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autism spectrum disorder

·January 30, 2020·4 min read

Study links rapid brain growth in autism to DNA damage

Neural 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.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 29, 2020·5 min read

Study challenges assumptions about social interaction difficulties in autism

Successful social interactions for adults on the autism spectrum revolve around partner compatibility, not just the skill set of the other person.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·January 29, 2020·5 min read

Link between autism and cognitive impairment discovered

Study 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.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 27, 2020·7 min read

Prescription drug improves symptoms of autism by targeting brain’s chemical messengers

A 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.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·January 23, 2020·4 min read

Largest autism genetics study identifies 102 associated genes

In 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.

This shows the chemical structure of oxytocin

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·January 21, 2020·4 min read

‘Love hormone’ oxytocin improves attachment issues in people with autism

Male patients on the autism spectrum who were given oxytocin for four weeks experienced improvements in social attachment behaviors for up to 12 months.

Autism Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·January 21, 2020·6 min read

Autism study finds later diagnoses for girls, and high rates of co-occurring disorders

On 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.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 18, 2020·4 min read

What people who don’t like music might tell us about social interaction

Musical 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.

This shows a mom holding a baby's finger

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·January 13, 2020·4 min read

Higher rates of post-natal depression among autistic mothers

Mothers on the autism spectrum are more likely to report symptoms of postnatal depression than mothers who do not have ASD.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·January 9, 2020·3 min read

Missing protein in brain causes behaviors mirroring autism

p75NTR, 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.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·January 9, 2020·3 min read

One-fourth of children with autism are undiagnosed

A 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.