Prenatal External Environmental Exposure Linked to Increased Risk of ASD in Offspring
Study Finds That Valproic Acid Exposed Children Had a Higher Risk of Disorder than Non-Exposed Children Valproic acid (VPA) is a clinical drug used to treat epilepsy and mood disorders. Pregnancy exposure to the medication has been previously associated with a significant increase of autism risk in offspring. This previous research also showed that children […]
MIND Institute Reports ASD Characteristics Can Change Significantly Between Ages 3 to 11
About 50% of Children with Autism Had a Notable Change in the Severity of Their Symptoms The Autism Phenome Project (APP) was started in 2006 at UC Davis’s MIND Institute by Research Director David Amaral. The project includes a collaboration of numerous MIND Institute faculty and staff. It is intended to gather biological and behavioral […]
COVID with Schizophrenia Proves to be a Fatal Combination for Many
New Data Indicates that Immune System Dysfunction Could be Culprit for Deadly Outcome Shocking new research published in JAMA Psychiatry shows that individuals with schizophrenia were nearly three times as likely to die from COVID-19 as the general population. This risk of dying from the virus is higher than those with diabetes, heart disease, […]
New Brain Pathway to Fear Discovered
The Human Sensory Cortex Stores Memories of Past Frightening Experiences Researchers from Florida State University have made a groundbreaking discovery involving fear pathways in the human brain. For years, scientists considered the amygdala to be the epicenter of fear processing in the brain. The almond-shaped brain structure was believed to be largely responsible for […]
Gestational Exposure to BPA May Be Associated with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Review Summarizes the Developmental Neurotoxicity of BPA in Lab Animals A new literature review has examined the correlation between exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in humans. NDDs refer to nervous system disorders caused by changes in brain development. These disorders include autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual disability […]
Can an Autism Hug Machine Help Control Challenging Behaviors of Children on the Spectrum?
Recent Study Suggests Deep Pressure Provided by One Type of Device Can Be Calming Deep pressure has been widely used by occupational therapists who work with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The deep pressure sensation is thought to regulate the sensory system, reducing the symptoms of stress and anxiety of individuals on the spectrum. […]
