Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

First Edition: July 28, 2010

Today's headlines reflect developments regarding the health insurance marketplace and the implementation of the new health law.

28 Jul 2010

New study on treating CP with HBOT is making waves in India, U.S.

A new study on treating Cerebral Palsy with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is making waves in India and the U.S. The largest sample of children studied to assess neuro-developmental improvements focuses on a combination of standard rehabilitation therapies, such as Occupational, Physical, Speech Therapies and HBOT.

28 Jul 2010

Need for better understanding of appropriate treatment choices for children with insomnia: Study

A new survey of child psychiatrists indicates that insomnia is a major problem among children in mental health treatment and at least a quarter of these patients are given sleep medication. The results of the survey, conducted by Judith Owens, MD, a sleep expert with Hasbro Children's Hospital, and colleagues, suggests that management of insomnia in this population is a common practice, although the clinical approach varies widely. The study is published in the August 2010 edition of Sleep Medicine.

27 Jul 2010

Parents of children with ASD turn to evidence-based behavioral treatment methods

One of the most common initial red flags reported by parents of children with autism is that they suspect their child may be deaf because he or she no longer responds to his or her name, and does not look at them when they speak. However, the lack of response or eye contact can point to an Autism Spectrum Disorder. In fact, many children on the autism spectrum do not demonstrate typical language skills and social behavior, or even lose language or social skills they once had.

27 Jul 2010

Seaside Therapeutics reports positive data from STX209 Phase 2 study in fragile X syndrome

Seaside Therapeutics, Inc. announced today data from the largest randomized, placebo-controlled study conducted to date in individuals with fragile X syndrome. In a Phase 2 study of STX209, clinically meaningful improvements on global and specific neurobehavioral outcomes were observed in the general study population. The improvements were statistically significant in pediatric patients with more severe impairments in sociability -- a core symptom of fragile X syndrome.

26 Jul 2010

Asuragen reports collaborative study results of advanced PCR-based molecular profiling of FMR1 gene

Asuragen, Inc. announced today the results from two collaborative studies, one with the University of California Davis M.I.N.D. Institute and another with Rush University Medical Center, that demonstrate comprehensive molecular profiling of the Fragile X Mental Retardation (FMR1) gene using advanced PCR-based methods.

26 Jul 2010

Preclinical data of new acamprosate prodrug to be presented at International Fragile X Conference

XenoPort, Inc. announced today that it has discovered a novel prodrug that has the potential to improve significantly the blood concentration of acamprosate compared with the currently approved formulation of acamprosate. Preclinical data on this new product candidate will be presented tomorrow at the National Fragile X Foundation's 12th International Fragile X Conference in Detroit, Michigan.

23 Jul 2010

Research on new treatments for FXS to be presented at International Fragile X Conference

Accelerated research findings leading to potentially significant new treatments for fragile X syndrome will be presented to nearly 1,000 family members and professionals at the 12th International Fragile X Conference in Dearborn July 21-25.

23 Jul 2010

Call for greater support in mental health services for children

As support for funds for mental ailments mounts, a coalition of mental health experts are lobbying for greater support for mental health services for children. The coalition comprises The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists; the Australian Psychological Society; NIFTeY (National Investment for the Early Years); the Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association; the Australian Association of Infant Mental Health, and the Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network.

22 Jul 2010

New research identifies stem cells that generate three critical classes of nerve cells

New research, published in the journal Development, by Dr. Anthony-Samuel LaMantia, professor of Pharmacology & Physiology and director of the newly formed GW Institute for Neuroscience, and his colleagues have identified the stem cells that generate three critical classes of nerve cells - olfactory receptors, vomeronasal and gonadotropin releasing hormone neurons - that are responsible for enabling animals and humans, to eat, interact socially and reproduce.

22 Jul 2010

Survey links autism with digestive problems, intestinal inflammation

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the world. With 1 child in 91 facing the disorder, the diagnosis is more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined.

22 Jul 2010

Washington University's new Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center to focus on children

Improving the lives of infants and children with developmental disabilities will be the focus of Washington University's new Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (WUIDDRC).

21 Jul 2010

Eurotech enters multiple contracts with DynaVox for Catalyst embedded computers

Eurotech, a leading supplier of embedded technologies, products, and systems, today announces multiple contracts with DynaVox to deliver the Catalyst LP and Catalyst Module embedded computers for the DynaVox V, Vmax and Xpress™ alternative augmentative communication (AAC) devices. The combined value of these contracts is nearly 4.2M USD, with deliveries to be made in 2010 and 2011.

