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Study examines factors associated with co-occurrence of autism and epilepsy in children

Children with epilepsy have a higher risk of also having autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A new study in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology examined factors associated with the co-occurrence of autism and epilepsy in a large population-based group.

6 May 2026

Genetic background shapes outcomes in chromosome 16 deletion disorders

Individuals that share the same deletion of a portion of chromosome 16 are at risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders, but some experience severe intellectual disability or developmental delay, while others may only exhibit milder psychiatric features like depression or anxiety.

5 May 2026

Phase 2 human clinical trial paves way for effective hookworm vaccine

A phase 2 human clinical trial of an antigen for a parasitic infection caused by hookworms has been shown to be effective in limiting the intensity of infection, paving the way for the development of a vaccine.

5 May 2026

A new tool that predicts obesity-related disease risk beyond BMI

OBSCORE is a data-driven tool that identifies high-risk individuals for obesity-related diseases, enhancing treatment targeting beyond traditional BMI metrics.

5 May 2026

Learn B.E. F.A.S.T. to recognize stroke signs and save lives

A stroke can change a life in an instant. In the minutes after symptoms begin, quick action can help protect the brain, reduce long-term disability and save a life, according to the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

4 May 2026

New brain stimulation technique improves social communication in children with autism

A new non-invasive brain stimulation technique known as accelerated continuous theta burst stimulation (a-cTBS) improves social communication at one month follow up and has a favorable safety profile in children with autism, finds a trial from China published by The BMJ today.

29 Apr 2026

Study finds no psychiatric risk from prenatal sedatives

A large South Korean study published by The BMJ today finds no increased risk of psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD and autism, in children whose mothers used sedative drugs (benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics) during pregnancy.

29 Apr 2026

AHA calls for lifelong brain health strategy to prevent cognitive decline

The AHA scientific statement calls for a life-course approach to brain health that integrates cognitive, emotional, behavioral, vascular, environmental, inflammatory, sleep, microbiome, and social factors. It highlights how early-life exposures, mental health, pollution, chronic inflammation, poor sleep, gut dysbiosis, and socioeconomic adversity may shape brain resilience and later-life cognitive decline.

29 Apr 2026

Noninvasive brain monitoring reveals hidden oxygen deprivation in ICU patients

In neurological intensive care, it is quickly learned that the brain cannot wait. As the most sensitive organ in the human body, it can sustain irreversible damage after just a few minutes of severe hypoxia.

27 Apr 2026

Twice-yearly blood pressure treatment could reshape hypertension care, but doctors warn against a “fire-and-forget” approach

Long-acting RNA interference therapy for hypertension could shift blood pressure control from daily pill-taking to scheduled, system-led protection. But the authors warn that this “vaccine-like” model must preserve lifestyle support, monitoring, and follow-up to avoid clinical disengagement.

27 Apr 2026

Apixaban reduces complications, helps older adults spend more time at home after blood clots

Older adults recovering from serious blood clots often face long periods of hospitalization or rehabilitation due to a higher rate of recurrence.

27 Apr 2026

Advanced heart, kidney and metabolic disease linked to higher cancer risk

People with advanced heart, kidney and metabolic disease may face a higher risk of developing cancer, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association's peer-reviewed scientific journal Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes.

27 Apr 2026

Molecular map reveals how Down syndrome alters brain development

Scientists at UCLA have created one of the first cellular-resolution molecular maps detailing how Down syndrome alters human brain development before birth - a resource that resolves longstanding contradictions in the field and could lay the groundwork for future therapeutic strategies.

25 Apr 2026

ASDP responds to NDIS reform direction, calls for functional approach and strong developmental supports

The Australasian Society for Developmental Paediatrics (ASDP) has responded to the Australian Government’s proposed reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), following the address by Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, at the National Press Club this week.

25 Apr 2026

Negative parenting behaviors linked to gaming disorder in children with ADHD

A new Children's Hospital of Philadelphia study examines the relationship between parenting factors and gaming disorder in young children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Findings from the study will be presented during the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2026 Meeting, taking place April 24-27 in Boston.

24 Apr 2026

Study reveals genetic factors influencing SYNGAP1 encephalopathy disease severity

SYNGAP1 encephalopathy is a rare genetic disorder for which there is no treatment, causing epilepsy, intellectual disability, psychomotor delay and, frequently, autism.

22 Apr 2026

McMaster researchers identify new DNA region linked to frailty

Researchers at McMaster University have identified, for the first time, a novel region of DNA and two associated genes connected to frailty, offering neurological and immune-related insights that might help explain why some older adults are more likely to be frail than others.

22 Apr 2026

Autism risk rises with multiple medications taken during pregnancy

A study links maternal use of cholesterol-inhibiting medications during pregnancy to increased autism risk in children, urging caution in prescribing practices.

22 Apr 2026

Morning naps may flag higher mortality risk in older adults

Older adults who took longer and more frequent daytime naps, especially in the morning, had a higher risk of all-cause mortality in this prospective cohort study using actigraphy-based nap tracking. Variability in nap duration from day to day was not associated with mortality after full adjustment.

21 Apr 2026

Supportive relationships in childhood help buffer the long-term health effects of abuse

A consistent, caring adult during childhood can make a profound difference for child survivors of physical or sexual abuse.

21 Apr 2026

Disability News and Research

Study examines factors associated with co-occurrence of autism and epilepsy in children

Genetic background shapes outcomes in chromosome 16 deletion disorders

Phase 2 human clinical trial paves way for effective hookworm vaccine

A new tool that predicts obesity-related disease risk beyond BMI

Learn B.E. F.A.S.T. to recognize stroke signs and save lives

New brain stimulation technique improves social communication in children with autism

Study finds no psychiatric risk from prenatal sedatives

AHA calls for lifelong brain health strategy to prevent cognitive decline

Noninvasive brain monitoring reveals hidden oxygen deprivation in ICU patients

Twice-yearly blood pressure treatment could reshape hypertension care, but doctors warn against a “fire-and-forget” approach

Apixaban reduces complications, helps older adults spend more time at home after blood clots

Advanced heart, kidney and metabolic disease linked to higher cancer risk

Molecular map reveals how Down syndrome alters brain development

ASDP responds to NDIS reform direction, calls for functional approach and strong developmental supports

Negative parenting behaviors linked to gaming disorder in children with ADHD

Study reveals genetic factors influencing SYNGAP1 encephalopathy disease severity

McMaster researchers identify new DNA region linked to frailty

Autism risk rises with multiple medications taken during pregnancy

Morning naps may flag higher mortality risk in older adults

Supportive relationships in childhood help buffer the long-term health effects of abuse

Lab Matters host Harriet Gould on building a more connected lab community

The Critical Role of Sample Storage in Drug Discovery and Development

Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

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