Article
Psychiatry
Liliana Dell'Osso, Giulia Amatori, Barbara Carpita, Gabriele Massimetti, Benedetta Nardi, Davide Gravina, Francesca Benedetti, Chiara Bonelli, Danila Casagrande, Mario Luciano, Isabella Berardelli, Natascia Brondino, Marianna De Gregorio, Giacomo Deste, Marta Nola, Antonino Reitano, Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello, Maurizio Pompili, Pierluigi Politi, Antonio Vita, Mario Maj
Summary: Several studies have found a correlation between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and catatonia, both of which are also associated with mood disorders. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between autistic traits and catatonic symptoms, as well as the potential mediating role of mood disorder spectrum. The results showed strong positive correlations, with the strongest coefficient observed between AdAS Spectrum total score and CS total score. Mediation analysis revealed that the mood disorder spectrum had a significant indirect effect on the relationship between autistic traits and catatonic symptoms.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Pablo Jose Gonzalez-Domenech, Francisco Diaz-Atienza, Luis Gutierrez-Rojas, Maria Luisa Fernandez-Soto, Carmen Maria Gonzalez-Domenech
Summary: This narrative review concludes that there is insufficient scientific evidence to support a general recommendation of dietary intervention in children with ASD. Future research should focus on protocols and procedures for assessing risk and safety, as well as larger sample sizes and longer follow-up times to obtain more reliable results.
Article
Microbiology
Amanda H. Dilmore, Daniel McDonald, Tanya T. Nguyen, James B. Adams, Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown, Emmanuel Elijah, Pieter C. Dorrestein, Rob Knight
Summary: This study characterized the gut microbiome and metabolome in PTHS individuals and their unaffected parents, revealing a higher load of Clostridium bolteae in PTHS individuals compared to their parents and other individuals. The findings suggest a microbial involvement in PTHS, with specific metabolites associated with the condition also found in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and obesity.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Saijun Huang, Xin Wang, Tao Sun, Hong Yu, Yanwei Liao, Muqing Cao, Li Cai, Xiuhong Li, Lizi Lin, Xi Su, Jin Jing
Summary: Previous studies have shown that exclusive breastfeeding is associated with lower odds of having ASD in children. This cross-sectional study conducted in seven cities in China found that toddlers with partial breastfeeding or without breastfeeding had higher odds of having ASD compared to those with exclusive breastfeeding.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xing Zhang, Dongmeng Mei, Yongfang Li, Mingdan You, Da Wang, Dianqi Yao, Yuanyuan Xu, Lingling Zhai, Yi Wang
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether exposure to arsenic during pregnancy and lactation leads to autism-like behaviors in offspring mice. The results showed that perinatal exposure to arsenic caused abnormal social behaviors and repetitive behaviors in male offspring mice, along with anxiety-like behaviors and learning and memory impairments. Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting revealed that perinatal exposure to arsenic resulted in decreases of synaptic density in the cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum, which may contribute to the autism-like behaviors observed in offspring.
Review
Psychiatry
V Nezgovorova, C. J. Ferretti, B. P. Taylor, E. Shanahan, G. Uzunova, K. Hong, O. Devinsky, E. Hollander
Summary: Current treatments for ASD are limited in efficacy, leading to the need for novel experimental therapeutics. The endocannabinoid system may play a role in the pathogenesis of ASD, making phytocannabinoids a potential effective treatment for core symptoms.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Sarah Cassidy, Sheena Au-Yeung, Ashley Robertson, Heather Cogger-Ward, Gareth Richards, Carrie Allison, Louise Bradley, Rebecca Kenny, Rory O'Connor, David Mosse, Jacqui Rodgers, Simon Baron-Cohen
Summary: This study found that elevated autistic traits are significantly over-represented in individuals who die by suicide. The characteristics of those who died, regardless of evidence of autism, are largely similar with a high number of multiple risk markers.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Fang Ye, Xinying Gao, Zhiyi Wang, Shuman Cao, Guangcai Liang, Danni He, Zhitang Lv, Liming Wang, Pengfei Xu, Qi Zhang
Summary: Significant differences in the composition of the gut microbiome were observed between boys with ASD and neurotypical controls in this study, contributing to the understanding of gut microbiome alterations in ASD patients and opening up the possibility for early identification of the disease.
SYNTHETIC AND SYSTEMS BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Darby Herkert, Connor Sullivan, YiQin Zhu, Geraldine Dawson
Summary: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening for autism in children at 18 and 24 months. A study found that for the majority of children who screened positive for autism, there were prior concerns related to development or health. This suggests that screening can provide an opportunity for healthcare providers to address autism within the context of existing concerns.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Oren Shtayermman, Yiwei Zhang
Summary: Caring for a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be challenging for parents, and their mental health may be negatively affected. This study found an association between a diagnosis of autism and elevated levels of depression in parents. It also found that a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome in children was associated with higher levels of suicidal ideation among parents.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Bianka Hoxha, Malvina Hoxha, Elisa Domi, Jacopo Gervasoni, Silvia Persichilli, Visar Malaj, Bruno Zappacosta
Summary: Folic acid plays a potential role in autism spectrum disorders, with studies indicating its benefits and mechanisms, though conflicting results exist. Further large-scale, long-term clinical trials are needed to better evaluate the role of folic acid in autism spectrum disorder risk.
Editorial Material
Psychiatry
Peter Tyrer, Roger Mulder, Giles Newton-Howes, Conor Duggan
Summary: Personality and mental disorders are connected, but often overlooked in clinical practice. The concept of Galenic syndromes recognizes this link and is named after Galen, the first physician to identify the connection between personality and disease.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Rahul Mittal, Nicole Bencie, Jake Langlie, Jeenu Mittal, Adrien A. Eshraghi
Summary: Exosomes are small extracellular membrane particles that have the potential to be used as biomarkers and drug delivery systems, especially in the neurological system and inner ear. Research suggests that exosomes can be utilized as biomarkers in diseased states and for drug delivery to hard-to-reach organs.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Junqiang Zhao, Yi Lu, Xingyang Wu, Fujun Zhou, Fangqin Fei, Xiaoyan Wu, Xiufang Ding, Minli Wang
Summary: This bibliometric study aims to summarize themes and trends in research on childhood ASD and suggests directions for future investigation based on clinical literature reports.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(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)