Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

Understanding genetic causes of mental retardation

This remarkable publication focuses on the importance of genetics in mental retardation, investigating the extent to which molecular diagnostic capability and the understanding of genetic causes have improved over recent years. As a result, clinical evaluation and diagnostic laboratory practice are now undergoing an unprecedented period of change.

22 Apr 2010

Kinark Child Family and Services to host Krista Sepp Memorial Award celebration

On the eve of Children's Mental Health Week (May 2-8, 2010), Kinark Child Family and Services, a non-profit children's mental health organization in Ontario, will host the 19th annual Krista Sepp Memorial Award celebration luncheon at the Richmond Hill Country Club.

22 Apr 2010

Secrets, solutions, strategies and shortcuts to win against personal autism challenges

Howard Rodgers remembers the day his son was born. His mind was teeming with positive thoughts about how this small child would change the world. Then, reality came back - for a very long visit. His son was diagnosed with one of the worst cases of autism doctors and specialists had ever seen.

22 Apr 2010

Online Wiki offers information, comfort and community for families facing autism transition

Among the many challenges families caring for individuals with autism spectrum disorders face, perhaps the most difficult of all arrive "when the school bus stops." When a child with autism ages out of systems and supports designed for those up to ages 18-21, families face the daunting challenge of finding new resources and creating new communities for their children. Unfortunately, finding necessary services and supports can be very difficult.

22 Apr 2010

Children with developmental regression at increased risk for more severe autism: Study

Kennedy Krieger Institute announced today new study results showing that when and how autism symptoms appear in the first three years of life has vital implications to a child's developmental, diagnostic, and educational outcomes.

21 Apr 2010

Systems biologists integrate new genetic framework to help predict adverse drug reactions

In a major step toward predicting adverse drug reactions, systems biologists at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City have integrated genetic, cellular and clinical information to find out why certain medicines can trigger fatal heart arrhythmias.

21 Apr 2010

Experts to speak at international conference on autism

World renowned experts from Australia, the UK and the Ukraine are to speak at an international conference on autism, hosted at the University of Leicester by the organization jelibean.com, which provides help, advice and advocacy services to those on the autism spectrum, and those with AD/HD.

19 Apr 2010

Courage Center accepts nominations for three employment-related annual awards

Minneapolis-based Courage Center, a nonprofit rehabilitation and resource center, is accepting nominations for three employment-related annual awards: the Jay and Rose Phillips Award, the Phillips Caregiver Award and the Judd Jacobson Memorial Award.

17 Apr 2010

RUCDR is poised to become a world leader in human disease and genome studies

Despite the continuing, crippling effects of a nationwide recession, a genetics research laboratory on Rutgers' Busch Campus is experiencing an economic boom.

16 Apr 2010

Working memory maintenance linked with synchronisation of neurons

A research project of the Neuroscience Center of the University of Helsinki sheds light on the neuronal mechanisms sustaining memory traces of visual stimuli in the human brain. The results show that the maintenance of working memory is associated with synchronisation of neurons, which facilitates communication between different parts of the brain. On the basis of interaction between the brain areas, it was even possible to predict the subject's individual working memory capacity.

15 Apr 2010

New findings may allow clinicians to prevent complications in pregnancy

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have found that epigenetic marks on human placentas change from the first trimester of pregnancy to the third, a discovery that may allow clinicians to prevent complications in pregnancy.

15 Apr 2010

Study combines CT and VBM to provide accurate picture of autistic brain

A new study, the first of its kind, combines two complementary analytical brain imaging techniques, to provide a more comprehensive and accurate picture of the neuroanatomy of the autistic brain. The study, published in the April issue of neuroimaging journal Human Brain Mapping, was conducted by researchers at The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital - The Neuro, McGill University and the Universit- de Montr-al.

15 Apr 2010

eRNA molecules are key players in brain development, says study

How does the brain work? This question is one of the greatest scientific mysteries, and neurobiologists have only recently begun to piece together the molecular building blocks that enable human beings to be "thinking" animals.

15 Apr 2010

Lawyer suggests tips on insurance and well being

"You've just found out that your insurance co-pays or coinsurance to see your physician are going to be higher this year. You may think, 'I'll just not see my doctor unless I get really sick.' This way of thinking may reduce a few co-pays to save money but a recent study found that deferring regular care is actually increasing the amount of money and time patients are spending for inpatient care," says Frank N. Darras, the nation's top insurance lawyer.

15 Apr 2010

'Mindfulness' for reducing aggressive behaviour in people with developmental disabilities

A very ancient and effective practice - mindfulness - is being given a new and surprising application. For the first time ever, mindfulness is being used to reduce the likelihood of aggressive behaviour in people with developmental disabilities as well as mental health problems.

13 Apr 2010

First direct recording of mirror neurons in the brain

Mirror neurons, many say, are what make us human. They are the cells in the brain that fire not only when we perform a particular action but also when we watch someone else perform that same action.

13 Apr 2010

Gene mutations may predispose individuals to schizophrenia, says new study

An international study led by Universit- de Montr-al scientists suggests that gene mutations may predispose some individuals to schizophrenia and provides new clues about the causes of this ambiguous disorder.

13 Apr 2010

Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior awarded $14.9M for establishing new IPCN

The Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA has been awarded $14.9 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to establish a center dedicated to interdisciplinary research on the role of genetic and environmental factors in neuropsychiatric and behavioral disorders.

13 Apr 2010

Grand opening festivities of Brain Balance Achievement Center in Norwalk

The Brain Balance™ Achievement Center in Norwalk, CT celebrates Grand Opening; Hires Adam Kluger Public Relations to help promote its drug-free program that helps children with AD/HD, Dyslexia, Autism and other learning disabilities become more focused, improve their academic performance and enhance their communication and social interaction skills.

12 Apr 2010

Drugs that affect methylation state of genes could reverse autism's effects: The FASEB Journal

A new discovery raises hope that autism may be more easily diagnosed and that its effects may be more reversible than previously thought. In a new study appearing online in The FASEB Journal, scientists have identified a way to detect the disorder using blood and have discovered that drugs which affect the methylation state of genes could reverse autism's effects.

9 Apr 2010