ScienceDaily: Autism News

Brain frontal lobes not sole center of human intelligence, comparative research suggests

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:28:28 EDT

Human intelligence cannot be explained by the size of the brain's frontal lobes, say researchers. Research into the comparative size of the frontal lobes in humans and other species has determined that they are not -- as previously thought -- disproportionately enlarged relative to other areas of the brain, according to the most accurate and conclusive study of this area of the brain. It concludes that the size of our frontal lobes cannot solely account for humans' superior cognitive abilities.

Enhanced motion perception in autism may point to an underlying cause of the disorder

Wed, 08 May 2013 13:18:18 EDT

Children with autism see simple movement twice as quickly as other children their age, and this hypersensitivity to motion may provide clues to a fundamental cause of the developmental disorder, according to a new study.

Childhood disability rate jumps 16 percent over past decade

Sun, 05 May 2013 07:37:37 EDT

More children today have a disability than a decade ago, and the greatest increase is among kids in higher-income families, according to a new study.

Turning human stem cells into brain cells sheds light on neural development

Thu, 02 May 2013 13:19:19 EDT

Medical researchers have manipulated human stem cells into producing types of brain cells known to play important roles in neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy, schizophrenia and autism. The new model cell system allows neuroscientists to investigate normal brain development, as well as to identify specific disruptions in biological signals that may contribute to neuropsychiatric diseases.

Bigger birth weight babies at greater risk of autism

Thu, 02 May 2013 08:17:17 EDT

The biggest study of fetal growth and autism to date has reported that babies whose growth is at either extreme in the womb, either very big or very small, are at greater risk of developing autism.

Social isolation of young adults with autism spectrum disorder examined

Wed, 01 May 2013 19:29:29 EDT

Young adults with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to be socially isolated. That’s the finding of new research that studies the social outcomes of young adults with an ASD.

Early intervention found cost effective through school years

Wed, 01 May 2013 11:28:28 EDT

The Early Start Denver Model, a comprehensive behavioral early intervention program that is appropriate for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as young as 12 months, has been found to reduce the need for ASD therapies and special education services through the school years following their early intervention compared to early intervention services typically available in the community.

A text message a day keeps the asthma attack away

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:21:21 EDT

Simply sending children with asthma a text message each day asking about their symptoms and providing knowledge about their condition can lead to improved health outcomes.

Researchers successfully treat autism in infants: Playing games that infants prefer can lessen severity of symptoms

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:25:25 EDT

Most infants respond to a game of peek-a-boo with smiles at the very least, and, for those who find the activity particularly entertaining, gales of laughter. For infants with autism spectrum disorders, however, the game can be distressing rather than pleasant, and they'll do their best to tune out all aspects of it -- and that includes the people playing with them.

Autism risk spotted at birth in abnormal placentas

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:16:16 EDT

Researchers have figured out how to measure an infant's risk of developing autism by looking for abnormalities in his/her placenta at birth, allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment for the developmental disorder.

New hope for Autistic children who never learn to speak

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:25:25 EDT

Scientists are showing that while not all of the current interventions used to improve language among Autistic children are effective, there is real hope for progress by using interventions based on understanding natural language development and the role of motor and "motor mirroring" behavior in toddlers.

First vaccine to help control some autism symptoms

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:23:23 EDT

A first-ever vaccine for gut bacteria common in autistic children may also help control some autism symptoms.

Brain biology tied to social reorientation during entry to adolescence

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:27:27 EDT

A specific region of the brain is in play when children consider their identity and social status as they transition into adolescence -- that often-turbulent time of reaching puberty and entering middle school, says a psychologist.

Use of anti-epileptic drug during pregnancy associated with increased risk of autism

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:18:18 EDT

Maternal use of valproate (a drug used for the treatment of epilepsy and other neuropsychological disorders) during pregnancy was associated with a significantly increased risk of autism in offspring, according to a new study. The authors caution that these findings must be balanced against the treatment benefits for women who require valproate for epilepsy control.

