Asperger's Syndrome News and Research

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Asperger syndrome (AS) is a developmental disorder. It is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one of a distinct group of neurological conditions characterized by a greater or lesser degree of impairment in language and communication skills, as well as repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought and behavior. Other ASDs include: classic autism, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Unlike children with autism, children with AS retain their early language skills.

Study examines links between parental obesity and risk of autism developmental in child

Several studies have looked at possible links between maternal obesity during pregnancy and the risk of developmental disorders in the child. However, paternal obesity could be a greater risk factor than maternal obesity, according to a new study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

8 Apr 2014

Mental health crisis may be better served in homelike environment instead of traditional ER, says study

Emergency departments may not be the best choice for persons suffering from severe mental illness or emotional distress. According to a new qualitative study by DePaul University School of Nursing researchers, persons in a mental health crisis may be better served in an alternative recovery-oriented, homelike environment instead of a traditional emergency department.

8 Jan 2014

Researchers develop new screening tool to facilitate diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in adults

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have developed a new screening tool to facilitate the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in adults. The test is presented in the scientific journal Molecular Autism and is unique in that researchers have, as part of their evaluation, compared the group diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder with psychiatric patients.

12 Dec 2013

ReAttach therapy can be effective treatment for people with autism

"ReAttach" is a new intervention, based on "attachment". Practical research has pointed out that the "ReAttach therapy" can be of great importance for people with autism. This is concluded from the continuous practical research of Paula Bartholomeus into the advantages that can be reached for people with Asperger's syndrome, PDD-NOS, autism spectrum disorder, or with a mental disability and autism, using the ReAttach therapy.

9 Oct 2013

UCSB to host 6th Annual International PRT Autism and Asperger's Conference next month

Autism experts from around the world will gather at UC Santa Barbara next month for the 6th Annual International Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) Autism and Asperger's Conference.

13 Aug 2013

New approaches provide lifetime support for individuals with ASD

More than 300 parents, healthcare providers and educators from across the U.S. and around the world, will come together July 26 through July 27, 2013 at the second annual national conference for families and professionals, "Treating the Whole Person with Autism: Care Across the Lifespan." The conference — sponsored by Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism and advocacy organization, with our educational partners at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, the U.S.

24 Jul 2013

Findings have implications for potential gene therapies for autism spectrum disorders

A gene linked to autism spectrum disorders that was manipulated in two lines of transgenic mice produced mature adults with irreversible deficits affecting either learning or social interaction.

6 Jun 2013

Weekend reading: Mental illness stigma, health insurance mazes and female libido

Linneah sat at a desk at the Center for Sexual Medicine at Sheppard Pratt in the suburbs of Baltimore and filled out a questionnaire. She read briskly, making swift checks beside her selected answers, and when she was finished, she handed the pages across the desk to Martina Miller, who gave her a round of pills.

24 May 2013

Maternal use of valproate during pregnancy increases risk of autism in offspring

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 study in the April 24 issue of JAMA.

24 Apr 2013

Periconceptional folic acid intake may reduce risk of autistic disorder in children

In a study that included approximately 85,000 Norwegian children, maternal use of supplemental folic acid from 4 weeks before to 8 weeks after the start of pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of autistic disorder in children, according to a study appearing in the February 13 issue of JAMA.

13 Feb 2013

Folic acid supplements reduce risk of giving birth to children with autism

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.

13 Feb 2013

Noninvasive, drugless therapy may help mitigate symptoms associated with neurological conditions

With the infusion of an additional $1 million of financial support from The Susanne Marcus Collins Foundation, Inc., Atlanta, GA, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center researchers are expanding their studies using a noninvasive, drugless therapy that may help to mitigate symptoms associated with a list of neurological conditions.

30 Jan 2013

Conn. shootings spur questions about adequacy of mental health services

Lawmakers in both chambers are calling for Congress to start a conversation about mental health issues in the wake of last week's deadly shooting at a Connecticut elementary school, with one goal of ensuring adequate funding for services for those who need treatment.

19 Dec 2012

University of Leicester autism expert contributes to international global health study

A leading international expert on autism at the University of Leicester has been involved in contributing to a major new study of global health.

18 Dec 2012

Longer looks: 'Reckless' drug prescriptions lead to patient deaths; The struggles to reopen NY hospitals

Dr. Carlos Estiandan was up to no good, and the medical board of California was on to him. He prescribed powerful painkillers to addicts who had no medical need for them, conducted sham examinations and appeared to be a key supplier for drug dealers, according to court records. He wrote more prescriptions than the entire staffs of some hospitals and took in more than $1 million a year.

14 Dec 2012

Bumetanide could treat children with severe autism or Asperger's syndrome

Although this therapy is not curative, it nevertheless reduced the autistic disorders' severity in three-quarters of the children. The researchers have filed a request for authorisation to perform a multi-centre European clinical trial in order to determine more precisely the population concerned by this therapy.

13 Dec 2012

Autism interventions are supported by varying levels of evidence, reveals new RAND study

Interventions designed to improve core deficits in children with autism spectrum disorders are supported by varying levels of evidence, highlighting the need for well-designed studies to better evaluate the interventions, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

3 Nov 2012

Link between autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), a category that includes autism, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder, are characterized by difficulty with social interaction and communication, or repetitive behaviors. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Management says that one in 88 children in the US is somewhere on the Autism spectrum - an alarming ten-fold increase in the last four decades.

24 Oct 2012

Melbourne researchers develop genetic test to predict risk of autism spectrum disorder

A team of Australian researchers, led by University of Melbourne has developed a genetic test that is able to predict the risk of developing Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD.

13 Sep 2012

Genetic test predicts risk for Autism