Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

Omeros announces additional data from Phase 2 trial of OMS103HP for arthroscopic meniscectomy surgery

Omeros Corporation today announced additional data from a Phase 2 trial of OMS103HP, its PharmacoSurgery™ product candidate for arthroscopy, showing that patients treated with OMS103HP during arthroscopic meniscectomy surgery achieved statistically significant clinical benefits.

3 May 2010

Researchers discuss challenges to improve vaccine coverage for American children

While national immunization rates remain high, vaccine refusals are troubling. In some parts of the country, pockets of unimmunized children have left communities vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases, leading to outbreaks.

3 May 2010

Sleep problems in children and adolescents with ASDs associated with daytime behaviors: Report

Reports have suggested that sleep problems in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders are associated with challenging daytime behaviors.

3 May 2010

CAM use higher among children with GI symptoms: Study

Complementary and alternative medicine is becoming a popular treatment for a variety of conditions, with national data showing it is used by about 12 percent of children.

3 May 2010

Psychotropic medications common among children with ASD: Research

Behavioral interventions typically are the first line of treatment to manage unwanted behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders. If behaviors do not improve, medications frequently are added to the mix.

3 May 2010

Experts to discuss on ASD at PAS meeting

It is estimated that nearly 1.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, and about 1 in 110 children are believed to have some form of autism, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

3 May 2010

ATN study shows prevalence of GI symptoms in children with ASD

Parents of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders sometimes report that their children suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea and constipation. However, studies on how prevalent these symptoms are have had conflicting results.

3 May 2010

Mutations in several genes associated with developmental brain disorder: Study

Although there is no known cause of autism, studies have shown that mutations in several genes are associated with the developmental brain disorder. New research has uncovered two additional genes that may be involved with autism.

3 May 2010

SickKids receives $8.9M grant for autism research

A research team co-led by Dr. Stephen Scherer, Senior Scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) was awarded an $8.9 million grant today from the Global Leadership Round in Genomics & Life Sciences (GL(2)), which is part of the Ontario Research Fund (ORF) by the Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI).

30 Apr 2010

22% of Canadians have contemplated or attempted suicide

On the eve of Children's Mental Health Week (May 2 to 8), Kinark Child and Family Services, a not-for-profit child and youth mental health organization in Ontario that provides expert help to children, youth and their families, released the results of a nation-wide poll that found that one in five Canadians has contemplated or attempted suicide. The online survey was conducted between April 12 and 14, 2010 with a nationally representative sample of 1,000 adults. The results are accurate to within +/- 3.1 percent at the 95% confidence level.

29 Apr 2010

PAF annual report offers summary of issues impacting Americans' access to healthcare

Patient Advocate Foundation -- a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability relative to their diagnosis of life threatening or debilitating diseases -- today released their annual Patient Data Analysis Report, which documents the scope and complexity of the healthcare finance, access and job retention issues routinely confronted by patients at the national and state-specific level.

29 Apr 2010

Survey: Americans worry about getting health coverage, but leading Democrat optimistic of turnaround

Reuters: A new survey published Wednesday suggests that "Americans are steadily losing confidence in their ability to get healthcare and pay for it, despite the passage of healthcare reform legislation."

29 Apr 2010

Phase 2b clinical study initiated to evaluate GI safety of LT-NS001

Logical Therapeutics, Inc., a Waltham, Mass.-based biotechnology company announced today the initiation of a Phase 2b clinical study to evaluate the gastrointestinal safety of its investigational drug LT-NS001 (naproxen etemesil). The study will compare the cumulative rate of gastric ulcers vs. Naprosyn after 12 weeks of treatment.

27 Apr 2010

"Extremely preterm children" at higher risk for later psychiatric disorders

Significant advances in the neonatal intensive care have resulted in increased survival rates of children who are born at less than 26 weeks of gestation, so termed "extremely preterm children". Notably, however, improved survival rates have been accompanied by a higher risk for later cognitive, neuromotor, and sensory impairments in these children.

24 Apr 2010

Study finds prevalence of psychiatric disorders in extremely preterm survivors

24 Apr 2010

JVR special issue focuses on potential of autistic young adults

There has been an explosion of new information on the issues and challenges facing children with autism and their families in the past ten years. However, most coverage ignores the fact that these children grow up. A special issue of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation (JVR) focuses on the potential of autistic young adults.

23 Apr 2010

Comprehensive look at housing challenges facing Pennsylvanians with autism

Pennsylvanians with autism could have broader opportunities to participate in and contribute to their communities if more effort is made to create affordable housing tailored to their needs, a new state report finds.

23 Apr 2010

Researchers take major step to predict adverse drug reactions using genetic information

In a new study, researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have taken a major step toward the ability to predict adverse drug reactions, using genetic, cellular, and clinical information to learn why some medicines cause heart arrhythmias in patients. Published in the April 20 issue of the journal Science Signaling, the new framework described in the study could potentially be applied to the study of medications that treat other diseases and disorders such as epilepsy and autism.

23 Apr 2010

Florida's Health Care Freedom Act receives approval

Today, Florida's Health Care Freedom Act (HJR 37/SJR 72), sponsored by Florida Representative Scott Plakon and Florida Senator Carey Baker, passed the House and Senate and will appear on the November ballot. And yesterday, Mississippi Representatives Alex Monsour and Steven Palazzo received preliminary approval to place the Health Care Freedom Act on the 2011 or 2012 ballot.

23 Apr 2010

Removable methyl groups on specific genes of autistic individuals that led to gene silencing identified

A new study by researchers at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences' Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology raises hope that autism may be more easily diagnosed and that its effects may be more reversible than previously thought.

22 Apr 2010