Experimental drug reduces autistic signs in lab mice

Experimental drug reduces autistic signs in lab mice | The Town Talk | thetowntalk.com: An experimental drug reduced two signature characteristics of autism -- repetitive behavior and abnormal social interactions -- in laboratory mice, new research finds.
The drug, GRN-529, targets glutamate, a major neurotransmitter found throughout the brain that's involved with activating neurons, or brain cells. Researchers believe the compound works through a specific glutamate receptor (mGluR5) and decreases glutamate activity.

Autism disorder may have link to smoking

Autism disorder may have link to smoking - UPI.com: Children of women who smoked during pregnancy were more likely to have high-functioning autism, such as Asperger's Disorder, U.S. researchers say.
Lead author Amy Kalkbrenner, assistant professor in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, said those with Asperger's Disorder display significant difficulties in social interaction and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests, but they have linguistic ability.

Index

Because this index has become so large and the information so extensive I have stopped indexing this blog.  Please use the search tool to the right to search this and related sites for the information you are looking for.  I will continue to add new research and articles.  You can also find all the subjects and titles via the associated facebook page linked from the right. 

Higher Levels of Toxic Metals in Blood, Urine of Children with Autism | Psych Central News

 

A proposed link between aging, autism, and oxidation

 

Toilet Training - November 1, 2008 - American Family Physician

 

Investigation of a reinforcement-based toilet training procedure for children with autism

 

Toilet Training for Children with Autism: The Effects of Video Modeling

 

Toilet training individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities

 

A parent training model for toilet training children with autism

 

Teaching a child with challenging behaviour to use the toilet: a clinical case study

 

5 Psych Disorders Have Common Genetics

 

Autism and Medication Hell - AGE OF AUTISM

 

Prenatal inflammation linked to autism risk, January 24, 2013 News Release - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

 

Preventing autism? | Fox News Video

 

Epilepsy drug linked to tenfold increase in autism: researchers - Telegraph

 

Babies Can Guess Other People's Thoughts | Child Development | LiveScience

 

AutisMate: an iPad app for personalized autism therapy | VentureBeat

 

Deep brain stimulation helps with autism

 

Promoting Joint Attention in Toddlers with Autism: A Parent-Mediated Developmental Model

 

Increasing verbal responsiveness in parents of children with autism:a pilot study

 

Autism linked to gut bacteria, study finds | therecord

 

Prenatal Inflammation Linked to Autism | Psych Central News

  

 

Who Can Outgrow or Recover From Autism - WSJ.com

 

Study looks at worm therapy to treat autism | Fox News

Study looks at worm therapy to treat autism | Fox News

   

Study: Some Children May Outgrow Autism - US News and World Report

American parents awarded £600,000 in compensation after their son developed autism as a result of MMR vaccine | Mail Online

 

Early Autism Treatment Benefits Kids' Brains

 

mitochondrial disorders and autism

 

Autism Science Digest: Aluminum Toxicity in Mitochondrial Dysfunction and ASD - AGE OF AUTISM  

 

SSRI Autism Roundup: New Concerns for a New Year

Local Family Using Breakthrough Autism Treatment

 

More Evidence Vitamin D May Reduce Autism Risk

 

7 foods destroying your good mood | Fox News

Autism Linked To Industrial Food Or Environment

Coconut oil, Seizures, Autism and more | Dr. Arturo M. Volpe

Action Imitation at 1½ Years Is Better Than Pointing Gesture in Predicting Late Development of Language Production at 3 Years of Age - Zambrana - 2012 - Child Development - Wiley Online Library

Exploring the Relationship Between Gesture and Language in ASD

Alzheimer’s Tied to Mutation Harming Immune Response - NYTimes.com


Does the brain become unglued in autism?

ScienceBlog.com

Generic Drug May Ease Autism in Children


Health News - Treating Autism, Can Stem Cells Help?


A blood test for autism? - CNN.com


Popular autism treatment might not be effective, study finds


Scientists Reverse the Symptoms of Autism in Mice : Science/Tech : Medical Daily


Effective autism care requires attention to comorbidities, research indicates

Flu During Pregnancy May Be Linked to Autism Risk


Air Pollution May Raise Autism Risk

Dysregulated protein synthesis may be behind autism


Children of scientists and engineers linked to autism


Literally: Foods Like Fish, Walnuts May Improve Mood


Factsheet for autism therapy: essential fatty acids

New DSM-5 Criteria For Autism -- Who Will Be Left Behind?

Could Stem Cells Treat Autism? Newly Approved Study May Tell

Progress Made On Drug For Autism Symptoms


Older Drug Reinvented for Autism

Nasal spray may be able to help autistic children


Form of autism might improve with simple treatment, study says

Polyunsaturated fatty acids help autism spectrum disorders


Father of autistic boy creates an innovative approach to therapy that's bringing children to the table - literally

Experimental drug reduces autistic signs in lab mice



Autism disorder may have link to smoking

New Autism Drug Shows Promise In Lab Studies

New Numbers On Autism As A Disorder Of The Whole Body

Autism Linked to Obesity in Mothers

New tool to diagnose autism within minutes

New Study Reveals New Natural Treatment for Autism

Could autism be reversed with a pill?

