New Study Points to Abnormal Cholesterol Metabolism Association with Autism
Using DNA analyses of brain samples, a team of scientists from Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Northwestern University has recently established a link between lipid dysfunction and autism. The researchers assert that dyslipidemia is a new subtype of autism, which they maintain is caused by a cluster of genes which regulate cholesterol metabolism and brain development. While confident in their findings, the authors acknowledge that their new discovery leads to new questions, two of the most critical being, how do lipid variations cause neurodevelopmental dysfunction and could repairing lipid metabolism improve disease outcomes?
New Version of Bumetanide May Treat Autism While Reducing Side Effects
talian researchers report that a new small molecule they developed has reduced autism brain pathology in a mouse model of autism. The compound was also effective in reducing the core autism-like social and repetitive behaviors in the valproic acid (VPA) mouse model of ASD.
Marijuana Use During Pregnancy Linked to Autism
A new Canadian study which examined 500,000 births in Ontario between 2007 and 2012 found that .6% of pregnant mothers used Cannabis while pregnant. Of the total birth cohort of 500,000, 1.4% of children later received an autism diagnosis. That number increased to 2.2% for children whose mothers used marijuana during pregnancy. Public health institutions in Canada and the United States have long warned pregnant women to abstain from Cannabis while pregnant.
New Study Links Autism and Melatonin System Disturbances
Authors Hope Their Research Leads to New Treatments for ASD The majority of individuals with autism have low melatonin levels which can lead to a myriad of conditions including sleep disturbances, emotional regulation disorders, sensory processing dysfunction, inflammation throughout the body and gastrointestinal disorders. A new study out of China believes that understanding the interplay […]
Young Adults with Severe Autism Need Fewer Supports if Competitively Employed
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University published an additional analysis of an on-going study of employment outcomes using the Project SEARCH model for young adults who are significantly impacted by autism. The model is a partnership of local hospitals, schools, and the departments of vocational rehabilitation.
Recommended Autism Screenings Occur About 50% of the Time Per AAP Guidelines
A new study published in Pediatrics reported that autism screenings recommended at 18 and 24 months per American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines take place only 54% of the time. This lower than predicted percentage rate may be due to screening gaps found in two populations: Hispanic children and children who see family practice physicians instead of pediatricians.
