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Autism spectrum disorders news

Genetics

Knocking out one key gene leads to autistic traits, mouse study shows

More than 70 genes have been linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a developmental condition in which differences in the brain lead to a host of altered behaviors, including issues with language, social communication, ...

Autism spectrum disorders

National data indicate that autistic birthing people are at increased risk for postpartum anxiety and depression

American women have the highest rate of maternal deaths among high-income countries, with outcomes worse for minoritized groups.

Autism spectrum disorders

Sibling secrets: Autism's impact on family ties

A recent study provides fresh insights into the dynamics of sibling relationships in families with a child diagnosed with autism. This research explores the unique perspectives of both mothers and siblings, unveiling fascinating ...

Neuroscience

Cancer drug could ease cognitive function for some with autism

An experimental cancer drug could make thinking easier for individuals with Rett syndrome, a rare disorder linked to autism, according to new research from the University of California San Diego—a discovery that could lead ...

Neuroscience

Researchers discover a new face-detecting brain circuit

Scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have uncovered a brain circuit in primates that rapidly detects faces. The findings help not only explain how primates sense and recognize faces, but could also have implications ...

Psychology & Psychiatry

Researchers discover solutions to gender bias in autism diagnoses

A multidisciplinary study published in Biological Psychiatry and led by the University of Minnesota demonstrated that an equal number of girls and boys can be identified as having concerns for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ...

Autism spectrum disorders

Mother's blood may carry the secret to one type of autism

Autism is a neurodevelopment condition affecting 1 in 44 children in the U.S. It has a wide range of characteristics with different intensities and causes. One type of autism is maternal autoantibody-related autism spectrum ...

Neuroscience

Artificial neural networks model facial processing in autism

Many of us easily recognize emotions expressed in others' faces. A smile may mean happiness, while a frown may indicate anger. Autistic people often have a more difficult time with this task. It's unclear why. But new research, ...

Autism spectrum disorders

AI detects autism speech patterns across different languages

A new study led by Northwestern University researchers used machine learning—a branch of artificial intelligence—to identify speech patterns in children with autism that were consistent between English and Cantonese, ...

Genetics

Broad spectrum of autism depends on spectrum of genetic factors

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is referred to as a "spectrum" because clinical features of ASD range from mild social impairments in some people to severe intellectual disability or epilepsy in others. Genetic studies have ...

Autism spectrum disorders

Could beating drums help beat autism?

The percussive skill needed to bang out rhythms on a drum may help improve socializing, inhibition control and focus among teens with autism, new research suggests.

Medications

Prenatal exposure to certain antiseizure meds linked to autism

Prenatal exposure to topiramate, valproate, and certain duotherapies is associated with increased risks for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID), according to a study published online May 31 in ...

Psychology & Psychiatry

Evaluating a new form of therapy for autistic individuals

A doctoral thesis at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has investigated whether Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be used for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The results show that the treatment can be carried ...

Autism spectrum disorders

Autism-friendly MRI for more inclusive medical imaging

Autism is neither a disorder nor a disease; it is part of neurodiversity, which affects the wiring of the brain and may impact on how autistic people communicate and interact with the world. About one in 100 people are autistic ...

Autism spectrum disorders

Autistic adults report high rates of COVID-19 vaccination

As reported in 2021, autistic adults, adults with intellectual disability and adults with mental health diagnoses have multiple risk factors for COVID-19 infection, and more severe disease if contracted. Public health messaging ...

Autism spectrum disorders

Does autism begin in the womb?

An international research group led by Professor Toru Takumi (Senior Visiting Scientist, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research) and Researcher Chia-wen Lin at Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine has shown ...