Autism research may be about to bear fruit

Pregnancy Length May Influence Severity of Autism

New treatment wipes out autism-like symptoms

People with autism possess greater ability to process information, study suggests

Minocycline to Treat Childhood Regressive Autism

New treatment wipes out autism-like symptoms

Side effects of minocycline treat... [Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2010] - PubMed - NCBI

Parents report a widely prescribed antibiotic is effective for fragile X treatment

A DOUBLE BLIND, PLACEBO CONTROLLED, CROSSOVER

The lack of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein

The Psychiatric Presentation of Fragile X: Evolution of the Diagnosis and Treatment of the Psychiatric Comorbidities of Fragile X Syndrome

Autism: Doctors reverse rare autism disorder in mice that robs girls of their speech and movement

Parent Training Programs

Optimizing Parent Coaches’ Ability to Facilitate Mastery Experiences of Parents of Children with Autism


Parent training: A review of methods for children with autism spectrum disorders

URGENT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND LAWMAKERS: Especially see: the Best Practice Information and the information on Less Expensive Interventions.

Neurofeedback Helps Those With Autistic Disorders, Study Finds

Service Animals: Highlights of the Final Rule to Amend the Department of Justice's Regulation Implementing Title II of the ADA


Gluten-free, casein-free diet may help some children with autism


Download a free PDF version of the parent manual. Autism Center - Family Education

Study compares traits of autism, schizophrenia

Parental Training Plus Meds Most Effective for Autism

Training parents is good medicine for children with autism behavior problems


Toddlers with autism show improved social skills following targeted intervention, finds NIH-supported study

3D technology autism Orlando: 3D technology "Letters alive" helps autistic children at Audubon Park Elementary in Orlando

Autism linked to other disorders

'Love hormone' which makes mothers kinder could help treat autism

Why is Autism on the Rise?

Coconut Oil Touted as Alzheimer's Remedy (Autism also mentioned)

Trained Peers Better at Aiding Autistic Kids with Social Skills

Supporting Families and Caregivers in Everyday Routines

Couple who meet at work have autistic babies?

Study on Autism and Maternal and Paternal Age

Neurofeedback and Autism

Airway abnormality may point to autism

Autistic children have 'too many brain cells in region for emotional development'

Mail Online

Potential Link Found Between Type 2 Diabetes and Autism

Doctors Find Link Between Lyme Disease, Autism

Keeping People With Special Needs Safe

RESEARCHERS have for the first time identified two biologically different strains of autism

New method to detect autism in kids

Ockham's Razor and autism: the case for developmental neurotoxins contributing to a disease of neurodevelopment.

Out of Sync Brain May Be a Clue to Autism

Do Tech-Rich Regions Have More Autism?

'Face blind' sufferers see world like this. But now there's hope -

How Common Is Autism?

Study finds many children with autism improve social skills over time

Serotonin plays role in many autism cases, studies confirm

Educating the Spectrum

Interest in toys predicts autism treatment`s effectiveness in toddlers

A Controlled Trial of a Training Course for Parents of Children with Suspected Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism: Behavioral Therapy Trumps Medication, Studies Say - ABC News

The Development of an Effective Applied Behavioral Analysis... : Infants & Young Children

Five-minute questionnaire identifies subtle signs of autism in one-year olds

Functional Categories of Delayed Echolalia

Functional Categories of Immediate Echolalia

Joint Attention, Social Reciprocity, Mand Training, Mothers as Behavior Analysts

Fever during pregnancy, diabetes and obesity may raise autism risk

Developmental Disabilities on the Rise in U.S.

Pediatric Massage: A Nurturing Intervention for Autism

New study claims 83 autism cases caused by vaccinations

Women who start prenatal vitamins early are less likely to have children with autism

New Research Study on Most Effective Seizure Treatments for Children with Autism...

Brain structure, gene expression differ dramatically in autistic brain: study

Who Will Be Autistic in 2013? Learn More About the New Diagnostic Criteria

Serotonin plays role in many autism cases, studies confirm

Learn the Signs. Act Early.
 
Autism Screening Quiz

PEDS and PEDS:DM
 
Ages and Stages Developmental Screening

Closely Spaced Pregnancies Linked to Increased Autism Risk - ABC News

Asperger syndrome - Google Books

Freaks, geeks and Asperger syndrome ... - Google Books
Freaks, geeks and Asperger syndrome ... - Google Books: "Freaks, geeks and Asperger syndrome: a user guide to adolescence By Luke Jackson"

SpringerLink - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Volume 38, Number 10
SpringerLink - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Volume 38, Number 10: "LEGO® therapy and the Social Use of Language Programme (SULP)

The relationship between executive functioning, central coherence, and repetitive behaviors in the high-functioning autism spectrum — Autism

SpringerLink - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Volume 37, Number 5
SpringerLink - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Volume 37, Number 5: "Abstract
Altered visual exploration of faces likely contributes to social cognition deficits seen in autism.

