Article
Neurosciences
Agnieszka Rynkiewicz, Magdalena Szura, Daria Bernaciak, Anna Kozak, Magdalena Karwowska
Summary: This study explored the differences between Polish ASD females and males based on parent-provided responses to the Social Communication Questionnaire, finding no significant differences between the sexes in the three domains. It also observed a decline in the repetitive use of objects with age in ASD males. The study suggests considering potential gender differences in the clinical presentation of ASD and in the adaptation of screening and diagnostic tools.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qiang Zhang, Rong Zou, Min Guo, Mengmeng Duan, Quan Li, Huajun Zheng
Summary: The study found significant differences in gut microbiota between adults with ASD and obese adults, with certain bacterial genera significantly increased in ASD patients and certain species enriched in obesity. Some species identified may serve as predictive biomarkers for obesity.
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Anna Wallisch, Sarah Behrens, Brenda Salley, Rene Jamison, Brian Boyd
Summary: Research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is predominantly focused on males, potentially leading to under-identification of females. Parent concerns are recommended as predictive indicators of a child's diagnosis. This study found that male ASD patients are more likely to exhibit repetitive behavior and speech issues, while females with ASD may be more overlooked. Additionally, females with developmental delay (DD) are more likely to face problem-solving concerns, whereas males with DD show less social communication concerns compared to females with ASD.
JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Zachary Jacokes, Allison Jack, Catherine A. W. Sullivan, Elizabeth Aylward, Susan Y. Bookheimer, Mirella Dapretto, Raphael A. Bernier, Daniel H. Geschwind, Denis G. Sukhodolsky, James C. McPartland, Sara J. Webb, Carinna M. Torgerson, Jeffrey Eilbott, Lauren Kenworthy, Kevin A. Pelphrey, John D. Van Horn
Summary: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition characterized by social and communication differences that affects 1-in-44 children in the United States. The diagnostic disparity between males and females with ASD may be due to biological predisposition or limitations in diagnostic tools. The 'female protective effect' hypothesis suggests that females are biologically more resistant to the autism phenotype than males.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Eberhard David, Billstedt Eva, Gillberg Christopher
Summary: Missed cases of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) within adult psychiatry services have attracted increasing attention. This study found that almost two thirds of first-time attenders at an adult psychiatry clinic met criteria for ADHD or ASD. Most of the patients with NDD had not been diagnosed in childhood. The results underscore the importance of screening for NDD in adult psychiatric services.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Jessica E. Goldblum, Tyler C. McFayden, Stephanie Bristol, Orla C. Putnam, Amanda Wylie, Clare Harrop
Summary: An official autism diagnosis is necessary for timely intervention and better long-term wellbeing. Certain demographic characteristics, such as being female or a minority race, are associated with diagnostic lag. This study reveals diagnostic delays in some autistic females, particularly those who are non-Hispanic white, Black, and Asian, and earlier diagnoses in racial and ethnic minority youth when not accounting for sex.
JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Shaun Gallagher
Summary: In this paper, the author addresses the integration problem in psychiatry, which is connected to conceptions of causality and explanatory levels in our understanding of the mind. Taking an interdisciplinary enactive perspective, the author develops a 3-fold method for exploring the dynamics of integration, based on a concept of dynamical causation and a non-hierarchical notion of gestalt. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is also considered as a test case.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xueqin He, Jiang Xie, Jing Zhang, Xiaorong Wang, Xufeng Jia, Heng Yin, Zhongqing Qiu, Zhihang Yang, Jiao Chen, Zhiliang Ji, Wenqi Yu, Meiwan Chen, Wenming Xu, Huile Gao
Summary: This study established an aspirin encapsulated cascade drug delivery system (Asp@TMNPs) that targets the blood-brain barrier and microglial cells, effectively alleviating mitochondrial oxidative stress, DNA damage, and inflammation in microglial cells. After treatment with Asp@TMNPs, social interaction, stereotype behavior, and anxious condition in ASD mice were notably improved, and microglial cell activation was inhibited.
