Article
Psychiatry
Hugues Lamothe, Ophelia Godin, Chloe Stengel, Safiyah Benmansour, Soline Burckard, Julie Brouillet, Jean Petrucci, Delphine Weil, Florian Lejuste, Marion Leboyer
Summary: This study aimed to investigate if adults with ASD and comorbid OCD exhibit specific clinical profiles. The results showed that adults with ASD and comorbid OCD had lower verbal IQ and more severe impairments in social cognition. This suggests that ASD with comorbid OCD could be a possible subtype of ASD.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Sebastian Lundstrom, Mark Taylor, Henrik Larsson, Paul Lichtenstein, Ralf Kuja-Halkola, Christopher Gillberg
Summary: This study found that impairment due to autism symptoms increased with consecutively later birth cohorts based on data from the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden. Parents of children born in 2007-2009 reported a higher degree of impairment compared to those born in 1995-1997, even at levels below the diagnostic threshold. These results suggest a growing diffuseness in the conceptualization of the ASD diagnosis.
JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Oscar W. H. Wong, Ran Barzilay, Angela M. W. Lam, Sandra Chan, Monica E. Calkins, Raquel E. Gur, Ruben C. Gur
Summary: Executive function is uniquely associated with the severity of comorbid psychopathology in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and could be a potential target for interventions.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Alejandro Cano-Villagrasa, Francisco Jose Moya-Faz, Miguel Lopez-Zamora
Summary: The prevalence of comorbidity between epilepsy and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children has been increasing. Epilepsy negatively affects the cognitive-linguistic skills of individuals with ASD. This study aims to review the literature and examine the impact of epilepsy on the development of cognitive and linguistic skills in children with ASD.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Alan Patricio da Silva, Italla Maria Pinheiro Bezerra, Thaiany Pedrozo Campos Antunes, Matheus Paiva Emidio Cavalcanti, Luiz Carlos de Abreu
Summary: This study observed 16 children diagnosed with ASD who received ABA-based treatment, and found that there were improvements in their skill performance during the treatment period.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Sebastian Ludyga, Uwe Puhse, Markus Gerber, Keita Kamijo
Summary: Research suggests that regular exercise can improve children's executive function and has the potential for use in treating executive dysfunction. Despite the heterogeneity of symptoms in neurodevelopmental disorders, exercise is beneficial for improving executive function deficits. However, key research questions need to be addressed before recommending exercise as a treatment for executive dysfunction.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Q. Liu, W. Yin, J. J. Meijsen, A. Reichenberg, J. R. Gadin, A. J. Schork, H-O Adami, A. Kolevzon, S. Sandin, F. Fang
Summary: Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have a slightly increased overall risk of cancer, particularly in narrowly defined autistic disorder, ASD with comorbid birth defects, and ASD with both birth defects and intellectual disability (ID).
ANNALS OF ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Olivia J. Surgent, Matthew Walczak, Oskar Zarzycki, Karla Ausderau, Brittany G. Travers
Summary: Motor challenges in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show significant heterogeneity, with sensory features and IQ playing a more important role in predicting motor performance across individuals than diagnostic group status. Therefore, individual variation in sensory features and cognitive abilities, rather than diagnostic group, may be better at characterizing motor challenges.
JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Raissa Kouznetsov, Panagiotis Angelopoulos, Spyridon Moulinos, Ioannis Dimakos, Philippos Gourzis, Eleni Jelastopulu
Summary: This study estimated the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Greece in 2021. 15,706 children aged 2-17 years were registered with ASD, with boys being diagnosed 3.5 times more often than girls. The annual prevalence was estimated at 0.94%, ranging from 0.42% to 1.44% depending on geographic region.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Grazia Maria Giovanna Pastorino, Francesca Felicia Operto, Chiara Padovano, Valentina Vivenzio, Chiara Scuoppo, Nazareno Pastorino, Michele Roccella, Luigi Vetri, Marco Carotenuto, Giangennaro Coppola
Summary: Children and adolescents with epilepsy, ASD, or SLD show significant deficits in emotion recognition and Theory of Mind compared to typical development controls. The ASD group had the lowest performance, with impairment also present in the SLD and epilepsy groups. The study highlights the importance of addressing social cognition difficulties in these clinical populations.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Kuldeep Kumar, Claudia Modenato, Clara Moreau, Christopher R. K. Ching, Annabelle Harvey, Sandra Martin-Brevet, Guillaume Huguet, Martineau Jean-Louis, Elise Douard, Charles-Olivier Martin, Nadine Younis, Petra Tamer, Anne M. Maillard, Leila Kushan, Dmitry Isaev, Kathryn Alpert, Anjani Ragothaman, Jessica A. Turner, Lei Wang, Tiffany C. Ho, Lianne Schmaal, Ana I. Silva, Marianne B. M. van den Bree, David E. J. Linden, Michael J. Owen, Jeremy Hall, Sarah Lippe, Guillaume Dumas, Bogdan Draganski, Boris A. Gutman, Ida E. Sonderby, Ole A. Andreassen, Laura M. Schultz, Laura Almasy, David C. Glahn, Carrie E. Bearden, Paul M. Thompson, Sebastien Jacquemont
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between 11 CNVs and 6 NPDs, as well as their effects on subcortical brain structures. The results showed that different CNVs had varying effects on subcortical structures, with some CNVs associated with adult-onset conditions and others associated with ASD.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
George Gillett, Laura Leeves, Amy Patel, Andreea Prisecaru, Debbie Spain, Francesca Happe
Summary: This study reviewed the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis and traits among individuals diagnosed with a personality disorder. The findings suggest a higher prevalence of co-existing ASD diagnosis and traits among those diagnosed with a personality disorder. However, there were limitations in the quality and methodology of the literature.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Carolyn DiGuiseppi, Tessa Crume, Julia Van Dyke, Katherine R. Sabourin, Gnakub N. Soke, Lisa A. Croen, Julie L. Daniels, Li-Ching Lee, Laura A. Schieve, Gayle C. Windham, Sandra Friedman, Cordelia Robinson Rosenberg
Summary: This study found no significant association between maternal cannabis use during peri-pregnancy and ASD in children aged 30-68 months. However, further research is needed considering potential risks suggested by underlying neurobiology and animal models.
JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
C. Torenvliet, A. P. Groenman, T. A. Radhoe, J. A. Agelink van Rentergem, W. J. Van der Putten, H. M. Geurts
Summary: Longitudinal studies on cognitive aging in autism are rare and underpowered. In this study, the largest of its kind, no significant differences in cognitive changes were found between autistic and non-autistic adults.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Anton P. Martinez, Sophie Wickham, Georgina Rowse, Elizabeth Milne, Richard P. Bentall
Summary: Studies have shown significant associations between autistic traits and probable psychosis, paranoia, thought insertion, and strange experiences in both the APMS 2007 and APMS 2014 datasets. Additionally, a significant association was found between autistic traits and hallucinations.Participants in the highest quartile of autistic traits had increased risk of probable psychosis with odds ratios of 15.5 in 2007 and 22.5 in 2014.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Samuel J. Westwood, Marion Criaud, Sheut-Ling Lam, Steve Lukito, Sophie Wallace-Hanlon, Olivia S. Kowalczyk, Afroditi Kostara, Joseph Mathew, Deborah Agbedjro, Bruce E. Wexler, Roi Cohen Kadosh, Philip Asherson, Katya Rubia
Summary: This study found no evidence of improved ADHD symptoms or cognitive performance following multi-session anodal tDCS over rIFC combined with CT.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Melanie Palmer, Joanne Tarver, Virginia Carter Leno, Juan Paris Perez, Margot Frayne, Vicky Slonims, Andrew Pickles, Stephen Scott, Tony Charman, Emily Simonoff
Summary: Emotional and behavioral problems are common in young autistic children. There are discrepancies between parents and teachers in reporting these problems. Parenting stress and verbal ability are associated with more parent-reported problems. Autistic children with minimal verbal ability display more challenging behaviors.
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
Psychiatry
Dorothea L. Floris, Han Peng, Varun Warrier, Michael V. Lombardo, Charlotte M. Pretzsch, Clara Moreau, Alex Tsompanidis, Weikang Gong, Maarten Mennes, Alberto Llera, Daan van Rooij, Marianne Oldehinkel, Natalie J. Forde, Tony Charman, Julian Tillmann, Tobias Banaschewski, Carolin Moessnang, Sarah Durston, Rosemary J. Holt, Christine Ecker, Flavio Dell'Acqua, Eva Loth, Thomas Bourgeron, Declan G. M. Murphy, Andre F. Marquand, Meng-Chuan Lai, Jan K. Buitelaar, Simon Baron-Cohen, Christian F. Beckmann
Summary: Using deep learning on brain images, the authors found that both autistic males and females tend to have neuroanatomy more similar to males, as well as social cognitive features and gene expression patterns associated with male characteristics. These neurophenotypes provide important insights into the biological mechanisms underlying autism.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Gordon Forbes, Rachel Kent, Tony Charman, Gillian Baird, Andrew Pickles, Emily Simonoff
Summary: This study examines the outcomes of social, mental health, and quality of life in early adulthood for autistic individuals and identifies childhood predictors for these outcomes. The findings suggest that young autistic adults face challenges in various areas of life, but may fare relatively well in terms of mental health or quality of life.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Aline Lefebvre, Julian Tillmann, Freddy Cliquet, Frederique Amsellem, Anna Maruani, Claire Leblond, Anita Beggiato, David Germanaud, Anouck Amestoy, Myriam Ly-Le Moal, Daniel Umbricht, Christopher Chatham, Lorraine Murtagh, Manuel Bouvard, Marion Leboyer, Tony Charman, Thomas Bourgeron, Richard Delorme, Guillaume Dumas
Summary: This study aimed to characterize hypo/hyper-sensory profiles among autistic individuals and explore their association with deleterious mutations. The results showed significant differences in profiles between autistic individuals and controls, with relatives exhibiting an intermediate profile. Genetic analysis suggested an association between hyposensitivity and mutations in the GABAergic pathway.
