Research on autism and neurodevelopment. Covers screening and diagnosis gaps, rising diagnoses among girls, prenatal risks, and genomics.
A UCLA imaging study found that autistic children with impaired imitation and empathy skills have reduced activity in the mirror-neuron system, a neural mechanism for automatic understanding of others' actions. This suggests that this system may be the underlying cause of these symptoms.
Young children with autism have difficulty recognizing ordinary words and more of their brains are occupied with this kind of task compared to typically developing youngsters. Their brains slow down instead of becoming experts in word recognition.
Children with a family history of autism exhibit impaired social referencing, seeking emotional cues less frequently and failing to respond consistently to adult reactions. Brain activity measurements also show differences in neural response to emotionally tagged objects.
University of Iowa researchers have identified a genetic mutation in sperm cells that contributed to autism in two daughters. The study provides insight into how this mutation affects the glutamate synapse and may lead to diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
Toddlers with ASD show unusual attention patterns when viewing faces, spending more time on eyes than other features. They have difficulty recognizing familiar faces, but exhibit improved performance when adopting typical facial scanning patterns.
A study of 34 children with autism compared to 34 without autism found no connection between the two conditions. Researchers looked for specific antibodies associated with celiac disease, but none were found in autistic children.
The US Army's Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Program aims to improve treatment outcomes for individuals with ASD. The program promotes innovative research that advances understanding and leads to better treatments.
Thirteen interdisciplinary research teams from UT Southwestern, UT Arlington, and UT Dallas have received grants totaling $1.3 million to pursue collaborative projects. The projects aim to stimulate efforts at the interface between biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, and mathematics.
The Interactive Autism Network (IAN) is a national online autism registry launched by Kennedy Krieger Institute to accelerate autism research. IAN connects parents of children with autism to local and national research studies, collecting valuable data and facilitating the search for causes, treatments, and a cure.
Researchers found that babies who don't respond to their names by 12 months are more likely to have developmental problems. The study identified a link between failure to respond to name and autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays.
Younger siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders show weaker performance in non-verbal problem-solving and social-communication interactions at 12 months. The broader autism phenotype may represent an early sign of developmental problems.
A study estimates that individuals with autism incur approximately $35 billion in annual costs to society, primarily due to lost productivity and adult care. These costs can be felt well into adulthood, highlighting the need for financial planning and counseling for families of children with autism.
Emerging genetic research may help identify children with autism at a younger age, potentially treatable. Behavioral interventions are becoming increasingly sophisticated and effective for young children with autism.
A University of Minnesota study found that parents of children with autism are less likely to report receiving ideal primary care compared to parents of children with other special health care needs. Parents reported difficulties obtaining subspecialty care and challenges in receiving family-centered, comprehensive, and coordinated care.
A new protein, CADPS2, has been identified as a potential cause of autism. Research found that mice lacking this protein exhibited autistic-like characteristics, including impaired social interactions and hyperactivity.
Prenatal glucocorticoid exposure has been shown to have long-lasting deleterious effects on cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuroendocrine function in offspring. Additionally, research has identified a protein implicated in both autism and leukemia, with aberrant splicing detected in individuals with these conditions.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have found that spontaneous mutations in DNA are more common in sporadic cases of autism than in familial or healthy children. The study, published in Science, reports that at least 10% of children with autism carry a genetic alteration not found in either parent.
A study found that tiny spontaneous gene mutations are 10 times more prevalent in sporadic cases of autism spectrum disorders than in healthy control subjects. The researchers propose that these anomalies are primary causes of the disorder in most cases when present, and may contribute to disease equally across the sexes.
A two-stage model suggests that humans learn novel tasks by first processing stimulus shape and then discriminating between shapes to categorize objects. The study used fMRI to measure brain activity while participants learned to group cars into categories, revealing a complex interplay between lower and higher brain processes.
Researchers at Yale University identified a potential autism gene through a global genome scan involving 120 scientists from 50 institutions. The study found two genes linked to autism: neurexin 1 and a gene on chromosome 11, which may contribute to the disorder's susceptibility.
Researchers will collect DNA samples from 3,000 autism patients to identify variants and develop treatments. The project will advance knowledge on subtypes of autism, promoting targeted therapies.
