Orbit, an interactive robot, helps teach children on the autism spectrum to develop social appropriateness and emotion via storytelling, physical interaction, and visual communication.
Female mice show effects of the DAT mutation in brain regions unaffected in males, and vice versa. The findings reveal surprising differences in dopamine synapses between males and females controlling attention, pleasure, and motivation
Loperamide, a common anti-diarrhea medication, could help treat core symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder. The drug activates the μ-opioid receptor, helping to improve social behaviors.
Researchers discovered the link between autism and maternal infection does not appear to be causal. Results suggest the increased autism risks are more likely to be explained by shared familial factors including genetics or aspects of a shared environment.
Using large data sets, researchers determined children on the autism spectrum can be broken into three subgroups based upon co-occurring conditions, and those subgroups are associated with different prenatal risk factors. Infections, anti-inflammatory and other complex medications were associated with one group, while joint disorders and immune system problems were associated with another. The third subgroup was associated with overall pregnancy complications. Researchers have developed a new blood test that can for autism and prenatal risk factors for ASD.
Circadian rhythm disruption is a psychopathological factor shared by a broad range of mental illnesses.
50% of mothers who have children on the autism spectrum report symptoms of depression over an 18-month period, a new study reports.
Measuring the pupillary light reflex could be used to screen for ASD in children, a new study reports.
A series of new studies investigate how genetics affect the development and symptoms of autism.
When presented with drawings or cartoons of the eyes, people on the autism spectrum were better at naming the emotion conveyed than those with no diagnosis of ASD.
Autism-associated social difficulties may reflect differences that only become apparent in high-pressure scenarios and certain social interactions. The findings challenge the belief that those with ASD can't adequately read facial emotional expressions.
A newly proposed learning method for those on the autism spectrum accelerates the learning process and can help to improve visual perception.
