Early-Life Sleep Disruption Associated with a Higher Autism Risk
A new study from the Graham Diering Lab at UNC School of Medicine provides critical insights into how early-life sleep disruption can impair brain development and increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Community Shares | October 28th 2024
This Week’s Articles:
- Researchers are investigating how environmental factors, such as exposure to pyrethroid insecticides, may interact with genetic predispositions to increase the risk of ASD.
- A recent meta-analysis highlights that executive function delays—such as difficulties with attention, impulse control, switching focus, planning, organizing, and problem-solving—are common across neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD, autism and Tourette’s syndrome.
- A new study has examined the link between prenatal exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) from specific sources and the risk of ASD in over 300,000 mother-child pairs in southern California.
- Don’t miss this opportunity to explore groundbreaking research on the effects of prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a common endocrine-disrupting chemical found in plastics, and its potential role in neurodevelopmental disorders like ASD.
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
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.
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).
