Scientists Create New Technology to Diagnose and Treat Autism - Yahoo! News

Scientists Create New Technology to Diagnose and Treat Autism - Yahoo! News: A team of scientists from the Indiana University School of Medicine and Rutgers University have developed a computerized tool that tracks an individual's random movements, according to ScienceDaily. The high-tech software creates 240 images per second and senses systematic signatures unique to the individual being screened. This contrasts with the traditional way of looking for autism, which usually relies on subjective evaluations of how a person interacts socially, any communication deficits, and interests and behavior that appear repetitive and restricted.

Autism linked to brain-attacking antibodies Page 1 of 2 | UTSanDiego.com

Autism linked to brain-attacking antibodies Page 1 of 2 | UTSanDiego.com: About 23 percent of autism cases appear to be caused by certain antibodies from pregnant mothers that interfere with fetal brain development, according to two studies from UC Davis researchers.

The findings, if corroborated, mean that a large segment of autism spectrum disorder cases could be identified with near-perfect accuracy, even before symptoms manifest. But the research doesn't shed light on the great majority of other cases of ASD; in which a variety of factors appear to be involved.

High levels of air pollution during pregnancy linked to increased autism risk - NY Daily News

High levels of air pollution during pregnancy linked to increased autism risk - NY Daily News: Pregnant women who were exposed to high levels of air pollution were twice as likely to have a child with autism as women who lived in low pollution areas, a Harvard University study said on Tuesday.

According to researchers, this is the first large national study to examine links between the prevalence of pollution and the development of the developmental disorder.

Prenatal Exposure to Pollution Raises Risk of Autism in Kids | TIME.com

Prenatal Exposure to Pollution Raises Risk of Autism in Kids | TIME.com: Pollutants in the air are known to affect brain development, but the first national study of in utero exposure and autism rates raises new concerns.


Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) say that early-life exposure to pollution, including diesel particulates, mercury and lead, could contribute to a higher risk of autism disorders.

Autism in children affects not only social abilities, but also a broad range of sensory and motor skills

Autism in children affects not only social abilities, but also a broad range of sensory and motor skills: "This impaired connectivity suggests that autism is not simply a disorder of social and communicative abilities, but also affects a broad range of sensory and motor systems," Müller said.

Disturbances in the development of both the structure and function of the thalamus may play a role in the emergence of social and communicative impairments, which are among the most prominent and distressing symptoms of autism.

Unique Brain Pattern Could Predict Autism in Youngest Children | TIME.com

Unique Brain Pattern Could Predict Autism in Youngest Children | TIME.com: A highly interconnected brain could mean that signals zooming from sensory nerves to other networks become too overwhelming to parse apart and process, which researchers believe is a hallmark of the autistic brain. And in a study published in JAMA Psychiatry, Stanford University researchers report that this pattern of hyperconnectivity in some brain areas could provide a fingerprint for autism that helps doctors to recognize the condition at its earliest stages.

The Right Incentive Can Erase an Autism Deficit: Scientific American

The Right Incentive Can Erase an Autism Deficit: Scientific American: With the right incentive, such as winning a prize, children with autism do fairly well at inferring the thoughts and beliefs of others, according to a study published in the May issue of Developmental Science.

Research has shown that children with autism usually struggle with a widely used test designed to gauge this ability, called theory of mind. The new study suggests that they are able to grasp theory of mind, but don’t have a strong motivation to give the correct answer when taking the classic test.

Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection: In-Vitro Technique Raises Autism Risk

Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection: In-Vitro Technique Raises Autism Risk: Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection, in which a sperm surgically extracted from the testes is injected directly into an egg before being transplanted to the womb, was associated with an increased risk of autism and mental disability in children, compared with standard methods.

Some forms of IVF linked to risk of autism, mental disability | Reuters

Some forms of IVF linked to risk of autism, mental disability | Reuters: Couples who have certain types of fertility treatment have a higher chance of having a child with autism or learning difficulties - although the overall risk is still extremely small, scientists said on Tuesday.

Updates to the APA in DSM-V – What do the changes mean to families living with Autism? Includes information on many kinds of interventions.

Excellent video, worth taking the time to watch.

Eating Healthy Fats During Pregnancy May Reduce Baby's Autism Risk | LiveScience

Eating Healthy Fats During Pregnancy May Reduce Baby's Autism Risk | LiveScience: Women who eat certain types of "healthy fat" during pregnancy may reduce their risk of having a child with autism, a new study suggests.

In the study, women who consumed high levels of linoleic acid — a type of omega-6 fatty acid found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds — were 34 percent less likely to give birth to a child with autism compared with women who consumed low levels of the nutrient.