Overgrowth of the amygdala at 6 - 12 months is an early indicator of autism diagnosis later in childhood and could be used as an early diagnostic for ASD in children.
CLOCK gene disruptions may be a mechanism that underlies several forms of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
Researchers have identified a social brain network in mice which, if tweaked, prompts mice to become more sociable. The findings shed new light on social communication problems in disorders like ASD.
The SACS-R detection tool is extremely accurate at detecting autism in young children, a new study reports.
Early life experiences may affect neural wiring patterns that can lead to the development of ASD, schizophrenia, and epilepsy later in life, a new study reports.
Sensory patterns of children on the autism spectrum, and those who had ASD traits but were not diagnosed, grew stronger over time.
Exposing mice with the autism-associated SHANK3 genetic mutation to new environments can trigger autism-like behaviors, including repetitive movements and problems with social engagement. However, adding familiar objects to the novel environment during the first exposure can reduce the behavioral and brain signaling deficits.
Findings provide a mechanistic explanation of why people with autism display more internally focused cognition, including mind wandering, and less focus on external cues.
Blocking an overactive signaling pathway in the brains of mice within the first five weeks of their lives prevents autism symptoms from developing, researchers report.
In children with autism, girls had different patterns of connectivity than boys in brain areas associated with motor, language, and visuospatial attention. Generally, girls display fewer repetitive behaviors than boys, which may contribute to delays in ASD diagnosis for females.
Neurexin1 deletion impacts insulin signaling and glucose metabolism in the prefrontal cortex. Researchers say increasing insulin signaling may be an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ASD.
Autistic children with traditional anxiety had significantly greater amygdala volume than children without ASD. Those with autism-distinct anxiety had significantly lower amygdala volume.
