Using machine learning, researchers have identified patterns of maternal autoantibodies in the blood plasma of pregnant women that were highly associated with autism and the severity of symptoms in offspring.
Two new studies shed light on brain development and changes in ASD. Researchers found the development of white matter tracts in the brain was linked to the severity of autism symptoms. Additionally, larger brain size at age 3 was linked to a larger brain size later in childhood.
An enzyme in the colon lining releases hydrogen peroxide to help protect the body from gut microbes.
Researchers have developed a non-hallucinogenic version of the drug ibogaine which has the potential to treat depression, addiction, anxiety, and a range of other mental health disorders.
People don't tend to like those who show empathy to morally questionable individuals.
A distinct DNA methylation signature has been discovered in cord blood of children who are later diagnosed with autism. The findings could provide a new biomarker for early detection and intervention for ASD.
Oxytocin produced in the BNST increased stress-induced social anxiety behaviors in mice. The findings shed light on why oxytocin can sometimes provoke anti-social effects.
Study of pregnant mice found excess folic acid is detrimental to brain development in fetuses. Mice exposed in-utero to higher doses of folic acid had significant brain changes compared to those who were exposed to lower doses.
Study links diabetic ketoacidosis to lower IQ scores and worse memory in children with type 1 diabetes.
People formulate personal goals consistent with their personality traits, and their goals are related to how their personality changes over time.
Children born to mothers who experienced immune disorders during pregnancy, including allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases, and autoinflammatory syndromes, are more likely to exhibit behavioral and emotional problems. The child's sex may interact with maternal immune conditions to influence the outcome of ASD symptoms. While maternal immune disorders were associated with emotional and behavioral problems in children on the autism spectrum, there was no association with reduced cognitive function.
Preschool-aged children on the autism spectrum were 2.7 times more likely to experience gastrointestinal problems, including pain, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting than their typically developing peers. Almost 50% of those with ASD reported frequent GI symptoms, compared to 18% of those without the disorder. 30% of autistic children experienced multiple GI symptoms. Multiple GI problems were associated with sleep and attention problems, as well as self-harm, aggression, and repetitive behaviors in both children with ASD and those not on the autism spectrum.
