Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

Phase 2b clinical study initiated to evaluate GI safety of LT-NS001

Logical Therapeutics, Inc., a Waltham, Mass.-based biotechnology company announced today the initiation of a Phase 2b clinical study to evaluate the gastrointestinal safety of its investigational drug LT-NS001 (naproxen etemesil). The study will compare the cumulative rate of gastric ulcers vs. Naprosyn after 12 weeks of treatment.

27 Apr 2010

"Extremely preterm children" at higher risk for later psychiatric disorders

Significant advances in the neonatal intensive care have resulted in increased survival rates of children who are born at less than 26 weeks of gestation, so termed "extremely preterm children". Notably, however, improved survival rates have been accompanied by a higher risk for later cognitive, neuromotor, and sensory impairments in these children.

24 Apr 2010

Study finds prevalence of psychiatric disorders in extremely preterm survivors

24 Apr 2010

JVR special issue focuses on potential of autistic young adults

There has been an explosion of new information on the issues and challenges facing children with autism and their families in the past ten years. However, most coverage ignores the fact that these children grow up. A special issue of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation (JVR) focuses on the potential of autistic young adults.

23 Apr 2010

Comprehensive look at housing challenges facing Pennsylvanians with autism

Pennsylvanians with autism could have broader opportunities to participate in and contribute to their communities if more effort is made to create affordable housing tailored to their needs, a new state report finds.

23 Apr 2010

Researchers take major step to predict adverse drug reactions using genetic information

In a new study, researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have taken a major step toward the ability to predict adverse drug reactions, using genetic, cellular, and clinical information to learn why some medicines cause heart arrhythmias in patients. Published in the April 20 issue of the journal Science Signaling, the new framework described in the study could potentially be applied to the study of medications that treat other diseases and disorders such as epilepsy and autism.

23 Apr 2010

Florida's Health Care Freedom Act receives approval

Today, Florida's Health Care Freedom Act (HJR 37/SJR 72), sponsored by Florida Representative Scott Plakon and Florida Senator Carey Baker, passed the House and Senate and will appear on the November ballot. And yesterday, Mississippi Representatives Alex Monsour and Steven Palazzo received preliminary approval to place the Health Care Freedom Act on the 2011 or 2012 ballot.

23 Apr 2010

Removable methyl groups on specific genes of autistic individuals that led to gene silencing identified

A new study by researchers at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences' Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology raises hope that autism may be more easily diagnosed and that its effects may be more reversible than previously thought.

22 Apr 2010

Understanding genetic causes of mental retardation

This remarkable publication focuses on the importance of genetics in mental retardation, investigating the extent to which molecular diagnostic capability and the understanding of genetic causes have improved over recent years. As a result, clinical evaluation and diagnostic laboratory practice are now undergoing an unprecedented period of change.

22 Apr 2010

Kinark Child Family and Services to host Krista Sepp Memorial Award celebration

On the eve of Children's Mental Health Week (May 2-8, 2010), Kinark Child Family and Services, a non-profit children's mental health organization in Ontario, will host the 19th annual Krista Sepp Memorial Award celebration luncheon at the Richmond Hill Country Club.

22 Apr 2010

Secrets, solutions, strategies and shortcuts to win against personal autism challenges

Howard Rodgers remembers the day his son was born. His mind was teeming with positive thoughts about how this small child would change the world. Then, reality came back - for a very long visit. His son was diagnosed with one of the worst cases of autism doctors and specialists had ever seen.

22 Apr 2010

Online Wiki offers information, comfort and community for families facing autism transition

Among the many challenges families caring for individuals with autism spectrum disorders face, perhaps the most difficult of all arrive "when the school bus stops." When a child with autism ages out of systems and supports designed for those up to ages 18-21, families face the daunting challenge of finding new resources and creating new communities for their children. Unfortunately, finding necessary services and supports can be very difficult.

22 Apr 2010

Children with developmental regression at increased risk for more severe autism: Study

Kennedy Krieger Institute announced today new study results showing that when and how autism symptoms appear in the first three years of life has vital implications to a child's developmental, diagnostic, and educational outcomes.

21 Apr 2010

Systems biologists integrate new genetic framework to help predict adverse drug reactions

In a major step toward predicting adverse drug reactions, systems biologists at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City have integrated genetic, cellular and clinical information to find out why certain medicines can trigger fatal heart arrhythmias.

21 Apr 2010

Experts to speak at international conference on autism

World renowned experts from Australia, the UK and the Ukraine are to speak at an international conference on autism, hosted at the University of Leicester by the organization jelibean.com, which provides help, advice and advocacy services to those on the autism spectrum, and those with AD/HD.

19 Apr 2010

Courage Center accepts nominations for three employment-related annual awards

Minneapolis-based Courage Center, a nonprofit rehabilitation and resource center, is accepting nominations for three employment-related annual awards: the Jay and Rose Phillips Award, the Phillips Caregiver Award and the Judd Jacobson Memorial Award.

17 Apr 2010

RUCDR is poised to become a world leader in human disease and genome studies

Despite the continuing, crippling effects of a nationwide recession, a genetics research laboratory on Rutgers' Busch Campus is experiencing an economic boom.

16 Apr 2010

Working memory maintenance linked with synchronisation of neurons

A research project of the Neuroscience Center of the University of Helsinki sheds light on the neuronal mechanisms sustaining memory traces of visual stimuli in the human brain. The results show that the maintenance of working memory is associated with synchronisation of neurons, which facilitates communication between different parts of the brain. On the basis of interaction between the brain areas, it was even possible to predict the subject's individual working memory capacity.

15 Apr 2010

New findings may allow clinicians to prevent complications in pregnancy

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have found that epigenetic marks on human placentas change from the first trimester of pregnancy to the third, a discovery that may allow clinicians to prevent complications in pregnancy.

15 Apr 2010

Study combines CT and VBM to provide accurate picture of autistic brain

A new study, the first of its kind, combines two complementary analytical brain imaging techniques, to provide a more comprehensive and accurate picture of the neuroanatomy of the autistic brain. The study, published in the April issue of neuroimaging journal Human Brain Mapping, was conducted by researchers at The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital - The Neuro, McGill University and the Universit- de Montr-al.

15 Apr 2010