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Autism Spectrum Disorders

Researchers uncover a crucial link between protein synthesis and autism spectrum disorders

Researchers from McGill University and the University of Montreal have identified a crucial link between protein synthesis and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which can bolster new therapeutic avenues. Regulation of protein ...

Autism spectrum disorders created Nov 21, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

SIT, popular autism treatment, lacks scientific evidence

(Medical Xpress)—One of the most popular intervention therapies for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) lacks scientific support according to a literature review published by University of Texas at Austin professor ...

Autism spectrum disorders created Nov 20, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Youth with autism gravitate toward STEM majors in college—if they get there

It's a popularly held belief that individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) gravitate toward STEM majors in college (science, technology, engineering mathematics).

Autism spectrum disorders created Nov 15, 2012 | popularity 2 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Study explores possible tie between fever, flu in pregnancy and autism

(HealthDay)—Children of mothers who contract the flu or have a prolonged fever while pregnant may have a very slight increased risk of developing autism spectrum disorder, a new study suggests.

Autism spectrum disorders created Nov 12, 2012 | popularity 3.7 / 5 (3) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Link found between child prodigies and autism

(Medical Xpress)—A new study of eight child prodigies suggests a possible link between these children's special skills and autism.

Autism spectrum disorders created Nov 09, 2012 | popularity 3.8 / 5 (4) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Autism Speaks announces the release of new genetic data for researchers

Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, is proud to announce the release of biological and clinical data from 383 new families participating in Autism Speaks Autism Genetic Resource Exchange ...

Autism spectrum disorders created Nov 08, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Uncovering secrets of how intellect and behavior emerge during childhood

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have shown that a single protein plays an oversized role in intellectual and behavioral development. The scientists found that mutations in a single ...

Genetics created Nov 08, 2012 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (4) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Research advances understanding of autism

(Medical Xpress)—Research by scientists from the Centre for Brain Research at the University of Auckland has uncovered new information about the mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), to be published in ...

Autism spectrum disorders created Nov 07, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Early treatment sparks striking brain changes in autism

When given early treatment, children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) made significant improvements in behavior, communication, and most strikingly, brain function, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in a new ...

Autism spectrum disorders created Nov 06, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Brain imaging alone cannot diagnose autism

In a column appearing in the current issue of the journal Nature, McLean Hospital biostatistician Nicholas Lange, ScD, cautions against heralding the use of brain imaging scans to diagnose autism and urges greater focus ...

Autism spectrum disorders created Nov 02, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

More evidence needed to support use of autism interventions

Interventions designed to improve core deficits in children with autism spectrum disorders are supported by varying levels of evidence, highlighting the need for well-designed studies to better evaluate the interventions, ...

Autism spectrum disorders created Nov 01, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Study suggests too much risk associated with SSRI usage and pregnancy

Elevated risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, neonatal health complications and possible longer term neurobehavioral abnormalities, including autism, suggest that a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake ...

Obstetrics & gynaecology created Oct 31, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

At 6 months, development of children with autism like those without

The development of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is much like that of children without ASD at 6 months of age, but differs afterwards. That's the main finding of the largest prospective, longitudinal study ...

Autism spectrum disorders created Oct 30, 2012 | popularity 1 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Early intervention improves social skills and brain activity in preschoolers with autism, study finds

The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), a comprehensive behavioral early intervention program that is appropriate for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as young as 12 months, has been found to be ...

Autism spectrum disorders created Oct 26, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Are schizophrenia and autism close relations?

(Medical Xpress)—Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), a category that includes autism, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder, are characterized by difficulty with social interaction and communication, or repetitive ...

Autism spectrum disorders created Oct 23, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast


The term "autism spectrum" is often used to describe disorders that are currently classified as pervasive developmental disorders. Pervasive developmental disorders include autism, Asperger syndrome, Childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. These disorders are typically characterized by social deficits, communication difficulties, stereotyped or repetitive behaviors and interests, and/or cognitive delays. Although these diagnoses share some common features, individuals with these disorders are thought to be "on the spectrum" because of differences in severity across these domains.

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