News Feature Channel: Autism

Let Sleeping Babies Lie: Scientists Highlight Negative Impacts of Sleep Disruption on Early Brain Development

University of North Carolina School of Medicine — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:40:36 EST

Researchers at the UNC School of Medicine show how sleep loss during early life impacts key aspects of brain development and how it can increase one's risk for developing autism spectrum disorder.

Researchers Identify Possible Treatment for Rare Disorder

Tufts University — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 10:00:39 EST

Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) have identified a small molecule that, in mouse and human cell models, rectifies the underlying molecular cause of a rare genetic developmental disorder, CTNNB1 syndrome, linked with motor and intellectual disabilities and some types of autism spectrum disorder.

'A Different Way of Perceiving the World'

Universite de Montreal — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 12:00:16 EST

A new study reveals children with autism have a keen interest in letters and numbers - something their parents don't always spot.

CHLA Psychologist Co-Hosts National Institute of Mental Health Webinar Focused on Disability, Equity and Mental Health

Children's Hospital Los Angeles — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 09:00:51 EST

Key takeaways from Dr. Schwartzman's presentation:Autistic people are frequently excluded from mental health research due to various factors.Including autistic individuals and scientists in the design of autism-focused research studies is crucial to effective research.Dr. Schwartzman's lab is investigating tools to assess depression and suicide risk in autistic youth, testing autism-adapted cognitive behavioral therapy, and studying the needs of autistic youth and families following a suicide attempt.

Anne Bang Joins $12.7M Research Project on the Genetic Basis of Autism and Schizophrenia

Sanford Burnham Prebys — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 13:05:59 EST

Scientists have linked neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism, to changes in many genes involved in early brain development. However, more research is needed to understand how these gene variants influence the biological mechanisms that underlie these disorders.

Scientists Create First Map of DNA Modification in the Developing Human Brain

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 11:00:00 EST

A UCLA-led study has created a map of DNA modification in two regions of the brain critical to learning, memory and emotional regulation. The map offers a benchmark for ensuring stem cell-based models accurately replicate human brain development.

It Takes Two to Tango: An Interpersonal Perspective on Autism

Universite de Montreal — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 12:00:36 EST

A new study by UdeM neuroscientist Guillaume Dumas sheds new light on the behaviour and brain activity of people with autism in social situations.

ValeRie Courchesne: Promoting the Mental Health of People with Autism

Universite de Montreal — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 12:00:31 EST

Newly appointed to UdeM's Department of Psychology, the assistant professor studies ways to enhance the well-being of those on the autism spectrum.

Epileptic Encephalopathies: The Key Role of a Gene Revealed

Universite de Montreal — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 12:00:12 EST

A new study by researchers in Canada and France provides insight into how a particularly severe form of epilepsy - as well as autism spectrum disorder - develops.

PET Imaging Reveals Link Between Synapses and Social and Communicative Differences in Autistic Adults

Yale School of Medicine — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 20:05:54 EST

EMERGE Study to Explore Language Trajectories of Low-Income, Ethnically Diverse Children with Autism

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 15:05:05 EST

Researchers at UCLA Health and the University of North Carolina Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG) will co-lead a unique project to assess behavioral and neurological markers of language development in low-income children within their family settings, gathering valuable information that could lead to earlier, more targeted interventions for a population that has been largely underrepresented in autism research.

Obesity in Mums Doubles the Risk of Autism in Babies

University of South Australia — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 16:30:49 EST

Children born to mothers with obesity both before and during pregnancy have an increased risk of neuropsychiatric and behavioural conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to new research from the University of South Australia.

Getting Autism Right

Rutgers University-New Brunswick — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 18:25:32 EST

Contrary to common perceptions and years of research that autistic people can't describe their emotions or often have muted emotional responses, a Rutgers study published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy concludes that many autistic adults are in fact acutely aware of their feelings and can label them in vivid, often colorful detail.

National Literacy Month: FSU Expert Available to Speak on Literacy for Students with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities

Florida State University — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 11:55:13 EST

By: Stephen Stone | Published: September 13, 2024 | 11:35 am | SHARE: September marks National Literacy month, a time to highlight the critical role that reading plays in a child or adult's overall development.Helping to create advancements in the field, the Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR) takes an innovative approach in its constant quest to improve reading through science.

Autism Exercise Specialists promote exercise to empower autism, special needs community to build an active lifestyle.

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 11:05:42 EST

ACSM, Exercise Connection Announce New Autism Exercise Specialist Course

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 11:05:23 EST

New continuing education course for exercise and medical professionals serving clients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) promotes the use of exercise to successfully empower the autism and special needs community to build an active lifestyle.

Eating Fish But Not Omega-3 Supplements During Pregnancy Associated With Lower Likelihood Of Autism Diagnosis, NIH-Funded Study Finds

Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes NIH — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 10:30:26 EST

Eating any amount of fish during pregnancy was associated with about a 20% lower likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis, particularly in females, and a slight reduction in autism-related traits in offspring, according to a new study funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program at the National Institutes of Health.

Aubyn Stahmer named director of UC Davis MIND Institute

UC Davis MIND Institute — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 18:05:09 EST

Aubyn Stahmer, professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, has been named the new director of the UC Davis MIND Institute.

Beckman announces 2024 research seed grant awardees

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 17:05:54 EST

One seeded project will investigate the genetic basis of altered behavior and brain function related to autism spectrum disorder, while the other project aims to explore how collagen dysfunction affects tissue structure and function.

Autism Spectrum Disorders Linked to Neurotransmitter Switching in the Brain

University of California San Diego — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 18:05:11 EST

Neurobiologists studying the emergence of autism spectrum disorders have found evidence of altered early development of the nervous system. They linked environmentally induced forms of ASD to changes in neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers that allow neurons to communicate with each other.