Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

Autism linked to maternal obesity: Study

The study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics shows that compared to non-obese mothers those who were obese before pregnancy had a 1.6 times increase in the likelihood of having a child with autism.

10 Apr 2012

First Edition: April 10, 2012

In today's headlines, a new study finds that the health law, which has long been touted as a means to control costs, could add more than $340 billion to the nation's budget difficulties in the next ten years.

10 Apr 2012

Viewpoints: Health law seeks to remedy broken insurance market; Overhaul was sunk by its complexity

Commentators look at some of the underlying issues of the health law which is being considered by the Supreme Court.

10 Apr 2012

Two CNVs may increase risk of aggressive prostate cancer

An international research team led by Weill Cornell Medical College investigators have discovered two inherited-genetic deletions in the human genome linked to development of aggressive prostate cancer.

10 Apr 2012

First study to examine links between neurodevelopmental disorders and maternal metabolic conditions

A major study of the relationships between maternal metabolic conditions and the risk that a child will be born with a neurodevelopmental disorder has found strong links between maternal diabetes and obesity and the likelihood of having a child with autism or another developmental disability.

9 Apr 2012

New technique reveals another piece of spectrum's genetic architecture

There is little argument among experts that autism spectrum disorders (ASD), complex developmental disabilities that vary widely in their severity, are caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Advances in genome sequencing now permit scientists to uncover specific mutations in DNA that are associated with ASD at unprecedented resolution. Such data are vital to understanding the genetic basis of the disorder.

6 Apr 2012

Gene mutations, age of parents and autism

New research shows that several gene mutations sharply increase the chances that a child will develop autism spectrum disorders. The researchers have found further evidence that the risk increases with the age of the parents, particularly in fathers over age 35.

5 Apr 2012

New NewYork-Presbyterian autism center to open in early 2013

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, along with its affiliated medical schools Weill Cornell Medical College and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, today celebrated the start of construction on the new Center for Autism and the Developing Brain at the Hospital's Westchester campus in White Plains.

5 Apr 2012

IntegraGen’s ARISk Test looks at 65 genetic markers associated with autism

IntegraGen, Inc., a biotechnology company dedicated to molecular biomarker discovery, today announced the launch of the ARISk- Risk Assessment Test, a gender specific, genetic screening test that looks at 65 genetic markers associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

5 Apr 2012

ProMedica TCH offers Autism Early Learning Program

ProMedica Toledo Children's Hospital (TCH) has a new early learning treatment program that offers state-of-the-art, evidence-based intervention services for children with autism from earliest diagnosis to 6-years-old.

5 Apr 2012

CHD8, SNC2A and KATNAL2 gene mutations lead to ASDs

Mutations in three new genes have been linked to autism, according to new studies including one with investigators at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. All three studies include lead investigators of the Autism Sequencing Consortium.

5 Apr 2012

Fathers more likely to transmit spontaneous mutations to children with ASDs

Researchers have turned up a new clue to the workings of a possible environmental factor in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs): fathers were four times more likely than mothers to transmit tiny, spontaneous mutations to their children with the disorders. Moreover, the number of such transmitted genetic glitches increased with paternal age. The discovery may help to explain earlier evidence linking autism risk to older fathers.

5 Apr 2012

Combination of ADHD drug and parental intervention can help children with autism

Researchers at The Ohio State University are conducting a study to determine which is more effective for helping children on the autism spectrum: training parents or taking medication.

4 Apr 2012

Parents can help autistic kids connect, communicate and learn

Does your baby take an interest in other children? Does he enjoy playing peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek? Does he smile when he sees your face? Does he respond to his name when you call? If you answered 'no' to these questions your baby may be displaying early signs of autism, which affects more than one in 110 children in the United States. But don't panic-cutting edge research reveals that parents can play a major role in teaching even the youngest children with autism spectrum disorders how to connect with others and live up to their potential.

4 Apr 2012

Preterm or post-term babies with autism more likely to self-injure

For children with autism, being born several weeks early or several weeks late tends to increase the severity of their symptoms, according to new research out of Michigan State University.

4 Apr 2012

Viewpoints: 'Outrageously high fee' for emergency services; Mysterious rise in autism cases

The calculus for medical charges in general is beyond comprehension, with outrageously high fees used as a starting point in a bizarre game of bargaining. Glenn Melnick, who teaches hospital finance at USC, told me it's as crazy as if he asked to buy the TV in my living room, and I gave him a price of $1 million to start the conversation.

3 Apr 2012

Some autistic children may “bloom” socially with early and the right therapy

According to the latest figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1 in 88 U.S. children have autism, a spectrum of disorders that ranges from severe communication and intellectual disability to much milder symptoms seen in children with Asperger's syndrome. Autism is marked by a group of symptoms, all arising from atypical brain development that causes problems with socialization, communication and behavior. Although the disorder can be mild or severe, in general children with autism have trouble communicating and making friends.

2 Apr 2012

Autism more common than previously thought

Just last week, U.S. health authorities announced that autism is more common than previously thought. About 1 in 88 children in the United States have an autism spectrum disorder, according to the report. Autism spectrum disorders are developmental conditions associated with impaired social communication and repetitive behaviors or fixated interests. Diagnoses have risen 78% since 2000, partly because of greater awareness, and partly for reasons entirely unknown. Most medications don't help, and while some find improvements with intense (and expensive) behavioral therapy, there is no cure.

1 Apr 2012

Autism cases rise by 23% from ’06 to ’08: CDC report

According to latest figures, nearly one in 88 U.S. children have autism spectrum disorders. The report further urges national attention on the need for earlier diagnosis and treatment, especially in rural and minority communities.

1 Apr 2012

Autism rate soars to 1 in 88 children

The number of children with autism in America has climbed 23 percent in the last two years, but the increase could be partially attributable to better diagnoses, officials say.

31 Mar 2012