Article
Education, Special
E. Collis, J. Gavin, A. Russell, M. Brosnan
Summary: This study investigates the restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRB) in autistic adults. The findings suggest that the distinction between higher-order and lower-order RRB is not reflected in lived experiences. RRB expression is partly under voluntary control, and it can have both positive and negative impacts. Negative evaluations from others can lead to strategies to minimize RRB, but this can be stressful for individuals.
RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Nisha Narvekar, Virginia Carter Leno, Greg Pasco, Mark H. Johnson, Emily J. H. Jones, Tony Charman
Summary: This study explores the developmental pathways between fear/shyness, perceptual sensitivity, restricted and repetitive behaviors, and social communication in infants and toddlers, providing insights into the early markers and potential causal links of autism. The results suggest that early signs of anxiety and perceptual sensitivity are associated with later autistic symptoms, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing these early emerging behaviors.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francesco Morandini, Kevin Perez, Loic Brot, Sidy Mohammed Seck, Laurence Tibere, Jean-Pierre Grill, Enguerran Macia, Philippe Seksik
Summary: This study compared the gut microbiomes of mother and infant pairs from rural and urban areas of Senegal. The results showed that urban mothers had different gut microbiome compositions than rural mothers, while urban infants had delayed gut microbiome maturation and higher susceptibility to infectious diseases. These findings suggest that industrialization is associated with gut microbiome alterations and may be linked to disease.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Neil W. Bailey, Noralie Krepel, Hanneke van Dijk, Andrew F. Leuchter, Fidel Vila-Rodriguez, Daniel M. Blumberger, Jonathan Downar, Andrew Wilson, Zafiris J. Daskalakis, Linda L. Carpenter, Juliana Corlier, Martijn Arns, Paul B. Fitzgerald
Summary: The study aimed to replicate previous research using EEG data and machine learning algorithms to predict responses to rTMS treatment for depression, but failed to reproduce the previous high predictive accuracy, suggesting that Theta connectivity and alpha power may not be generalizable indicators of response prediction.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Anna L. Farmer, Mark H. Lewis
Summary: Restricted repetitive behaviors (RRB) are common in clinical populations, including autism spectrum disorder. Animal studies have shown that these behaviors can be reduced by rearing in enriched environments (EE). This review summarizes the current knowledge of the relationship between EE and RRB, discusses potential mechanisms for EE's attenuation of RRB, and highlights gaps in the literature and future directions.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sofie Boterberg, Arianna Zanatta, Floor Moerman, Sarah Schaubroeck, Jasmine Siew, Maarten De Schryver, Herbert Roeyers
Summary: COVID-19 restrictive measures have had a significant impact on families of children with autism, leading to an increase in restrictive and repetitive behaviors (RRBs). The presence of comorbid conditions and the home environment were found to have no effect on RRBs. However, there was an association between inattentive behavior and ritualistic and stereotypic behavior, as well as restricted interests.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mario Lavanga, Jessie De Ridder, Katarzyna Kotulska, Romina Moavero, Paolo Curatolo, Bernhard Weschke, Kate Riney, Martha Feucht, Pavel Krsek, Rima Nabbout, Anna C. Jansen, Konrad Wojdan, Dorota Domanska-Pakiela, Magdalena Kaczorowska-Frontczak, Christoph Hertzberg, Cyrille H. Ferrier, Sharon Samueli, Alena Jahodova, Eleonora Aronica, David J. Kwiatkowski, Floor E. Jansen, Sergiusz Jozwiak, Lieven Lagae, Sabine Van Huffel, Alexander Caicedo
Summary: This study investigated the association between early-life EEG abnormalities and autism spectrum disorder or neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants with TSC. The results showed that MFA and MSE had the best discrimination performance in EEG analysis.
BIOMEDICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING AND CONTROL
(2021)
Article
Education, Special
Sadie Jaffey, Chris Ashwin
Summary: This study interviewed SEN teachers in specialist autism schools to investigate the nature and outcomes of restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) in autistic children. The results revealed both positive and negative aspects of RRBs. Positive aspects included enjoyable experiences, self-regulation, and expression, while negative aspects included safety concerns, disruption of learning, and compulsiveness. These findings challenge the assumption that RRBs in autistic children are inherently detrimental and highlight the importance of considering risks and benefits.
RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
N. Sunil Kumar, Prahbhjot Malhi, Bhavneet Bharti, Lokesh Saini
Summary: This study compared the frequency of repetitive behaviors among children with autism spectrum disorder, developmentally delayed children, and typically developing children. Results showed that children with ASD had significantly higher total scores and number of endorsed items on the Repetitive Behaviors Scale-Revised (RBS-R).
INDIAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Meghan Miller, Shuai Sun, Ana-Maria Iosif, Gregory S. Young, Ashleigh Belding, Andrew Tubbs, Sally Ozonoff
Summary: The study found that unusual visual inspection of objects is present and stable by 9 months of age in infants developing ASD, and it predicts reduced social engagement three months later. This behavior is more strongly associated with ASD diagnosis and shows moderate sensitivity and specificity.
JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Bryan D. Alvarez, Cassandra Cavazos, Cheyenne A. Morales, Shannon M. Lopez, Dionisio A. Amodeo
Summary: Restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are commonly divided into lower-order and higher-order categories. Modulation of specific serotonin receptors can affect lower-order RRBs, but different receptors have varying effects on RRBs. Further research on less explored receptors and understanding their different modulation effects may be crucial for developing therapeutic approaches for RRBs.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Miguel Comparan-Meza, Ivette Vargas de la Cruz, Fernando Jauregui-Huerta, Rocio E. Gonzalez-Castaneda, Oscar Gonzalez-Perez, Alma Y. Galvez-Contreras
Summary: This study examined the biopsychological correlates of RRBs in ASD patients, exploring the etiology, continuance, and clinical evolution of these behaviors. Alterations in neurotransmission system, brain volume, growth factors, neural connectivity, behavioral inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and environmental factors were identified as key factors in the origin of RRBs, suggesting potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies.
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Junbin Tian, Xuping Gao, Li Yang
Summary: Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication, social interaction, and repetitive restricted behaviors. Understanding the potential mechanisms behind these behaviors is crucial for finding new treatment options.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Xinling Geng, Xiwang Fan, Yiwen Zhong, Manuel F. Casanova, Estate M. Sokhadze, Xiaoli Li, Jiannan Kang
Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder that affects normal brain development. This study examined brain connectivity as a potential biomarker for ASD. The findings showed that children with ASD had increased local connectivity in functional connectivity, but decreased effective connectivity between brain hemispheres. These connectivity abnormalities may serve as biomarkers for ASD.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kaustubh Supekar, Srikanth Ryali, Percy Mistry, Vinod Menon
Summary: The study demonstrates that aberrant cognitive control and motor circuit dynamics predict three distinct symptom clusters that define RRBs. These findings provide neurobiological support for RRB subtypes and identify dissociable brain circuit dynamics as a candidate biomarker for a key clinical feature of ASD.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Heather L. Moore, Ann Le Couteur, Tony Charman, Jonathan Green, Jeremy R. Parr, Victoria Grahame
Summary: This study investigated the concordance of the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales-II in autistic children, and found discrepancies in perception between parents and education professionals, with low agreement at the item level. Child nonverbal ability had an impact on concordance, and parents were more focused on the presence or absence of skills, while professionals were more inclined to assess skill development. These differences should be considered when developing interventions and support plans.
JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Matthew J. Hollocks, Virginia Carter Leno, Susie Chandler, Pippa White, Isabel Yorke, Tony Charman, Andrew Pickles, Gillian Baird, Emily Simonoff
Summary: Autistic individuals have high rates of co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses, particularly emotional and behavioral disorders, which show significant stability from childhood to adolescence. ADHD, on the other hand, has more variability in diagnostic outcomes, with many adolescents transitioning across diagnostic thresholds.
EUROPEAN CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Jack Hollingdale, Emma Woodhouse, Susan Young, Gisli Gudjonsson, Tony Charman, Will Mandy
Summary: This study aimed to identify the trajectory of conduct and emotional problems in young people and their relationship with hyperactive/inattentive traits, with a focus on the moderating effect of autistic social traits. Findings showed that hyperactive/inattentive traits were associated with higher rates of conduct and emotional problems, particularly for boys with autistic social traits. Therefore, identifying and addressing hyperactive/inattentive traits and autistic social traits are crucial in addressing conduct and emotional problems in young people.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Anna C. Morris, Zina Ibrahim, Margaret Heslin, Omer S. Moghraby, Argyris Stringaris, Ian M. Grant, Lukasz Zalewski, Megan Pritchard, Robert Stewart, Matthew Hotopf, Andrew Pickles, Richard J. B. Dobson, Emily Simonoff, Johnny Downs
Summary: This study assesses the potential of the MHE system in improving the completion of PROMs. The results indicate that the use of MHE significantly increases the completion rates of questionnaires compared to paper-based methods. Caregivers express satisfaction with the MHE system and highlight its numerous benefits.