The Complete Guide to Asperger's ... - Google Books

A cognitive behaviour therapy intervention for anxiety in children with Asperger's syndrome - UQ eSpace

Asperger Syndrome Guide

Asperger's Syndrome-Symptoms

Health Buzz: Autism Study Was an 'Elaborate Fraud' - US News and World Report

Joint attention training for children with autism using behavior modification procedures
 
First Do No Harm: Alternative Medicine Can Be Lethal to Kids

Children with autism and their friends: a multidim... [J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2008] - PubMed result

A social adjustment enhancement intervention for h... [J Autism Dev Disord. 2004] - PubMed result

The effectiveness of parent-child interaction ther... [J Autism Dev Disord. 2008] - PubMed result

Autism Teaching Tools: Play and Language Therapy

Engage With Your Child with Autism

Parent Child Interaction Video Dr. Solomon

Videos By Topic

Parent Training for Young Children With Developmental Disabilities: Randomized Controlled Trial

Autism Speaks, Press Updates, Early Intervention For Toddlers With Autism Highly Effective, Study Finds

Parent implemented early intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review - McConachie - 2006 - Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice - Wiley Online Library

Study finds link between autism, air pollutants - San Jose Mercury News
 
How a gene mutation leads to autism

Clinical Trial For Rett Syndrome Launched -- BOSTON, Dec. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders -- Myers et al. 120 (5): 1162 -- AAP Policy

Early Intervention Improves Autism Symptoms

Targeted intervention improves social skills in toddlers with autism

Cell Energy Dysfunction Seen in Autism Psych Central News

American scientists think they have developed a test – using MRI brain scans – that can determine whether someone has autism.

Now, a simple test to detect autism in minutes!

Children With Autism Appear More Likely To Have Cell Irregularity

Risk of ASDs increased significantly with each 10-year increase in maternal age

Arch Gen Psychiatry -- Abstract: Advancing Paternal Age and Autism

PINNACLE - Behavior Problems of Children With Autism, Parental Self-Efficacy, and Mental Health

New drug to treat autism being tested at New Brunswick hospital mycentraljersey.com MyCentralJersey.com

Opposing Views: Does Attachment Parenting Cause Autism?

Horses becoming a more common therapeutic tool Dothan Eagle

New autism drug tested at New Brunswick hospital APP.com Asbury Park Press

University of Missouri College of Education researchers announced Thursday a new autism curriculum being implemented in two Columbia schools. Researchers are conducting their curriculum in both Lange Middle School and West Junior High. The study is targeting both autistic boys and girls ages eleven to fourteen years old.
 
Distinctive brain activity in autistic kids - World - Mail & Guardian Online

A landmark study proves that children are capable of recovery from autism, or of making substantial gains in cognitive and adaptive functioning, as well as language skills, according to results released last night by Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, founder of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc
 
Testing Autism Drugs in Human Brain Cells - Technology Review

Bracelet may help communication for people with autism Marketplace From American Public Media

DNA Variation Increases Autism and Schizophrenia Risk Chromosome 17, DNA & Genetics My Health News Daily

Infants exposed to the highest levels of thimerosal, a mercury-laden preservative that used to be found in many vaccines, were no more likely to develop autism than infants exposed to small amounts, according to a study conducted by the immunization safety office at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and published in the journal Pediatrics.
 
Autism – Detected By A Simple Urine Test

Can pets help keep you healthy? - Sleepy Eye, MN - The Sleepy Eye Herald Dispatch

Is there a way to eliminate the confusion between autism and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)?
 
Autistic patients’ brains have less communication between regions, study finds The Salt Lake Tribune
 
Dogs may lower stress in children with autism abc7.com

Autism treatment: FDA issues warning on chelation drugs - latimes.com

Jaundice in newborns may be linked to autism - CTV News

Language delays found in siblings of children with autism

Therapy provides hope in abating autism » Features » Tahlequah Daily Press

Kids with autism don't experience contagious yawning - Health - Mental health - msnbc.com

Technology Review: A Drug Shows Promise in Autism

"Swring" Making Impact On Kids With Autism - Health News Story - KXLY Spokane

Toddlers With Autism May Fix Their Eyes On Geometric Patterns Rather Than Children Playing

Where an infant fixes their gaze 'could be an early indicator of autism' Mail Online

APC Protein Connected to Autism and Mental Retardation Psych Central News

Opposing Views: Research: Almost Certainly No Autism "Epidemic"

Autism: MedlinePlus

Scientists identify new drug strategy against fragile X syndrome

Scientists identify new drug strategy against fragile X syndrome

Quick brain scan could screen for autism Reuters

3 different medical trials seek autism cure abc7.com

Researchers Say Alzheimer's Drug May Help Autism - Health News Story - WDIV Detroit

U of L scientists: Promising results in autism treatment WHAS11.com Louisville news, Kentucky news & breaking news WHAS11.com News for Louisville, Kentucky

Parents Can Learn to Teach Social and Language Skills to Children with Autism -- NEW YORK, July 26 /PRNewswire/ --

Autism in kids more prevalent among wealthier parents, study finds - JSOnline

Supported Play Date Interactions Between Children With Autism and Typically Developing Peers

Speech Patterns May ID Kids With Autism

New "Signs of Autism" Findings

Autism Treatment New Strategy : Horseback Riding

Study explores early signs of autism Canada News Toronto Sun

Research presented at autism conference finds no benefit of special diet, potential link between autism risk and fertility treatment - Wellness - TIME.com

Treatment Options and Parent Choice is ABA the only way?

Randomized, controlled trial of an intervention for toddlers with autism: the Early Start Denver Model.

Using Family Context to Inform Intervention Planning for the Treatment of a Child with Autism — Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions

A two-year prospective follow-up study of community-based early intensive behavioural intervention and specialist nursery provision for children with autism spectrum disorders. Iliana Magiati. 2007; Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry - Wiley InterScience

Predictors of Optimal Outcome in Toddlers Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Parent implemented early intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review. Helen McConachie. 2006; Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice - Wiley InterScience

Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders -- Myers et al. 120 (5): 1162 -- Pediatrics

Joint Attention in Children With Autism — Focus Autism Other Dev Disabl

Guidelines for Early Identification, Screening, and Clinical Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders -- Greenspan et al. 121 (4): 828 -- Pediatrics

Focus on autism research - Google Books

Child: Care, Health & Development - Abstract: Volume 29(5) September 2003 p 357-366 Factors affecting family-centred service delivery for children with disabilities.

