Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

Certain human diseases may have evolutionary epigenetic origins

Ninety-six percent of a chimpanzee's genome is the same as a human's. It's the other 4 percent, and the vast differences, that pique the interest of Georgia Tech's Soojin Yi. For instance, why do humans have a high risk of cancer, even though chimps rarely develop the disease? In research published in September's American Journal of Human Genetics, Yi looked at brain samples of each species. She found that differences in certain DNA modifications, called methylation, may contribute to phenotypic changes.

24 Aug 2012

New UCLA study pinpoints unique human patterns of gene activity in the brain

Human and chimp brains look anatomically similar because both evolved from the same ancestor millions of years ago. But where does the chimp brain end and the human brain begin? A new UCLA study pinpoints uniquely human patterns of gene activity in the brain that could shed light on how we evolved differently than our closest relative.

23 Aug 2012

New book sparks debate over whether vaccines cause autism

The bitter debate over whether vaccines cause autism is masking real problems with the modern inoculation schedule and encouraging a growing number of parents to refuse recommended vaccines for their children, argues a Michigan State University scholar.

23 Aug 2012

APSSLH and Maney collaborate to launch Speech, Language and Hearing journal

Starting in 2013 Maney will be collaborating with the Asia Pacific Society for the Study of Speech, Language and Hearing (APSSLH) to launch Speech, Language and Hearing. This is a significant development for both Maney and the Society.

23 Aug 2012

Dogs offer excellent animal model for human obsessive compulsive disorder study

The genetics research group, based at the University of Helsinki and the Folkh-lsan Research Center and led by Professor Hannes Lohi, has in collaboration with an international group of researchers investigated the characteristics and environmental factors associated with compulsive tail chasing in dogs.

21 Aug 2012

Scientists use supercomputers to reveal links between known risk factors and heart biology

About 25,000 Danes currently live with congenital heart defects. Both heredity and environment play a role for these malformations, but exactly how various risk factors influence the development of the heart during pregnancy has been a mystery until now.

15 Aug 2012

Scientists discover how pten gene causes brain changes that lead to autism-like behavior

Scientists affiliated with the UC Davis MIND Institute have discovered how a defective gene causes brain changes that lead to the atypical social behavior characteristic of autism. The research offers a potential target for drugs to treat the condition.

13 Aug 2012

Research on language gene seeks to uncover origins of the singing mouse

Singing mice (Scotinomys teguina) are not your average lab rats. Their fur is tawny brown instead of the common white albino strain; they hail from the tropical cloud forests in the mountains of Costa Rica; and, as their name hints, they use song to communicate.

12 Aug 2012

Two major classes of brain cells repress neural activity in specific mathematical ways

The brain has billions of neurons, arranged in complex circuits that allow us to perceive the world, control our movements and make decisions. Deciphering those circuits is critical to understanding how the brain works and what goes wrong in neurological disorders.

9 Aug 2012

Variations in RORA gene can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder

Investigators at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System have identified a new gene linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

8 Aug 2012

Pets may trigger ‘prosocial’ behavior in autistic children

Autistic children show improvements in certain aspects of prosocial behavior after the introduction of pets into the family home, researchers report.

7 Aug 2012

Curemark receives FDA clearance for enrollment of children aged 9-12 in CM-AT study for autism

Dr. Joan Fallon, founder and CEO of Curemark, a Rye, New York-based drug research and development company focused on the treatment of Autism and neurological diseases, today announced that the company has received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to commence direct enrollment of children 9-12 years of age into its open-label extension study of CM-AT for children with Autism.

6 Aug 2012

SAGE Labs, Autism Speaks expand partnership to create first rat models for translational research

Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, today announced its expanded collaboration with Sigma Advanced Genetic Engineering (SAGE) Labs, an initiative of Sigma- Life, to develop the first rat models with modified autism associated genes, intended to accelerate discovery and translational autism research.

3 Aug 2012

Adult human brain remarkably malleable and capable of new feats

There is growing evidence that, beyond what was previously believed, the adult human brain is remarkably malleable and capable of new feats -- even in the last decades of life.

