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.

New research confirms link between DDT exposure and autism

The results of a national birth cohort study published today provide biomarker evidence that DDT increases the risk of autism.

15 Aug 2018

Study reveals how immune cells in the brain influence sexual behavior

Researchers have found a surprising new explanation of how young brains are shaped for sexual behavior later in life.

14 Aug 2018

Study finds increased rate of repeat pregnancies in women with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Women with intellectual and developmental disabilities have nearly double the rate of having another baby within a year of delivering compared to women without such disabilities, according to a new study published in CMAJ.

13 Aug 2018

Prenatal Tdap vaccination not linked with increased risk of autism in children, study shows

A Kaiser Permanente study of more than 80,000 children born over a 4-year period showed that the prenatal Tdap vaccination (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) was not associated with increased risk of autism spectrum disorder in children.

13 Aug 2018

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia have higher risk of melanoma, shows study

While studying a large group of individuals with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a Wilmot Cancer Institute scientific team made an important discovery -- these patients had a sizable 600 percent higher risk of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

10 Aug 2018

Scientists are one step closer to understanding autistic disorders

Autism spectrum disorders are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders, one of the main characteristics of which is impaired social communication.

10 Aug 2018

Researchers discover genetic mutation underlying debilitating childhood brain disorder

Ashleigh Schaffer, PhD, assistant professor of genetics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and a team of global genetics experts have discovered a genetic mutation and the faulty development process it triggers, causing a debilitating brain-based disorder in children.

9 Aug 2018

Scientists identify key neurobiological mechanisms that control aggression

A number of psychiatric disorders present with aggression and violence, which, needless to say, are destructive to both individuals and societies worldwide: death, disease, disability, and numerous socioeconomic problems can often be traced back to aggressive behavior.

9 Aug 2018

Atlas of the nervous system provides new clues about origin of neurological diseases

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have created a systematic and detailed map of the cell types of the mouse nervous system.

9 Aug 2018

Mandatory vaccinations for children stopped in Italy

The Italian government has removed the necessity for all children to be vaccinated against 10 important infectious diseases before they can join school or day care. This has shocked and angered the medical and scientific community.

7 Aug 2018

Map of billion brain cell connections sheds light on how memories are formed and recalled

Scientists have created an elaborate map of more than a billion brain cell connections, helping to shed light on how memories are formed and recalled.

3 Aug 2018

Women with PCOS more likely to have an autistic child

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are more likely than other women to have an autistic child, according to an analysis of NHS data carried out by a team at Cambridge University's Autism Research Centre.

1 Aug 2018

Scientists identify brain cells that help zebrafishes to socialize

University of Oregon scientists have identified brain cells vital to how zebrafish socialize. When the neurons are disabled, their orientation to one another breaks down in ways similar to socialization problems seen in humans with autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia.

27 Jul 2018

Mutations of IRF2BPL gene associated with previously undiagnosed neurological disorder

An international team of scientists, including researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, has discovered mutations of gene IRF2BPL that are associated with a previously undiagnosed neurological disorder in seven unrelated individuals.

27 Jul 2018

Researchers to study molecular mechanisms behind susceptibility of males to autism

Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability are more prevalent in males than females.

20 Jul 2018

WFN to highlight clean air for brain health on World Brain Day 2018

Global air pollution is not a problem that only affects lung health. Recent data show that airborne pollutants account for 30 percent of acute stroke cases worldwide.

19 Jul 2018

Mother's microbiome determines offspring's risk of developing autism

The risk of developing autism-spectrum disorders is determined by the mother's microbiome - the collection of microorganisms that naturally live inside us - during pregnancy, new research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine suggests.

18 Jul 2018

Researchers identify key protein involved in irregular brain cell activity

In a new study in mice, researchers have identified a key protein involved in the irregular brain cell activity seen in autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy. The protein, p53, is well-known in cancer biology as a tumor suppressor.

17 Jul 2018

FAU and partners receive NIH research grant to shed light on sleep loss and metabolic disorders

A neuroscientist from Florida Atlantic University's Jupiter Life Science Initiative and collaborators from the University of Minnesota and Stowers Institute for Medical Research recently a received a four-year, $1.68 million R01 research grant from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of General Medical Sciences for a project titled, "Understanding Complex Trait Architecture through Population Genomics."

17 Jul 2018

New drug strategy can alleviate multiple behavioral, cellular deficiencies in FXS mouse model

Research in mice shows that a pharmacological strategy can alleviate multiple behavioral and cellular deficiencies in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited form of intellectual disability and a major single-gene cause of autism spectrum disorders.

13 Jul 2018

Autism News and Research

Further Reading

New research confirms link between DDT exposure and autism

Study reveals how immune cells in the brain influence sexual behavior

Study finds increased rate of repeat pregnancies in women with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Prenatal Tdap vaccination not linked with increased risk of autism in children, study shows

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia have higher risk of melanoma, shows study

Scientists are one step closer to understanding autistic disorders

Researchers discover genetic mutation underlying debilitating childhood brain disorder

Scientists identify key neurobiological mechanisms that control aggression

Atlas of the nervous system provides new clues about origin of neurological diseases

Mandatory vaccinations for children stopped in Italy

Map of billion brain cell connections sheds light on how memories are formed and recalled

Women with PCOS more likely to have an autistic child

Scientists identify brain cells that help zebrafishes to socialize

Mutations of IRF2BPL gene associated with previously undiagnosed neurological disorder

Researchers to study molecular mechanisms behind susceptibility of males to autism

WFN to highlight clean air for brain health on World Brain Day 2018

Mother's microbiome determines offspring's risk of developing autism

Researchers identify key protein involved in irregular brain cell activity

FAU and partners receive NIH research grant to shed light on sleep loss and metabolic disorders

New drug strategy can alleviate multiple behavioral, cellular deficiencies in FXS mouse model

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