers from GU/GUMC presented numerous studies on learning, facial recognition, and social interaction in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, they explored ways to improve cognition and reduce brain lesions in stroke survivors using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) techniques.
Scientists have identified a relationship between two proteins in the brain linked to both nicotine addiction and autism. The discovery suggests that existing drugs used to curb nicotine addiction might serve as a basis for potential therapies to alleviate autism symptoms.
A study by Cornell researchers has identified a possible environmental trigger for autism in genetically vulnerable children, which could lead to preventable diagnoses. The study found that higher levels of precipitation are associated with increased autism prevalence rates in counties with more exposed children.
Researchers found that infants later diagnosed with autism displayed unusual exploration of objects, including spinning and repetitive visual examination, as early as 12 months. These behaviors could be added to parent check-lists or quickly assessed during pediatric visits, potentially improving early diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers have identified the CNTNAP2 gene as a key player in childhood language disorders, with variants linked to specific language impairment (SLI) and delayed language development in children with autism. The study provides new insights into the molecular basis of language development and its relationship to autism.
A study found that children living in counties with higher annual precipitation had a higher risk of developing autism. The association suggests an environmental trigger for the condition, potentially related to increased indoor activities and decreased exposure to sunshine.
Recent studies suggest that methylmercury can cause irreversible brain damage in unborn children at previously considered safe levels of exposure. Methylmercury toxicity is well-known, but its effects on the developing nervous system have been underestimated.
Researchers used a new genetic screening method, MLPA, on children with autism spectrum disorders to identify known genetic causes of cognitive impairment. The study found efficient identification of well-known genetic disorders and novel genetic changes contributing to ASDs, such as microduplications in chromosomes 15 and 22.
Research funded by the Wellcome Trust found people with autism spectrum disorders tend to be more consistent in their decision-making due to reduced emotional influence. This attention to detail can help them avoid irrational choices but may hinder social interactions that require gut instincts.
Researchers discovered that children with autism spend less time looking at a teacher's face when imitating new skills, compared to typically developing children. This finding sheds light on why children with autism struggle to learn from others and may lead to potential interventions.
A Rutgers researcher is studying how visual analysis of body movements can help identify potential terrorist threats and improve interactions with autistic individuals. People with few autistic tendencies are found to be better at detecting subtle cues, which could lead to the development of computer programs to train them.
A national survey reveals that nearly one in four parents believe vaccines cause autism, leading to fewer vaccinations and a growing number of measles infections. The study's findings highlight the lingering fear and confusion surrounding vaccines, despite overwhelming scientific evidence debunking the link.
The symposium will showcase cutting-edge research on autism, including a follow-up study of Hans Asperger's original patients and investigations into the brain basis of social difficulties. Researchers will present their latest findings on the disorder, shedding light on its fundamental nature and future directions.
A Yale University study found that two-year-olds with autism focus significantly more on mouths than eyes, predicting social disability levels. The researchers hope this biomarker can aid early detection and intervention for autism.
The Rett Syndrome Research Trust aims to bring novel therapeutics addressing the underlying MECP2 pathology to clinical trials within five years. Classic Rett Syndrome affects females almost exclusively, causing severe physical disability and requiring total care.
Researchers discovered that a rare genetic disorder, tuberous sclerosis complex, may be linked to neurological disorders such as autism, epilepsy, and mental retardation. The study found that abnormal neuronal structure can lead to excess brain connections, which may contribute to these conditions.
A study found a link between a chromosomal aberration at 1q21.1 and various developmental disorders in children, including mental retardation, growth issues, seizures, autism, and heart defects. The researchers suggest that the aberration may contribute to subtle disorders in carriers who appear unaffected.
A study published in Public Library of Science found no association between the MMR vaccine and the onset of autism or gastrointestinal symptoms in children. The study analyzed bowel tissues from 25 children with autism and GI disturbances, as well as 13 controls, and found no presence of measles virus RNA in either group.
Research has identified several genes associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including neuroligins and SHANK3. These genetic findings provide new understanding of the underlying causes of ASD, which affect approximately 60 in 10,000 children worldwide.
Researchers found unusual vocal patterns in BTBR mice, which could be used to model impaired communication in autism. The study suggests that these unique patterns may resemble those seen in some autistic infants and young children.
University of Missouri researchers are studying facial features and brain structures in children with autism to develop a formula for earlier detection. The study aims to reveal genetic clues that can direct additional research and lead to more precise diagnosis.
Researchers have identified four mutated gene regions linked to schizophrenia, offering new hope for treatment and diagnosis. The findings may lead to individualized medicine and earlier identification of those at risk.
Researchers found inefficient pathways transmit information between brain regions, impairing social understanding and intention detection. The study suggests a lack of synchronization in the Theory of Mind network is responsible for social challenges in autism.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering found that robot interactions can increase social behavior and utterances in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The creation of therapy tools using bubble-blowing robots is the next step in this research.