Article
Psychiatry
Yi-Ling Chien, Chen-Chung Liu, Yen-Nan Chiu, Chao-Cheng Lin
Summary: This study aimed to compare the emotional features in Asian autistic adults without intellectual disability to non-autistic comparisons and schizophrenia. The results showed that autistic adults had difficulties in emotion perception and management, which were different from schizophrenia and correlated with autistic features. Autistic adults may need more support and services in emotion perception and management.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Brian C. Kavanaugh, Christine A. Schremp, Richard N. Jones, Carrie R. Best, Stephen J. Sheinkopf, Eric M. Morrow
Summary: The objective of this study was to identify the clinical features that result in a later age at ASD diagnosis in females. The study found that females were diagnosed with ASD on average 14 months later than males in the sample. This delay in diagnosis was associated with mild or atypical presentation, limited repetitive behaviors, intact IQ and language skills, and later emergence of recognized symptoms. This highlights the need for improved screening methods for ASD in females.
JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Allison Jack, Catherine A. W. Sullivan, Elizabeth Aylward, Susan Y. Bookheimer, Mirella Dapretto, Nadine Gaab, John D. Van Horn, Jeffrey Eilbott, Zachary Jacokes, Carinna M. Torgerson, Raphael A. Bernier, Daniel H. Geschwind, James C. McPartland, Charles A. Nelson, Sara J. Webb, Kevin A. Pelphrey, Abha R. Gupta
Summary: The study found significant differences in the brain response to human motion between females with ASD and typically developing females, particularly in sensorimotor, striatal, and frontal regions. Females with ASD also showed larger rare copy number variants containing early-life expressed genes, especially in striatal genes. These findings suggest that impacts on the striatum may contribute to pathways of risk in female ASD.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Niklaus Denier, Gerrit Steinberg, Ludger Tebartz van Elst, Tobias Bracht
Summary: This study is the first to investigate head circumference in a large sample of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and the results suggest that head circumference increases in males with ASD persist into adulthood. The study also found that brain alterations, such as increased ventricular surface area, contribute to the classification of ASD.
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Doha Bemmouna, Sebastien Weibel, Markus Kosel, Roland Hasler, Luisa Weiner, Nader Perroud
Summary: The co-occurrence of ADHD and ASD in adults is common. The utility of the AQ as a screening tool for ASD in the context of ADHD is limited, but the imagination subscale can be useful for distinguishing between individuals with ADHD and ASD.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Loryn Byres, Emily Morris, Jehannine Austin
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the perspectives of Autistic adults regarding genetic testing for autism. A web-based survey was distributed to English-speaking Autistic adults via social media. The results indicated that Autistic adults have concerns about genetic testing for autism. Additional work is required to bridge the divide between the Autistic community and health care providers and families to identify if and when genetic testing should be offered.
GENETICS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Emmanuel Bonney, Catherine Abbo, Collin Ogara, Michele E. Villalobos, Jed T. Elison
Summary: This study in Uganda found that the average age of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis in children is 6.9 years, with females being diagnosed at least 1 year later on average than males. Half of the participants were diagnosed with ASD only, while others had comorbid conditions such as ADHD, epilepsy, or complex ASD.
