Autism News and Research

Latest Autism News and Research

PUFA metabolites in umbilical cord blood may predict autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects learning capability and social behavior of people.

29 Jul 2024

New study examines educational disruptions for children

Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) often face significant disruptions in their education due to extended hospitalizations. A recent study published online in Disability and Rehabilitation on July 1, 2024, by a multidisciplinary team of Kessler Foundation and Children Specialized Hospital.

27 Jul 2024

Experimental cancer drug could make thinking easier for individuals with Rett syndrome

An experimental cancer drug could make thinking easier for individuals with Rett syndrome, a rare disorder linked to autism, according to new research from the University of California San Diego -; a discovery that could lead to therapies for patients with other neurological conditions.

25 Jul 2024

Cord blood banking industry faces scrutiny over unproven claims and high costs

Some private UK biobanks may be misleading expectant parents about the value of storing umbilical cord blood to treat life-threatening diseases that may arise in their child in the future, reveals an investigation by The BMJ, published today.

25 Jul 2024

Breakthrough research identifies fibrin as key factor in preterm brain bleeds

Mark Petersen, MD, has seen firsthand the devastating effects of brain bleeds in premature babies. It's an exceedingly common condition that affects up to 20 percent of infants born before 28 weeks of gestation, bringing an increased risk for developmental delays and autism.

24 Jul 2024

Review highlights hidden gut-brain connection in neurological disorders

Research reveals the gut microbiota-brain axis as a critical link in understanding and treating neurological disorders through microbial interventions.

23 Jul 2024

Healthy diet during pregnancy lowers childhood autism risk

A new study found that a healthy prenatal diet reduces the risk of autism and social communication difficulties in children, highlighting the importance of maternal nutrition during pregnancy. However, it found no significant association between diet and autism-related behavioral traits.

23 Jul 2024

Scurvy on the rise in the United States: Pediatric cases triple in five years

Researchers found that pediatric scurvy cases tripled from 2016 to 2020, highlighting a significant rise in incidence, particularly among low-income, male, and autistic children.

19 Jul 2024

Siblings of autistic children face increased autism risk, new research confirms

Siblings of autistic children have a 20% chance of being autistic themselves -; about seven times higher than the rate in infants with no autistic siblings.

17 Jul 2024

Study reveals brain structure differences in children with conduct disorder

Conduct disorder in young people is associated with differences in surface area across much of the brain compared to typically developing children, new research shows.

17 Jul 2024

New cortical surface template provides greater accuracy in analyzing neuroimaging data

The human brain is responsible for critical functions, including perception, memory, language, thinking, consciousness, and emotions.

16 Jul 2024

Neurofunctional architecture and intention understanding in preschool children

By the age of three, children are capable of understanding others, "mirroring" those they are with to imitate and anticipate their intentions.

16 Jul 2024

Researchers identify brain region that tunes hearing to contextual needs

Have you ever noticed how you can suddenly hear your refrigerator humming in the background when you focus on it? Or how the sound of your name instantly catches your attention even in a noisy crowd?

12 Jul 2024

Understanding the connection between autistic traits and board gaming

Board gaming is a growing industry, and anecdotally popular among people who display autistic traits.

12 Jul 2024

Is air pollutant exposure during pregnancy associated with infant cerebral palsy risk?

The association between prenatal exposure to ambient air pollution during the pregnancy and the risk of cerebral palsy in the infant.

12 Jul 2024

Archaeal, fungal, viral, as well as bacterial, functional makers for autism spectrum disorder in children

Researchers investigated the associations between multikingdom gut microbiome components and functional markers with autism spectrum disorder through metagenomic sequencing of children's fecal samples.

11 Jul 2024

World’s first map of human brain lipids created

Scientists have found that 93% of the lipids in brain tissue are distributed differently in the white and gray matter, the subcortex, the visual and motor cortices, and the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making, social behavior, and other functions.

10 Jul 2024

New technology reveals the critical role of sleep in infant brain development

Researchers have developed advanced technology to measure neonatal sleep patterns, revealing how sleep significantly impacts brain development before and after birth.

8 Jul 2024

Discovery of TRPC5 gene's role in obesity and postnatal depression offers hope for new treatments

Scientists have identified a gene which, when missing or impaired, can cause obesity, behavioral problems and, in mothers, postnatal depression. The discovery, reported today in Cell, may have wider implications for the treatment of postnatal depression, with a study in mice suggesting that oxytocin may alleviate symptoms.

8 Jul 2024

Gene discovery points to oxytocin for depression

While investigating two boys from different families with severe obesity, anxiety, autism, and behavioural problems triggered by sounds or smells, a team led by scientists at the University of Cambridge, UK, and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA, discovered that the boys were missing a single gene, known as TRPC5, which sits on the X chromosome.

3 Jul 2024