Community Shares | October 28th 2024
Researchers from the University of Toledo are investigating how environmental factors, such as exposure to pyrethroid insecticides, may interact with genetic predispositions to increase the risk of ASD. While many genetic variations are linked to autism, the team behind this research emphasizes that genetics alone cannot explain why some individuals develop the condition while others […]
New Research Links Y Chromosome to Increased Autism Risk in Males
Findings Challenge Long-Held X Chromosome Theory and Offer New Direction for Autism Research A new study published in Nature Communications by researchers at Geisinger suggests a significant link between the Y chromosome and the increased prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in males, offering new insights into the condition’s genetic roots. Analyzing data from 177,416 […]
Fewer Synapses Found in Brains of People with Autism
Groundbreaking PET Scan Research Links Synaptic Density to Key Behavioral Traits, Offering New Insights for Diagnosis and Support A groundbreaking study published in Molecular Psychiatry used PET scans to reveal that adults with autism have 17% fewer synapses—vital connections between neurons—than neurotypical individuals, with fewer synapses correlating to more pronounced traits associated with autism. This […]
Community Shares | October 21st 2024
This week’s articles: a new simulation study utilizing US-wide Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program; children with cerebral palsy (CP) have a higher risk of being diagnosed with ASD; MARAbio has raised $19 million in Series A funding to accelerate the launch of a blood test aimed at detecting maternal autoantibody-related (MAR) autism; individuals receiving Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will see a 2.5% increase in their payments in 2025 due to an annual cost-of-living adjustment.
Pathological Demand Avoidance: Understanding Anxiety-Driven Behavior in Autism
Psychology Today article explores the controversial diagnosis of pathological demand avoidance (PDA), a behavioral profile often seen in individuals on the autism spectrum. PDA is characterized by an intense need to avoid everyday demands due to overwhelming anxiety rather than defiance.
Early Childhood Infections Associated with Higher Risk of Autism and Intellectual Disabilities
Maternal Infections During Pregnancy Show Weaker Association Due to Familial Factors: Researchers from Taiwan have recently conducted a large cohort study examining the potential influence of maternal infections during pregnancy and early childhood infections on the development of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), tic disorders, and mental retardation (MR).