Epigenetic changes shed light on biological mechanism of autism

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:11:11 EDT

Scientists have identified patterns of epigenetic changes involved in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by studying genetically identical twins who differ in autism traits. The study is the largest of its kind and may shed light on the biological mechanism by which environmental influences regulate the activity of certain genes and in turn contribute to the development of ASD and related behavior traits.

Learning disabilities affect up to 10 percent of children

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:23:23 EDT

Up to 10 percent of the population are affected by specific learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and autism, translating to 2 or 3 pupils in every classroom, according to a new review.

Detecting autism from brain activity

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:55:55 EDT

Neuroscientists have developed an efficient and reliable method of analyzing brain activity to detect autism in children, researchers report in a new study.

Children and teens with autism more likely to become preoccupied with video games

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:07:07 EDT

Children and teens with autism spectrum disorder use screen-based media, such as television and video games, more often than their typically developing peers and are more likely to develop problematic video game habits, a researcher found.

Autism model in mice linked with genetics

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:23:23 EDT

For the first time, researchers have linked autism in a mouse model of the disease with abnormalities in specific regions of the animals’ chromosomes.

Drug could improve working memory of people with autism, study finds

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:24:24 EDT

Investigators found that propranolol, a drug commonly used to treat high blood pressure, anxiety and panic, improves the working memory performance of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

Mutations found in individuals with autism interfere with endocannabinoid signaling in the brain

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:38:38 EDT

Mutations found in individuals with autism block the action of molecules made by the brain that act on the same receptors that marijuana's active chemical acts on, according to new research. The findings implicate specific molecules, called endocannabinoids, in the development of some autism cases and point to potential treatment strategies.

In autism, age at diagnosis depends on specific symptoms

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:33:33 EDT

The age at which a child with autism is diagnosed is related to the particular suite of behavioral symptoms he or she exhibits, new research shows.

Minocycline, an antibiotic, improves behavior for children with fragile X syndrome

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:44:44 EDT

Minocycline, an older, broad-spectrum antibiotic in the tetracycline family, provides meaningful improvements as a therapeutic for children with fragile X syndrome, a study has found.

Children with autism leave 'silly' out

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:31:31 EDT

When a child with autism copies the actions of an adult, he or she is likely to omit anything "silly" about what they've just seen. In contrast, typically developing children will go out of their way to repeat each and every element of the behavior even as they may realize that parts of it don't make any sense.

Autism linked to increased genetic change in regions of genome instability

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 09:27:27 EDT

Children with autism have increased levels of genetic change in regions of the genome prone to DNA rearrangements, so called "hotspots," according to a new research discovery. The research has relevance in a vigorous ongoing debate in the research community about the degree of genetic versus environmental contributions to autism.

New genetic evidence suggests a continuum among neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:24:24 EDT

A broad spectrum of developmental and psychiatric disorders, ranging from autism and intellectual disability to schizophrenia, should be conceptualized as different manifestations of a common underlying denominator, "developmental brain dysfunction," rather than completely independent conditions with distinct causes, new research suggests.

New initiative provides free developmental assessments for children most at risk for autism

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 09:05:05 EDT

Kennedy Krieger Institute has announced a new, pilot initiative to help identify the red flags of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in infant siblings of children with ASD as early as possible. Research studies have found that for families who have one child with ASD, the chance of a subsequent sibling developing the disorder is one in five. The goal of this new initiative is to put a national spotlight on children most at risk -- infant siblings -- and to bring support and awareness to those families already affected by the disorder.

Risk of autism is not increased by 'too many vaccines too soon,' study shows

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:03:03 EDT

Although scientific evidence suggests that vaccines do not cause autism, approximately one-third of parents continue to express concern that they do; nearly 1 in 10 parents refuse or delay vaccinations because they believe it is safer than following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) schedule. A primary concern is the number of vaccines administered, both on a single day and cumulatively over the first 2 years of life. Researchers concluded that there is no association between receiving “too many vaccines too soon” and autism.

Significant insights into common form of autism: Study identifies genetic connections in 15q duplication syndrome

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:15:15 EDT

Results from a new study are providing significant insights into autism through the study of a specific form of the disorder caused by a duplication on chromosome 15.

