1. Barnard-Brak L, Sulak T, Hatz JK. {{Macrocephaly in children with autism spectrum disorders}}. {Pediatr Neurol};2011 (Feb);44(2):97-100.
Research indicates the presence of macrocephaly or abnormally large head circumferences in children with autism and spectrum-related disorders, compared with their typically developing peers. Previous research, however, centered on non-nationally representative, clinic-based samples of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. Moreover, these samples were typically small. The present study represents results of a nationally representative, community-based sample of children with and without autism spectrum disorders, derived from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Birth Cohort. Results reveal statistically nonsignificant differences in the head circumferences of children with autism spectrum disorders across three time points, compared with children without autism spectrum disorders. These results may be considered highly generalizable, because they are derived from a nationally representative, community-based sample of children with and without autism spectrum disorders from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Birth Cohort.
2. Barnes VM. {{Dentistry and autism}}. {J Am Dent Assoc};2011 (Feb);142(2):126.
3. Benton TD. {{Aripiprazole to Treat Irritability Associated With Autism: A Placebo-Controlled, Fixed-Dose Trial}}. {Curr Psychiatry Rep};2011 (Feb 1)
4. Ben-Zeev B, Aharoni R, Nissenkorn A, Arnon R. {{Glatiramer acetate (GA, Copolymer-1) an hypothetical treatment option for Rett syndrome}}. {Med Hypotheses};2011 (Feb);76(2):190-193.
Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked dominant postnatal severe and disabling neurodevelopmental disorder which is the second most common cause for genetic mental retardation in girls and the first pervasive disorder with a known genetic basis. The syndrome is primarily caused by mutations in the Methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene on Xq28. Its protein product MeCP2 acts as a transcriptional repressor or activator depending on the target gene associated. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophic factor playing a major role in neuronal survival, neurogenesis and plasticity. It has been identified as a major MeCP2 target through a candidate gene approach and abnormalities in BDNF homeostasis are believed to contribute to the neurologic phenotype and pato-physiology of part of the symptoms in Mecp2 null mice that show progressive deficits in its expression. Based on the presumed role of BDNF in the pathophysiology of Rett syndrome it is reasonable to assume that interventions that will elevate its levels in the brain of RTT patients will be of therapeutic benefit. Glatiramer acetate (GA, Copolymer 1, Copaxone) an immunomodulator with proven safety and efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis has been reported to cause elevated secretion of BDNF both in animal model and in MS patients. Our hypothesis is that continuous treatment of patients with RTT with Glatiramer acetate might lead to an increase in their brain’s BDNF content and an improvement in at least part of the syndrome symptomatology while being safe to use and well tolerated in this population. In a pilot preliminary study we have shown that GA cause elevation of BDNF expression up to the level in naive control mice in several cortical areas in the Mecp2 mutated mouse brain, but as of yet did not examine the behavioral aspects of this elevation.
5. Catarino A, Luke L, Waldman S, Andrade A, Fletcher PC, Ring H. {{An fMRI investigation of detection of semantic incongruities in autistic spectrum conditions}}. {Eur J Neurosci};2011 (Feb);33(3):558-567.
The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the brain’s haemodynamic response to semantically incongruent and congruent sentences in adults with an autistic spectrum condition (ASC) and a typically developing Control group. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure regional variations in neural activity during detection of semantic incongruities within written sentences. Whilst the 12 controls showed a pattern of activity extending from posterior cingulate cortices bilaterally and the left occipitotemporal region to the left superior and inferior temporal lobes, right anterior cingulate and right inferior frontal gyrus, the 12 participants with an ASC presented a more spatially restricted activation pattern, including the left inferior frontal gyrus, left anterior cingulate cortex and right middle frontal gyrus. These results are coherent with the hypothesis that impaired integration of multiple neural networks in people with an ASC is related to previous observations that this group have difficulties in the use of context to predict the final word of sentences.
6. Cheslack-Postava K, Liu K, Bearman PS. {{Closely spaced pregnancies are associated with increased odds of autism in california sibling births}}. {Pediatrics};2011 (Feb);127(2):246-253.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the interpregnancy interval (IPI) is associated with the risk of autism in subsequent births. METHODS: Pairs of first- and second-born singleton full siblings were identified from all California births that occurred from 1992 to 2002 using birth records, and autism diagnoses were identified by using linked records of the California Department of Developmental Services. IPI was calculated as the time interval between birth dates minus the gestational age of the second sibling. In the primary analysis, logistic regression models were used to determine whether odds of autism in second-born children varied according to IPI. To address potential confounding by unmeasured family-level factors, a case-sibling control analysis determined whether affected sibling (first versus second) varied with IPI. RESULTS: An inverse association between IPI and odds of autism among 662 730 second-born children was observed. In particular, IPIs of <12, 12 to 23, and 24 to 35 months were associated with odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for autism of 3.39 (3.00-3.82), 1.86 (1.65-2.10), and 1.26 (1.10-1.45) relative to IPIs of >/=36 months. The association was not mediated by preterm birth or low birth weight and persisted across categories of sociodemographic characteristics, with some attenuation in the oldest and youngest parents. Second-born children were at increased risk of autism relative to their firstborn siblings only in pairs with short IPIs. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that children born after shorter intervals between pregnancies are at increased risk of developing autism; the highest risk was associated with pregnancies spaced <1 year apart.
