Articles tagged with Autism
Research finds that 75% of boys with fragile X meet criteria for co-occurring autism, but only 31% are identified in community settings. Early diagnosis is crucial to access services improving outcomes and quality of life.
A study reveals implicit and explicit associations between autism and traditional male traits may hinder women's diagnosis and comprehension of autism. The research highlights the need for more inclusive assessment methods.
A new review highlights the current state of the art in autism research, using genetically modified mice to analyze the molecular and physiological mechanisms behind autism. The insular cortex is found to be crucial for emotions, empathy, and motivation in both mice and humans.
The UC Davis MIND Institute is testing the 'Early Start Denver Model' in community agencies, which addresses all areas of development and emphasizes communication and social interaction through everyday activities. The goal is to improve communication skills and daily living skills for autistic children aged 1-4.
A new study found that high-stress caregivers had higher klotho levels and longer telomeres in specific immune cells, which may provide protection against aging. In contrast, low-stress caregivers showed no significant associations between klotho levels and telomere length.
Researchers used machine learning algorithms to analyze brain imaging data and identify changes associated with autism spectrum disorder. The study found that the methodology could determine ASD diagnosis with above 95% accuracy, highlighting potential for improved diagnostic methods.
A new study finds that in-school occupational therapy can create positive learning environments for children with autism by supporting parent-teacher relationships and understanding their unique needs. The therapy helps teachers get to know the child's needs better and facilitate effective communication between parents and schools.
Researchers found that children with autism and macrocephaly exhibit excessive growth of excitatory neurons, while others show a deficit. The study's findings could help doctors diagnose autism and identify potential treatments for specific cases.
Researchers found an abnormal imbalance of excitatory cortical neurons in people with autism spectrum disorder, depending on their head size. The study used human 'mini-brain' models called organoids to recreate the brain development alteration that occurred in patients during fetal development.
A recent study from Drexel University's A.J. Drexel Autism Institute found that only 1.1% of working-age autistic adults are receiving employment services, with stark gaps between Medicaid and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. The research highlights a dire need for policy changes to improve employment services systems in the US.
A new study from ICES and CAMH found that autistic females have an 83% increased risk of self-harm, while autistic males have a 47% greater risk of self-harm events. The study calls for improved mental health support tailored to the needs of autistic individuals.
Researchers found seven potential genes linked to increased autism risk, including rare inherited variations and polygenic scores. Children with language delays had a higher likelihood of inheriting these genes, suggesting a link between genetic risk and language delay.
A new study by Brighton and Sussex Medical School finds that 24% of autistic doctors have attempted suicide, while 77% have considered it. The study highlights the need for workplaces to provide better support and awareness of autistic healthcare professionals.
A University of Ottawa study reveals that a diverse brain's ecosystem is key to maintaining normal function while responding to changes. This concept is inspired by Charles Darwin's idea that biodiversity is crucial for survival, suggesting cell-to-cell diversity helps prevent failures in brain circuits.
A new study led by Indiana University School of Medicine researchers shows that primary care clinicians who receive specialized training can make accurate autism diagnoses for over 80 percent of young children referred with developmental delays. The EAE Hub system, a statewide network providing training and collaborative learning, has ...
Researchers identified significant differences between individuals with CHAMP1 coding mutations and deletions, affecting adaptive functioning skills and severity of symptoms. The study highlights the importance of understanding genetic mechanisms to develop precision medicine approaches for treating CHAMP1 disorder.
A study published in Nature Medicine found that genetic variants associated with autism are present in 4% of those with autism and 1% of the general population. These variants were linked to poorer cognitive performance, lower socioeconomic status, and educational level in undiagnosed individuals.
A mobile app is being tested to help students with disabilities such as autism, down syndrome, and learning disorders. The app, I-Connect, will enable select students to set goals, track progress, and receive prompts to improve their behavior and engagement in class.
Researchers boosted inhibitory interneuron activity in Fragile X mice, reducing hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli. The study found that even young mice with Fragile X had lower PV neuron density and functional decoupling, but treatment restored excitatory neuron function and reduced hypersensitivity.
A new app called START has been shown to accurately identify autistic children in India, with a success rate of 86% for neurodevelopmental disorders and 78% for autism. The low-cost tablet screening tool uses simple games and questions to measure social preference, sensory interests, and motor skills.