Article
Oncology
Yi Liao, Senmao Li, Hao Chen, Chunyu Chen, Jintuan Huang, Feng Lin, Jianping Wang, Zuli Yang
Summary: A risk prediction system combining FIT and risk factors was developed to improve the sensitivity of colonoscopy screening. The system effectively stratified participants into high risk and low risk groups, with better predictive ability for colorectal neoplasia compared to using FIT alone.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER PREVENTION
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Luca Giraldi, Jovana Stojanovic, Dario Arzani, Roberto Persiani, Jinfu Hu, Kenneth C. Johnson, Zuo-Feng Zhang, Monica Ferraroni, Domenico Palli, Guo-Pei Yu, Carlo La Vecchia, Claudio Pelucchi, Nuno Lunet, Ana Ferro, Reza Malekzadeh, Joshua Muscat, David Zaridze, Dmitry Maximovich, Nuria Aragones, Vicente Martin, Jesus Vioque, Eva M. Navarrete-Munoz, Mohammadreza Pakseresht, Eva Negri, Matteo Rota, Farhad Pourfarzi, Lina Mu, Robert C. Kurtz, Areti Lagiou, Pagona Lagiou, Roberta Pastorino, Stefania Boccia
Summary: This study aimed to examine the association between height and risk of gastric cancer. Through a large pooled analysis of case-control studies, the study found no significant association between adult height and gastric cancer.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER PREVENTION
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Maria A. Karalexi, Marina Servitzoglou, Vassilios Papadakis, Denis Kachanov, Maja Cesen Mazic, Margaret Baka, Maria Moschovi, Maria Kourti, Sofia Polychronopoulou, Eftichia Stiakaki, Emmanuel Hatzipantelis, Helen Dana, Kalliopi Stefanaki, Astero Malama, Marios S. Themistocleous, Katerina Strantzia, Tatyana Shamanskaya, Panagiota Bouka, Paraskevi Panagopoulou, Maria Kantzanou, Evangelia Ntzani, Nick Dessypris, Eleni Th. Petridou
Summary: The prognosis of children with neuroblastoma varies depending on the stage and biology of the tumor, and early-stage neuroblastoma has a better prognosis. Treatment with anti-GD2 antibody can improve the prognosis of high-risk patients.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER PREVENTION
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Christoph Eckhard Heyde, Ulrich Josef Albert Spiegl, Anna Voelker, Nicolas von der Hoeh, Jeanette Henkelmann
Summary: The prevalence of nonspecific pyogenic spondylodiskitis has increased, causing high morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis is often delayed due to nonspecific clinical manifestations at the early stage. CT can assess the bony condition, while MRI is still the gold standard for diagnosis.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY PART A-CENTRAL EUROPEAN NEUROSURGERY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Marta Nola, Cecilia Guiot, Stefano Damiani, Natascia Brondino, Roberta Milani, Pierluigi Politi
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, university students' anxiety levels may have been affected by disruptions in relationships and academic requirements. However, having supportive relationships and engaging in personal interests may help to reduce anxiety.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Laura Palagini, Luigi Zerbinati, Matteo Balestrieri, Martino Belvederi Murri, Rosangela Caruso, Armando D'Agostino, Maria Ferrara, Silvia Ferrari, Antonino Minervino, Lucia Massa, Paolo Milia, Mario Miniati, Nanni Maria Giulia, Alessandra Petrucci, Stefano Pini, Pierluigi Politi, Matteo Porcellana, Matteo Rocchetti, Ines Taddei, Tommaso Toffanin, Luigi Grassi
Summary: Distress associated with physical illness is a well-known risk factor for adverse illness course in general hospitals. Understanding the factors contributing to it should be a priority and among them dysfunctional illness perception and poor sleep quality may contribute to it. As poor sleep quality is recognised as a major risk factor for health problems, we aimed to study its association with illness perception and levels of distress during hospitalisation.
JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Giovanni Mansueto, Sarah Tosato, Natascia Brondino, Chiara Bonetto, Simona Tomassi, Pierluigi Politi, Antonio Lasalvia, Giulia Fioravanti, Silvia Casale, Katia De Santi, Mariaelena Bertani, Marcella Bellani, Paolo Brambilla, Mirella Ruggeri, Carlo GET UP Group, Carlo Faravelli
Summary: The study found that FEP patients with childhood abuse reported more severe positive symptoms than those without abuse, and patients with at least one childhood adversity had higher cortisol levels. Morning cortisol levels were negatively correlated with the severity of negative symptoms and positively correlated with the severity of general psychopathology. Evening cortisol levels were positively correlated with the severity of general psychopathology.
NORDIC JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Valentina Martinelli, Simran Singh, Pierluigi Politi, Riccardo Caccialanza, Andrea Peri, Andrea Pietrabissa, Matteo Chiappedi
Summary: Obesity is increasingly common among adolescents. Bariatric surgery (BS) has been shown to be an effective treatment option for severely obese adolescents, but ethical concerns and country disparities regarding this procedure remain. This review focuses on the current ethical challenges of performing BS during adolescence and proposes potential future research directions for ethical and patient-centered management of obesity in adolescents.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Umberto Provenzani, Andrea De Micheli, Stefano Damiani, Dominic Oliver, Natascia Brondino, Paolo Fusar-Poli
Summary: This study investigated the physical health of CHR-P individuals and found high rates of smoking, hazardous drinking, and unhealthy diet among them. However, their physical parameters were not significantly different from the general population. The results highlight the need for monitoring physical health and implementing tailored interventions targeting daily habits in CHR-P individuals.
