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intellectual disability

·July 1, 2022·6 min read

When ASD Occurs With Intellectual Disability, a Convergent Mechanism for Two Top-Ranking Risk Genes May Be the Cause

Mutations in the ASD/intellectual disability genes ADNP and POGZ result in abnormal activation and overexpression of immune response genes and genes for microglia. This results in abnormal brain synaptic function, characteristic of ASD and ID.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·March 12, 2022·5 min read

Identification of New Rare Genetic Mutation Provides Answers for Families

Histone H4 mutations in the spool cause intellectual disabilities and developmental delays, a new study reports.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 14, 2020·5 min read

Flame retardants and pesticides overtake heavy metals as biggest contributors to IQ loss

Exposure to flame retardants and pesticides resulted in more than a million cases of intellectual disability in children between 2001 and 2016. However, adverse outcomes from exposure to mercury and lead fell significantly during the same period.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·December 6, 2019·3 min read

How gene mutation causes autism and intellectual disability

Genetic mutations in Usp9X results in the brain growing fewer synapses during development. The mutation also causes hyperactivity and an increased risk of anxiety. The findings shed new light on the cause of autism and other intellectual disabilities.

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Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 18, 2019·6 min read

Early maternal anemia tied to intellectual disability, ADHD and autism

Children born to mothers diagnosed with anemia before the 31st week of pregnancy were at a higher risk of developing ADHD, ASD, and other intellectual disabilities than children born to mothers diagnosed with anemia during the final weeks of pregnancy. The risk of being diagnosed with autism was 4.9% higher for those born to mothers who experienced early pregnancy anemia. For ADHD, those born to anemic mothers had a 9.3% higher risk than those born to mothers who developed the condition during late pregnancy.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·August 16, 2019·4 min read

Study links gene to children with physical and intellectual disabilities

Rare variants in the DDX6 gene have been linked to significant disruption in the development of the central nervous system, affecting basic motor skills and resulting in intellectual disabilities.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 21, 2019·4 min read

Researchers call for the term ‘high functioning autism’ to be consigned to history

Researchers argue the term "high functioning autism" be abandoned by the scientific community as it is misleading and may create harmful expectations of abilities for children on the autism spectrum. "High functioning autism" is not a diagnostic term. The term is based on IQ assessments rather than functional assessments. While children with ASD may exhibit normal-to-higher IQ for their age, many experience skill based, social and behavioral difficulties that impact their daily lives.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 19, 2018·4 min read

Autism Mutations Make the Brain Less Flexible

Study sheds light on how SETD5, a gene associated with ASD, alters behavior and may lead to less flexibility in the brain.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 22, 2018·3 min read

New Brain Development Disorder Identified

Researchers have identified a new neurodevelopmental disorder. The study reveals the inherited disorder can produce learning difficulties and increase seizure risks. The researchers have implicated a recessive mutation in CAMK2A in this new disorder.

Image of the word autism written on a board

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·November 13, 2017·4 min read

Potential Treatment For Autism and Intellectual Disability

A GABA receptor modulating drug has been shown to reverse both social and cognitive deficits induced by a genetic mutation associated with autism and intellectual disabilities, researchers report.

Featured Genetics Neurology

·November 6, 2017·7 min read

Eight New Epilepsy Genes Discovered

Using whole genome sequencing, researchers have identified eight novel genes associated with epileptic encephalopathy.

Autism Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·October 5, 2017·5 min read

Multivitamin Use During Pregnancy Linked to Lower Autism With Intellectual Disability Risk

According to Drexel University researchers, mothers who took multivitamins during pregnancy were 30% less likely to have children who develop autism with intellectual disability. However, researchers note the occurrence of autism without intellectual disability was not affected by the use of prenatal multivitamins.

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