A Stanford Medicine-led study found that children with autism have impaired memory beyond poor facial recognition, affecting other types of information. The research also revealed distinct brain wiring patterns reflecting these memory challenges.
A Lehigh University professor has received $4 million in NIH grants to develop an AI-driven approach for precision mental health diagnosis and care. The project aims to identify biomarkers in the brain that can predict treatment response and personalize interventions for patients with depression and other mental disorders.
A study found that people with learning disabilities and autism in the Netherlands chose euthanasia or assisted suicide due to feelings of loneliness, struggling to form friendships, and a lack of resilience. The research highlights the need for individualized support services and an international debate on criteria for euthanasia and ...
New review explores MDXX drugs' potential as novel treatments for ASD, focusing on therapeutic efficacy and safety. The study highlights the importance of balancing these factors to develop effective and relatively safer molecules for ASD treatment.
A new study by University College London researchers estimates that between 150,000 and 500,000 adults aged 20-49 and 250,000 to 600,000 adults over 50 may be undiagnosed with autism. This brings the total autistic population in England to over 1.2 million, approaching double the government's cited figure.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience clarifies the connection between autism and the microbiome, identifying autism-specific metabolic pathways associated with particular human gut microbes. The analysis, which harmonized dozens of previously published datasets, reveals a common microbial signature distinguishing autistic fr...
A recent study published in the journal Autism found that the relationship between the age at which someone gets diagnosed with autism and their quality of life is not strongly linked. Instead, factors such as household income, sex, ethnicity, and mental health conditions played a more significant role in determining overall quality of...
A study found that autistic individuals who experience Medicaid coverage disruptions are more likely to receive an intellectual disability diagnosis later. This could be due to the fact that autism diagnoses alone may not be sufficient for retaining Medicaid coverage in states without specific criteria.
A large-scale registry study found that older autistic adults have a significantly higher risk of injury, especially self-inflicted, and physical conditions such as type 2 diabetes and anaemia. Autistic individuals had a seven-fold risk of self-harm compared to non-autistic people.
A randomized crossover trial found sensory-adapted dental environments safe and effective for decreasing distress in autistic children. The intervention enhances oral care, potentially benefiting populations beyond autism.
A new study by USC researchers shows that sensory adapted dental clinics significantly reduce autistic children's distress during teeth cleanings. The adapted environment features visual, auditory, and tactile adaptations, which lead to a decrease in behavioral and physiological stress.
A new training program for primary care pediatricians significantly reduces wait times for autism screening, making it more accessible to children. The developmentally trained clinicians assess patients in a streamlined referral process, resulting in a decrease in average days to initial developmental assessment.
A deep learning system accurately classifies autism spectrum disorder and predicts symptom severity based on behavioral responses to social cues. The method offers a digital measurement of joint attention, but further validation is needed.
Scientists have found that siblings with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) share more of their father's genome than initially thought. In many cases, it is the father who may play a bigger genetic role in ASD. This discovery offers new potential sources for understanding and treating the disorder.
Researchers discovered that marsupial brains exhibit region-specific patterns of cortical activity during early development. This finding provides valuable information about human brain development and may inform strategies for improving cognitive function in humans.
A new study by UC Davis MIND Institute researchers and others finds that the M-CHAT-R/F screening tool is effective in identifying children with autistic traits, but it also flags many children incorrectly. The study highlights the need for clinical judgment and clear communication with parents about the limitations of the tool.
A new approach has been identified that stimulates cells' DNA repair mechanisms to combat fragile X syndrome. By inducing R-loops and triggering repair mechanisms, the expanded CGG repeat is excised, enabling cells to re-express the crucial FMR1 gene.
A new study by Emory University neuroscientists reveals that oxytocin plays a key role in male zebra finches' learning to sing by imitating their elders. The hormone influences young birds' preference for certain 'voice coaches', shedding light on the neural underpinnings of social vocal learning.
Researchers have demonstrated a clinically relevant oxytocin deficiency in patients with vasopressin deficiency, which could lead to new therapeutic approaches for conditions like autism.
Researchers create a human-brain-like environment to study microglia development and function for the first time in living human-derived tissue. The findings suggest that brain environment influences microglia development and function, particularly in diseases such as autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease.
