AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·January 30, 2020·4 min readStudy links rapid brain growth in autism to DNA damageNeural progenitor cells generated from skin cell samples of people on the autism spectrum had heightened levels of DNA damage. The damage clustered in 36 of the same genes which had also been damaged in healthy cells exposed to replication stress. Twenty of the genes have previously been linked to the development of autism.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·January 29, 2020·5 min readStudy challenges assumptions about social interaction difficulties in autismSuccessful social interactions for adults on the autism spectrum revolve around partner compatibility, not just the skill set of the other person.Read More
AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·January 29, 2020·5 min readLink between autism and cognitive impairment discoveredStudy identifies a short gene segment crucial for brain development and information processing. The absence of the gene segment induces altered social behaviors, learning difficulties, and memory deficits, which are hallmarks of a subset of ASD.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·January 27, 2020·7 min readPrescription drug improves symptoms of autism by targeting brain’s chemical messengersA drug commonly prescribed for edema improves the symptoms for young children on the autism spectrum with no significant side effects. The drug, bumetanide, decreases the ratio of GABA to glutamate in the brain.Read More
AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·January 23, 2020·4 min readLargest autism genetics study identifies 102 associated genesIn the largest genetic sequencing study of autism conducted to date, researchers have identified 102 genes associated with the neurodevelopmental disorder. 49 of the genes were also associated with other developmental delays. The new study has enabled the researchers to increase the number of ASD associated genes from 65 to 102.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·January 21, 2020·4 min read‘Love hormone’ oxytocin improves attachment issues in people with autismMale patients on the autism spectrum who were given oxytocin for four weeks experienced improvements in social attachment behaviors for up to 12 months.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeurologyNeurosciencePsychology·January 21, 2020·6 min readAutism study finds later diagnoses for girls, and high rates of co-occurring disordersOn average, girls on the autism spectrum are diagnosed 1.5 years later than boys. Over 50% of those on the autism spectrum exhibit co-occurring mental health and medical conditions, such as ADHD and epilepsy.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·January 18, 2020·4 min readWhat people who don’t like music might tell us about social interactionMusical anhedonia, a neurological condition where people don't enjoy music, affects 5% of the population. Researchers are exploring if this same condition could also be what impairs social bonding for some people on the autism spectrum.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·January 13, 2020·4 min readHigher rates of post-natal depression among autistic mothersMothers on the autism spectrum are more likely to report symptoms of postnatal depression than mothers who do not have ASD.Read More
AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·January 9, 2020·3 min readMissing protein in brain causes behaviors mirroring autismp75NTR, a protein implicated in normal brain development and Alzheimer's disease, may play a role in the development of autism. Mice bred without the protein exhibited learning deficits similar to those associated with ASD.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeuroscience·January 9, 2020·3 min readOne-fourth of children with autism are undiagnosedA quarter of children under the age of eight on the autism spectrum are not being diagnosed, a new study reports. Those most affected are minority children.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·January 8, 2020·4 min readAbnormal neuron activity manifests as parental neglectAbnormal activation of parvalbumin neurons in the young mouse auditory cortex manifests as a result of maternal neglect.Read More