Identifying the neurodevelopmental and psychiatric signatures of genomic disorders associated with intellectual disability: a machine learning approach
ConclusionsIn this study, we developed models that identified a compact set of psychiatric and physical health measures that differentiate individuals with a ND-GC from controls and highlight higher-order structure within these measures. This work is a step towards developing a screening instrument to identify young people with ND-GCs who might benefit from further specialist assessment. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - May 23, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Understanding the relationship between cerebellar structure and social abilities
ConclusionOur results unravel a complex relationship between cerebellar structure, social performance and IQ and provide support for the involvement of the cerebellum in social and cognitive processes. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - May 15, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Genetic and environmental contributions to co-occurring physical health conditions in autism spectrum condition and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
ConclusionsShared genetic effects contribute significantly to autism and ADHD phenotypes with the co-occurring physical health conditions across different organ systems, including epilepsy and gastrointestinal disorders. The shared genetic liability with co-occurring physical health conditions was present across different levels of autism and ADHD symptom severity. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - April 21, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Effects of multiple-dose intranasal oxytocin administration on social responsiveness in children with autism: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
ConclusionsFour weeks of oxytocin administration did not induce treatment-specific improvements in social responsiveness in school-aged children with ASD. Future studies are warranted to further explore the clinical efficacy of oxytocin administration paired with targeted psychosocial trainings that stimulate socio-communicative behaviors.Trial registration The trial was registered with the European Clinical Trial Registry (EudraCT 2018-000769-35) on June 7th, 2018 (https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2018-000769-35/BE). (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - April 20, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
A working taxonomy for describing the sensory differences of autism
ConclusionInconsistent terminology-use when describing the sensory features of autism has stifled discussion and scientific understanding of the sensory differences of autism. The hierarchical taxonomy proposed was developed to help resolve lack of clarity when discussing the sensory differences of autism and to place future research targets at appropriate levels of analysis. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - April 11, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
The activation of mGluR4 rescues parallel fiber synaptic transmission and LTP, motor learning and social behavior in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome
ConclusionsOur study shows that an increase in synaptic vesicles, SV, docking may cause the loss of PF-LTP and motor learning and social deficits ofFmr1KO mice and that the reversal of these changes by pharmacological activation of mGluR4 may offer therapeutic relief for motor learning and social deficits in FXS. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - April 7, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Sex differences in the temporal dynamics of autistic children ’s natural conversations
ConclusionThis study investigated the temporal dynamics of everyday conversations and demonstrated that autistic girls and boys have distinct natural language profiles. Specifying differences in verbal communication lays the groundwork for the development of sensitive screening and diagnostic tools to more accurately identify autistic girls, and could inform future personalized interventions that improve short- and long-term social communication outcomes for all autistic children. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - April 6, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
A systematic review and meta-analysis of suicidality in autistic and possibly autistic people without co-occurring intellectual disability
ConclusionsThe results confirm suicidality is highly prevalent in both autistic and possibly autistic people without co-occurring intellectual disability and highlights potential moderators. Possibly autistic individuals require more attention in clinical and research considerations going forward to further understand and prevent suicide in both groups. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - March 15, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Atypical functional connectivity of temporal cortex with precuneus and visual regions may be an early-age signature of ASD
ConclusionsSuperior temporal cortex is known to have reduced activation to social affective speech in ASD at early ages, and here we find in ASD toddlers that it also has atypical connectivity with visual and precuneus cortices that is correlated with communication and language ability, a pattern not seen in non-ASD toddlers. This atypicality may be an early-age signature of ASD that also explains wh y the disorder has deviant early language and social development. Given that these atypical connectivity patterns are also present in older individuals with ASD, we conclude these atypical connectivity patterns persist acr...
Source: Molecular Autism - March 10, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Sex differences in social and emotional insight in youth with and without autism
AbstractAutism was formally recognized by the medical community in the first half of the twentieth century. Almost 100 years later, a small but growing literature has reported sex differences in the behavioral expression of autism. Recent research has also begun to explore the internal experiences of individuals with autism, including social and emotionalinsight. The current study examines sex differences in language-based markers of social and emotional insight in girls and boys with autism and non-autistic peers during semi-structured clinical interviews. Sixty-four participants aged 5 to 17 years were individually mat...
Source: Molecular Autism - March 4, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Sex differences in friendships and loneliness in autistic and non-autistic children across development
ConclusionAs with non-autistic children, autistic children acquire a more complex understanding of friendship throughout development. However, as children begin to prioritize dependability and intimacy in friendships, autistic adolescents may have difficulty developing friendships characterized by these constructs. Furthermore, the quantity and/or quality of autistic children ’s friendships may not be sufficient to alleviate loneliness. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - February 24, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Impaired neurogenesis and neural progenitor fate choice in a human stem cell model of SETBP1 disorder
ConclusionsWe identified an important role for SETBP1 in controlling forebrain progenitor expansion and neurogenic differentiation. Our study establishes a novel regulatory link between SETBP1 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling during human cortical neurogenesis and provides mechanistic insights into structural abnormalities and potential therapeutic avenues for SETBP1 disorder. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - February 20, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
CRISIS AFAR: an international collaborative study of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and service access in youth with autism and neurodevelopmental conditions
ConclusionsConcomitantly assessing variation in changes of symptoms and service access during the first phase of the pandemic revealed differential outcome profiles in ASD/NDD youth. Subgroups were characterized by distinct prediction patterns across a set of pre- and pandemic-related experiences/contexts. Results may inform recovery efforts and preparedness in future crises; they also underscore the critical value of international data-sharing and collaborations to address the needs of those most vulnerable in times of crisis. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - February 14, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
The subcortical correlates of autistic traits in school-age children: a population-based neuroimaging study
ConclusionsThese findings from our well-powered study suggest that other metrics of brain morphology, such as cortical morphology or shape-based phenotypes, may be stronger candidates to prioritise when attempting to identify robust neuromarkers of autistic traits. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - February 11, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Sensory salience processing moderates attenuated gazes on faces in autism spectrum disorder: a case –control study
ConclusionsPupillary responses as a proxy of LC-NE phasic activity during visual attention are suggested to modulate sensory salience processing and contribute to attenuated social attention in ASD. (Source: Molecular Autism)
Source: Molecular Autism - February 9, 2023 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