The gene LRRC4 regulates synapse formation, stability and excitatory transmission, playing a crucial role in learning, memory formation and storage. It also has key implications in neuronal disorders and aggressive brain and spinal cord cancer.
Researchers found that Foxp2 mutations disrupt the formation of dendrites and neuronal synapses in brain regions involved in speech production. Mice with these mutations showed impairments in producing high-frequency sounds necessary for communication.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found a link between chemical marks on fathers' sperm and autistic traits in their 3-year-old children. The study identified 94 regions of differential DNA methylation associated with high scores on a social responsiveness scale, indicating potential markers for autism risk.
A recent study found that American children are experiencing higher rates of autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, with special education services increasing by 10.4%. Poor nutrition and heavy metal exposure, particularly in ultra-processed foods, are thought to be primary epigenetic factors contributing to the developme...
A new study found that gestational weight gain z scores, standardized by pre-pregnancy BMI, are associated with susceptibility to autism-related traits in children. Pregnant individuals and clinicians can benefit from healthy weight gain guidelines during pregnancy.
A new study finds that children with more autistic traits exhibit shame-like avoidance after transgressions, rather than less guilt and embarrassment, contradicting previous assumptions. This association is not fully explained by lower Theory of Mind abilities.
Researchers found that autistic children exhibit higher levels of verbal aggression and disruptive behavioral intensity across three critical developmental periods. Autistic children also show more physical aggression in early childhood, but this gap closes as they age.
A UToledo-led study found early exposure to pyrethroids may increase the risk of autism and developmental disorders in mice. The researchers discovered behavioral changes, including hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors, which are similar to symptoms seen in human patients with neurodevelopmental disorders.
A study published in BMJ Open suggests that young children with common ENT issues may be at increased risk of autism or high levels of autistic traits. Early detection and treatment of these conditions could improve their quality of life and potentially shed light on the origins of autism.
Researchers found that starting early intervention coaching at 18 months old led to greater gains in language, social communication, and daily living skills compared to waiting until 27 months. The study provided high-quality evidence for earlier intervention and highlights the importance of screening for autism at 18 months.
A new training program has been shown to increase the accuracy of autism diagnoses in young children by primary care physicians, reducing wait times for specialist care. The ECHO Autism STAT model leverages video-conferencing technology and case-based learning to build capacity among community clinicians.
A new study has identified disrupted levels of molecular compounds in maternal blood and cord blood linked to later diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. The findings shed light on the biological processes that give rise to ASD and could open the door to early diagnosis and treatment.
A new study from Weill Cornell Medicine has identified four clinically distinct groups of people with autism spectrum disorder, each with unique brain connection patterns and behavioral traits. The findings highlight the potential for personalized therapies tailored to individual subgroups, which may lead to more effective treatments.
Researchers found a therapy for babies with early autism signs can reduce long-term disability and associated costs, saving $10,695 per child by age 13. Early intervention may also alleviate strain on health, education, and family systems.
A UC Riverside study identifies how a Fragile X gene mutation contributes to premature ovarian failure, leading to early infertility. Researchers found that the mutation affects neurons regulating reproduction in the brain and ovaries, causing an increase in hormone production and faster secretion rates.
Researchers have linked higher lithium levels in drinking water to a moderately higher risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring. The study found that mothers living in urban areas had a slightly stronger association between lithium exposure and autism risk.
The April issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry features studies on mood disorders, psychotic disorders, autism, and stress-related disorders. A special issue of The American Journal of Psychotherapy honors the work of Otto F. Kernberg, M.D.
A new study reveals that autistic children have distinct brain activity when viewing complex visual motion patterns as early as 5 months old. This suggests that autistic individuals process visual motion differently from a young age, which may impact their development and learning.
Researchers developed a VR imaging system to measure neural activity in mouse brains during behavior, revealing abnormalities in cortical functional network dynamics associated with autism. The system successfully distinguished between autism model mice and wild-type mice based on their brain network patterns.
The latest CDC report highlights changing demographics of autism and its impact on early detection. In California, 2.8% of 8-year-old children have been identified with ASD, while the median age of first diagnosis is just over 4 years.