ScienceDaily: Autism News
Updated : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:05:01 EDT

How First Autism Disease Genes Were Discovered
Scientists have presented the compelling neurobiological story of discovering the first autism genes. The role of gene mutations, their association with synapse abnormalities, and -- surprisingly -- a connection between circadian rhythms and autism risk was discussed at a recent conference.
Publ.Date : Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Diet And Autism Research Focuses On Which Foods May Affect Autistic Behavior
Can autism be "cured" with diet? Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston embark on a double-blind study to find out if wheat and dairy products can affect autistic behavior, as some parents believe.
Publ.Date : Sat, 09 Aug 2008 20:00:00 EDT

Rise In Autism Is Related To Changes In Diagnosis, New Study Suggests
New research suggests that many children diagnosed with severe language disorders in the 1980s and 1990s would today be diagnosed as having autism. The research supports the theory that the rise in the number of cases of autism may be related to changes in how it is diagnosed.
Publ.Date : Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT

Can Facial Structures, Brain Abnormalities Reveal Formula For Detection Of Autism?
Recently, Harvard researchers reported that children with autism have a wide range of genetic defects, making it nearly impossible to develop a simple genetic test to identify the disorder. Now, University of Missouri researchers are studying 3-D imaging to reveal correlations in the facial features and brain structures of children with autism spectrum disorder, which will enable them to develop a formula for earlier detection of the disorder. The researchers anticipate their work also will reveal genetic clues that can direct additional research.
Publ.Date : Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Children With Autism May Learn From 'Virtual Peers'
Researchers are developing an intervention using "virtual peers" -- technology driven, animated life-size children -- to help develop communication and social skills in children with autism. Preliminary findings suggest children with autism produce more and more "contingent" (conversationally relevant) sentences when interacting with virtual peers than with real-life children. What's more, virtual peers are endlessly patient, never tire and can be programmed to elicit socially-skilled behavior.
Publ.Date : Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EST

Mice Could Provide Clues To Autistic Behaviors, Study Suggests
Scientists have developed a new mouse model to help illuminate the vagaries of autism, according to a study from a Stanford University School of Medicine researcher and other colleagues. The study focused on mice missing the gabrb3 gene, which codes for a protein important in brain development and normal adult brain function
Publ.Date : Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EDT

Drosophila Drug Screen For Fragile X Syndrome Finds Promising Compounds And Potential Drug Targets
Scientists using a new drug screening method in Drosophila (fruit flies), have identified several drugs and small molecules that reverse the features of fragile X syndrome -- a frequent form of mental retardation and one of the leading known causes of autism. The discovery sets the stage for developing new treatments for fragile X syndrome.
Publ.Date : Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Hormone Oxytocin May Inhibit Social Phobia
Scientists have shown using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) that the hormone oxytocin can inhibit feelings of anxiety in specific individuals. Their discovery might lead to a better understanding and the improved treatment of psychiatric affections in which people feel distressed when meeting others, such as in cases of autism and social phobia.
Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT

Autism's Social Struggles Due To Disrupted Communication Networks In Brain
Picking up on innuendo and social cues is a central component of engaging in conversation, but people with autism often struggle to determine another person's intentions in a social interaction. New research sheds light on the neural mechanisms that are responsible for such social difficulties in autism, and on the workings of these social brain mechanisms in all of us.
Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Neurofeedback May Help 'Retrain' Brainwaves In Children With Autism
Playing a video game called 'Space Race' that requires nothing more than brainpower to make rockets on a computer screen move forward is more than just fun and games. A researcher is using video games to see if the brainwaves of children with autism can be 'retrained' to improve focus and concentration.
Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT

Sleight Of Hand And Sense Of Self: Illusion Isn't Always Just In The Mind
An illusion that tricks people into believing a rubber hand belongs to them isn't all in the mind, researchers have found. They have observed a physical response as well, a finding that offers insight into conditions which affect a patient's sense of self and body ownership, such as stroke, schizophrenia, autism, or eating disorders.
Publ.Date : Tue, 02 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Surprising Language Abilities In Children With Autism
What began as an informal presentation by a clinical linguist to a group of philosophers, has led to some surprising discoveries about the communicative language abilities of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. While they may not make appropriate use of context or common sayings, psychologists discovered speakers with ASD have a rich array of pragmatic abilities.
Publ.Date : Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT

No Connection Between Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine And Autism, Study Suggests
In a case-control study, the presence of measles virus RNA was no more likely in children with autism and GI disturbances than in children with only GI disturbances. Furthermore, GI symptom and autism onset were unrelated to MMR vaccine timing.
Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EDT

Preschool Kids Do Better When They Talk To Themselves, Research Shows
Parents should not worry when their pre-schoolers talk to themselves; in fact, they should encourage it, says a new study. The study shows that children do better on motor tasks when they talk to themselves out loud than when they are silent. Researchers also looked for the first time at the ways that autistic children talk to themselves and the effectiveness it has on the way they do things.
Publ.Date : Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EDT

Parents Follow Pediatrician Advice On Administering MMR Vaccinations
News stories about an allegedly harmful link between the mumps, measles and rubella vaccine and the onset of autism had little effect on whether US parents immunized their children, according to a review of immunization records and news stories. Parents' decisions were more likely influenced by recommendations from their child's pediatrician, the researchers said.
Publ.Date : Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

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