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.

Studies offer leads for new approaches to treat neurological problems

Technological advances have ushered in a new era of discovery in neuroscience. The Experimental Biology 2018 meeting will feature an array of research findings on the brain and nervous system.

23 Apr 2018

Drawbacks and benefits of using saliva for epigenetic studies

Biomarkers in saliva identify changes that impact the body, according to research published in Current Genomics. This important paper details the drawbacks and benefits of using saliva as a tissue sample for the study of epigenetic changes affected by experiences.

20 Apr 2018

Researchers develop new drug-testing platform for epilepsy

For more than a third of children living with epilepsy, the currently approved medications do not stop their seizures. This statistic has not changed for the past five decades, despite the development of many new anti-seizure drugs.

20 Apr 2018

Rare variants in non-coding DNA inherited from parents heighten autism risk

In recent years, researchers have firmly established that gene mutations appearing for the first time, called de novo mutations, contribute to approximately one-third of cases of autism spectrum disorder.

20 Apr 2018

Children with autism have gastrointestinal and immune system deregulation, research finds

Researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute have found that children with autism spectrum disorder have reduced immune system regulation, as well as shifts in their gut microbiota.

17 Apr 2018

Every parent needs to know fundamental red flags for autism

Autism spectrum disorders are being diagnosed in ever-increasing numbers. Nationally, there are about 1 in 68 children identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network.

17 Apr 2018

PCOS linked to increased risk of mental health disorders

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome, the most common hormone condition among young women, are prone to mental health disorders, and their children face an increased risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

11 Apr 2018

Researchers discover how intestinal bacteria can influence blood glucose and lipid concentrations

Intestinal bacteria have attracted recent attention since they were discovered to influence various physiological functions and diseases in humans.

10 Apr 2018

Using Cord Blood to Alleviate the Symptoms of Autism

Cord blood has been studied extensively for the treatment of hematological diseases such as cancer and sickle cell anemia, but is now in phase II trials for the alleviation of autism. Dr. Ann Smith, director of Smart Cells who provided the cord blood for the trial, discusses the research and it's potential.

9 Apr 2018

Legacy of social and political factors may be responsible for vaccine hesitancy

A legacy of social and political factors rather than bad parenting may be influencing people's decisions not to vaccinate their children, according to a study from the University of Waterloo.

9 Apr 2018

Scientists develop new drug for treating skin lesions in rare intractable disease

Scientists at Osaka University developed a new drug treating skin lesions in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a rare intractable disease, a world first.

5 Apr 2018

Study reveals differences in the brains of children with fragile X syndrome

For the first time, UNC School of Medicine researchers have used MRIs to show that babies with the neurodevelopmental condition fragile X syndrome had less-developed white matter compared to infants that did not develop the condition.

4 Apr 2018

Children with autism more likely to be prescribed antipsychotic medication, study finds

A new study by Swansea University has suggested that children with intellectual difficulty or autism are more likely to be given antipsychotic medication from a younger age than those without intellectual disability and have higher rates of hospitalization for depression and for injury and also are at risk of other medical side effects.

4 Apr 2018

Smart Cells releases first sample of cord blood to treat autism and parents' guide to ASD

Private cord blood company, Smart Cells, has released their 20th sample of stem cells collected from cord blood and tissue to a patient to treat autism. This is the company’s first sample to be released and infused for the condition. This release closely coincides with World Autism Awareness Day on the 2nd April, for which Smart Cells have released a simple informational guide on autism for parents.

3 Apr 2018

Study reveals how interneurons emerge and diversify in the brain

Modern neuroscience, for all its complexity, can trace its roots directly to a series of pen-and-paper sketches rendered by Nobel laureate Santiago Ramón y Cajal in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

31 Mar 2018

Monkeys' brain synchrony influenced by proximity and social status, research suggests

Though their purpose and function are still largely unknown, mirror neurons in the brain are believed by some neuroscientists to be central to how humans relate to each other. Deficiencies in mirror neurons might also play a role in autism and other disorders affecting social skills.

30 Mar 2018