Review
Psychiatry
Laura Fusar-Poli, Alessandro Rodolico, Miriam Martinez, Clarissa Fichera, Bochao D. Lin, Ilaria Basadonne, Carmen Concerto, Eugenio Aguglia, Sinan Guloksuz, Maria Salvina Signorelli
Summary: People with mental disorders often have difficulties in social cognition, which has a genetic basis. This review evaluated the association between social cognition and polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for mental disorders. The results showed that currently available PRSs do not explain variation in social cognition performances. Future research should focus on developing transdiagnostic PRSs, studying their interaction with environmental risk factors, and standardizing outcome measurement.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Floriana Vasile, Anna Vizziello, Natascia Brondino, Pietro Savazzi
Summary: In this paper, a novel method for analyzing electrodermal activity (EDA) signals is proposed to help caregivers assess the emotional states of autistic people and prevent aggression onset. By training a deep neural network with synthetic data, high accuracy is achieved in classifying the emotional states.
Article
Psychiatry
Antonio Ventriglio, Mariateresa Latorre, Maria Angela Calabretta, Alessandro Cuomo, Ilaria Di Gioia, Giuseppe Ducci, Lucio Ghio, Antonietta Mallozzi, Pierluigi Politi, Domenico Suma, Ilaria Tarricone, Giuseppe Valentini Gravinese, Antonio Vita, Antonello Bellomo
Summary: Many mental disorders, particularly chronic ones like schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, have a significant impact on patients' social and cognitive functioning, including their ability to work. In Italy, a working group called ESSIMH was established to gather research evidence on mental illness, employment, social security, and rehabilitation. A study involving 737 patients with major mental illness found that the employment rate was 35.8%, and patients with psychoses had higher rates of unemployment and occupational disability compared to other diagnostic categories. These findings highlight the need for psychosocial support and interventions for individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Cecilia Maria Esposito, Jennifer L. Barkin, Alessandro Ceresa, Guido Nosari, Martina Di Paolo, Francesca Legnani, Luisa Cirella, Teresa Surace, Ilaria Tagliabue, Enrico Capuzzi, Alice Caldiroli, Antonios Dakanalis, Pierluigi Politi, Massimo Clerici, Massimiliano Buoli
Summary: Patients with psychotic BD showed more severe clinical features, fewer metabolic alterations, and higher levels of inflammation compared to those without psychotic symptoms.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Liliana Dell'Osso, Giulia Amatori, Ivan Mirko Cremone, Enrico Massimetti, Benedetta Nardi, Davide Gravina, Francesca Benedetti, Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello, Maurizio Pompili, Pierluigi Politi, Antonio Vita, Mario Maj, Barbara Carpita
Summary: Recent literature suggests that patients with severe mental disorders may develop catatonia over time, and that autistic traits and borderline personality disorder may play important roles in this development. This study aimed to compare catatonic spectrum symptoms and autistic traits among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), and healthy controls (CTL), while also evaluating possible predictive dimensions of the different diagnoses.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Andrea Amerio, Antimo Natale, Giovanni Battista Gnecco, Alessio Lechiara, Edoardo Verrina, Davide Bianchi, Laura Fusar-Poli, Alessandra Costanza, Gianluca Serafini, Mario Amore, Andrea Aguglia
Summary: The study aimed to compare sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, as well as emotional and behavioral dimensions, between males and females with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The findings showed that male BPD patients had more involuntary hospitalizations and higher substance abuse rates, while female BPD patients had more medication abuse. Additionally, females exhibited higher levels of alexithymia, hopelessness, and sensory sensitivity, and employed certain coping strategies more frequently. These gender differences highlight the importance of developing specific and differential treatments for males and females with BPD.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2023)