January 22, 2024
- A recent cross-sectional analysis has investigated the financial ties of panel and task force members involved in the development of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), revealing that nearly 60% of these individuals had financial relationships with the industry, receiving a total of over $14.2 million. The most common types of payments included compensation for food and beverages, travel, and consulting services. The impact of financial conflicts of interest on medical literature, including clinical diagnostic and practice guidelines, has been well-documented, influencing pro-industry thinking and conclusions. While conflicts of interest are not unique to psychiatry, this analysis raises concerns about the editorial independence of the DSM, with significant financial ties among decision-makers. The study emphasizes the need for transparency and unbiased, evidence-based practices in developing diagnostic manuals, highlighting the potential influence of pharmaceutical industry ties on psychiatric research and practice.
- An original investigation published in JAMA Network has provided a framework for predicting Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children based on data from routine developmental surveillance. The models used in this research demonstrated sufficient predictive performance, particularly for children as young as 12 months, with improved accuracy at older ages. This work proposed two main models: a compact model, relying primarily on milestone attainment data, suitable for routine longitudinal follow-up, and a snapshot model for scenarios of a single well-child visit. Milestone attainment scores were identified as strong predictors of ASD, with the compact model achieving similar accuracy to the full model while utilizing fewer variables. The models exhibited improved performance with age, surpassing baseline models at 12 months and reaching high accuracy at 36 months. The study suggests that integrated into routine developmental assessments, the prediction models can serve as practical tools for early ASD screening, offering comparable or superior sensitivity compared to existing methods such as the M-CHAT. The flexibility of these models allows for integration into various clinical settings, enhancing the potential for early identification and intervention in ASD cases.
- A new research article has investigated anticholinergic (AC) medication use and its association with self-reported cognitive complaints in adults with autism, addressing a critical knowledge gap in aging and cognition research for this population. Over-the-counter AC medications include Benadryl, Tylenol PM, Advil PM, Dimetapp, Dramamine, and Unisom. This research found that AC medication use is prevalent among middle-aged and older adults on the spectrum, with 48.2% to 62.9% reporting at least one AC medication. These findings exceed the prevalence rates observed in the general aging population. Higher levels of AC medication use are associated with concurrent self-reported memory problems, and the study highlights the need for further exploration of the impact of AC medication on cognition in adults with autism. The results underscore the importance of understanding medication use patterns and their potential cognitive effects in the aging autistic population, suggesting that careful consideration and monitoring of AC medication prescriptions may be crucial for promoting healthy aging outcomes in this group.
- As part of their “Meet the Scientist” webinar series, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation will present Developing Biological Markers to Improve Clinical Care in Autism on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. PST. Yale Developmental Disabilities Clinic Director Dr. James McPartland will review the state of the science and present work from the Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials to advance biomarkers through FDA qualification. He will present emerging strategies to apply them in individuals with profound autism and to translate them into treatment.
