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. Read More
Sensorimotor problems associated with ASD are caused by several complex and precise neurobiological processes, including differences in the way those with autism perceive the world around them. Read More
The risk of ASD may increase slightly for every week a child is born before or after 40 weeks gestation. Read More
The levels of a protein called FABP4 are significantly lower in children aged four-to-six in children with autism. Read More
People on the autism spectrum have lower levels of a protein that regulates serotonin in the brain. Read More
Reassessing years of research on Theory of Mind in autism, researchers argue the brains of those with ASD may be able to grasp what others think but may have a more difficult time processing the degree to which others think differently from themselves. Read More
SERT Ala56 impacts the structure of the SERT protein cells, increasing the activity of the transporter to abnormally high levels. The high-activity state results in the removal of too much serotonin from brain sites where serotonin is needed, both during development and in adults. Read More
Study refutes any association between the H1N1 vaccine given to pregnant women and an increased risk of autism diagnosis in children. Read More
A new physiological test relies on an algorithm that analyzes metabolites in blood samples to predict whether a person has an ASD diagnosis. The algorithm was 94.7% effective in determining autism diagnosis and was slightly more reliable when co-occurring conditions, such as gastrointestinal disorders, were taken into account. Read More
Study found genes implicated in cattle temperament contribute to neural developmental functions and are differentially expressed in the human brain. Some ASD related genes are associated with cattle temperament. Read More
Atypical brain development begins at the very earliest stages of brain organization, at the level of individual neurons. Read More
Study reveals a link between cholesterol metabolism and a subtype of autism. The association appears to have a genetic component. Mothers with lipid abnormalities are 16% more likely to have a child diagnosed with ASD, and fathers with abnormal lipid levels were 14% more likely. Individuals on the autism spectrum were twice as likely to have lipid abnormalities than those without ASD. Among those with ASD and abnormal lipid levels, conditions such as ASD, epilepsy, and sleep disorders were more common than in those with normal levels. Findings suggest dyslipidemia may alter neurodevelopment and result in other medical conditions, such as anemia and vitamin D deficiency. Read More