Misregulated genes may have big autism role

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:09:09 EDT

A genetic pathway involving proteins in the endosomes of cells appears to be misregulated in the brains of children with autism, according to a newly published statistical analysis. Previously, the genes were shown to cause rare forms of the disease, but the new study suggests they have a wider role.

Older grandfathers pass on autism risk through generations

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:28:28 EDT

Men who have children at older ages are more likely to have grandchildren with autism compared to younger grandfathers, according to new research. This is the first time that research has shown that risk factors for autism may accumulate over generations.

Women abused as children more likely to have children with autism

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:28:28 EDT

Women who experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse as children are more likely to have a child with autism than women who were not abused.

Humanoid robot helps teach children with autism

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:52:52 EDT

An interdisciplinary team of mechanical engineers and autism experts have developed an adaptive robotic system and used it to demonstrate that humanoid robots can be powerful tools for enhancing the basic social learning skills of children with autism.

Atypical brain circuits may cause slower gaze shifting in infants who later develop autism

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 09:56:56 EDT

Infants at 7 months of age who go on to develop autism are slower to reorient their gaze and attention from one object to another when compared to 7-month-olds who do not develop autism, and this behavioral pattern is in part explained by atypical brain circuits.

Atypical brain circuits may cause slower gaze shifting in infants who later develop autism

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 09:44:44 EDT

Children who are later diagnosed with autism have subtle but measurable differences in attention as early as 7 months of age, finds a new study. Results indicate a precursor to “sticky attention” problems seen in children with autism.

Difficulty in recognizing faces in autism linked to performance in a group of neurons

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:15:15 EDT

Neuroscientists have discovered a brain anomaly that explains why some people diagnosed with autism cannot easily recognize faces -- a deficit linked to the impairments in social interactions considered to be the hallmark of the disorder.

Drug treatment corrects autism symptoms in mouse model

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:20:20 EDT

Autism results from abnormal cell communication. Testing a new theory, researchers have used a newly discovered function of an old drug to restore cell communications in a mouse model of autism, reversing symptoms of the devastating disorder.

Scientists find age-related changes in how autism affects the brain

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:35:35 EDT

Autism spectrum disorders affect the brain activity of children and adults differently, according to new research.

Punishment can enhance performance, academics find

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:33:33 EDT

The stick can work just as well as the carrot in improving our performance, a team of academics has found.

Autistic children may be at greater risk of suicide ideation and attempts

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:20:20 EDT

Children with an autism spectrum disorder may be at greater risk for contemplating suicide or attempting suicide than children without autism, according to researchers.

Mental picture of others can be seen using fMRI, finds new study

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:10:10 EST

It is possible to tell who a person is thinking about by analyzing images of his or her brain. Our mental models of people produce unique patterns of brain activation, which can be detected using advanced imaging techniques according to a new study.

Speech emerges in children on the autism spectrum with severe language delay at greater rate than previously thought

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:49:49 EST

Study could reveals key predictors of speech gains. New findings reveal that 70 percent of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who have a history of severe language delay, achieved phrase or fluent speech by age eight.

'Rain Man'-like brains mapped at using MRIs and network analysis

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:13:13 EST

Combining hospital MRIs with the mathematical tool known as network analysis, a group of researchers has mapped the three-dimensional global connections within the brains of seven adults who have genetic malformations that leave them without the corpus callosum, which connects the left and right sides of the brain.

Children with autism show increased positive social behaviors when animals are present

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:35:35 EST

The presence of an animal can significantly increase positive social behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders, according to new research.

'Network' analysis of brain may explain features of autism

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:20:20 EST

A look at how the brain processes information finds distinct pattern in autistic children. Using EEGs to track the brain's electrical cross-talk, researchers found structural difference in brain connections. Compared with neurotypical children, those with autism have multiple redundant connections between neighboring brain areas at expense of long-distance links. The study, using "network analysis" like with airlines or electrical grids, may help in understanding some classic autistic behaviors.

