Autism News and Research

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Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Experts estimate that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have autism. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females.

Scientists identify molecule that plays key role in determining fate of cells under stress

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have identified a molecule that plays a pivotal role in determining the fate of cells under stress, much like a Roman emperor deciding the fate of gladiators in the coliseum.

12 Sep 2019

Study highlights link between fine motor skills and later language development in children with autism

Fine motor skills - used for eating, writing and buttoning clothing - may be a strong predictor for identifying whether children with autism are at risk for long-term language disabilities, according to a Rutgers-led study.

11 Sep 2019

Researchers identify mechanism responsible for spatial issues in people with Down syndrome

Researchers reveal that an imbalance of gene Grik1 is behind the spatial issues that people with Down syndrome experience.

11 Sep 2019

As measles outbreak fades, N.Y. sets in motion new rules on school vaccinations

As children head to school this fall, the number of measles cases in New York has slowed to a trickle, and officials this week declared that the outbreak in New York City, which largely affected Orthodox Jewish families who avoided immunizations, is over.

5 Sep 2019

Language skills of all children can benefit from exposure to more speech from caregivers

A new language-skills study that included infants later diagnosed with autism suggests that all children can benefit from exposure to more speech from their caregivers.

5 Sep 2019

Researchers map uncharted area of genome using advanced imaging

Using advanced imaging techniques, researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have mapped a previously uncharted region of the human genome that gives rise to a variety of disease, setting the stage to potentially test for the conditions in the future.

4 Sep 2019

Lab-grown brain organoids and the brains of preemie babies generate similar electrical impulses

Brain organoids — also called mini-brains — are 3D cellular models that represent aspects of the human brain in the laboratory. Brain organoids help researchers track human development, unravel the molecular events that lead to disease and test new treatments.

30 Aug 2019

Psychopathy associated with robust alterations in expression of genes, study shows

The expression of many genes that have previously been associated with autism is abnormal also in violent psychopathy, a new study shows.

30 Aug 2019

“Mini Brains” in the lab show electrical activity similar to a preemie’s brain

Researchers have developed successfully mini brains in the labs which are essentially a cluster of brain cells perfused in fluids. These brain tissues are now showing electrical activity akin to real brain, explain the researchers and this is a path-breaking development in brain research.

29 Aug 2019

Claims that cesarean sections increase the risk of autism are “highly unlikely”, say experts

Recent research into over 20 million births concluded that babies born by Cesarean section are more likely to develop autism has divided the medical community.

29 Aug 2019

Cannabis use may alter gene linked to autism in male sperm

Researchers from Duke University Medical centre, Durham, USA have come up with an important study that shows that use of cannabis among men could alter a specific gene in their sperm that is linked to autism. The study titled, “Cannabis use is associated with potentially heritable widespread changes in autism candidate gene DLGAP2 DNA methylation in sperm,” and is published in the latest issue of the journal Epigenetics.

28 Aug 2019

Autism rates growing faster among racial minorities in the United States, research shows

Autism rates among racial minorities in the United States have increased by double digits in recent years, with black rates now exceeding those of whites in most states and Hispanic rates growing faster than any other group, according to new University of Colorado Boulder research.

28 Aug 2019

Stable home lives could lead to positive outcomes for preterm infants

As they grow and develop, children who were born at least 10 weeks before their due dates are at risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder and anxiety disorders.

26 Aug 2019

Difference between people with autism and rest of the population is shrinking, finds study

Around the world, the number of people diagnosed with autism is rising. In the United States, the prevalence of the disorder has grown from 0.05% in 1966 to more than 2% today.

22 Aug 2019

Scientists identify specific gene that plays key role in several psychiatric conditions

Scientists have identified a specific gene they believe could be a key player in the changes in brain structure seen in several psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia and autism.

21 Aug 2019

Measles back in UK three years after elimination

The United Kingdom was declared to be free of measles infection three years back in 2016 by the World Health Organization (WHO). In a recent development, due to the increasing number of cases of measles among unvaccinated children, the WHO has declared that UK can no longer be called measles-free.

20 Aug 2019

Autism News and Research

Further Reading

Scientists identify molecule that plays key role in determining fate of cells under stress

Study highlights link between fine motor skills and later language development in children with autism

Researchers identify mechanism responsible for spatial issues in people with Down syndrome

As measles outbreak fades, N.Y. sets in motion new rules on school vaccinations

Language skills of all children can benefit from exposure to more speech from caregivers

Researchers map uncharted area of genome using advanced imaging

Lab-grown brain organoids and the brains of preemie babies generate similar electrical impulses

Psychopathy associated with robust alterations in expression of genes, study shows

“Mini Brains” in the lab show electrical activity similar to a preemie’s brain

Claims that cesarean sections increase the risk of autism are “highly unlikely”, say experts

Cannabis use may alter gene linked to autism in male sperm

Autism rates growing faster among racial minorities in the United States, research shows

Stable home lives could lead to positive outcomes for preterm infants

Difference between people with autism and rest of the population is shrinking, finds study

Scientists identify specific gene that plays key role in several psychiatric conditions

Measles back in UK three years after elimination

Machine learning reveals links between genetic factors and behavior

Combining electrical stimulation with repetitive musical tones helps improve hearing

Decoding abnormal touch sensitivity in autism spectrum disorders

UCLA-led researchers identify 69 genes that increase risk for autism spectrum disorder

Accelerating Nanobody Production using Polyclonal Anti-VHH Antibodies

Raising Awareness of Celiac Disease with Coeliac UK

Data Integrity in the Pharmaceutical Industry

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