Adults

Relatively Few Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders Receive Assistance After High School

Submitted by Anonymous on February 7, 2011 - 05:05
Source: 
Science Daily
Link: 
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110207165506.htm
Date Published: 
February 7, 2011
Abstract: 

Use of medical, mental health and case management services for young adults with an autism spectrum disorder appears to decline after high school, according to a report.

Understanding the Autistic Mind

Submitted by Anonymous on February 1, 2011 - 05:06
Source: 
Medical News Today
Link: 
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/215115.php
Date Published: 
February 1, 2011
Abstract: 

A study from MIT neuroscientists reveals that high-functioning autistic adults appear to have trouble using theory of mind to make moral judgments in certain situations. Specifically, the researchers found that autistic adults were more likely than non-autistic subjects to blame someone for accidentally causing harm to another person. This shows that their judgments rely more on the outcome of the incident than on an understanding of the person's intentions, says Liane Young, an MIT postdoctoral associate and one of the lead authors of the study.

Autism and Increased Paternal Age Related Changes in Global Levels of Gene Expression Regulation

Submitted by bcrawford on February 1, 2011 - 00:00
Source: 
PloS One, Alter et al.
Link: 
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0016715
Date Published: 
February 2011
Year Published: 
2011

This study, performed by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, analyzed the level of gene expression in children with autism, compared with a control group. The researchers hypothesized that the variability in the pattern of the overall of gene expression levels would be associated with variability in hippocampal-dependent behaviors, which include short-term memory and spatial navigation. Additionally, the group tested whether increased paternal age was associated with variance of gene expression. A decrease in the variability of gene expression levels was associated with the diagnosis of autism and increased paternal age. The research team believes this change to be caused by the down-regulation of gene expression pathways involved in protein synthesis regulation in the blood of children with autism and children with older fathers. Thus, the researchers concluded that alterations at the gene level of gene expression regulation are related to autism and increased paternal age.

Post-High School Service Use Among Young Adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder

Submitted by bcrawford on February 1, 2011 - 00:00
Source: 
Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, Shattuck et al.
Link: 
http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/165/2/141
Date Published: 
February 2011
Year Published: 
2011

Researchers conducted a telephone survey to determine the rates of service use among young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) during their first few years after high school. Rates of service ranged from 9.1% for speech therapy to 41.9% for case management. 39.1% of youths with an ASD represented by the survey received no services. The adjusted odds of no service were higher among African American participants and those with low incomes. The adjusted odds of case management were lower among youths with high functional skills and those with low incomes. The researchers concluded that rates of service disengagement are high after exiting high school. Furthermore, due to the disparities by race and socioeconomic status indicate a need for targeted outreach and services.

Describing the Brain in Autism in Five Dimensions-Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assisted Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Using a Multiparameter Classification Approach

Submitted by dawnacrawford on December 1, 2010 - 09:27
Source: 
Journal of Neuroscience, Ecker et al
Link: 
http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/30/32/10612
Date Published: 
December 2010
Year Published: 
2010

The study tested a group of 20 high functioning adults with autism, together with 20 control adults, to determine whether MRI scans can detect autism. Using left hemisphere cortical thickness, the algorithm could achieve 90% accuracy, however the right hemisphere was worse at differentiating between the two groups. The study shows that it is feasible to use analytic techniques in MRI to investigate differences in the autistic brain.

Hormone Oxytocin Improves Social Cognition but Only in Less Socially Proficient Individuals

Submitted by Anonymous on September 21, 2010 - 08:53
Source: 
Science Daily
Link: 
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100921143926.htm
Date Published: 
September 21, 2010
Abstract: 

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have found that the naturally-occurring hormone oxytocin selectively improves social cognitive abilities for less socially proficient individuals, but has little effect on those who are more socially proficient. While more research is required, these results highlight the potential oxytocin holds for treating social deficits in people with disorders marked by deficits in social functioning like autism.

Autism: Lack of Evidence for Antidepressants, Study Concludes

Submitted by Anonymous on August 7, 2010 - 09:55
Source: 
Science Daily
Link: 
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100808212808.htm
Date Published: 
August 7, 2010
Abstract: 

Antidepressants commonly prescribed to people with autistic spectrum disorders cannot be recommended based on current evidence, a new study by Cochrane Researchers concludes. Despite some evidence of benefits in adults diagnosed with autism, they say there is no evidence for any benefits associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in children, who may suffer serious adverse effects as a result of taking the drugs.

California Dept of Health Publishes Study on Autism and Maternal/Paternal Age

Submitted by Anonymous on October 5, 2009 - 10:55
Source: 
American Journal of Epidemiology
Link: 
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/NR09-87-CDPHPUBLISHESSTUDYONAUTISMANDMATERNALANDPATERNALAGE.aspx
Date Published: 
October 5, 2009
Abstract: 

Reviewing a larger population than in any other study of its kind, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has found that as parents age their risk of giving birth to a child with autism increases modestly. Published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, the new CDPH study shows that for each 10-year increase in a mother’s age, the risk of autism increased by about 38 percent. For each 10-year increase in a father’s age, the risk of autism increased by about 22 percent.

For the First Time, A Census of Autistic Adults

Submitted by Anonymous on October 3, 2009 - 10:55
Source: 
Time Magazine
Link: 
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1927415,00.html?xid=rss-health
Date Published: 
October 3, 2009
Abstract: 

On Sept. 22, England's National Health Service (NHS) released the first study of autism in the general adult population. The findings confirm the intuitive assumption: that ASD is just as common in adults as it is in children. Researchers at the University of Leicester, working with the NHS Information Center found that roughly 1 in 100 adults are on the spectrum — the same rate found for children in England, Japan, Canada and, for that matter, New Jersey.