Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

Mirror neuron system in individuals with autism is not actually broken, but simply delayed

Developmental abnormalities in the mirror neuron system may contribute to social deficits in autism. The mirror neuron system is a brain circuit that enables us to better understand and anticipate the actions of others. These circuits activate in similar ways when we perform actions or watch other people perform the same actions.

3 May 2011

Research: Two-year-old children with autism have enlarged brains

In 2005, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that 2-year-old children with autism have brains up to 10 percent larger than children of the same age without autism.

3 May 2011

Study shows even families with insurance put off or go without care

The high cost of health care is deterring parents from taking their children to the doctor or buying prescription medication, regardless of how much money they make or whether they have health insurance, according to a study to be presented Sunday, May 2, at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Denver.

2 May 2011

Premature infants who screen positive for ASD at 18 months may not have autism

Extremely premature infants who screen positive for autism spectrum disorder at 18 months of age may not actually have autism. Rather, they may fail screening tests due to an unrelated cognitive or language delay, according to research to be presented Sunday, May 1, at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Denver.

2 May 2011

CTSN focuses on new prairie vole model for autism treatment

Researchers at the Center for Translational Social Neuroscience at Emory University are focusing on prairie voles as a new model to screen the effectiveness of drugs to treat autism.

29 Apr 2011

Longer looks: Autism researcher's legacy; methadone for prisoners

Andrew Wakefield has become one of the most reviled doctors of his generation, blamed directly and indirectly, depending on the accuser, for irresponsibly starting a panic with tragic repercussions: vaccination rates so low that childhood diseases once all but eradicated here —whooping cough and measles, among them — have re-emerged, endangering young lives. And yet here he was in Texas, post-career-apocalypse, calmly discussing his work, and a crowd of around 250 people showed up to listen.

29 Apr 2011

5 minute Autism detection test

According to a study published Thursday, a brief screening in a pediatrician's office can detect autism-like symptoms in children as young as 12 months old, giving them an important head start on treatment. The screening test used in the study also flagged some babies who later turned out to be developing normally, raising a false alarm for families. But early diagnosis and treatment of autism and other developmental delays are thought to improve outcomes, and researchers said the benefits of early intervention outweighed the downsides.

29 Apr 2011

New blog for parents and caregivers of children with autism

Seattle Children's Autism Center today announced the launch of The Autism Blog, a new blog for parents and caregivers of children with autism. Authored by physicians, nurses, psychologists and other staff, the blog offers a practitioner's perspective on topics relevant to parenting a child with autism.

28 Apr 2011

Five-minute screening program can help track children with autism

A five-minute checklist that parents can fill out in pediatrician waiting rooms may someday help in the early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health.

28 Apr 2011

Novel strategy for physicians to detect Autism Syndrome Disorder in babies

A novel strategy developed by autism researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, called "The One-Year Well-Baby Check Up Approach," shows promise as a simple way for physicians to detect cases of Autism Syndrome Disorder, language or developmental delays in babies at an early age.

28 Apr 2011

New study sheds light on sleep problems in children with autism

The current prevalence of autism spectrum disorder is alarmingly high. Although there is no cure for autism, it is possible to manage and treat the comorbid medical conditions associated with autism. One of these conditions, sleeping disturbance, can be challenging to treat.

27 Apr 2011

Real-time GPS tracking bracelet for people with cognitive disorders

Adiant Solutions, a leading distributor of GPS safety and tracking solutions, today announced that its S-911 tracking bracelet is generally available and families and caregivers of those with cognitive disorders can now rest easier knowing that their loved ones are wearing the only tracking bracelet that offers true real-time tracking with accuracy up-to-the-second and within several feet 24/7/365.

26 Apr 2011

Curemark CM-182 demonstrates positive results for schizophrenia in transgenic chakragati model of psychosis

Curemark, LLC, a drug research and development company focused on the treatment of neurological diseases, announced today that its compound CM-182 demonstrated positive results for schizophrenia in the transgenic chakragati (ckr) model of psychosis. The mouse model screening was performed by the Contract Research Organization, Cerca Insights.

25 Apr 2011

Former U-M football champion to receive Mott award for his support to the hospital

Patients, hospital staff and football enthusiasts at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital will show their appreciation for former U-M football standout, 1997 Heisman trophy winner and current Green Bay Packer Charles Woodson by proclaiming Thursday, April 28, as Woodson Day.

25 Apr 2011

New findings can lead to better understanding of neurological development, cancer metastasis

By shedding new light on how cells migrate in the developing brain, researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center also may have found a new mechanism by which other types of cells, including cancer cells, travel within the body.

25 Apr 2011

LoJack announces availability of SafetyNet service in Miami-Dade County

LoJack SafetyNet, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of LoJack Corporation, today announced that its SafetyNet service is now available in Miami-Dade County.

25 Apr 2011

Human placenta plays an active role in serotonin synthesis

Research at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California's Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute shows for the first time that the human placenta plays an active role in synthesizing serotonin, paving the way to new treatment strategies that could mitigate health impacts such as cardiovascular disease and mental illness.

22 Apr 2011

NAA launches new program to fight wandering incidents among children with autism

In an ongoing effort to combat the rise in wandering-related tragedies and deaths within the Autism Spectrum Disorder community, the National Autism Association announced today its launch of the "Big Red Safety Box Program" made possible by a generous grant from the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation.

22 Apr 2011

Nearly 50% of children with autism elope

Today, the Interactive Autism Network (IAN), www.ianproject.org, the nation's largest online autism research project, reveals the preliminary results of the first major survey on wandering and elopement among individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and announces the launch of a new research survey on the association between pregnancy factors and ASD.

21 Apr 2011

IAN survey reveals preliminary results on wandering and elopement in ASD children

Almost one year after National Autism Association urged the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee to address the absence of critical research on autism-related wandering incidents and fatalities, the Interactive Autism Network, the nation's largest online autism research project, revealed the preliminary results of the first major survey on wandering and elopement among individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

21 Apr 2011