Autistic and non-autistic individuals show the same amygdala activity during emotional face processing
ConclusionsOur results challenge the view that autistic and non-autistic processing of emotional faces in the amygdala is vastly different and call for a more nuanced view of differences between non-autistic and autistic emotion processing. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - January 10, 2024 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
The association between social camouflage and mental health among autistic people in Japan and the UK: a cross-cultural study
ConclusionIn the UK, more social camouflage was associated with poorer mental health scores, whereas too little or too much social camouflage was associated with a low mental health score in Japan. The Japanese population is seemingly less aware of and educated on autistic characteristics and considers ‘average’ behaviour a good thing. This could influence Japanese autistic people’s social camouflage use, differing from that of autistic people in the UK. The differences in the relationship between social camouflage and mental health between Japan and the UK could be associated with national- level divergence regardin...
Source: Molecular Autism - January 4, 2024 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
The biosocial correlates and predictors of emotion dysregulation in autistic adults compared to borderline personality disorder and nonclinical controls
ConclusionsED and its behavioural correlates are heightened in BPD compared to ASC and nonclinical controls. In the ASC group, there were no gender differences in ED, despite the heightened exposure of autistic women to ED risk factors. BPD traits, emotional vulnerability, and alexithymia are core to ED regardless of diagnosis. Although less central, sensory sensitivity and autistic camouflaging seem to be specific predictors of ED in autistic adults. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - December 18, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Is the association between mothers ’ autistic traits and childhood autistic traits moderated by maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index?
ConclusionWe confirm the association between maternal and child autistic traits in toddlerhood, early childhood, and early adolescence. Potential interacting neurobiological processes remain to be confirmed. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - December 8, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Exploring the multidimensional nature of repetitive and restricted behaviors and interests (RRBI) in autism: neuroanatomical correlates and clinical implications
ConclusionOur results suggested 3 coherent RRBI dimensions involving the putamen commonly and other structures according to the RRBI dimension. The exploration of the putamen ’s integrative role in RSBI needs to be strengthened in further studies. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - November 27, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Increased cerebral lactate levels in adults with autism spectrum disorders compared to non-autistic controls: a magnetic resonance spectroscopy study
ConclusionThis study confirms the presence of elevated cerebral Lac+ levels in a subgroup of adults with ASD, suggesting the potential of lactate as a biomarker for mitochondrial dysfunction in a subgroup of ASD. The lower-than-expected prevalence (20% was expected) and moderate increase require further investigation to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and relationships with mitochondrial function. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - November 17, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Hyperthermia elevates brain temperature and improves behavioural signs in animal models of autism spectrum disorder
ConclusionsThe data are the first, to our knowledge, to demonstrate that elevated body temperature can improve behavioural signs in 2 distinct ASD models. Given the developmental nature of ASD, evidence that symptoms may be improved by environmental perturbations indicates possibilities for improving function in these individuals. Since experimental hyperthermia in patients would carry significant risks, it is now essential to pursue molecular mechanisms through which hyperthermia might bring about the observed benefits. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - November 15, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Tau reduction attenuates autism-like features in Fmr1 knockout mice
ConclusionOur data indicate that Tau reduction prevents autism-like phenotypes inFmr1 KO mice. Tau may become a new target for FXS treatment. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - November 7, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Developmental prediction modeling based on diffusion tensor imaging uncovering age-dependent heterogeneity in early childhood autistic brain
ConclusionThis study illustrated age-dependent heterogeneity in early childhood autistic children and delineated developmental stage-specific difference that ranged from an overgrowth pattern to a delayed pattern.Trial registration This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT02807766) on June 21, 2016 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02807766). (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - October 30, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Effect of presentation rate on auditory processing in Rett syndrome: event-related potential study
ConclusionsThus, auditory ERPs inform us about abnormalities within auditory processing that cannot be fully overcomed by slowing presentation rate. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - October 26, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Translatome analysis of tuberous sclerosis complex 1 patient-derived neural progenitor cells reveals rapamycin-dependent and independent alterations
ConclusionsOur work reveals ample mRNA translation alterations in TSC1 patient-derived NPCs that recapitulate mRNA translation in ASD brain samples. Further, suppression of TSC1-associated but rapamycin-insensitive translation and ND phenotypes by RMC-6272 unveils potential implications for more efficient targeting of mTORC1 as a superior treatment strategy for TAND. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - October 25, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Age-related changes in neural responses to sensory stimulation in autism: a cross-sectional study
ConclusionsOur results suggest that enhanced recruitment of prefrontal regions may underlie age-related decreases in SOR for a subgroup of ASD youth. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - October 11, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
EEG functional connectivity in infants at elevated familial likelihood for autism spectrum disorder
ConclusionsThese results are inconclusive concerning an association between EEG functional connectivity and ASD in infancy. Exploratory analyses provided preliminary support for a relationship between RRB and functional connectivity specifically, but these preliminary observations need corroboration on larger samples. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - October 7, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
The neuroanatomical substrates of autism and ADHD and their link to putative genomic underpinnings
ConclusionThus, our findings suggest that the neuroanatomy of ASD is significantly modulated by ADHD, and that autistic individuals with co-occurring ADHD may have specific neuroanatomical underpinnings potentially mediated by atypical gene expression. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - October 4, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Increased rates of chronic physical health conditions across all organ systems in autistic adolescents and adults
ConclusionsThis study provides evidence of widespread, physical health comorbidity that spans nearly all major organ systems in autistic adults compared to non-autistic adults, using both binary logistic regression and network models. Healthcare professionals must be made aware of the range of co-occurring physical health conditions that may be more common among autistic people. However, our findings also point towards potential avenues requiring further exploration, such as the association of autism with both Coeliac ’s disease and EDS. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - September 20, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
