Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

Role of environmental risks in the development of autism

Funding for a new study to find out more about the role of environmental risks in the development of autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), has been announced by The Medical Research Council.

10 Jul 2004

Music therapy helps children who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

The Conservatorium of Music and the Wellington Branch of Autism New Zealand successfully trialled a school holiday programme of music experiences for children who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

10 Jul 2004

Environmental risks in the development of autism and autism spectrum disorders

Funding for a new study to find out more about the role of environmental risks in the development of autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), has been announced by the Medical Research Council (MRC).

8 Jul 2004

UK launch of The Institute of Medical Law

The University of Birmingham is continuing to lead the way in international research into medical-legal issues such as MMR, euthanasia and drug regulation with the launch of The Institute of Medical Law.

29 Jun 2004

First university-based research center devoted to studying epigenetics

With a $5 million, five-year federal grant, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is establishing what is believed to be the first university-based research center devoted to studying epigenetics

28 Jun 2004

Tablet PC-based software application will act as virtual clipboard for health professionals

Tablet PC-based software application that allows psychologists and other treatment and educational staff to instantly file and retrieve patient information to and from a central database using wireless technology and the Internet.

23 Jun 2004

Can a diet avoiding gluten and milk proteins reduce autism?

For years, many parents of children with autism have advocated a diet avoiding the proteins gluten and casein, but there had not been a scientific review of evidence about this practice.

21 Jun 2004

New approach to interpreting brain electroencephalograms could help understanding of epilepsy and autism

A team led by University of California San Diego neurobiologists has developed a new approach to interpreting brain electroencephalograms, or EEGs, that provides an unprecedented view of thought in action and has the potential to advance our understanding of disorders like epilepsy and autism.

16 Jun 2004

Prenatal factors may play a role in autism

Mothers of children diagnosed with autism are more likely to be older and to have experienced obstetric difficulties during pregnancy, labor and delivery, but these complications are likely related to underlying genetic factors, according to an article in the June issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

14 Jun 2004

Postnatal exposure to a mercury preservative commonly used in a number of childhood vaccines can lead to the development of autism-like damage

A new study published online June 8 in the Nature publication, Molecular Psychiatry, indicates that postnatal exposure to thimerosal, a mercury preservative commonly used in a number of childhood vaccines, can lead to the development of autism-like damage in autoimmune disease susceptible mice

11 Jun 2004

New medical imaging research helps diagnosis fetal brain abnormalities, epilepsy and autism

The world's leading neuroscience and radiology experts today shared new research and technological developments in medical imaging that facilitate diagnosis and breakthrough treatments of fetal brain abnormalities, epilepsy and cognitive disorders such as autism and Alzheimer's.

7 Jun 2004

Reliability of medical research in Britain today questioned by the general public

Doctors, patients and the general public depend on results of scientific research to provide information about the safety and effectiveness of medical treatments. Following the controversy surrounding the Andrew Wakefield study on the link between MMR vaccines and autism, the public is now considering the reliability of medical research in Britain today.

2 Jun 2004

New evidence that Michelangelo may have suffered from Asperger’s disorder, or autism

Michelangelo di Ludovico Buonarroti (1475-1564) was considered to be ‘one of the greatest artists of all time.’ Dr Muhammad Arshad presents new evidence in the current issue of the Journal of Medical Biography, published by the Royal Society of Medicine Press, suggesting he suffered from Asperger’s disorder, or high-functioning autism.

26 May 2004

Collusion seen after release of flawed vaccine-autism report

America's leading scientific organization investigating the risks that mercury-containing medical products pose to our children-has posted the results of an investigative analysis of several authors relied upon for the flawed Institute of Medicine (IOM) report issued last week attempting to purport a lack of evidence to the mercury-vaccine-autism link.

25 May 2004

A new guideline evaluates the treatment of infantile spasms

A new guideline developed by the American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society evaluates the treatment of infantile spasms. The guideline is published in the May 25 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

24 May 2004

People with low incomes are more likely to develop brain cancer

People with low incomes are more likely to develop brain cancer, according to a study published in the May 25 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

24 May 2004

Report rejects childhood vaccines as a cause of autism

A pivotal report issued today by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) rejects childhood vaccines as a cause of autism. The findings, based on reviews of current scientific evidence, are a significant affirmation of vaccine safety, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

19 May 2004

Study helps to visualize how brain develops with age

The brain's center of reasoning and problem solving is among the last to mature, a new study graphically reveals. The decade-long magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of normal brain development, from ages 4 to 21, by researchers at NIH's National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shows that such "higher-order" brain centers, such as the prefrontal cortex, don't fully develop until young adulthood.

18 May 2004

Indicators identify shingles patients who have an increased risk of developing persistent pain

Researchers have recently confirmed a set of indicators that, alone and in combination, identify shingles patients who have an increased risk of developing persistent pain after the shingles rash heals. Results and implications of their study will be presented in the May 11 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

10 May 2004

NBC's Friends stars present $1 million donation to American Red Cross

On the set of Friends, Target Stores presented a $1 million donation to Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross, in celebration of the Friends series finale on May 6.

5 May 2004