Participate in Autism Research: ASD COVID-19 Study
The Johnson Center for Child Health and Development is conducting an online, questionnaire based study to address the psychosocial and behavioral impact of COVID-19 on children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study includes questions about the level of supports and services your child received at the beginning of 2020 and compares with the time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Neurodevelopmental Regression and Early Life Metal Exposure
Children who lose previously acquired developmental skills or milestones can be classified as experiencing a neurodevelopmental regression (NDR). About one-third of children who hold an autism diagnosis fit the NDR subtype model. A team of scientists from the University of Arizona recently studied the origins of NDR.
Immune System Dysfunction in Pregnancy Tied to Behavioral and Emotional Issues in Children with Autism
Children on the spectrum whose mothers experienced immune system irregularities during pregnancy have a greater risk of behavioral and emotional problems according to a study from UC Davis’ MIND Institute. This new research reviewed maternal immune history and used it as a predictor of autism symptoms in children. Immune system conditions recognized in this study included asthma, hypothyroidism, Raynaud’s disease, alopecia, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Obtaining an Autism Diagnosis Takes Longer for African-American Children
Shocking new research from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) shows that it takes three years along with multiple visits to several medical providers before African-American children are diagnosed with autism. After analyzing data on 584 African-American children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), AAP researchers found the average age of diagnosis to be 5.4 years, while the average age for an autism diagnosis for all races in the United States is 3.1 years. Additionally, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an experienced professional can diagnose ASD by age two.
Consumer Reports Rates Pesticide Exposure in Fruits & Vegetables
The consumer products testing group Consumer Reports (CR) has issued ratings on 49 fruits and vegetables to get the health benefits from these foods while minimizing the risk of ingesting toxic chemicals. CR analyzed five years of data from the Department of Agriculture on 24,000 samples of fruits and vegetables covering about 450 pesticides.
Advancement in Stem Cells to Treat the Gastrointestinal System
Scientists from the University of Sheffield and University College London have made a breakthrough in understanding the formation of the enteric nervous system (ENS) of the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Dysfunction of the ENS is linked to a wide range of conditions such as Parkinson’s, Hirschprung’s disease and autism. The scientists were able to generate enteric neurons in the lab using human pluripotent stem cells and successfully implant them into mice engineered to lack an ENS. The neurons took hold in the mouse GI tract and became functional. The findings pave the way for new regenerative treatments for GI diseases in humans.