Expanding Interventions for Children With Autism — Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions

Effects of Low-Intensity Behavioral Treatment for Children with Autism and Mental Retardation
 
The Effects of an Accelerated Parent Education Program on Technique Mastery and Child Outcome — Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions

Engaging Autism: Using the Floortime Approach to Help Children Relate, Communicate, and Think

SpringerLink - Book Chapter: "The effectiveness of interventions for children with autism"
 
Effectiveness of a Home Program Intervention for Young Children with Autism
 
Direct versus indirect response-reinforcer relationships in teaching autistic children
 
The development of a treatment-research project for developmentally disabled and autistic children.

Designing Research Studies on Psychosocial Interventions in Autism
 
Contextualized Behavioral Support in Early Intervention for Children with Autism and Their Families
 
Coaching Families and Colleagues: A Process for Collaboratio... : Infants & Young Children

Can one hour per week of therapy lead to lasting changes in young children with autism? -- Vismara et al. 13 (1): 93 -- Autism

Can Children with Autism Recover? If So, How?
 
The Best Quality Cooperation between Parents and Experts in Early Intervention.

Behavioral Approaches to Promoting Play -- Stahmer et al. 7 (4): 401 -- Autism

The Behaviors of Parents of Children with Autism Predict the Subsequent Development of Their Children's Communication

Vitamin D Recommendations for Kids


Sun-sational Vitamin D: D-fense against disease


Asperger Syndrome, Autism, And Empathy: Study Links 27 Genes


Dr. Anthony Alessi: Sports can help autistic children


New gene for autism gives hope for future


Magnetism tested as autism treatment


Weighted Belt for Autism? -- Research Summary


Popular Autism Treatment Yields No Benefits


Asperger's Diagnoses May Redefine What Is Normal


Help to understand research


Researchers Explore Possible Immune Role in Autism

New Autism Drug Shows Promise In Lab Studies

New Autism Drug Shows Promise In Lab Studies: A report released Wednesday by the National Institutes of Mental Health and Pfizer states a new autism drug known as GRN-529 is showing promise in clinical studies. The drug was used in a recent study of mice that display symptoms similar to those in autistic humans.

New Numbers On Autism As A Disorder Of The Whole Body

New Numbers On Autism As A Disorder Of The Whole Body | CommonHealth: “I have come to believe that just as autism is not simply a genetics problem, it is not simply a brain problem, either. Autism involves the whole body. As a physician, I’ve seen so many autistic children with similar medical problems that I can’t believe it’s just a coincidence…At this point, I think there is enough evidence to say that while autism certainly involves the brain, it is really a problem of the whole body, including the brain, from molecules to cells, from organs to metabolism, from immune to digestive systems.”

Autism Linked to Obesity in Mothers

Autism Linked to Obesity in Mothers - WSJ.com: Researchers said mothers who are obese are significantly more likely to have a child with autism or another developmental abnormality. The finding adds to the increasingly complex picture of possible factors that contribute to the disorders.


Additional Research Information
Maternal Metabolic Conditions and Risk for Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders

New tool to diagnose autism within minutes

New tool to diagnose autism within minutes - NY Daily News: Researchers are developing a new tool that will diagnose autism in young children within mere minutes instead of the hours that it currently takes.
Diagnosing autism is complex and subjective. Dennis Wall, associate professor of pathology and director of computational biology initiative, Harvard Medical School, is working on algorithms to detect autism rapidly and with high accuracy.
They are designed to work within a mobile architecture, combining a small set of questions and a short home video of the subject, to enable rapid online assessments, the journal Nature Translational Psychiatry reports.

New Study Reveals New Natural Treatment for Autism

New Study Reveals New Natural Treatment for Autism - MarketWatch: While the origin of autism mainly resides in the brain, Dr. Shui Yin Lo's research suggests that blockages along the yang meridians that connect the brain to the gastrointestinal tract can be linked to the major clinical symptoms of autism.
An advocate for meridian therapy, Dr. Shui Yin Lo's research in Traditional Chinese Medicine speculates that Qi flows throughout the body on a thin layer of water made of solid, nanometer-sized particles called Stable Water Clusters. Double Helix Water, ultra-pure water made of Stable Water Clusters, could erect bridges over blockages to realign the energy flow, helping the body to heal itself.

Could autism be reversed with a pill? - Daily Dose: A Boston Globe blog with health news, advice, and information.

Could autism be reversed with a pill? - Daily Dose: A Boston Globe blog with health news, advice, and information.: A study out Wednesday in the journal Neuron found that medication could correct the health and behavior problems of mice with a genetic condition known to lead to autism in people. The drug, which acts on the synapses, or gaps, between brain cells, reversed a vast range of symptoms often associated with autism -- including hyperactivity, impaired learning and memory, and extreme sensitivity to sounds.

Autism research may be about to bear fruit

The Associated Press: Autism research may be about to bear fruit: More than $1 billion has been spent over the past decade researching autism. In some ways, the search for its causes looks like a long-running fishing expedition, with a focus on everything from genetics to the age of the father, the weight of the mother, and how close a child lives to a freeway.
That perception may soon change. Some in the field say they are seeing the beginning of a wave of scientific reports that should strengthen some theories, jettison others and perhaps even herald new drugs.

