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Autism
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Definition of Autism
A pervasive developmental disorder characterized by severe deficits in social interaction and communication, by an extremely limited range of activities and interests, and often by the presence of repetitive, stereotyped behaviors.
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Fragile X Study May Hold Autism Clue
Scientists report reversing symptoms of fragile X syndrome, a common genetic cause of autism and mental retardation, in lab tests on mice. The findings may eventually lead to the development of drugs for fragile X syndrome and perhaps for autism, according to the researchers.
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Cues May Signal Autism in Toddlers
A new study suggests that about half of all cases of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may be diagnosable during the toddler years. The other half may be diagnosed later and may be a very different type of the behavioral and social disorder.
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New Theory on Autism and Genetics
New research on the genetics of autism links most autism cases to spontaneous gene mutations. The findings, published in this week's early edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, don't pinpoint specific autism genes. Instead, the study presents a general theory about autism and genetics.
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Caution Urged for Autism Treatments
Unproven treatments for autism have increased as the number of children with autism and related disorders has grown dramatically, according to a team of Ohio State University researchers. "Fad treatments have grown as the numbers have gone up," says James Mulick, PhD, a professor of pediatrics and psychology at Ohio State University, Columbus, who led a symposium on the topic at the 115th annual convention of the American Psychological Association (APA) in San Francisco.
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Gene Mutation Tied to Autism
Scientists today announced that they've found a new way to study a gene mutation linked to autism. The researchers report that they have genetically engineered mice with a genetic mutation seen in some people with autism spectrum disorders.
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Autism Improves in Adulthood
Most teens and adults with autism have less severe symptoms and behaviors as they get older, a groundbreaking study shows. Not every adult with autism gets better. Some -- especially those with mental retardation -- may get worse. Many remain stable. But even with severe autism, most teens and adults see improvement over time, find Paul T. Shattuck, PhD, Marsha Mailick Seltzer, PhD, and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin.
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New Insights Into the Autistic Brain
Using a novel imaging technique, researchers have found that autistic kids have more gray matter in the brain area that governs social processing and learning-by-seeing than children who don't have the developmental disorder.
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Report: Fever Improves Autism Symptoms
Children with autism appear to improve when they have a fever, according to intriguing new research that could lead to a better understanding of the disorder. Fever was associated with less hyperactivity, improved communication, and less irritability in the study involving children with autism and related disorders.
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Autism Linked to Brain Protein
New autism research shows that a certain brain protein may affect brain development -- and possibly nudge the brain toward autism. The protein, called Cdk5, seems to pave the way for another protein, called CASK, to build synapses between brain cells. Brain cells communicate across synapses. So synapse production is a big deal -- and without enough Cdk5, that process can go wrong.
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Heavy Metal Exposures, Developmental Milestones, and Physical Symptoms in Children with Autism
Participant Selection: There were 53 children with ASD and 48 control children enrolled in the study. The children with ASD included 49 with autism, 2 with PDD/NOS, and 2 with Asperger’s. There were 12 girls and 11 girls in the ASD and control groups, respectively, comprising 23% of each of their groups.
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Toxic Metals and Essential Minerals in the Hair of Children with Autism and their Mothers
While the cause of autism is unknown, there are suggestions that excessive mercury or other toxic metals, and/or a lack of essential minerals, may play a role. The amount of toxic metals and essential minerals can easily be assessed by blood, urine, and hair. Hair is especially useful for toxic metals, as they are much more concentrated in the hair. Since hair grows at a rate of 1-1.5 cm/month, a 2-3 cm sample from next to the scalp can provide an average over 2-3 months. It provides a measure of what is being transported in the body during that time, but will not be able to detect earlier exposures. There has been some recent well-publicized criticism of hair analysis studies [1], but the major criticism centered on differences in results between different labs, some of which were using inferior equipment and less rigorous preparation techniques. Those concerns can be addressed by using a single high-quality lab, with blinded testing of subjects vs. controls. In a classic review of ov
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Autism Spectrum Disorders: Living with Autism7 min. 47 sec.
Living with Autism, Excerpt from ASD: Coping Strategies for Family and Friends. This sample is Marian Joiner's unique glimpse into the mind of an individual living with autism. Her seminars are informative, funny and enlightening. This recording of Marian's family seminar introduces family and friends to autism spectrum disorders such as Asperger's Syndrome, Autism and PDD.
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