Articles tagged with Autism
Researchers will enroll up to 2,000 children with differing patterns of development to compare environmental exposures and physiologic factors. The study aims to gain a better understanding of the multiple ways autism and other developmental delays may occur.
A new study from the University of Washington found that neither natural porcine secretin nor a synthetic form of the hormone reduced symptoms of autism. The research involved 85 children with autism and tested the effects of both forms of secretin versus a placebo, concluding there is no evidence for its effectiveness.
A clinical trial using fMRI found that secretin activates the amygdala, a brain region involved in social integration and implicated in autism. The study suggests that secretin may have a role in modulating certain social behaviors in humans.
A nationwide study aims to identify genetic markers for autism and improve early detection, helping families receive timely support. The study will involve 75 children with autism, 40 developmentally delayed children, and 40 normally developing ones.
The NIH Autism Coordinating Committee has selected two new centers to conduct autism research, expanding the agency's commitment to the field. The centers will focus on understanding the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of autism, with a goal of advancing knowledge about this devastating condition.
A new study found that risperidone, an antipsychotic agent, was effective in reducing irritability and behavioral problems in children with severe autism. The trial involved 101 children between ages 5 and 17, showing a significant positive response to treatment, with 69% experiencing marked improvement.
Researchers found risperidone significantly more effective than placebo in improving behavior in children with autism, with 69% showing improvement compared to 12% on placebo. The medication was well-tolerated but associated with a substantial increase in body weight.
Autistic children exhibit significantly increased cerebral volumes compared to typically developing children, suggesting abnormal brain development processes occur very early. Brain volume levels out to normal size by adolescence and adulthood.
Researchers have discovered abnormal immune regulation and autoimmunity in children with a form of autism characterized by sudden regression. The study reveals distinct autoimmune features in the epithelium of the small bowel, which may contribute to bowel symptoms and cognitive regression in autistic children.
A new study suggests that routine overnight EEG monitoring is unwarranted for autistic children, as the incidence of Landau-Kleffner syndrome is miniscule. The study found that only a small percentage of patients with autism spectrum disorder exhibit abnormal EEGs during sleep.
Fox Chase Cancer Center researcher Glenn F. Rall is studying whether a link exists between the measles vaccine and the development of autism. He believes that maternal exposure history to measles may afford protection to offspring, but more research is needed.
Studies reveal connections between the serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4 and autism, as well as a potential link between the glutamate receptor 6 (GluR6) gene and the syndrome. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the genetic underpinnings of autism.
The NIH has awarded a $6 million grant to researchers at UCLA to expand the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) gene bank and gather more information on autism. The study aims to identify genetic vulnerabilities in individuals with autism, which may lead to new treatments and therapies.
Researchers discovered that autistic individuals have smaller minicolumns but more of them, leading to excessive communication and stimulation. This pathology may hold the key to understanding autism and other conditions like schizophrenia.
A study by scientists at the Medical College of Georgia and others found that autistic patients have significantly smaller minicolumns, a basic organizational unit of brain cells, but more of them than controls. This may be consistent with an existing theory that autistic individuals suffer from overarousal and abnormal behaviors.
Research found that autistic preschoolers have 10% larger brains than normally developing children, which may contribute to their difficulty in recognizing emotions from facial expressions. The study also suggests that early intervention programs can help rewire the brain to process faces and emotions more normally.
A study published in 2001 found that patients with autism who received secretin showed no statistically significant improvements in core symptoms compared to those who received a placebo. The researchers tested porcine secretin and found no improvement in secondary measures of autism either.
Researchers studied brain lesions in children with tuberous sclerosis complex and found autism results from complex brain events, not single source. Biochemical abnormalities in outer layer of the brain impacted communication skills, while subcortical changes led to stereotypical behaviors.
The NIH has awarded $3.9 million in new grants to support innovative treatments for autism and establish a nationwide network of major research centers. The grants will focus on aspects such as speech therapy, imitation skills, and biological effects of medications.
A Johns Hopkins Children's Center study failed to link autistic children's sensory fixation to brain damage, contradicting long-held theories. The study found that the cerebellum's balance regulation function operates normally in high-functioning autistic children.
A study by researchers at NIH has identified the HOXA1 gene as a potential contributor to autism in a large number of cases. The gene plays a crucial role in early brain development, and variants of the gene were found to be present in nearly 40% of individuals with autism.
The American Academy of Neurology recommends routine developmental screening for all children from infancy through school age, focusing on early detection of autism. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of genetic or metabolic testing to rule out conditions that may be confused with autism.
Researchers found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) performed better on a 'false-memory' test due to their impaired ability to use context. This improvement enabled them to recognize words that had been on a word list, while non-autistic subjects struggled with false memories. The study suggests that high-functioning...
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center found that certain antibiotic agents can improve autism symptoms in some children, particularly those colonized by bacteria producing toxins. The study suggests a possible link between intestinal bacteria and autism, warranting further research for prevention or treatment strategies.
Researchers localized autism and developmental language disorder to the same position in the human genome, suggesting a genetic relationship between the disorders. The findings also explain why language difficulties are more prevalent in siblings and parents of individuals with autism.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducted a double-blind study to investigate the effectiveness of synthetic human hormone secretin on children with autism. The study found no difference between groups receiving secretin and placebo, suggesting a potential placebo effect.
A recent study led by Drs. Bodfish and Sandler found no significant improvement in behavior among children with autism treated with synthetic secretin, compared to a placebo. The researchers emphasized the need for further studies to determine the hormone's potential benefits and risks.
A Yale child psychiatrist has supported the results of an autism treatment study that found a popular drug to be ineffective in controlling autistic symptoms. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, looked at the effect of secretin on 56 children with autism and similar disorders and found no improvement.
A study suggests a link between chromosome 13 and autism, with another region on chromosome 7 also showing promise. The research, published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics, involved 75 families with at least two autistic children.
Researchers will test two forms of secretin on 51 children with autism, aged 3-12, to evaluate its effectiveness. The trial aims to uncover the genetic and neurobiological causes of autism and identify potential side effects.
Researchers suggest a digestive problem may lead to autism and schizophrenia symptoms, as undigested milk protein produces morphine-like compounds affecting brain function. Animal studies show 95% of autistic and schizophrenic children had high levels of the protein in their blood and urine.
A psychologist proposes that cave artists, who painted sophisticated images 31,000 years ago, were actually people with underdeveloped minds. An autistic girl's unusual drawing skills inspired this theory, which suggests that artistic talents emerged due to mental deficiencies rather than sophistication.
Researchers have found that stunted brain regions may cause severe autism symptoms, while smaller regions may lead to milder symptoms in close relatives. The study used magnetic resonance imaging to compare the brains of identical twins with and without autism.
A study of 86 individuals with autism and their parents found a significant relationship between the serotonin transporter gene and autism. The discovery could lead to improved diagnosis and medical treatment for autism, providing hope for those affected by this complex disorder.
A multi-centered team of researchers found a link between a specific gene abnormality and autism, potentially leading to more precise diagnosis and treatments. The study identified a shortened form of the serotonin transporter gene promoter as a key factor in autistic children.