Pregnancy Length May Influence Severity of Autism

Pregnancy Length May Influence Severity of Autism: Children with autism who were born either prematurely or several weeks late may experience more severe symptoms than kids with autism who were born on time, according to a new study.
These children also may be more likely to inflict self-injury, researchers found.
Although the reasons their symptoms are more severe remain unknown, the study suggested it may have something to do with what caused the children to be born before 36 weeks' gestation or after 42 weeks.

New treatment wipes out autism-like symptoms

New treatment wipes out autism-like symptoms | News - Home: "30% of individuals with fragile X syndrome have full autism. Another 30% have an autism spectrum disorder," says Randi Hagerman, M.D., medical director of the mind institute and professor of pediatrics at University of California Davis Medical Center.
Hagermam says she first met Holly when she was just a few months old. The infant's fragile X syndrome was subtle. But "she was extremely delayed," says Hagerman.
As part of a clinical trial Holly started taking a serotonin medication. Then minocycline, a common antibiotic normally used to treat acne was added to her regimen.
"Her developmental testing just improved remarkably," says Hagerman.

People with autism possess greater ability to process information, study suggests

People with autism possess greater ability to process information, study suggests: People with autism have a greater than normal capacity for processing information even from rapid presentations and are better able to detect information defined as 'critical', according to a study published March 22 in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology. The research may help to explain the apparently higher than average prevalence of people with autism spectrum disorders in the IT industry.

Minocycline to Treat Childhood Regressive Autism - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov

Minocycline to Treat Childhood Regressive Autism - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov: There is a subgroup of children with autism that appears to develop typically for a period of time, and then loses social or language skills, or regresses. A recent study by Vargas and co-workers at Johns Hopkins has demonstrated that this regressive type of autism is associated with chronic brain inflammation as shown by an abnormal production of inflammatory cytokines among other abnormalities.

New treatment wipes out autism-like symptoms | News - Home

New treatment wipes out autism-like symptoms | News - Home: "30% of individuals with fragile X syndrome have full autism. Another 30% have an autism spectrum disorder," says Randi Hagerman, M.D., medical director of the mind institute and professor of pediatrics at University of California Davis Medical Center.
Hagermam says she first met Holly when she was just a few months old. The infant's fragile X syndrome was subtle. But "she was extremely delayed," says Hagerman.
As part of a clinical trial Holly started taking a serotonin medication. Then minocycline, a common antibiotic normally used to treat acne was added to her regimen.
"Her developmental testing just improved remarkably," says Hagerman.

Side effects of minocycline treat... [Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2010] - PubMed - NCBI

Side effects of minocycline treat... [Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2010] - PubMed - NCBI: Minocycline can rescue the dendritic spine and synaptic structural abnormalities in the fragile X knock-out mouse. This is a review and preliminary survey to document side effects and potential outcome measures for minocycline use in the treatment of individuals with fragile X syndrome. We surveyed 50 patients with fragile X syndrome who received minocycline for at least 2 weeks and found that the most common reported side effect is gastrointestinal difficulty, including loss of appetite.

Parents report a widely prescribed antibiotic is effective for fragile X treatment

Parents report a widely prescribed antibiotic is effective for fragile X treatment: One of the antibiotics most commonly prescribed to treat adolescent acne can increase attention spans and communication and decrease anxiety in patients with fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited cause of mental impairment, according to a new survey study that is the first published on parents' reports of their children's responses to treatment with the medication.

A DOUBLE BLIND, PLACEBO CONTROLLED, CROSSOVER

A DOUBLE BLIND, PLACEBO CONTROLLED, CROSSOVER



TRIAL OF MINOCYCLINE IN CHILDREN WITH FRAGILE


X SYNDROME

Abstract - SpringerLink

Abstract - SpringerLink: The lack of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) in FXS causes dysregulation and usually overexpression of a number of its target genes, which can cause imbalances of neurotransmission and deficits in synaptic plasticity. The use of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) blockers and gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA) agonists have been shown to be efficacious in reversing cellular and behavioral phenotypes, and restoring proper brain connectivity in the mouse and fly models. Proposed new pharmacological treatments and educational interventions are discussed in this chapter.

The Psychiatric Presentation of Fragile X: Evolution of the Diagnosis and Treatment of the Psychiatric Comorbidities of Fragile X Syndrome

The Psychiatric Presentation of Fragile X: Evolution of the Diagnosis and Treatment of the Psychiatric Comorbidities of Fragile X Syndrome: Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading inherited cause of mental retardation and autism spectrum disorders worldwide. It presents with a distinct behavioral phenotype which overlaps significantly with that of autism. Unlike autism and most common psychiatric disorders, the neurobiology of fragile X is relatively well understood. Lack of the fragile X mental retardation protein causes dysregulation of synaptically driven protein synthesis, which in turn causes global disruption of synaptic plasticity. Thus, FXS can be considered a disorder of synaptic plasticity, and a developmental disorder in the purest sense: mutation of the FMR1 (fragile X mental retardation 1) gene results in abnormal synaptic development in response to experience.

