Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

Tel Aviv University research suggests link between IVF treatments and autism

The first "test tube baby" was born in 1978. With advances in reproductive science, an estimated one percent of all American babies are now born each year through in vitro fertilization. But IVF and other assisted fertility treatments may be solving one problem by creating another, suggests new evidence from Tel Aviv University.

15 Jun 2010

Emerging science of epigenetics offers new insights at crossroads of genes and the environment: Article

An emerging arm of molecular biology is introducing a new interpretation of traditional concepts of human disease, explains an article published today in Nature. According to author Dr. Arturas Petronis at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the emerging science of epigenetics is offering new insights at the crossroads of genes and the environment, or nature and nurture. Dr. Petronis is head of the Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory at CAMH and an international expert in the field.

11 Jun 2010

Interpretation of multiple gene function may hold clue to autism

Deciphering the functions of multiple rare genes may be at the core of understanding the genetic factors that cause autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), according to a new study published June 9 in the journal Nature by dozens of top autism researchers around the world, including Yale Child Study Center Director Fred R. Volkmar, M.D.

11 Jun 2010

Copy number variants may cause autism: Study

An international consortium of researchers from more than 70 universities, including the University of Utah, has reported that a study of nearly 2,300 people supports the growing consensus that autism is caused in part by rare genetic changes called copy number variants (CNVs).

10 Jun 2010

New genetic discoveries from Autism Genome Project

An international consortium of researchers working under the auspices of Autism Speaks, the world's largest autism science and advocacy organization, has announced new genetic discoveries from the second phase of its collaborative study: the Autism Genome Project. The results were published today in the journal Nature, one of the world's most respected peer-reviewed scientific publications.

10 Jun 2010

World's largest DNA scan reveals new genetic changes in autistic children

The world's largest DNA scan for familial autism has uncovered new genetic changes in autistic children that are often not present in their parents. Identified in less than 1 percent of the population, these rare variants occur nearly 20 percent more in autistic children.

10 Jun 2010

Autism is caused in part by CNVs: Study

10 Jun 2010

Research findings hold promise for debilitating emotional symptoms of FXS

The study, which appears in the journal the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is also of potential therapeutic significance-it showed that a brief pharmacological treatment is capable of correcting some of these synaptic deficits in mice genetically engineered to model FXS.

9 Jun 2010

Parents pressure schools to comply with IDEA or face legal action regarding students with ASD

School districts across the U.S. struggle with the combination of two harsh realities: an increasing intensity of budget cuts for 2010-11, and complying with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act which guarantees "free appropriate" education to all disabled students including the growing number of students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

7 Jun 2010

Novartis' Afinitor decreases size of SEGAs associated with tuberous sclerosis

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced today that results from a Phase II study show Afinitor® (everolimus) tablets is the first medication in a clinical trial to decrease the size of subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs), benign brain tumors associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS). In this study of 28 patients presented today at the 46th American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago, 75% of patients experienced a reduction of 30% or greater in the size of their brain tumors from baseline to six months (p<0.001).

7 Jun 2010

Writer advocates for community inclusion for children and families living with autism

Lisa Jo Rudy is a writer, a social media guru, and above all a parent of a child with an autism spectrum disorder. She knows first hand what it takes to get out, have fun and explore the world with autistic children. In her groundbreaking new book, "Get Out, Explore, and Have Fun: How Families of Children with Autism or Asperger Syndrome Can Get the Most Out of Community Activities," Lisa Jo Rudy explores options, offers tips and guides parents in their steps to get their children involved in life outside of home, school, and therapists' offices.

4 Jun 2010

New autism early intervention centers promised for Mackay and Bundaberg

The Queensland Government has announced $1 million a year over three years for new autism centers in Bundaberg and Mackay. These will provide care and also early intervention services to the substantial number of autistic children in the region.

3 Jun 2010

Research may yield new urine test to diagnose autism

Children with autism have a different chemical fingerprint in their urine than non-autistic children, according to new research published tomorrow in the print edition of the Journal of Proteome Research.

3 Jun 2010

Curemark commences clinical trial enrollment for CM-AT autism treatment at two more sites

Curemark, LLC,, a drug research and development company focused on the treatment of neurological diseases, announced that the company has opened clinical trial enrollment for CM-AT, its autism treatment, at the University of Pittsburgh and the Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, near Chicago. A total of 12 sites nationwide are recruiting patients for CM-AT Phase III clinical trials.

2 Jun 2010

Parents can play critical role in children's autism treatment: New research

New research on behavioral treatment for autism has been released by the Chicago Children's Clinic, advancing previous findings that parents can play a critical role in a child's autism treatment.

2 Jun 2010

Sweet Tomatoes kicks off annual cookie campaign for Easter Seals

Today, Sweet Tomatoes kicks off its annual cookie campaign for Easter Seals. This month, participating Sweet Tomatoes restaurants will offer a free bag of cookies and a coupon for a return visit as a thank you gift to guests who make a $2 donation to Easter Seals.

1 Jun 2010

Local charities invited to apply for $100,000 grant through Humana Communities Benefit

Local charities are being invited to apply for a $100,000 grant through Humana Communities Benefit, an award program sponsored by health benefits company Humana Inc.

29 May 2010

New study provides cause-and-effect link between immune system cells and mental illness

A Nobel Prize-winning University of Utah geneticist discovered that bone marrow transplants cure mutant mice who pull out their hair compulsively. The study provides the first cause-and-effect link between immune system cells and mental illness, and points toward eventual new psychiatric treatments.

28 May 2010

Senate to consider new bill to include technology-based learning materials for students with special needs

The state Senate will be considering a bill that would make it possible for nonpublic schools to include technology-based learning materials in the curriculum for students with special needs. The bill recently passed the state Assembly (76-0) with unanimous bipartisan support.

28 May 2010

Bone marrow transplant cures excessive pathological grooming behavior in mice

Scientists earlier found that mice missing one of a group of core developmental genes known as the Hox genes developed an odd and rather unexpected pathology: the mutant animals groomed themselves compulsively to the point that they were removing their own hair and leaving self-inflicted open sores on their skin. Now, they've found a surprising connection between the Hoxb8 gene and the behavior that looks an awful lot like that of people with an obsessive compulsive spectrum disorder (OCD).

28 May 2010