Higher levels of several toxic metals found in children with autism

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:22:22 EST

Researchers have found significantly higher levels of toxic metals in children with autism, compared to typical children. They hypothesize that reducing early exposure to toxic metals may help lessen symptoms of autism, though they say this hypotheses needs further examination.

BPA may affect the developing brain by disrupting gene regulation

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:31:31 EST

Environmental exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a widespread chemical found in plastics and resins, may suppress a gene vital to nerve cell function and to the development of the central nervous system, according to a new study.

Ultrasound reveals autism risk at birth, study finds

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:25:25 EST

Low-birth-weight babies with a particular brain abnormality are at greater risk for autism, according to a new study that could provide doctors a signpost for early detection of the still poorly understood disorder.

Fragile X makes brain cells talk too much

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:34:34 EST

The most common inherited form of mental retardation and autism, fragile X syndrome, turns some brain cells into chatterboxes, scientists report. The extra talk may make it harder for brain cells to identify and attend to important signals.

Music therapy improves behavior in children with autism, study suggests

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:01:01 EST

Weekly music therapy sessions can have a positive effect on behavior in children with autism, reports a new article. In a study of 41 children, improvements were seen particularly in inattentive behaviors over a ten month period.

Behavioral therapy for children with autism can impact brain function

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:06:06 EST

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging for before-and-after analysis, a team of researchers discovered positive changes in brain activity in children with autism who received a particular type of behavioral therapy.

Lower autism risk with folic acid supplements in pregnancy

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:22:22 EST

Women who took folic acid supplements in early pregnancy almost halved the risk of having a child with autism. Beginning to take folic acid supplements later in pregnancy did not reduce the risk.

Some autism behaviors linked to altered gene

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:19:19 EST

Scientists have identified a genetic mutation that may underlie common behaviors seen in some people with autism, such as difficulty communicating and resistance to change.

Youths with autism spectrum disorder need help transitioning to adult health care

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:19:19 EST

Health care transition (HCT) services help young people with special health care needs such as asthma or diabetes move from pediatric to adult health care. However, youths with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have less access to these services, which are designed to prevent gaps in care and insurance coverage. A researcher recommends that the medical community develop HCT services for individuals with ASD as a way to ensure consistent and coordinated care and increase their independence and quality of life.

Gene today, gone tomorrow: Genes for autism and schizophrenia only active in developing brains

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:22:22 EST

Genes linked to autism and schizophrenia are only switched on during the early stages of brain development, according to a new study in mice. This new study adds to the evidence that autism and schizophrenia are neurodevelopmental disorders, a term describing conditions that originate during early brain development.

Abnormal brain development in fetuses of obese women

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:22:22 EST

Researchers have found that fetuses of obese women had differences in gene expression as early as the second trimester, compared to fetuses of women who were a healthy weight.. Of particular note were patterns of gene expression suggestive of abnormal brain development in fetuses of obese women.

Researchers spot attention deficits in babies who later develop autism

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:21:21 EST

Researchers are able to detect deficits in social attention in infants as young as six months of age who later develop Autism Spectrum Disorders. The results showed that these infants paid less attention to people and their activities than typically developing babies.

Children with autism at significant risk for feeding problems and nutritional deficits

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:46:46 EST

A comprehensive analysis of feeding behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders indicates these children are five times more likely to have a feeding problem, including extreme tantrums during meals, severe food selectivity and ritualistic mealtime behaviors. Examination of dietary nutrients showed significantly lower intake of calcium and protein and a higher number of nutritional deficits overall among children with autism.

Autism speaks through gene expression

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 09:59:59 EST

Autism spectrum disorders affect nearly 1 in 88 children, with symptoms ranging from mild personality traits to severe intellectual disability and seizures. New work examines which genes are responsible for autism disorders.

Researcher uncovers potential cause, biomarker for autism and proposes study to investigate theory

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:44:44 EST

Every day, 125 children are diagnosed with autism in the United States. A new study points to a potential cause and calls for further investigation to test the theory. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) is a protein that is necessary for normal nervous system development but may be deficient in babies who later develop autism. IGF, of which breast milk is a natural source, eventually could prove useful as a biomarker, treatment and prevention for autism.