Autism: Doctors reverse rare autism disorder in mice that robs girls of their speech and movement | Mail Online

Autism: Doctors reverse rare autism disorder in mice that robs girls of their speech and movement | Mail Online: Doctors reverse rare autism disorder in mice that robs girls of their speech and movement
Rett Syndrome affects one in 10,000 girls. They typically show symptoms after their first birthday
It is the most physically disabling form of autism, but scientists believe they are close to finding a cure

Parent training: A review of methods for children with autism spectrum disorders 10.1016/j.rasd.2009.02.003 : Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders | ScienceDirect.com

Parent training: A review of methods for children with autism spectrum disorders 10.1016/j.rasd.2009.02.003 : Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders | ScienceDirect.com
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are common in the general childhood population, and are both serious and lifelong. Tremendous strides have been made in the treatment of these ASD in recent years, particularly with respect to psychological interventions. Given the considerable amount of time and cost involved in providing these interventions, parent training and involvement is a particularly appealing intervention option. This paper is a review and status report on evidence based methods that are available for training parents of children with ASD as therapists. Current trends and future directions are discussed.

Optimizing Parent Coaches’ Ability to Facilitate Mastery Experiences of Parents of Children with Autism

Optimizing Parent Coaches’ Ability to Facilitate Mastery Experiences of Parents of Children with Autism: The outcomes of this study reinforce the benefits of sensitizing the core practices of coaching to enhance the capacity of the coaches to influence mastery experiences of parents of children with autism. Since mastery experiences have the most powerful influence on self-efficacy and since self-efficacy can influence the quality of care that parents provide to their children as well as the degree of enjoyment they derive from the parenting experience (Coleman and Karraker, 1997), the practice of sensitizing traditional coaching models could have far-reaching benefits for families of children with autism. However, it is necessary to apply the model to a large sample size of coaches across different programs for children with autism to better understand its strengths and weaknesses. In addition, this model needs to be compared with other models of parent coaching in existence for parents of children with autism.

Abstract - SpringerLink

Abstract - SpringerLink: A number of parent training programs for parents of children with ASD have been developed. An overview and rationale for why parent training for ASD differs from other childhood groups will be described. An overview of the major parent training methods used for ASD, the research to support them, and the effects achieved will be discussed.

Neurofeedback Helps Those With Autistic Disorders, Study Finds

Neurofeedback Helps Those With Autistic Disorders, Study Finds: Research on autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) shows that neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback) can remediate anomalies in brain activation, leading to symptom reduction and functional improvement. This evidence raises the hopes for a behavioral, psychophysiological intervention moderating the severity of ASD.

Service Animals: Fact Sheet -- Highlights of the Final Rule to Amend the Department of Justice's Regulation Implementing Title II of the ADA

Fact Sheet -- Highlights of the Final Rule to Amend the Department of Justice's Regulation Implementing Title II of the ADA: Service Animals. The rule defines "service animal" as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The rule states that other animals, whether wild or domestic, do not qualify as service animals. Dogs that are not trained to perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a disability, including dogs that are used purely for emotional support, are not service animals. The final rule also clarifies that individuals with mental disabilities who use service animals that are trained to perform a specific task are protected by the ADA. The rule permits the use of trained miniature horses as alternatives to dogs, subject to certain limitations. To allow flexibility in situations where using a horse would not be appropriate, the final rule does not include miniature horses in the definition of "service animal."

Gluten-free, casein-free diet may help some children with autism

Gluten-free, casein-free diet may help some children with autism: A gluten-free, casein-free diet may lead to improvements in behavior and physiological symptoms in some children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to researchers at Penn State. The research is the first to use survey data from parents to document the effectiveness of a gluten-free, casein-free diet on children with ASD.

Download a free PDF version of the parent manual. Autism Center - Family Education

National Autism Center - Family Education: Everywhere they turn, parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders are bombarded with treatment choices—all of which claim to be effective. This manual is designed to support parents as they make decisions about their child’s treatment.

It discusses the complexity of diagnostic evaluations for children on the autism spectrum, identifies and describes effective treatments, and outlines the importance of professional judgment and using data to guide treatment decisions. Other topics include the role of family preferences and values in the decision-making process, and how best to determine if a professional or organization has the capacity to provide evidence-based practice for a child with autism.

Download a free PDF version of the parent manual.

Study compares traits of autism, schizophrenia

Study compares traits of autism, schizophrenia: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia are distinct disorders with unique characteristics, but they share similarities in social dysfunction. For many years, this similarity resulted in confusion in diagnosis. Many young people with ASD were thought to have a childhood version of schizophrenia, said Dr. Noah Sasson, assistant professor in the UT Dallas School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
Sasson points out that clear differences exist between people diagnosed with schizophrenia and ASD. Symptoms of ASD can be seen from very early in life, while the onset of schizophrenia typically occurs in young adulthood. And individuals who have schizophrenia often experience hallucinations and delusional thoughts, which are far less common in individuals with ASD.

Parental Training Plus Meds Most Effective for Autism | Psych Central News

Parental Training Plus Meds Most Effective for Autism Psych Central News: In the study, Yale investigators and their colleagues discover that parental training, in addition to medications, provides an improved approach for children with behavioral problems.