7. Cicchetti DV, Koenig K, Klin A, Volkmar FR, Paul R, Sparrow S. {{From bayes through marginal utility to effect sizes: a guide to understanding the clinical and statistical significance of the results of autism research findings}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Feb);41(2):168-174.
The objectives of this report are: (a) to trace the theoretical roots of the concept clinical significance that derives from Bayesian thinking, Marginal Utility/Diminishing Returns in Economics, and the « just noticeable difference », in Psychophysics. These concepts then translated into: Effect Size (ES), strength of agreement, clinical significance, and related concepts, and made possible the development of Power Analysis; (b) to differentiate clinical significance from statistical significance; and (c) to demonstrate the utility of measures of ES and related concepts for enhancing the meaning of Autism research findings. These objectives are accomplished by applying criteria for estimating clinical significance, and related concepts, to a number of areas of autism research.
8. De Pauw SS, Mervielde I, Van Leeuwen KG, De Clercq BJ. {{How temperament and personality contribute to the maladjustment of children with autism}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Feb);41(2):196-212.
To test the spectrum hypothesis-postulating that clinical and non-clinical samples are primarily differentiated by mean-level differences-, this study evaluates differences in parent-rated temperament, personality and maladjustment among a low-symptom (N = 81), a high-symptom (N = 94) ASD-group, and a comparison group (N = 500). These classic spectrum hypothesis tests are extended by adding tests for similarity in variances, reliabilities and patterns of covariation between relevant variables. Children with ASD exhibit more extreme means, except for dominance. The low- and high-symptom ASD-groups are primarily differentiated by mean sociability and internal distress. Striking similarities in reliability and pattern of covariation of variables suggest that comparable processes link traits to maladaptation in low- and high-symptom children with ASD and in children with and without autism.
9. Ghaziuddin M. {{Asperger Disorder in the DSM-V: Sacrificing Utility for Validity}}. {J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry};2011 (Feb);50(2):192-193.
10. Hoch J, Moore T, McComas J, Symons FJ. {{Arousal and activity choice in autism: A single case assessment integrating autonomic and behavioral analysis}}. {J Appl Biobehav Res};2010 (Sep);15(3):119-133.
Theoretical accounts of autism have hypothesized links between arousal and behavior but research translations of theory to real-world contexts have been limited. In this single-subject experimental analysis, a school-age subject chose between high and low arousing activities with real time monitoring of behavior and heart rate (HR). Time series statistical analysis showed significant changes in HR associated with activity type and no association with motor movement. Sequential analysis showed that activity choice and HR were significantly associated (i.e., activity choice sequentially dependent with the preceding level of HR). Highly arousing activities were more likely to be chosen following high HR and vice versa. Results provide evidence of the feasibility of an integrative bio-behavioral approach to understand behavior in neurodevelopmental disorders.
11. Iseri E, Guney E, Ceylan MF, Yucel A, Aral A, Bodur S, Sener S. {{Increased serum levels of epidermal growth factor in children with autism}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Feb);41(2):237-241.
The etiology of autism is unclear, however autism is considered as a multifactorial disorder that is influenced by neurological, environmental, immunological and genetic factors. Growth factors, including epidermal growth factor (EGF), play an important role in the celluler proliferation and the differentiation of the central and peripheral nervous system. In this study we hypothesized that EGF may play a role in the pathophysiology of autism and examined serum EGF levels in children with autism. We measured serum levels of EGF in the 27 autistic children and 28 age- matched normal controls. The serum levels of EGF in the subjects with autism were significantly higher than those of normal control subjects. However, there were no correlations between serum EGF levels and clinical variables in the subjects with autism. This is the first report demonstrating the increased serum levels of EGF in children with autism. This study suggests that increased levels of EGF might have an importance in the pathophysiology of autism.
12. Jou RJ, Mateljevic N, Minshew NJ, Keshavan MS, Hardan AY. {{Reduced central white matter volume in autism: Implications for long-range connectivity}}. {Psychiatry Clin Neurosci};2011 (Feb);65(1):98-101.
Cortical and central white matter (WM) volumes were measured to assess short- and long-range connectivity in autism, respectively. Subjects included 23 boys with autism and 23 matched controls, all without intellectual disability. Magnetic resonance imaging data obtained at 1.5 T were analyzed using BRAINS2 software (University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA). Central WM volume was quantified by subtracting cortical from supratentorial WM volumes. Reduced central WM volume was observed in the autism group. IQ was higher in controls with no observed correlations between WM volumes and IQ. This preliminary evidence of reduced central WM volume in autism suggests abnormal long-range connectivity.
13. Khajuria R, Gupta N, Sapra S, Gulati S, Ghosh M, Kalra V, Kabra M. {{A Novel MECP2 Change in an Indian Boy With Variant Rett Phenotype and Congenital Blindness: Implications for Genetic Counseling and Prenatal Diagnosis}}. {J Child Neurol};2011 (Feb);26(2):209-213.