2 Aug 2012

Roundup: Ore. Gov. suggests malpractice reform; Mass. Gov. proposes new scrutiny for health care providers; Texas has offered HPV vaccine since 2007

The state can cut health care costs and reduce the number of medical-related lawsuits by requiring earlier notification of injuries as well as pretrial mediation, according to a recommendation Gov. John Kitzhaber issued Wednesday. The product of closed-door talks between representatives of interest groups including the Oregon Medical Association and the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, Kitzhaber's recommendation now goes to a work group including lawmakers, a trial lawyer and doctor that begins public meetings next week.

27 Jul 2012

Researchers develop piglet model to study infant brain development

Events that take place early in life almost certainly have consequences for later cognitive development. Establishing the connections is difficult, however, because human infants cannot be used as laboratory subjects. Rodney Johnson and his collaborators have developed an alternative model for studying infant brain development. "Assistant professor Ryan Dilger and I became interested in establishing the neonatal piglet as a model of human brain and cognitive development 3 or 4 years ago," he said.

26 Jul 2012

Study demonstrates how nerve stimulation paired with specific experiences can reorganize the brain

UT Dallas researchers recently demonstrated how nerve stimulation paired with specific experiences, such as movements or sounds, can reorganize the brain. This technology could lead to new treatments for stroke, tinnitus, autism and other disorders.

20 Jul 2012

Autism Speaks to hold National Conference for Families and Professionals in Columbus

Autism Speaks will hold the National Conference for Families and Professionals, "Treating the Whole Person with Autism: Providing Comprehensive Care for Children and Adolescents with ASD," August 3 - 4, 2012, at the Hilton Columbus in Columbus, Ohio.

19 Jul 2012

Six young scientists to receive 2012 Klerman and Freedman Awards

Six young scientists will be recognized with the Annual Klerman and Freedman Awards by the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation on Friday July 27, 2012 at Le Parker Meriden Hotel in New York City on Friday, July 27.

18 Jul 2012

State roundup: Mass. to allow coupons for some branded drugs

Johns Hopkins Hospital lost its coveted spot as the nation's top-ranked hospital for the first time in 22 years, edged out by Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital in the latest analysis by U.S. News & World Report to be released Tuesday. Hopkins still ranked No. 2, and marketing experts said falling one spot will hurt the hospital's ego more than its reputation.

18 Jul 2012

Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

Certain human diseases may have evolutionary epigenetic origins

New UCLA study pinpoints unique human patterns of gene activity in the brain

New book sparks debate over whether vaccines cause autism

APSSLH and Maney collaborate to launch Speech, Language and Hearing journal

Dogs offer excellent animal model for human obsessive compulsive disorder study

Scientists use supercomputers to reveal links between known risk factors and heart biology

Scientists discover how pten gene causes brain changes that lead to autism-like behavior

Research on language gene seeks to uncover origins of the singing mouse

Two major classes of brain cells repress neural activity in specific mathematical ways

Variations in RORA gene can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder

Pets may trigger ‘prosocial’ behavior in autistic children

Curemark receives FDA clearance for enrollment of children aged 9-12 in CM-AT study for autism

SAGE Labs, Autism Speaks expand partnership to create first rat models for translational research

Adult human brain remarkably malleable and capable of new feats

Roundup: Ore. Gov. suggests malpractice reform; Mass. Gov. proposes new scrutiny for health care providers; Texas has offered HPV vaccine since 2007

Researchers develop piglet model to study infant brain development

Study demonstrates how nerve stimulation paired with specific experiences can reorganize the brain

Autism Speaks to hold National Conference for Families and Professionals in Columbus

Six young scientists to receive 2012 Klerman and Freedman Awards

State roundup: Mass. to allow coupons for some branded drugs

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing - Industry Focus eBook eBook

The future of automation: Machine learning–driven hepatocyte and organoid counting

From street to lab: Advancing controlled substance testing with handheld Raman and FTIR

Reimagining light scattering for biotherapeutics

Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing - Industry Focus eBook eBook

The future of automation: Machine learning–driven hepatocyte and organoid counting

From street to lab: Advancing controlled substance testing with handheld Raman and FTIR

Reimagining light scattering for biotherapeutics

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