Causes Of Autism Illuminated: Researchers Map A Molecular Network Of Crucial Protein Interactions

Causes Of Autism Illuminated: Researchers Map A Molecular Network Of Crucial Protein Interactions: Ever since the human genome was mapped, scientists (and those of us cheering from the sidelines) have been hoping to find the genetic basis for various diseases, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). After a decade of research, however, it is clear the process is not just a matter of sequencing the genome of a group of patients and then figuring out which genetic variation all of them share — to understand the origins of disease, scientists also need to learn all the tiny, atom-sized interactions involved. In a new study, Stanford University researchers mapped an entire molecular network of crucial protein interactions that contribute to autism.

Brain inflammation a shared trait in autism, study finds | Fox News

Brain inflammation a shared trait in autism, study finds | Fox News: A new study on gene expression in brains affected by autism revealed a shared pattern of ramped-up immune responses that researchers say may lead to possible treatment options for some symptoms of the developmental disorder.

Researchers from John Hopkins and the University of Alabama at Birmingham analyzed data collected from 72 autopsied autism and control brains. The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, focused on samples from two different tissue banks and compared the gene expressions in people with autism to that in controls without the condition.

Early Intervention for Children with Autism: Parental Priorities

It has been recognised for some time that early intervention for children with disabilities should not only focus on child outcomes but must also recognise the integral role families play in the development of their child (Bailey et al., 1998). Services that support families have frequently been discussed in terms of their family-centredness, and research has focused on identifying critical dimensions of family-centred practice (Allen & Petr, 1996; Bailey et al., 1998; Begun, 1996; Dunst, Trivette & Deal, 1994; Keen & Knox, 2004; Knox et al., 2000; Murray, 2000; Turnbull & Turnbull, 2001). Fundamental to a family-centred approach is the importance of matching early intervention support with the unique characteristics of each child and family (Bailey et al., 1990). As stated by Dunst et al. (1994), 'the greatest impact on child, parent, and family functioning is most likely to occur when interventions are based upon the needs, aspirations, and desires a family considers important' (p. 9).