Article
Environmental Sciences
Jing Wu, Dongfang Wang, Lailai Yan, Meixiang Jia, Jishui Zhang, Songping Han, Jisheng Han, Jingyu Wang, Xi Chen, Rong Zhang
Summary: This case-control study explored the associations between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and serum concentrations of nine chemical elements in children. The study found that the concentrations of certain elements were associated with the risk and severity of ASD.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Kate Stephens, Timothy J. Silk, Vicki Anderson, Philip Hazell, Peter G. Enticott, Emma Sciberras
Summary: Children with ADHD combined with ASD symptoms show poorer social and emotional functioning compared to those with ADHD alone. A study found significant associations between white matter microstructure, specifically the left cingulum, and emotional problems in the ADHD + ASD group. These results provide insights into the specific biological basis of emotional problems in children with ADHD and ASD symptoms.
JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jingyuan Xiao, Yu Gao, Yongfu Yu, Gunnar Toft, Yawei Zhang, Jiajun Luo, Yuntian Xia, Katarzyna Chawarska, Jorn Olsen, Jiong Li, Zeyan Liew
Summary: Offspring of parents born with adverse characteristics had an elevated risk for ASD, with parents born very preterm potentially doubling the risk for their children. Parental social-mental and offspring perinatal factors may explain a portion of this risk.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Sophie Brunt, Rose Nevill, Micah O. Mazurek
Summary: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience high levels of caregiver strain (CGS). This study examined the relationship between core ASD symptoms and different facets of CGS: objective, subjective internalized, and subjective externalized strain. The study found that atypical behaviors and behavior problems were the strongest predictors of all types of caregiver strain. The impact of these predictors on CGS was also found to be different for younger children versus adolescents. Future research should focus on strategies to support parents in reducing caregiver strain, as it affects their service utilization patterns.
JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin J. Garcia, Ramanuja Simha, Michael Garvin, Anna Furches, Piet Jones, Joao G. F. M. Gazolla, P. Doug Hyatt, Christopher W. Schadt, Dale Pelletier, Daniel Jacobson
Summary: Viruses, although underrepresented, play an essential role in the microbiome, and their study and identification can be improved through dynamic programming algorithms and database analysis for classification. This method contributes to a better understanding of the role of viruses in the microbiome.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
John Lenon de Souza Santos, Cecilia de Almeida Araujo, Clarissa Araujo Gurgel Rocha, Zaquer Suzana Munhoz Costa-Ferro, Bruno Solano de Freitas Souza
Summary: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental disorders that affect communication and social interactions. The understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying ASD is still limited. Recent advancements in cellular reprogramming technology have allowed the generation of patient-specific cell models for mechanistic studies. Brain organoids derived from these cells have provided significant advances in the reproducibility of early human brain development, contributing to the study of ASD.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Carly Demopoulos, Sara A. Skiba, Brandon E. Kopald, Nitin Bangera, Kim Paulson, Jeffrey David Lewine
Summary: This study examined the relationship between rapid auditory processing of speech sounds and verbal communication abilities in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The results showed that impaired rapid auditory processing was associated with deficits in speech articulation, expressive language abilities, vocabulary, and phonological memory.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Yi-Ling Chien, Chi-Shin Wu, Yen-Chen Chang, Mei-Leng Cheong, Tsung-Chieh Yao, Hui-Ju Tsai
Summary: Parental psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, depressive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, adjustment disorders, ADHD and ASD, are associated with ASD in offspring.
Article
Neurosciences
Sijia Zhao, Yajie Liu, Kunlin Wei
Summary: Attentional control is impaired in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and this impairment may be related to dysregulation in the locus ceruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system. Research has shown that children with ASD have difficulties in attention habituation and phasic response, particularly to stimuli containing social information. These impairments are correlated with the severity of ASD symptoms.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Gail A. Alvares, Melissa K. Licari, Paul G. Stevenson, Keely Bebbington, Matthew N. Cooper, Emma J. Glasson, Diana W. Tan, Mirko Uljarevic, Kandice J. Varcin, John Wray, Andrew J. O. Whitehouse
Summary: The study found that as birth order increases, adaptive functioning and intelligence scores in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) cases decrease, with later-born children more likely to have intellectual disabilities.
JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Martina Lombardi, Jacopo Troisi
Summary: Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by genetic and environmental factors, with gut dysbiosis possibly contributing to autism symptoms. Current studies on microbial-based and dietary interventions lack consistency and comparability, highlighting the need for standardized methods in future research.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Rory O'Connor, Marcel van De Wouw, Gerard M. Moloney, Ana Paula Ventura-Silva, Ken O'Riordan, Anna V. Golubeva, Timothy G. Dinan, Harriet Schellekens, John F. Cryan
Summary: This study found that aged BTBR mice exhibit differences in behavior and immune function compared to controls, maintaining the behavioral changes observed in young animals and showing more nuanced effects in terms of anxiety. Additionally, BTBR mice also show signs of an activated T-cell system, suggesting a potential need for differential interventional approaches to counter these impairments.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jing Zheng, Fei Long, Xu Cao, Bo Xiong, Yu Li
Summary: KATNAL2 mutations are associated with ASD and other related NDDs. In this study, katnal2 null allele was generated in zebrafish using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and the resulting zebrafish showed developmental and behavioral defects, providing an in vivo model for studying the mechanisms underlying ASD related to KATNAL2 mutations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Hannah Meyer-Lindenberg, Carolin Moessnang, Bethany Oakley, Jumana Ahmad, Luke Mason, Emily J. H. Jones, Hannah L. Hayward, Jennifer Cooke, Daisy Crawley, Rosemary Holt, Julian Tillmann, Tony Charman, Simon Baron-Cohen, Tobias Banaschewski, Christian Beckmann, Heike Tost, Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, Jan K. Buitelaar, Declan G. Murphy, Michael J. Brammer, Eva Loth
Summary: The study identified a subgroup of autistic individuals with difficulties in facial expression recognition and demonstrated their association with clinical and neurobiological characteristics.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Masud Rabbani, Munirul M. Haque, Dipranjan Das Dipal, Md Ishrak Islam Zarif, Anik Iqbal, Amy Schwichtenberg, Naveen Bansal, Tanjir Rashid Soron, Syed Ishtiaque Ahmed, Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the behavioral patterns of children with ASD during and after the COVID-19 lockdown, and found that support in the areas of problematic behavior could mitigate future risks.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
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, Developmental
Sophie Carruthers, Natasha Mleczko, Stephanie Page, Shalini Ahuja, Ceri Ellis, Patricia Howlin, Kathy Leadbitter, Lauren Taylor, Vicky Slonims, Tony Charman
Summary: One core component of the intervention involves supporting parents to change their interaction and communication style with their child. The study interviewed 27 parents and explored their use of intervention strategies after the trial. Analysis revealed barriers and facilitators related to parents' characteristics, their context, and features of the intervention, with almost all parents reporting continued use of the strategies. Consideration of these factors can inform future studies of similar interventions.
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
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
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
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.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Siofra Heraty, Alexandra Lautarescu, David Belton, Alison Boyle, Pietro Cirrincione, Mary Doherty, Sarah Douglas, Jan Roderik Derk Plas, Katrien Van Den Bosch, Pierre Violland, Jerneja Tercon, Amber Ruigrok, Declan G. M. Murphy, Thomas Bourgeron, Christopher Chatham, Eva Loth, Bethany Oakley, Grainne M. Mcalonan, Tony Charman, Nicolaas Puts, Louise Gallagher, Emily J. H. Jones
Summary: A change in research culture is needed to improve the relationship between autistic people and the biomedical research community. Through participatory research, we can reject negative perceptions of autism and work towards a shared vision that embraces neurodiversity.
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Jiedi Lei, Eleanor Leigh, Tony Charman, Ailsa Russell, Matthew J. Hollocks
Summary: This study identifies a strong relationship between camouflaging and safety behaviours in social anxiety among autistic and non-autistic adolescents. The assessment and formulation of construct overlap between camouflaging and impression management can inform psychoeducation and adaptation of social anxiety treatment for autistic adolescents.
JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
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)
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)