A genome-wide study of 1,200 families with multiple cases of autism has identified a previously unidentified region on chromosome 11 and implicated genes affecting glutamate neurons. The findings provide new insights into the genetic basis of autism and offer potential routes to breakthroughs in treatments.
A five-year study involving over 1,200 families has identified two new genetic links to familial autism, with one gene associated with neurexin 1 and a previously unidentified region of chromosome 11 implicated. The findings suggest that autism has numerous genetic origins rather than a single cause.
Researchers from the Autism Genome Project have made significant discoveries about the genetic basis of autism, implicating previously unidentified regions and genes in chromosome 11 and neurexin 1. The study's findings hold promise for diagnosis and treatment breakthroughs.
A massive international study identifies potential genetic links for autism, shedding light on the disorder's neurological basis. The research, involving over 1,400 families, suggests that certain genes increase the risk of developing autism, while environmental factors also play a role.
The largest search for autism genes to date has implicated components of the brain's glutamate chemical messenger system and a previously overlooked site on chromosome 11. Tiny variations in genes may heighten risk for autism spectrum disorders, with evidence pointing to gene variants affecting neurotransmitter systems.
An international team of researchers has identified one gene and a previously unidentified region on chromosome 11 as potential contributors to autism. The study, published in Nature Genetics, is based on genetic samples from nearly 1,200 families with two or more children who have autism.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh successfully reversed the symptoms of Rett Syndrome in a genetic mouse model, restoring normal brain function and mobility. The study's findings, published in Science Express, have significant implications for the treatment and potential cure of autism spectrum disorders.
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have made a groundbreaking discovery in treating Rett syndrome, reversing symptoms in mice. By activating the MECP2 gene, they were able to eliminate breathing and mobility difficulties, leaving mice undistinguishable from healthy counterparts.
The incidence of autism and two other childhood neuropsychiatric disorders increased significantly among Danish children between 1990 and 2004. This trend suggests a broader pattern in childhood mental illness, with the exception of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
A study by Stanford researchers found that while 41% of autism research deals with brain and behavior, only 11% of media coverage addresses these topics. Instead, 48% focus on environmental causes, such as the childhood MMR vaccine, highlighting a stark disconnect between scientific research and public perception.
In the most severely socially impaired males with autism spectrum disorders, researchers found a smaller-than-normal amygdala, an almond-shaped danger-detector deep in the brain. The study suggests that social fear triggers hyperactivity in the amygdala, which eventually leads to toxic adaptation and cell death.
Researchers found that oxytocin significantly reduced repetitive behaviors and improved social cognition in adult autism patients. Intravenous and intranasal administration showed promising results, with effects lasting up to two weeks after treatment.
Researchers highlight potential new treatments for Alzheimer's disease, autism, and treatment-resistant depression, as well as a gene influencing nicotine-induced behaviors. The studies suggest innovative approaches to prevention and treatment of neurological disorders.
Researchers used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to measure structural integrity of white matter in brains of people with autism. They found reduced white matter integrity in areas around the corpus callosum, which may underlie narrow-focused thought and weak coherence in individuals with autism.
A new MUHC study provides conclusive evidence that the MMR vaccine is not associated with autism spectrum disorders. The study's findings contradict previous molecular studies that falsely linked the vaccine to autism. The research team uncovered fundamental errors in these earlier studies, clearing the MMR vaccine of its link to autism.
A version of a gene has been linked to autism in families where more than one child is affected. The variant, which impairs brain development, was found in people with autism spectrum disorders and their parents, but not in controls.
Adults with autism exhibit differences in coordinated neural activity, suggesting inefficient communication between brain regions. Researchers found abnormal connectivity patterns in the left hemisphere and decreased connections between frontal lobes and rest of autistic brain.
Young children with autism struggle to categorize objects into abstract groups, particularly living and nonliving things. They have difficulty recognizing goals and motivations of others due to a fundamental deficit in distinguishing between animate and inanimate objects.
Brain researchers in Göttingen have created a genetic animal model for autism, showing that neuroligins ensure signal transmission between nerve cells. The study reveals that autistic patients often lack mature synapses due to mutations in the genes carrying building instructions for proteins in the neuroligin family.
