September 09, 2024
- A recent study examining developmental, psychiatric, and neurologic conditions among older siblings of children with and without ASD found significant familial clustering of these diagnoses. Using data from the Study to Explore Early Development, researchers discovered that children with ASD were more likely to have older siblings with ASD, developmental delays, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, sensory integration disorders, speech/language delays, or psychiatric conditions compared to children without ASD. The study also found that children with other developmental disabilities had higher rates of siblings with certain conditions or disorders. These findings underscore the importance of heightened monitoring and early screening for ASD and other developmental disorders in families where an older sibling has a diagnosed condition or exhibits symptoms.
- Researchers from Brazil have explored the effects of Zika virus (ZIKV) vertical infection on neurodevelopment by using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from Brazilian children with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS), some of whom were also diagnosed with ASD. The research team found that neurons derived from CZS patients exhibited lower levels of pre-and postsynaptic proteins and reduced functional synapses compared to a control group, along with decreased glutamate levels in both neurons and astrocytes. Additionally, the CZS group showed increased cytokine production, including IL-6, which is linked to ASD. These findings suggest that ZIKV infection during pregnancy may lead to long-term disruptions in brain development, potentially contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD, even in the absence of the virus after birth. The study provides new insights into the consequences of ZIKV on neurodevelopment and highlights the need for further clinical validation and intervention development.
- Recent research suggests that propranolol, a beta-blocker, may effectively reduce challenging behaviors in children and adolescents with ASD. Results showed a 50% reduction in challenging behaviors measured by the Clinical Global Impressions–Improvement scale and a 37% reduction on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist–Irritability subscale, with large effect sizes for both metrics. This reduction was comparable, though somewhat lower, than previous results with risperidone, a commonly used antipsychotic. The study also highlighted the feasibility of telehealth for conducting clinical research in the ASD community, emphasizing its benefits for accessibility and convenience. However, the exact mechanism by which propranolol affects behavior remains unclear, warranting further study. These findings could have significant implications for developing alternative treatments for ASD-related behaviors, especially for those who may not respond well to existing medications like risperidone.
- A new analysis published in the Disability and Health Journal examined enrollment in Medicaid 1915(c) waiver programs, which provide home- and community-based services to adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD), from 2016 to 2019. The findings reveal persistent inequities in enrollment rates across different racial and ethnic groups, as well as among individuals with various types of I/DD. Beneficiaries with autism were less likely to enroll compared to those with intellectual disabilities, while those with Down syndrome were more likely. Even after adjusting for demographics, racially minoritized beneficiaries were significantly less likely to enroll compared to white non-Hispanic beneficiaries. These disparities suggest a need for Medicaid programs to review their enrollment processes and consider alternative ways to improve access to care for all eligible individuals.
