AutismFeatured·March 20, 2013·6 min readHumanoid Robot Helps Train Children with AutismVanderbilt researchers develop a humanoid robotic system to help teach autistic children to coordinate their attention with objects and other people in their environment.Read More
AutismFeatured·March 20, 2013·3 min readAtypical Brain Circuits May Cause Slower Gaze Shifting in Infants Who Later Develop AutismInfants at 7 months of age who go on to develop autism are slower to reorient their gaze and attention from one object to another when compared to 7-month-olds who do not develop autism, and this behavioral pattern is in part explained by atypical brain circuits.Read More
AutismFeatured·March 18, 2013·4 min readDifficulty in Recognizing Faces in Autism Linked to Performance in a Group of NeuronsNeurons in the specific brain area responsible for processing faces are too broadly "tuned" in some patients with autism, leading to difficulties in discriminating between the facial features of different individuals, a new study suggests.Read More
AutismFeatured·March 4, 2013·3 min readSpeech Emerges in Children with Autism and Severe Language Delay at Greater Rate Than Previously ThoughtA new study reveals 70 percent of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, and who have a history of severe language delay, achieved fluent speech by the age of eight.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeurology·February 27, 2013·4 min readNetwork Analysis of the Brain may Explain Features of AutismResearchers find that, compared with neurotypical children, those with autism have multiple redundant connections between neighboring brain areas at the expense of long-distance links.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyOpen Neuroscience Articles·February 25, 2013·3 min readBPA May Affect the Developing Brain by Disrupting Gene RegulationNew research suggests environmental exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical commonly found in plastics and resins, could suppress a gene critical to nerve cell function and the development of the central nervous system. Exposure to BPA could predispose humans to a number of neurodevelopmental and other health disorders.Read More
AutismFeatured·February 25, 2013·2 min readUltrasound Reveals Autism Risk at BirthLow birth weight babies with ventricular enlargement are at greater risk for developing autism, a new study suggests.Read More
AutismFeatured·February 25, 2013·2 min readHigher Levels of Several Toxic Metals Found in Children With AutismIn a recent study, researchers report children with autism had higher levels of several toxic metals in their blood and urine compared to typical children.Read More
AutismFeatured·February 14, 2013·4 min readBehavioral Therapy for Children With Autism Can Impact Brain FunctionUsing fMRI for before-and-after analysis, a team of researchers discovered positive changes in brain activity in children with autism who received a particular type of behavioral therapy.Read More
AutismFeatured·February 5, 2013·2 min readResearchers Spot Attention Deficits in Babies who Later Develop AutismResearchers detect deficits in social attention in infants as young as six months of age who later develop Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).Read More
AutismFeatured·February 4, 2013·3 min readChildren with Autism at Significant Risk for Feeding Problems and Nutritional DeficitsA comprehensive analysis of feeding behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders indicates that these children are five times more likely to have a feeding problem, including extreme tantrums during meals, severe food selectivity and ritualistic mealtime behaviors.Read More
AutismFeatured·January 31, 2013·4 min readResearcher Uncovers Potential Cause, Biomarker for Autism and Proposes Study to Investigate TheoryBased on prior findings, researchers propose that depressed levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) in the blood of newborns could potentially serve as a biomarker for the later development of autism.Read More