The NIMH has launched three major clinical studies on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to better define subtypes and explore possible new treatments. Researchers will compare children with regressive, non-regressive, and other developmental disorders to investigate environmental factors that may trigger symptoms of autism.
A new study by UC Berkeley vision scientists found that the human visual system is more effective at distinguishing a single person's actions when they are in sync with another individual. This ability is crucial for our social species, allowing us to interpret visual cues to determine emotions and intentions.
Research suggests that older fathers are more likely to have autistic children, with a significantly increased risk compared to younger fathers. The study, which analyzed data from over 318,000 individuals, found that advancing age among fathers was associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder.
Scientists have identified special proteins that help repair and protect the brain after it has been damaged by a lack of oxygen. Dr Nicole Jones and her team found that these proteins increase during oxygen deprivation, regulating processes like red blood cell production and glucose flow to the brain.
A study published in Neurology found that children with autism have altered brain anatomy, including differences in gray matter and brain size compared to children with typical development. The researchers used MRI scans to measure the transverse relaxation of cortical gray and white matter in the brains of autistic children.
A recent study found that autism is a global disorder affecting how the brain processes information, particularly when it becomes complicated. The study discovered that individuals with autism perform well in basic functioning tasks but struggle with complex tasks involving sensory perception, movement, and memory.
Researchers found children with autism have abnormal blood vessel function and high levels of oxidative stress, which may contribute to the disorder's symptoms. The study suggests that targeting this imbalance could lead to new therapies for autism.
A new study by Newcastle University and the International University Bremen found that long nerve fibre connections are essential for brain function, contradicting a prevailing theory. The research used computer analysis of public databases to show that long fibres can send messages quickly over longer distances compared to short fibres.
Researchers have adapted a psychiatric test for monitoring mental abnormalities in mice, revealing a key skill impaired in humans with autism and similar illnesses. The study found that mice can learn to switch attention between tasks, shedding light on the cognitive deficits underlying human mental dysfunction.
Researchers discovered that different genes may be responsible for causing autism in boys than in girls, with varying degrees of severity. The study also found evidence for multiple genetic subtypes of autism, including male versus female and early versus late onset forms.
Researchers from the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute have found significantly fewer neurons in the amygdala of males with autism, a key brain region responsible for emotional responses and social learning. The study provides new insights into the neuroanatomical basis of autism, which may help advance research into this lifelong neurodevel...
Research suggests a significant increase in childhood autism prevalence in the UK, affecting approximately 1% of the child population. The study found that children with autism constitute 39 per 10,000 and 77 per 10,000 in South London, indicating a much higher prevalence than previously estimated.
Studies found that people with autism have reduced connections and coordination between brain areas, leading to difficulties in problem-solving and communication. The research provides evidence for a new theory that views autism as a failure of brain regions to communicate with each other.
Researchers found that people with autism have lower brain synchronization and rely heavily on visualization to process information. The studies suggest that these differences are related to the brain's cabling and connectivity problems.
A new brain model, iSTART, describes how imbalanced brain mechanisms underlie autistic behaviors. Individuals with autism exhibit hyperspecific learning, under-aroused emotional responses, and breakdowns in adaptive timing, leading to symptoms like reduced emotional expression and emotional outbursts.
A study by Dr. Eric Fombonne and colleagues found no link between MMR vaccinations and autism rates in Quebec children, contradicting previous concerns. The incidence of autism remained high despite reductions in thimerosal use.
Researchers have identified a potential biomarker for autism in placentas of children born with the condition, indicating that an unusual placental abnormality may be present from birth. This finding suggests that the ideal time for autism diagnosis could be at birth, prior to age one.
A study of 192 children found that most diagnosed with autism at age 2 were also diagnosed at age 9, with 76% receiving the same diagnosis. Parent interviews and clinicians' judgment also predicted future diagnoses.
Researchers found that developmental red flags, such as poor eye contact and language delay, can be identified at 14 months and worsen by 24 months. Early intervention could improve outcomes for children with autism.
Researchers have identified 33 structural changes in the cerebral cortex of individuals with Williams syndrome, including asymmetry between left and right sides. The study's findings may provide insights into developmental brain disorders like autism by enabling scientists to quantify brain structure trends.