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Autism

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

·August 22, 2017·4 min read

Anxiety Neural Response on Seeing Social Touch in Those With ASD

A new study reports some people on the autism spectrum show neural signs of anxiety when presented with images of people engaging in social touch, such as hand holding.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·August 21, 2017·6 min read

Gut Microbes May Talk to the Brain Through Cortisol

Researchers identify a predictive relationship between serotonin, cortisol and fecal microbiota. The study provides additional support for previous findings that implicate gut bacteria in ASD.

Autism Featured Genetics

·August 18, 2017·3 min read

CRISPR Advances Autism Research

Using CRISPR gene editing technology, researchers target the Shank3 gene in monkey embryos. Research backs previous findings of the importance of the Shank3 gene for brain development and its role in autism.

Image shows brain scans of people with genetic autism.

Autism Featured Genetics Open Neuroscience Articles

·August 8, 2017·6 min read

MRI Reveals Striking Brain Differences in People With Genetics Autism

Researchers have performed an MRI study of people with a common form of genetic autism. They discovered those with abnormalities on 16p11.2 had structural abnormalities with the corpus callosum and white matter volume.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 3, 2017·6 min read

Autism May Reflect Excitation-Inhibition Imbalance in Brain

Reducing the excitation-inhibition ratio by diminishing excitability of pyramidal neurons or increasing excitability of PV neurons led mice to spend more time engaged in social encounters. Researchers believe the excitation-inhibition balance may play a key role in autism and normal social behavior.

Image shows a drawing of bees and people.

Autism Featured Genetics Psychology

·July 31, 2017·3 min read

Parallels Between Unresponsive Honey Bees and Human Autism

Researchers report genes implicated in human ASD are regulated differently in honeybees that are more unresponsive than their nest mates. The PNAS study provides insight into the genetic heritage shared across species and offers clues about the evolution of social behavior.

Autism Featured Psychology

·July 31, 2017·1 min read

Shared Housing, Shared Behavior in Mouse Model of Autism

Study shows how social environment can shape specific behaviors in autism spectrum disorder.

Autism Featured Psychology

·July 31, 2017·3 min read

People With Autism Are Less Surprised by the Unexpected

According to researchers, adults on the autism spectrum are less surprised when presented with unexpected images during learning tasks than those not on the spectrum. Additionally, those who were least surprised had the most pronounced autism symptoms.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 26, 2017·4 min read

‘Residual Echo’ of Ancient Humans in Scans May Hold Clues to Mental Disorders

A new study in Scientific Reports finds evidence from MRI scans suggests Neanderthal derived genetic variations affect how the brains of modern humans work. Findings may shed light on specific deficits seen in ASD and schizophrenia, researchers believe.

Autism Featured Psychology

·July 25, 2017·4 min read

Autism Severity Detected With Brain Activity Test

EEG tests reveal children on the autism spectrum have lower peak alpha frequency than their peers not on the spectrum. Additionally, the lower the peak alpha frequency, the lower a child's non-verbal IQ was, the researchers discovered. Researchers believe the peak alpha frequency may not only be a useful biomarker for autism diagnosis, but also a marker to test the severity of the disorder.

Autism Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 24, 2017·5 min read

Antidepressant Use in Pregnancy Linked to Slightly Increased Autism Risk

A new study in the BMJ links antidepressant use in pregnant women to a very small increased risk of autism in their offspring. Researchers discovered 4.1% of children exposed to antidepressants while in the womb were diagnosed with ASD, where as only 2.9% of children whose mothers had a history of mental health problems but did not take take medications were diagnosed with autism.

Autism Featured Neurology

·July 24, 2017·4 min read

Link Between Autism and Pain Sensitivity

A new study confirms those on the autism spectrum are hypersensitive to pain. The new study from UT Dallas researchers also demonstrated people with ASD showed greater neural responses in the anterior cingulate cortex than those not on the spectrum when anticipating a painful stimuli.