Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

Study finds mechanism that identifies cause of intellectual disabilities in autism, Rett syndrome

The term intellectual disability covers a large number of clinical entities, some with known cause and others of uncertain origin. For example Down syndrome is due to an extra copy of chromosome 21 and Rett syndrome is in part caused by a mutation in the control switch gene called MeCP2.

21 Jul 2015

Mothers with chemical intolerances more likely to have children with ASD or ADHD

A new study from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio found that mothers with chemical intolerances are two to three times more likely than other women to have a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

21 Jul 2015

UChicago, Argonne National Laboratory and USF to jointly study gut microbiomes of premature infants

Scientists have suspected that this initial disruption is linked to health problems down the road—things like autism, asthma, food allergies and autoimmune diseases—but so far they only have circumstantial evidence based on case studies.

17 Jul 2015

Cognitive training can help reduce civilian shooting casualties

Although firing a gun seems like one action, it is made up of many smaller decisions and movements that require coordination between multiple brain areas. The sudden decision to not shoot, called 'response inhibition,' is critical when someone innocent comes into the line of fire. That is what soldiers in war experience when they're about to pull the trigger and then realize that their target is a civilian or an ally. Or when a law enforcement officer realizes that a person they thought was armed and dangerous is actually an innocent bystander.

17 Jul 2015

Neuroscientists interpret code the brain uses to make noisy neuronal circuits

By analyzing the signals of individual neurons in animals undergoing behavioral tests, neuroscientists at Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, the University of Geneva and the University of Rochester have deciphered the code the brain uses to make the most of its inherently "noisy" neuronal circuits.

17 Jul 2015

Scientists discover protein that plays significant role in development of fragile X syndrome

Scientists at VIB and KU Leuven have discovered that the protein APP plays a significant role in the development of fragile X syndrome (FXS) at young stages. They identified an unexpected biological pathway as a promising target to ameliorate deficits associated with FXS and autism. The results have recently been published in Neuron, one of the most influential journals in the field of neuroscience.

16 Jul 2015

New imaging technique could help with early detection of Alzheimer's disease

Various types of information can be ascertained by the way blood flows through the brain. When a region of the brain has been activated, blood flow increases and oxygenation rises. By observing variations in blood flow with the help of non-invasive imaging, it is possible to determine which regions are at work at a given point in time and how they work together.

16 Jul 2015

TSRI scientists reveal how mutations in specific autism risk gene alter pattern of early brain development

As early as 1943, when autism was first described by psychiatrist Leo Kanner, reports were made that some, but not all, children with autism spectrum disorder have relatively enlarged heads. But even today, more than half a century later, the exact cause of this early abnormal growth of the head and brain has remained unclear.

16 Jul 2015

New article examines nutritional needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder

About 1 in 88 children has an autism spectrum disorder. This represents a 78% increase in the incidence of autism spectrum disorder since 2002 (although some of the increase may be due to improved diagnostic capabilities). Individuals with an autism spectrum disorder may have poor nutrition because they often exhibit selective eating patterns as well as sensory sensitivity that predispose them to restrict their diets.

16 Jul 2015

University of Bristol-led study could provide new target for treating neurological disorders

Findings, published today [15 Jul] in Nature Communications, reveal the extent a mutation associated with autism and epilepsy plays in impairing a biochemical process in the brain. The study, led by University of Bristol researchers, could provide a new target for treating neurological disorders.

16 Jul 2015

Researchers identify gene that underlies thinking skills

An international team of researchers, including investigators from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, has identified a gene that underlies healthy information processing -- a first step on a complicated road to understand cognitive aging and age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.

16 Jul 2015

Lower-intensity summerMAX treatment equally effective as high-intensity for children with HFASD

Researchers at the Institute for Autism Research at Canisius College have found that reducing the intensity of their comprehensive summer treatment (summerMAX) yielded improvements for high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder (HFASD) that were comparable to the original high-intensity program.

15 Jul 2015

Studies using MRI techniques can reveal brain connectivity differences in people with ASD

Studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques are beginning to reveal differences in brain connectivity--the ways that different parts of the brain are connected to each other and work together--in people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), reports a review in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry.

15 Jul 2015

Two antioxidant supplements effective in treating mice with skin-picking disorder

Two antioxidant supplements are effective in treating skin-picking disorder in mice, according to a study led by a Stanford University School of Medicine researcher.

14 Jul 2015

Study finds gene linked to age-related obesity, diabetes

Practically everyone gets fatter as they get older, but some people can blame their genes for the extra padding. Researchers have shown that two different mutations in a gene called ankyrin-B cause cells to suck up glucose faster than normal, fattening them up and eventually triggering the type of diabetes linked to obesity.

14 Jul 2015

Gene function in the human brain could help reveal basis of autism

UNSW Australia scientists have discovered a link between autism and genetic changes in some segments of DNA that are responsible for switching on genes in the brain.

14 Jul 2015

Georgia State University-led study identifies structural brain abnormalities in schizophrenia patients

Structural brain abnormalities in patients with schizophrenia, providing insight into how the condition may develop and respond to treatment, have been identified in an internationally collaborative study led by a Georgia State University scientist.

7 Jul 2015

Breakthrough discovery could help young girls suffering from rare form of epilepsy

An international team, led by a University of Adelaide genetics expert, has made a breakthrough discovery which is expected to help thousands of young girls worldwide who are suffering from a rare yet debilitating form of epilepsy.

7 Jul 2015

Biologically active molecules produced during gluten digestion can pass through gut lining

Biologically active molecules released by digesting bread and pasta can survive digestion and potentially pass through the gut lining, suggests new research.

2 Jul 2015

Premature babies who avoid eye contact in early infancy less likely to show symptoms of autism

Premature babies are at an increased risk for developing autism spectrum disorder. But a small study indicates that preemies who avoid eye contact in early infancy are less likely to demonstrate symptoms of autism at age 2 than preemies who maintain eye contact during early interactions, according to new research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

2 Jul 2015

Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

Study finds mechanism that identifies cause of intellectual disabilities in autism, Rett syndrome

Mothers with chemical intolerances more likely to have children with ASD or ADHD

UChicago, Argonne National Laboratory and USF to jointly study gut microbiomes of premature infants

Cognitive training can help reduce civilian shooting casualties

Neuroscientists interpret code the brain uses to make noisy neuronal circuits

Scientists discover protein that plays significant role in development of fragile X syndrome

New imaging technique could help with early detection of Alzheimer's disease

TSRI scientists reveal how mutations in specific autism risk gene alter pattern of early brain development

New article examines nutritional needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder

University of Bristol-led study could provide new target for treating neurological disorders

Researchers identify gene that underlies thinking skills

Lower-intensity summerMAX treatment equally effective as high-intensity for children with HFASD

Studies using MRI techniques can reveal brain connectivity differences in people with ASD

Two antioxidant supplements effective in treating mice with skin-picking disorder

Study finds gene linked to age-related obesity, diabetes

Gene function in the human brain could help reveal basis of autism

Georgia State University-led study identifies structural brain abnormalities in schizophrenia patients

Breakthrough discovery could help young girls suffering from rare form of epilepsy

Biologically active molecules produced during gluten digestion can pass through gut lining

Premature babies who avoid eye contact in early infancy less likely to show symptoms of autism

Clue's CEO Rhiannon White on the Future of Femtech and PCOS

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Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

Clue's CEO Rhiannon White on the Future of Femtech and PCOS

Freezing Point Osmometry in Life Science Applications

Precision in every drop: Inside Hamilton’s syringe technology

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