January 23, 2023
- Overexcitabilities are inborn intensities that indicate a heightened ability to respond to stimuli. This condition is often found in creative and gifted individuals and is expressed by increased sensitivity, awareness, and intensity. A new research article found that compared to the general population, members of MENSA exhibited considerably elevated rates of autism, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, generalized anxiety, and irritable bowel syndrome. Unlike other research, this study did not find an increased association between asthma, allergies, or autoimmune diseases for people with high cognitive ability.
- Autism and traffic-related air pollution have previously been linked. However, it was unknown if tailpipe emissions from combustible engines were the principal cause for this association or if other sources of particulate matter found on roadways could contribute to the problem. A new study suggests that non-tailpipe emissions such as tire and brake wear are responsible for this increased risk. The authors note that conventional combustion engine vehicles with reduced tailpipe emissions or electric vehicles that have zero tailpipe emissions may not eliminate autism associations with traffic-related air pollution since the risk is tied to tire and brake wear.
- Longitudinal changes in Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule, 2nd edition (ADOS-2) scores for preschoolers with autism enrolled in either special education or mainstream settings did not differ significantly, according to a new study. The research demonstrated that some participants improved in core ASD symptoms, while others deteriorated. The preschoolers experienced this phenomenon in both settings.
- A regular exercise program for children and adolescents with autism improves social interaction skills, stimming behavior, and sleeping habits, according to recent research. Interestingly, exercising did not impact or improve participants’ verbal skills or food selectivity. The authors are now recommending highly structured and personalized exercise programs as a complementary therapy for children and adolescents on the spectrum.
- An updated version of the Autism Symptom Dimensions Questionnaire (ASDQ) is considered reliable and valid for evaluating symptoms of autism, according to a study published earlier this month. This revised version of the ASDQ includes 39-items instead of the original 33-item version. The new version can not only identify cases of autism but also provide measurement precision to track individual differences from very low to very high symptom levels.
- The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation will present a webinar titled “Therapeutic Targeting of the Microbiome for Neurodevelopmental Disorders” on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 2:00 pm EST. The lecture is part of the foundation’s “Meet the Scientist” webinar series and will focus on the growing consensus behind a “two hit” hypothesis, wherein a secondary environmental influence initiates changes during development that can contribute to brain and behavioral dysfunction in genetically predisposed children.
