ScienceDaily: Autism News
Updated : Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:05:01 EDT

Brain's master switch is verified
The protein that has long been suspected by scientists of being the master switch allowing brains to function has now been verified. New research shows that the protein called synaptotagmin1 is the sole trigger for the release of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Publ.Date : Sun, 09 May 2010 17:00:00 EDT

Our children aren't sleeping and we're medicating them, survey finds
A new survey of child psychiatrists indicates that insomnia is a major problem among children in mental health treatment and at least a quarter of these patients are given sleep medication. The results of the survey suggests that management of insomnia in this population is a common practice, although the clinical approach varies widely.
Publ.Date : Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:00:00 EDT

How Darwin's little-known work impacts current schizophrenia and autism treatment
Historical research reveals more of Charles Darwin's thinking when he completed what may be the first example of a prospective "single-blind" study of human perception of emotional expression. Through scrutiny of Darwin's work, including previously unpublished handwritten notes on his experiments, a scholar explains how this early experiment has direct implications to current work today in the areas of schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders and other neuropsychiatric conditions.
Publ.Date : Mon, 10 May 2010 11:00:00 EDT

Human working memory is based on dynamic interaction networks in the brain
A new study sheds light on the neuronal mechanisms sustaining memory traces of visual stimuli in the human brain. The results show that the maintenance of working memory is associated with synchronization of neurons, which facilitates communication between different parts of the brain. On the basis of interaction between the brain areas, it was even possible to predict the subject's individual working memory capacity.
Publ.Date : Sat, 08 May 2010 11:00:00 EDT

Popular autism diet does not demonstrate behavioral improvement
A popular belief that specific dietary changes can improve the symptoms of children with autism was not supported by a tightly controlled study, which found that eliminating gluten and casein from the diets of children with autism had no impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns.
Publ.Date : Thu, 20 May 2010 11:00:00 EDT

Gene variants lead to autism and mental retardation: Inner structure of nerve synapses defective in patients
Researchers in Germany have discovered previously unknown mutations in autistic and mentally impaired patients in what is known as the SHANK2 gene, a gene that is partially responsible for linking nerve cells.
Publ.Date : Wed, 26 May 2010 05:00:00 EDT

Individual brain cells can ID objects as dissimilar as cars and dogs
Researchers have found that single brain cells, if confronted with a difficult task, can identify objects as dissimilar as sports cars and dogs.
Publ.Date : Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:00:00 EDT

Autism-related study discovers how drug interferes with neuronal cell function
A new study has shown for the first time how the drug misoprostol, linked to neurodevelopmental defects associated with autism, interferes with neuronal cell function. It is an important finding because misoprostol is similar in structure to naturally occurring prostaglandins, the key signaling molecules produced by fatty acids in the brain. The study examined mouse neuronal cells to see how the drug interferes at a molecular level with prostaglandins.
Publ.Date : Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EDT

Consortium recommends microarray testing as new standard for pediatric genetic diagnosis
An international consortium of genetics experts has issued a consensus statement recommending chromosomal microarray as the new standard practice for genetic evaluation of children with unexplained developmental delay, autism or birth defects.
Publ.Date : Thu, 13 May 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Study adds to evidence that autism has genetic basis
Although there is no known cause of autism, studies have shown that mutations in several genes are associated with the developmental brain disorder. New research has uncovered two additional genes that may be involved with autism.
Publ.Date : Mon, 03 May 2010 11:00:00 EDT

Mothers of children with autism pay price in workplace
Mothers of children with autism see their careers disproportionally affected as they confront greater demands on their time, inflexible workplaces and increased medical costs, according to a new study.
Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Newborn infants learn while asleep; Study may lead to later disability tests
Sleeping newborns are better learners than thought, according to new research. The study could lead to identifying those at risk for developmental disorders such as autism and dyslexia.
Publ.Date : Tue, 18 May 2010 11:00:00 EDT

Vital new clue into how the brain is wired
Scientists have uncovered a vital clue into how the brain is wired, which could eventually steer research into nervous system disorders such as Parkinson's disease and cognitive disorders including autism.
Publ.Date : Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:00:00 EST

Imaging study discovers brain development differences in kids with fragile X syndrome
Fragile X syndrome is the most common known cause of inherited intellectual disability and autism. Now, researchers using advanced, noninvasive imaging techniques have shown how the brains of very young boys with fragile X syndrome differ from those of young boys without it, providing critical information for the development of treatments for the condition.
Publ.Date : Tue, 04 May 2010 11:00:00 EDT

Autism finding could lead to simple urine test for the condition
Children with autism have a different chemical fingerprint in their urine than non-autistic children, according to new research. The researchers suggest that their findings could ultimately lead to a simple urine test to determine whether or not a young child has autism.
Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EDT

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