Popular autism treatment might not be effective, study finds | www.statesman.com: “We’re not saying (sensory integration therapy) doesn’t work,” said Mark O’Reilly, a co-author and professor at UT. “It lacks scientific evidence.”
Lead author Russell Lang said the review should help families, occupational therapists and others identify research-based treatment options.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Scientists Reverse the Symptoms of Autism in Mice : Science/Tech : Medical Daily
Scientists Reverse the Symptoms of Autism in Mice : Science/Tech : Medical Daily: Researchers used a cancer drug that reversed synaptic hyperactivity. The drug reversed the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. In addition, even though autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, the drug worked for adult mice.
Scientists are measured in their enthusiasm, however. Several treatments have shown promise in mice only to be ineffective in humans. Autism spectrum disorder is caused by many genetic underpinnings, each of which makes up only 1 percent of cases. The drug used was also too toxic to be used in humans.
Scientists are measured in their enthusiasm, however. Several treatments have shown promise in mice only to be ineffective in humans. Autism spectrum disorder is caused by many genetic underpinnings, each of which makes up only 1 percent of cases. The drug used was also too toxic to be used in humans.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Effective autism care requires attention to comorbidities, research indicates - amednews.com
Effective autism care requires attention to comorbidities, research indicates - amednews.com: Caring for youths with autism spectrum disorder can be overwhelming for some primary care physicians because of the multiple comorbid conditions that often accompany ASD, said Boston pediatrician James M. Perrin, MD. Such conditions commonly include constipation, insomnia and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
But treating these associated health issues often helps children with ASD feel better and can improve their behavior and performance in school, said Dr. Perrin, a professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School in Boston and president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He also is editor of a special supplement on ASD that was published online Nov. 1 in Pediatrics.
But treating these associated health issues often helps children with ASD feel better and can improve their behavior and performance in school, said Dr. Perrin, a professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School in Boston and president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He also is editor of a special supplement on ASD that was published online Nov. 1 in Pediatrics.
Flu During Pregnancy May Be Linked to Autism Risk
Flu During Pregnancy May Be Linked to Autism Risk: Children born to mothers who had the flu during pregnancy or fevers lasting more than a week may have a slightly higher risk for autism, new research suggests.
"Our findings are interesting for research purposes, but they should not alarm women who are pregnant," says researcher Hjordis Osk Atladottir, MD, PhD, of Denmark’s University of Aarhus. "It needs to be emphasized that around 98% of the women in this study who experienced influenza or fever or took antibiotics during pregnancy did not have children with autism."
"Our findings are interesting for research purposes, but they should not alarm women who are pregnant," says researcher Hjordis Osk Atladottir, MD, PhD, of Denmark’s University of Aarhus. "It needs to be emphasized that around 98% of the women in this study who experienced influenza or fever or took antibiotics during pregnancy did not have children with autism."
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Air Pollution May Raise Autism Risk
Air Pollution May Raise Autism Risk: "Children exposed to higher levels of traffic-related pollutants during pregnancy or during the first year of life were at increased risk of autism compared to children exposed to the lowest level," says Heather E. Volk, PhD, MPH, assistant professor of research at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.
Dysregulated protein synthesis may be behind autism
Dysregulated protein synthesis may be behind autism - PakTribune: Regulation of protein synthesis, also termed mRNA translation, is the process by which cells manufacture proteins. This mechanism is involved in all aspects of cell and organism function.
A new study in mice by researchers from McGill University and the University of Montreal has found that abnormally high synthesis of a group of neuronal proteins called neuroligins results in symptoms similar to those diagnosed in ASD.
A new study in mice by researchers from McGill University and the University of Montreal has found that abnormally high synthesis of a group of neuronal proteins called neuroligins results in symptoms similar to those diagnosed in ASD.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Children of scientists and engineers linked to autism
Children of scientists and engineers linked to autism - Honolulu Health Care | Examiner.com: Scientific America on November 14, 2012 published results of multiple studies linking children with autism to parents of technically minded people. One study conducted back in 1997 on 2,000 people in Great Britain found 12.5 percent of the fathers of children with autism listed their occupation as an engineer compared to 5 percent of fathers without a child with autism. Later research found scientists, computer programmers and mathematicians showed higher rates as well.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Happy Meals - Literally: Foods Like Fish, Walnuts May Improve Mood
Happy Meals - Literally: Foods Like Fish, Walnuts May Improve Mood: Scientists already knew that certain elements of the diet can affect
the brain. Cultures that follow diets rich in fish with high amounts of
omega-3 fatty acids, such as sardines, anchovies, salmon and mackerel, tend
to show less major depression, Cohen said.
the brain. Cultures that follow diets rich in fish with high amounts of
omega-3 fatty acids, such as sardines, anchovies, salmon and mackerel, tend
to show less major depression, Cohen said.
Factsheet for autism therapy: essential fatty acids (EFA) | Healing Thresholds
Factsheet for autism therapy: essential fatty acids (EFA) | Healing Thresholds: Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are compounds that cannot be made by the body, but are required for many crucial biochemical processes. There are two groups of EFAs: omega-6 and omega-3. The relative levels of these two groups of EFAs are critical to the health and development of the brain and the body. If the level of omega-6 is much higher than the level of omega-3 in the diet, there can be negative effects on cognition, mood, and behavior
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