November 18, 2024
- New British research has explored the prevalence of physical health conditions in individuals with autism compared to a control group without autism or mental health conditions. Findings revealed that individuals with autism face a higher risk of various physical health issues, spanning multiple organ systems, and this risk persists into older adulthood. Notably, conditions such as epilepsy, liver and kidney disease, osteoporosis, and dementia were significantly more common in the autism cohort. Comorbid intellectual disability was associated with an elevated risk for certain health conditions. These findings align with previous research but also highlight novel associations, underscoring the need for further investigation into health disparities in the ASD population, particularly in older adults and those with intellectual disabilities.
- A new study published in ACS Nano demonstrates a promising biomedical tool that delivers genetic material to fetal brain cells, potentially halting the progression of neurodevelopmental disorders like Angelman syndrome and Rett syndrome before birth. The research, led by UC Davis and UC Berkeley, used lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver mRNA, which encodes the Cas9 enzyme for gene editing. The method successfully edited 30% of neural stem cells in mouse models, with corrected cells proliferating throughout the brain. These findings suggest a novel in-utero treatment strategy that could prevent severe neurological symptoms by intervening during early brain development, offering hope for prenatal genetic therapies.
- Egyptian researchers recently analyzed the gut microbiome composition in children with ASD compared to typically developing (TD) children, emphasizing species-level analysis. While no significant differences were observed at the genus level for Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, species-specific disparities emerged, with lower counts of L. plantarum and L. reuteri in the ASD group. These alterations were linked to sensory and behavioral features of ASD, rather than overall severity. The findings suggest that individualized probiotic interventions, tailored based on detailed gut microbiome profiling, may offer better-targeted symptom relief, highlighting the need for precise, personalized approaches in future probiotic therapies for ASD.
- Autism BrainNet, a program of the Simons Foundation, reported a 39% increase in brain donations from 2022-2023 compared to the previous three years, aiding critical autism research. The rise in donations has enabled 46 new research studies, with nearly 10 more in review. The program preserves donated brain tissue for decades, allowing scientists to study autism at the cellular and molecular levels—an analysis not possible with current technologies like MRI. The tissue bank is open to donations from individuals with autism, related genetic diagnoses, and neurotypical individuals. Autism BrainNet collaborates with families and advocacy groups to support the donation process, providing a 24/7 helpline.