Training parents is good medicine for children with autism behavior problems

Training parents is good medicine for children with autism behavior problems: Children with autism spectrum disorders who also have serious behavioral problems responded better to medication combined with training for their parents than to treatment with medication alone, Yale researchers and their colleagues report in the February issue of Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

Toddlers with autism show improved social skills following targeted intervention, finds NIH-supported study, December 8, 2010 News Release - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Toddlers with autism show improved social skills following targeted intervention, finds NIH-supported study, December 8, 2010 News Release - National Institutes of Health (NIH): Targeting the core social deficits of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-pervasive-developmental-disorders/index.shtml) in early intervention programs yielded sustained improvements in social and communication skills even in very young children who have ASD, according to a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health. The study was published online Dec. 8, 2010, in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

3D technology autism Orlando: 3D technology "Letters alive" helps autistic children at Audubon Park Elementary in Orlando - Orlando Sentinel

3D technology autism Orlando: 3D technology "Letters alive" helps autistic children at Audubon Park Elementary in Orlando - Orlando Sentinel: A menagerie of virtual 3-D animals that swim, eat bugs and fly are building crucial reading skills in autistic children at Audubon Park Elementary in Orlando.
Four-year-old Christopher Gómez lined up a set of specialized word and animal cards, including one with the letter 'I' and a picture of an iguana under a camera to compose the sentence, "The iguana can eat."

Autism linked to other disorders - USATODAY.com

Autism linked to other disorders - USATODAY.com: Many children with autism also have other developmental or psychiatric conditions, including learning disabilities, speech delays, attention or seizure disorders and anxiety.
According to new research, some of those co-occurring conditions may explain why autism diagnoses often change as children get older.
In a survey by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, more than one-third of parents with children between 6 and 17 years old reported that their child's diagnosis of autism had changed over time.

'Love hormone' which makes mothers kinder could help treat autism | Mail Online

'Love hormone' which makes mothers kinder could help treat autism Mail Online: 'If that's true, it's really cool, because it suggests that oxytocin breaks down normal social barriers.'However past research has suggested that the hormone could also have a negative impact, prompting participants to become angry and more aggressive.
Confirming this suspicion, Platt observed that within the first hour or two after getting the hormone, the monkeys actually became more selfish and it took a couple of hours for them to become more social and compassionate.

Why is Autism on the rise?

Over the last decade many have asked what the cause has been in the increase of autism. Some of the problem in answering the question arises from the question itself. Too often we look for an explicit cause of something, for example the rise in autism, when there may not be a cause. It is more likely that there are a number of intervening variables which have fed what many consider a substantial rise in the number or percentage of children with the disorder. (I added “many consider” to the previous sentence because there are some who do not believe there is an actual substantial increase in the occurrence of the disorder, only the diagnosis. Some of the articles referenced below will share this differing point of view.)


So, what are some of the intervening variables that appear to have an effect on the rise of autism?

Age of Parents

Fairly recent research has shown a strong correlation between the age of the parents (father and/or mother) and an increased risk of a child being born with autism. As one article states: “Advanced maternal and paternal ages are independently associated with ASD risk.” (a) Are more parents waiting until they are older to have children?

Genetics

It’s commonly understood that genetics play a significant role in many if not most cases of autism. (b)

One or Two Parents with Mild Autistic like Symptoms

This is sometimes seen in parents who are in certain professional fields. (c) When both parents are in these fields, sometimes referred to as systemizing fields, the chances of having a child with autism increase even further. Are more parents working and finding success in these fields than in the past? Are more of these parents meeting others with similar “systemizing” characteristics, and having children together? (see: Empathizing–systemizing theory: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empathizing%E2%80%93systemizing_theory)

“This is sometimes seen in parents who are in professional fields such engineering, computer science, and accounting. “Experts are becoming increasingly concerned that engineers, scientists and computer programmers who meet their partners at work may be fuelling an increase in cases of autism.” (c.1)



Lack of Prenatal Vitamins

A number of research articles have demonstrated a correlation between the lack of some prenatal vitamins and a higher occurrence of Autism. One of these is vitamin D (d), possibly due to greater levels of pollution and fewer hours under the sun. Other vitamins include the folic acids. (d.1.)

Pollution and Toxic Substances (possibly both internal and external) (d)

A number of studies have demonstrated a correlation between the increase of certain pollutants, to include mercury, and possibly other pollutants found close to a busy freeway (e), and higher incidences of autism. There may be a correlation between higher incidences of autism and other pollutants as well.

Better Identification

Better tools and awareness as well as training and expertise have resulted in more children being diagnosed earlier and more correctly. Logically there have been children who may have previously been diagnosed with another disorder, such as a language disorder, and who are now being diagnosed with Autism. (f)

Broader Categorization

This now includes Aspergers (Asbergers) as well as a spectrum disorder, PDD NOS. Many children are diagnosed today, to be found within the autism spectrum who would not have been fifteen, ten, or even five years ago. (g) Some studies have demonstrated that 25% of the increase of autism spectrum diagnoses in California to be correlated with changes in diagnostic criteria. (g.1)

Over Identification

There have always been “popular” diagnoses. ADHD recently when through that phase with a significantly higher percentage of children being diagnosed in the US than Europe. There is a great deal of anecdotal evidence of parents telling their doctor that they think (or know) their child has autism and receiving the diagnosis from the doctor. There has also been a study showing that there is a increased chance of a child receiving the diagnosis when the parent knows another parent with a child with autism. There could be a number of causes for this; however, the study believes the result is over identification. (h)

Diseases

Doctors have found a connection between some mothers who have contracted Lyme disease before or during pregnancy and autism in their children. Though this represents a very small number of children, it may have an impact on some and the treatment of the Lyme disease seems to alleviate the autistic symptoms in the child. (i) There is also a correlation in some cases between prenatal difficulties to include maternal infection and autism.

Gastrointestinal (j)

Other Variables

There are a number of additional variables which while they too are probably not causes of autism, they may have an impact on the child’s development of the disorder.

