November 25, 2024
- President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education has raised concerns about its potential impact on students with disabilities. While some experts argue the move would not significantly disrupt special education funding, as Congress controls appropriations, others warn of severe consequences for equity and access. They warn that without the department’s oversight, disparities in educational opportunities for students with disabilities could worsen, and federal protections like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) might be weakened. These advocates point out that the department plays a key role in enforcing civil rights, supporting teacher preparation, and ensuring consistent access to educational resources. Its removal could compromise these functions, leaving uncertainty about the future of special education and protections for vulnerable students.
- A recent review highlights a potential link between COVID-19 and the exacerbation or onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms, suggesting that the proinflammatory immune response associated with the virus may play a role. The study explores parallels between OCD pathogenesis and other neurological conditions, including Spanish flu and encephalitis lethargica, focusing on the role of cytokines and basal ganglia involvement. Researchers propose that anti-inflammatory treatments targeting cytokine activity could mitigate OCD symptoms in COVID-19 patients. The findings underscore the need for further investigation into how COVID-19 affects the central nervous system and behavior, potentially opening new avenues for the treatment of post-COVID-19 psychiatric conditions.
- A new study has revealed significantly lower expression levels of the processed pseudogene Csnk1a1p in children with ASD compared to healthy controls, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker. While other long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) studied showed no significant link to ASD, Csnk1a1p appears to play a vital role in the molecular mechanisms underlying the disorder. The results point to Csnk1a1p as a novel regulatory factor that may impact gene expression and cellular processes in ASD. Despite limitations in sample size, the study provides valuable insights. It highlights the need for further research to explore the functional effects of Csnk1a1p and its potential in developing targeted treatments for ASD.
- Don’t miss the opportunity to explore groundbreaking research on the effects of prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a common endocrine-disrupting chemical found in plastics, and its potential role in neurodevelopmental disorders like ASD. In this webinar by the EDC Strategies Partnership, Dr. Anne-Louise Ponsonby will present key findings from the Barwon Infant Study (n = 1,074), which reveal that elevated prenatal BPA levels are linked to increased ASD symptoms and diagnoses in boys with low brain aromatase genetic activity. The study highlights the role of BPA in disrupting critical hormonal pathways through increased methylation, which impairs neuroplasticity and synaptic function.