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Mauricio Scopel Hoffmann, Sara Evans-Lacko, Stephan Collishaw, Martin Knapp, Andrew Pickles, Christina Shearer, Barbara Maughan
Summary: This study provides evidence on the long-term outcomes of both general and specific dimensions of adolescent psychopathology using parent and teacher reports. The general factors of psychopathology reported by parents and teachers were associated with various outcomes in socioeconomic, relationship, health, personality domains, as well as social exclusion. The specific factors reported by teachers were associated with more outcomes compared to those reported by parents.
JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Viola Hollestein, Geert Poelmans, Natalie J. Forde, Christian F. Beckmann, Christine Ecker, Caroline Mann, Tim Schaefer, Carolin Moessnang, Sarah Baumeister, Tobias Banaschewski, Thomas Bourgeron, Eva Loth, Flavio Dell'Acqua, Declan G. M. Murphy, Nicolaas A. Puts, Julian Tillmann, Tony Charman, Emily J. H. Jones, Luke Mason, Sara Ambrosino, Rosemary Holt, Sven Boelte, Jan K. Buitelaar, Jilly Naaijen
Summary: The E/I imbalance hypothesis suggests that the imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms underlies the behavioral characteristics of autism. This study used innovative analysis methods to investigate the relationships between genetic variance, brain structure, and autism symptomatology. The results suggest complex relationships between E/I-related genetics and autism symptom profiles as well as brain structure alterations.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Moritz Herle, Andrew Pickles, Oliver Pain, Russell Viner, Jean-Baptiste Pingault, Bianca L. De Stavola
Summary: This study explores how polygenic scores can be used as exposures in causal inference-based methods, specifically mediation analyses. The results suggest that a potential intervention on child physical activity can mitigate some of the genetic liability for childhood obesity.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Leonie Segal, Jonathan Green, Asterie Twizeyemariya, Kristelle Hudry, Ming Wai Wan, Josephine Barbaro, Teresa Iacono, Kandice J. Varcin, Sarah Pillar, Matthew N. Cooper, Wesley Billingham, Gemma Upson, Andrew J. O. Whitehouse
Summary: This study estimated the economic cost impact of the iBASIS-VIPP intervention on the Australian government and found that it could save healthcare costs. Compared with usual care, the iBASIS-VIPP intervention reduced disability support costs for children diagnosed with ASD at the age of 3. The findings suggest that iBASIS-VIPP represents a valuable societal investment for supporting neurodivergent children.
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Catherine Bent, Susan Glencross, Karen McKinnon, Kristelle Hudry, Cheryl Dissanayake, Giacomo Vivanti
Summary: Many autistic preschool-aged children received one of two community early intervention approaches and made significant gains in Developmental Quotient (DQ) scores and adaptive behaviour composite scores over one-year follow-up period. Higher attention to a playful adult was indicative of better outcomes for all children, while sustained attention predicted better outcomes for those receiving G-ESDM. Fine-grained measures of learning skills can help tailor intervention approaches to meet individual children's needs.
JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Daniel Berends, Catherine A. Bent, Giacomo Vivanti, Cheryl Dissanayake, Kristelle Hudry
Summary: Research shows that both the core features of autism and associated developmental skills influence adaptive behavior outcomes. This study aimed to examine the interaction between these factors and their impact on functional disability. Results suggest that early developmental skills might moderate the association between early social features and subsequent functional disability.
JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Melanie Palmer, Susie Chandler, Virginia Carter Leno, Farah Mgaieth, Isabel Yorke, Matthew Hollocks, Andrew Pickles, Vicky Slonims, Stephen Scott, Tony Charman, Emily Simonoff
Summary: This study investigates the role of pre-existing and pandemic-related factors in the mental health symptoms of autistic youth and their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that more engagement and enjoyment in education and outdoor activities are associated with better mental health for both children and parents during the pandemic. Pre-existing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children are linked to more behavioral and ADHD symptoms during the pandemic, while pre-existing parental mental health problems are associated with more mental health symptoms in parents during the pandemic.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Leyan Li, Greg Pasco, Jannath Begum Ali, Mark H. Johnson, Emily J. H. Jones, Tony Charman
Summary: Infants with later autism tend to have slower language and motor development, and these two domains of development are interlinked. A study on infants with and without a family history of autism revealed that language and motor abilities are associated with emerging autistic traits, especially gross motor and receptive language skills.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lennart M. Oblong, Alberto Llera, Ting Mei, Koen Haak, Christina Isakoglou, Dorothea L. Floris, Sarah Durston, Carolin Moessnang, Tobias Banaschewski, Simon Baron-Cohen, Eva Loth, Flavio Dell'Acqua, Tony Charman, Declan G. M. Murphy, Christine Ecker, Jan K. Buitelaar, Christian F. Beckmann, EU AIMS LEAP Grp, Natalie J. Forde
Summary: This study integrates structural and functional brain properties to identify novel brain-organisation phenotypes of autism. Using multimodal MRI and behavioral data, the study finds that functional phenotypes drive associations with autism.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lisa M. Berg, Caroline Gurr, Johanna Leyhausen, Hanna Seelemeyer, Anke Bletsch, Tim Schaefer, Charlotte M. Pretzsch, Bethany Oakley, Eva Loth, Dorothea L. Floris, Jan K. Buitelaar, Christian F. Beckmann, Tobias Banaschewski, Tony Charman, Emily J. H. Jones, Julian Tillmann, Chris H. Chatham, Thomas Bourgeron, Jumana Ahmad, Sara Ambrosino, Bonnie Auyeung, Simon Baron-Cohen, Sarah Baumeister, Sven Boelte, Carsten Bours, Michael Brammer, Daniel Brandeis, Claudia Brogna, Yvette de Bruijn, Bhismadev Chakrabarti, Ineke Cornelissen, Daisy Crawley, Flavio Dell'Acqua, Guillaume Dumas, Sarah Durston, Jessica Faulkner, Vincent Frouin, Pilar Garces, David Goyard, Lindsay Ham, Hannah Hayward, Joerg Hipp, Rosemary Holt, Mark H. Johnson, Prantik Kundu, Meng-Chuan Lai, Xavier Liogier D'Ardhuy, Michael V. Lombardo, David J. Lythgoe, Rene Mandl, Andre Marquand, Luke Mason, Maarten Mennes, Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, Carolin Moessnang, Nico Bast, Laurence O'Dwyer, Marianne Oldehinkel, Bob Oranje, Gahan Pandina, Antonio M. Persico, Barbara Ruggeri, Amber Ruigrok, Jessica Sabet, Roberto Sacco, Antonia San Jose Caceres, Emily Simonoff, Will Spooren, Roberto Toro, Heike Tost, Jack Waldman, Steve C. R. Williams, Caroline Wooldridge, Marcel P. Zwiers, Declan G. Murphy, Christine Ecker
Summary: This study investigates the neurobiology of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their co-occurring condition, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The findings suggest that the neuroanatomy of ASD is significantly modulated by ADHD, indicating that individuals with co-occurring ADHD may have specific neuroanatomical underpinnings potentially mediated by atypical gene expression.
Article
Psychiatry
Christina Isakoglou, Koen V. V. Haak, Thomas Wolfers, Dorothea L. L. Floris, Alberto Llera, Marianne Oldehinkel, Natalie J. J. Forde, Bethany F. M. Oakley, Julian Tillmann, Rosemary J. J. Holt, Carolin Moessnang, Eva Loth, Thomas Bourgeron, Simon Baron-Cohen, Tony Charman, Tobias Banaschewski, Declan G. M. Murphy, Jan K. K. Buitelaar, Andre F. F. Marquand, Christian F. F. Beckmann
Summary: Sensory atypicalities are common in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but the functioning of the somatosensory region and its association with the ASD phenotype is not well understood. In this study, we examined the functional connectivity of the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) in autistic and neurotypical individuals. We found that the S1 connectopy is organized along a dorsoventral axis and is associated with adaptive functioning skills. Furthermore, the S1 connectopy showed differences between rest and emotion processing, indicating a task-modulating effect.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)