While the actual percentage of children being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder has increased dramatically, some, perhaps as many as 25% (as demonstrated in some California studies) of the increase is due to changing diagnostic criteria as well as inaccurate diagnoses. This still leaves a substantial increase in the percentage of children with an accurate diagnosis and the corresponding needs for intervention. This is probably due to a combination of risk factors as noted above.

References: With opposing points of view.

Study Fails To Establish Diagnostic Substitution as a Factor in Increased Rate of Autism

http://pharmacotherapyjournal.org/doi/abs/10.1592/phco.24.8.812.36060?journalCode=phco

What's going on? The question of time trends in autism.

http://www.blogger.com/goog_663558501

(a) Maternal and Paternal Age and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders

http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/161/4/334

(b) The Increase in Autism Diagnoses: Two Hypotheses

http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/the-increase-in-autism-diagnoses-two-hypotheses/

(b) Advances in autism genetics: on the threshold of a new neurobiology

http://www.nature.com/nrg/journal/v9/n5/full/nrg2346.html

(b) The Genetics of Autism

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/113/5/e472.short

(c.1) Couple who meet at work have autistic babies?

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Couple-who-meet-at-work-have-autistic-babies/articleshow/10829638.cms

(c) Do Tech-Rich Regions Have More Autism?

http://blogs.wsj.com/ideas-market/2011/06/21/do-tech-rich-regions-have-more-autism/?mod=google_news_blog

(c) Are Autism Spectrum Conditions More Prevalent in an Information-Technology Region? A School-Based Study of Three Regions in the Netherlands

http://www.springerlink.com/content/4n265812pw547773/

(c) Mathematical Talent is Linked to Autism

http://www.springerlink.com/content/21t03377610752g0/

(c) Autism spectrum disorders in relation to parental occupation in technical fields (This article partially contradicts some of the other related articles.)

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aur.84/full

(c) The hyper-systemizing, assortative mating theory of autism

http://www.autismresearchcentre.com/docs/papers/2006_BC_Neuropsychophamacology.pdf

(d) Autism and Vitamin D

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306987707005373

(d.1) Prenatal Vitamins, One-carbon Metabolism Gene Variants, and Risk for Autism

http://www.blogger.com/goog_663558526

(d.1) Folic Acid Supplements in Pregnancy and Severe Language Delay in Children

http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/306/14/1566.short

(e) Proximity to point sources of environmental mercury release as a predictor of autism prevalence

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1353829208000142

(e) Residential Proximity to Freeways and Autism in the CHARGE Study

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3114825/

(e) Mercury and autism: Accelerating Evidence?

http://www.detoxmetals.com/content/AUTISM%20AND%20Hg/autism_reprint.pdf

(e) Autism Spectrum Disorders and Identified Toxic Land Fills: Co-Occurrence Across States

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3091342/

(e) A Significant Factor in Autism: Methyl Mercury Induced Oxidative Stress in Genetically Susceptible Individuals

http://www.springerlink.com/content/t333806128710n2t/

(a)(b)(e) Contributions of the environment and environmentally vulnerable physiology to autism spectrum disorders

http://journals.lww.com/co-neurology/Abstract/2010/04000/Contributions_of_the_environment_and.4.aspx

(f) Identification and Evaluation of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/pediatrics;120/5/1183

(f) Recent Advances in Early Identification and Treatment of Autism

http://cdp.sagepub.com/content/20/5/335.short

(f) Prospective Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Infancy and Toddlerhood Using Developmental Surveillance: The Social Attention and Communication Study

http://journals.lww.com/jrnldbp/Abstract/2010/06000/Prospective_Identification_of_Autism_Spectrum.3.aspx

(f) Pediatricians’ perspectives on identification and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders

http://ecr.sagepub.com/content/8/3/254.short

(f) Identification and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders: an update

http://www.futuremedicine.com/

(g) The increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorders

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1750946710000917

(g) (h) Validity of Three Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) Subtypes— Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, and PDD Not Otherwise Specified

http://www.touchpsychiatry.com/articles/validity-three-pervasive-developmental-disorder-pdd-subtypes-autistic-disorder-asperger-s-d?page=0,4

(g.1) Diagnostic change and the increased prevalence of autism

http://ije.oxfordjournals.org/content/38/5/1224.short

(g) (h) Social Influence and the Autism Epidemic

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2927813/

(h) The challenges of diagnosing Autism spectrum disorder in the community

http://gradworks.umi.com/34/81/3481401.html

(h) Stability of Initial Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnoses in Community Settings

http://www.springerlink.com/content/4k15g10321560507/

(i) Doctors find link between Lyme disease, Autism

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/09/27/doctors-find-link-between-lyme-disease-autism/

(i)A Qualitative and Quantitative Review of Obstetric Complications and Autistic Disorder

http://www.springerlink.com/content/b27wwmu86966r987/

(i)Immune involvement in schizophrenia and autism: Etiology, pathology and animal models

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166432808006980

(i) The Time of Prenatal Immune Challenge Determines the Specificity of Inflammation-Mediated Brain and Behavioral Pathology

http://www.jneurosci.org/content/26/18/4752.short

(j) Autism and gastrointestinal symptoms

http://www.springerlink.com/content/h02x77hu54672212/

Coconut Oil Touted as Alzheimer's Remedy - Health & Science - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CBN.com

Coconut Oil Touted as Alzheimer's Remedy - Health & Science - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CBN.com: An estimated 5.4 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and that number is expected to increase exponentially as baby boomer generation enters their golden years.
But for some people, coconut oil has proven to slow the progression of Alzheimer's and may have even prevented it.