20 Jul 2010

N.Y. health officials increase tanning regulations; Colo. extends review of premium increases; Some small Mass. businesses dropping coverage

The Associated Press: "New York health officials are ramping up their regulation of more than 2,000 tanning salons and gyms offering indoor ultraviolet rays even as health advocates push for a law banning exposure by anyone under 18. … Last year, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer classified tanning as a definite human carcinogen, putting it in the same category as smoking.

20 Jul 2010

Plea for Federal legislation to ban mercury in vaccines, prevent autism

Two papers in this week's neuroscience journal Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis point to vaccines and heavy metals including mercury as causes of the alarming rise in autism. The Centers for Disease Control now estimate autism to affect one in 110 children, up 40% from just a few years ago.

20 Jul 2010

Researchers develop new method for producing image of individual DNA molecules' genetic make-up

A completely new method for producing an image of individual DNA molecules' genetic make-up has been developed by researchers in Sweden and Denmark. The results are published in the latest issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS).

19 Jul 2010

Olig1 and Olig2 genes are associated with Down syndrome, scientists identify

Down syndrome is a well known cause of mental retardation and other medical problems, including early onset of Alzheimer disease. It has long been known that Down syndrome is associated with an individual having an additional copy of chromosome 21. Research findings reported in the July 18 advanced online publication of Nature Neuroscience have narrowed down the critical genetic elements responsible for some aspects of Down syndrome.

19 Jul 2010

Gluten free diet reduces inflammation, improves digestion

In 2008, the Garmin-Transitions US Cycling Team experimented with a gluten free diet as a way to improve performance by reducing inflammation, which is important for weeks-long races. The experiment was a success.

17 Jul 2010

Penn researchers reverse cognitive decline in fruit flies with Alzheimer's gene mutation

Investigators have found that fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) males -- in which the activity of an Alzheimer's disease protein is reduced by 50 percent -- show impairments in learning and memory as they age. What's more, the researchers were able to prevent the age-related deficits by treating the flies with drugs such as lithium, or by genetic manipulations that reduced nerve-cell signaling.

16 Jul 2010

DNA copying error in autism sufferers discovered

Rubicon winner Dalila Pinto discovered a copying error in the DNA of trial subjects who suffered from autism or a similar condition. Some segments of their DNA were copied either once too often or missed out of the copying process. This is a highly promising result from the world's largest investigation into autism. The top journal Nature placed the results online on 9 June.

16 Jul 2010

Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

First Edition: July 28, 2010

New study on treating CP with HBOT is making waves in India, U.S.

Need for better understanding of appropriate treatment choices for children with insomnia: Study

Parents of children with ASD turn to evidence-based behavioral treatment methods

Seaside Therapeutics reports positive data from STX209 Phase 2 study in fragile X syndrome

Asuragen reports collaborative study results of advanced PCR-based molecular profiling of FMR1 gene

Preclinical data of new acamprosate prodrug to be presented at International Fragile X Conference

Research on new treatments for FXS to be presented at International Fragile X Conference

Call for greater support in mental health services for children

New research identifies stem cells that generate three critical classes of nerve cells

Survey links autism with digestive problems, intestinal inflammation

Washington University's new Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center to focus on children

Eurotech enters multiple contracts with DynaVox for Catalyst embedded computers

N.Y. health officials increase tanning regulations; Colo. extends review of premium increases; Some small Mass. businesses dropping coverage

Plea for Federal legislation to ban mercury in vaccines, prevent autism

Researchers develop new method for producing image of individual DNA molecules' genetic make-up

Olig1 and Olig2 genes are associated with Down syndrome, scientists identify

Gluten free diet reduces inflammation, improves digestion

Penn researchers reverse cognitive decline in fruit flies with Alzheimer's gene mutation

DNA copying error in autism sufferers discovered

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Real-time Raman monitoring for pharmaceutical hot melt extrusion

Synthetic Psychedelics: A Growing Public Health Concern

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Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing - Industry Focus eBook eBook

Real-time Raman monitoring for pharmaceutical hot melt extrusion

Synthetic Psychedelics: A Growing Public Health Concern

How the Vutara VXL simplifies single-molecule imaging

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