Screening

Automated Imaging Inroduced To Greatly Speed Whole-Brain Mapping Efforts

Submitted by Anonymous on January 17, 2012 - 07:44
Source: 
Medical News Today
Link: 
Automated Imaging Inroduced To Greatly Speed Whole-Brain Mapping Efforts
Date Published: 
January 17, 2012
Abstract: 

A new technology developed by neuroscientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) transforms the way highly detailed anatomical images can be made of whole brains.

Movement during brain scans may lead to spurious patterns

Submitted by Anonymous on January 16, 2012 - 10:05
Source: 
SFARI
Link: 
Movement during brain scans may lead to spurious patterns
Date Published: 
January 16, 2011
Abstract: 

Head movements taint the results of many brain imaging studies, particularly those analyzing children or individuals with autism. That’s the sobering message from two independent studies published over the past few months in NeuroImage.

67% More Prefrontal Brain Neurons In Children With Autism

Submitted by Anonymous on November 9, 2011 - 09:02
Source: 
Medical News Today
Link: 
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/237224.php
Date Published: 
November 8, 2011
Abstract: 

A small study found that male children with autism had larger brain weights and 67% more prefrontal brain neurons than children without autism.

Association Between Behavioral Features and Gastrointestinal Problems Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Submitted by dawnacrawford on October 28, 2011 - 09:55
Source: 
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - Maenner, M.J. et al.
Link: 
http://www.springerlink.com/content/b23217521067w850/
Date Published: 
October 25, 2011
Year Published: 
2011

Recent reports suggest certain behaviors among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may indicate underlying gastro-intestinal (GI) problems, and that the presence of these behaviors may help alert primary care providers to the need to evaluate a child with ASD for GI problems. The purpose of this population-based study of 487 children with ASD, including 35 (7.2%) with a medically documented history of GI problems, was to compare behavioral features of children with and without a history of GI problems. Unusual sleeping or eating habits and oppositional behavior were significantly associated with GI problems. These behaviors, however, were frequent in both children with and without GI problems, suggesting they may have limited utility in a screening capacity for GI problems.

University of Missouri researchers have found distinct differences between the facial characteristics of children with autism compared to those of typically developing children.

Submitted by Anonymous on October 24, 2011 - 08:17
Source: 
Medical News Today
Link: 
Article
Date Published: 
October 22, 2011
Abstract: 

The face and brain develop in coordination, with each influencing the other, beginning in the embryo and continuing through adolescence. Now, University of Missouri researchers have found distinct differences between the facial characteristics of children with autism compared to those of typically developing children...

Having A Child With Autism Linked To Genetic Variant And Autoantibodies: Finding May Lead To Screening Test

Submitted by Anonymous on October 20, 2011 - 07:34
Source: 
Medical News Today
Link: 
Article
Date Published: 
October 20, 2011
Abstract: 

A study by researchers at UC Davis has found that pregnant women with a particular gene variation are more likely to produce autoantibodies to the brains of their developing fetuses and that the children of these mothers are at greater risk of later being diagnosed with autism.

Diagnosing Autism At A Younger Age Could Lead To Earlier Interventions

Submitted by Anonymous on October 16, 2011 - 19:28
Source: 
Medical News Today
Link: 
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/236003.php
Date Published: 
October 16, 2011
Abstract: 

Autism is normally diagnosed between the ages of 2 and 3, but new research is finding symptoms of autism spectrum disorders in babies as young as 12 months.

New Finding Provides Insight Into The Psychology Of Autism-Spectrum Disorders

Submitted by Anonymous on October 12, 2011 - 08:41
Source: 
Medical News Today
Link: 
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/235835.php
Date Published: 
October 12, 2010
Abstract: 

Researchers from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have isolated a very specific difference in how high-functioning people with autism think about other people, finding that - in actuality - they don't tend to think about what others think of them at all.

Boys With Autism May Grow Faster as Babies

Submitted by dawnacrawford on October 7, 2011 - 10:08
Source: 
US News HealthDay
Link: 
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2011/10/07/boys-with-autism-may-grow-faster-as-babies
Date Published: 
October 7, 2011
Abstract: 

Boys with autism tend to grow faster as babies, with differences from typically developing infants seen in their head size, height and weight, a new study says. Researchers said the findings may offer new clues about the underlying mechanisms of autism. A larger head size probably means the children also have a larger brain.

US researchers' discovery promises answers on autism

Submitted by Anonymous on September 7, 2011 - 23:00
Source: 
The Australian
Link: 
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/us-researchers-discovery-promises-answers-on-autism/story-e6frg8y6-1226131763200
Date Published: 
September 8, 2011
Abstract: 

Researchers have for the first time identified two biologically different strains of autism in a major breakthrough being compared with the discovery of different forms of cancer in the 1960s. The findings, to be announced at an international autism conference in Perth today, are seen as a key step towards understanding the causes of autism and developing effective treatments as well as a cure. The findings bring hope that the communication, socialization and other difficulties that autistic children experience can be tackled more easily and earlier.