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Autism

Research articles covering work related to austism spectrum disorders are provided below.

·November 1, 2022·4 min read

Study Offers New Insights Into Genetic Mutations in Autism Disorders and Points to Possible Treatments

Mutations of the PTEN gene cause neurons to grow to twice the size and form four times the number of synaptic connections to other neurons as a normal neuron. Removing the RAPTOR gene, an essential gene in the mTORC1 signaling pathway, prevents the neuronal and synaptic overgrowth associated with PTEN mutations. Using Rapamycin to inhibit mTORC1 recues all the changes in neuronal overgrowth.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·October 26, 2022·5 min read

Pressure Chamber Therapy Is Effective in the Functional Improvement of Autism

Pressure chamber therapy significantly improved social skills and reduced inflammation in animal models of autism.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 26, 2022·5 min read

Autistic Women Have Increased Risk of Mental Illness

Women on the autism spectrum are more likely to be diagnosed with a co-morbid mental health disorder, such as depression, anxiety, or increased risk of self-harm than males with autism.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·October 11, 2022·6 min read

Medical History May Help Predict Autism in Young Children

New machine learning models assess the connection between hundreds of clinical variables, including doctor visits and health records for seemingly unconnected conditions, to predict the likelihood of ASD in young children.

This shows an organoid cerebral cortex slice

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 6, 2022·5 min read

Brain Organoids Provide a Window Into Autism

Investigating the effects of genetic abnormalities associated with autism and human brain development, researchers found brain organoids engineered to have lower levels of the ASD-associated SHANK3 gene had distinct features including neural firing hyperactivity, disruptions in pathways that cause cells to adhere to each other, and indications of ineffective neurotransmission.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 29, 2022·2 min read

Researchers Share Guidelines for Inclusive Language in Autism Research

In order to make autism research less harmful to the autism community, researchers propose new data-driven guidelines for discussing ASD in their work.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·September 24, 2022·3 min read

Meet Orbit, the Interactive Robot That Looks to Help Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Develop Social Skills

Orbit, an interactive robot, helps teach children on the autism spectrum to develop social appropriateness and emotion via storytelling, physical interaction, and visual communication.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·September 21, 2022·8 min read

Rare Human Gene Variant in ADHD, Autism Exposes Fundamental Sex Differences

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

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 12, 2022·4 min read

Anti-diarrhea Medication May Help Treat Core Autism Symptoms

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.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·September 7, 2022·6 min read

New Knowledge About the Link Between Infection During Pregnancy and Autism

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.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·September 7, 2022·4 min read

Three Autism Subgroups With Distinct Prenatal Risk Factors

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.