Article
Neurosciences
Iva Ilioska, Marianne Oldehinkel, Alberto Llera, Sidhant Chopra, Tristan Looden, Roselyne Chauvin, Daan Van Rooij, Dorothea L. Floris, Julian Tillmann, Carolin Moessnang, Tobias Banaschewski, Rosemary J. Holt, Eva Loth, Tony Charman, Declan G. M. Murphy, Christine Ecker, Maarten Mennes, Christian F. Beckmann, Alex Fornito, Jan K. Buitelaar
Summary: This study found a brainwide pattern of hypo- and hyperconnectivity in individuals with autism, primarily affecting sensory and higher-order attention networks, as well as the default mode network and subcortex. These connectivity alterations were stable and trait-like features of autism, independent of age and sex, and correlated with social difficulties, restrictive and repetitive behaviors, and alterations in sensory processing.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Lucy Adams, Nicoletta Adamo, Matthew J. Hollocks, Jennifer Watson, Aylana Brewster, Lucia Valmaggia, Emma Jewitt, Jodie Edwards, Maisie Krisson, Emily Simonoff
Summary: Remote psychological interventions have both challenges and benefits for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. A study interviewed autistic individuals and clinicians, finding that there are barriers and challenges to remote delivery, but also potential benefits for some individuals. Most participants supported the provision of hybrid delivery post-pandemic.
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Sophie Carruthers, Andrew Pickles, Tony Charman, Helen McConachie, Ann Le Couteur, Vicky Slonims, Patricia Howlin, Rachel Collum, Erica Salomone, Hannah Tobin, Isobel Gammer, Jessica Maxwell, Catherine Aldred, Jeremy Parr, Kathy Leadbitter, Jonathan Green
Summary: This study investigates the mechanism by which the parent-mediated Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) intervention achieves sustained effects on autistic child outcomes. It finds that increased communication initiation between the autistic child and their caregiver is largely responsible for the long-term effects on behavior and adaptive outcomes.
JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Jannath K. Begum-Ali, Louisa Gosse, Luke Mason, Greg Pasco, Tony H. Charman, Mark Johnson, Emily J. H. Jones
Summary: Children with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ASD and ADHD, frequently experience sleep disturbances. A study conducted on infants with family history of ASD and/or ADHD revealed that infants with first-degree relatives with ASD showed poorer night sleep quality at 14 months. Poor infant sleep quality was associated with later ASD diagnosis, decreased cognitive ability, increased ASD symptoms, and developing social attention.
JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
(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
Hillary Schiltz, Kyle Sterrett, Hannah Singer, Catherine Lord
Summary: Autistic adults and adults with developmental disabilities (DD) are prone to anxiety and depression, which can negatively impact their adult life. This study aims to understand the temporal relationship between anxiety and depression in these individuals and how it affects their well-being. The findings show that both anxiety and depressive symptoms have autoregressive effects over time, based on both caregiver and self-report. Interestingly, anxiety symptoms predicted later depressive symptoms based on caregiver-report, while the opposite pattern was found in self-report. Different aspects of positive well-being are also linked to anxiety and depression. These findings emphasize the importance of a transdiagnostic approach to mental health services for autistic adults and adults with DDs, and the need to monitor for anxious or depressive symptoms in this population.
Letter
Behavioral Sciences
Einat Waizbard-Bartov, Deborah Fein, Catherine Lord, David G. Amaral
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Melanie Palmer, Zhaonan Fang, Matthew J. Hollocks, Tony Charman, Andrew Pickles, Gillian Baird, Emily Simonoff
Summary: ADHD questionnaires may not be accurate in screening symptoms in young adults with autism, leading to under-diagnosis.
JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Katarzyna Kostyrka-Allchorne, Petrina Chu, Claire Ballard, Nancy Lean, Blandine French, Ellen Hedstrom, Sarah Byford, Samuele Cortese, David Daley, Johnny Downs, Cristine Glazebrook, Kimberley Goldsmith, Charlotte L. Hall, Hanna Kovshoff, Jana Kreppner, Kapil Sayal, James Shearer, Emily Simonoff, Margaret Thompson, Edmund J. S. Sonuga-Barke
Summary: This study aimed to adapt a digital routine clinical monitoring system, myHealthE, for research purposes, test remote methods for participant screening and identification, and explore the usability of the STEPS app. The results show that remote recruitment and study procedures are feasible and acceptable for parents, and that STEPS is considered a useful and easy-to-use digital parenting support tool.
JMIR PEDIATRICS AND PARENTING
(2023)