Mutations in MECP2 gene are the primary cause of Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder that primarily affects girls, and affect 90% to 95% patients with classical Rett syndrome. MECP2 mutations, once thought to be lethal in males, now present a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations in males. This article reports a family with a 9-year-old boy with Rett-like phenotype and congenital blindness, who inherited a novel MECP2 variant (p.P430S) from his asymptomatic mother. The variant was also identified in the asymptomatic maternal grandfather and maternal aunts of the proband, ruling out the possibility that the p.P430S was involved in the phenotype. Findings of the study suggest that a careful evaluation of the pathogenic nature of MECP2 variants identified in males be conducted before proposing genetic counseling or prenatal diagnosis to the family and that the interference of other factors like modifier genes, environment, epigenetics, and mosaicism be taken into account.
14. Kirchner JC, Hatri A, Heekeren HR, Dziobek I. {{Autistic symptomatology, face processing abilities, and eye fixation patterns}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Feb);41(2):158-167.
Deviant gaze behavior is a defining characteristic of autism. Its relevance as a pathophysiological mechanism, however, remains unknown. In the present study, we compared eye fixations of 20 adults with autism and 21 controls while they were engaged in taking the Multifaceted Empathy Test (MET). Additional measures of face emotion and identity recognition were also obtained. While both groups fixated more on the face and mouth in the emotion recognition than in the face identity condition of the MET, individuals with autism fixated less on the face across MET conditions. Correlation analysis revealed associations between fixation time on the eyes and face processing abilities. Our results suggest that eye fixation patterns are an important characteristic of the social phenotype of autism.
15. Le Guen T, Bahi-Buisson N, Nectoux J, Boddaert N, Fichou Y, Diebold B, Desguerre I, Raqbi F, Daire VC, Chelly J, Bienvenu T. {{A FOXG1 mutation in a boy with congenital variant of Rett syndrome}}. {Neurogenetics};2011 (Feb);12(1):1-8.
Mutations in the FOXG1 gene have been shown to cause congenital variant of Rett syndrome. To date, point mutations have been reported only in female patients. We screened the entire coding region of the gene for mutations in 50 boys with congenital encephalopathy, postnatal microcephaly, and complex movement disorders, a clinical picture very similar to that described in girls with FOXG1 mutations. We found one boy carrying the de novo c.256_257dupC frameshift mutation. He presented the association of postnatal microcephaly, severe axial dystonia with severe feeding difficulties with protruding tongue movements during the first year of life that subsequently evolved into dyskinetic movement disorders with hand stereotypies. In contrast to his severe motor impairment, he developed nonverbal communication skills and relative good eye contact. Brain MRI showed frontal gyral simplification with dramatic myelination delay most prominent in both frontal lobes. Altogether the presentation in this male patient is highly reminiscent of that observed in FOXG1-mutated females with the congenital variant of Rett syndrome. This new case confirms the prediction that congenital variant of Rett syndrome should be found also in males, with the characteristic hallmarks consisting of postnatal microcephaly, dyskinetic movement disorder with Rett-like features, i.e., hand stereotypies, and frontal gyral simplification with myelination delay. FOXG1 screening should be considered in individuals with these clinical features.
16. Li AS, Kelley EA, Evans AD, Lee K. {{Exploring the ability to deceive in children with autism spectrum disorders}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Feb);41(2):185-195.
The present study explored the relations among lie-telling ability, false belief understanding, and verbal mental age. We found that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), like typically developing children, can and do tell antisocial lies (to conceal a transgression) and white lies (in politeness settings). However, children with ASD were less able than typically developing children to cover up their initial lie; that is, children with ASD had difficulty exercising semantic leakage control-the ability to maintain consistency between their initial lie and subsequent statements. Furthermore, unlike in typically developing children, lie-telling ability in children with ASD was not found to be related to their false belief understanding. Future research should examine the underlying processes by which children with ASD tell lies.
17. Liptak GS, Kennedy JA, Dosa NP. {{Social Participation in a Nationally Representative Sample of Older Youth and Young Adults With Autism}}. {J Dev Behav Pediatr};2011 (Feb 1)
OBJECTIVE:: To describe social participation and identify factors that affect it in a nationally representative sample of adolescents and young adults with autism. METHODS:: Longitudinal cohort study using data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2. The World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health model was used with participation as the dependent category. RESULTS:: A nationally representative sample of 725 youth with autism representing a weighted sample of 21,010 individuals was followed up for 4 years. The mean age at first interview was 15.4 years and 19.2 years at follow-up. More than half the youth at follow-up had not gotten together with friends in the previous year and 64% had not talked on the phone with a friend. Being employed or in secondary education was associated with the following factors (odds ratios): problems conversing (0.67), being teased (0.17), mental retardation (0.06), being above the poverty level (4.17), not using prescription medicine (4.11), general health status (2.30), and parental involvement with school (1.69) (all p < .001). CONCLUSIONS:: Many adolescents and young adults with autism become increasingly isolated. Although each aspect of social participation had its own distinct pattern of factors related to it, the ability to communicate effectively, less severe autism, coming from an environment that was not impoverished and having parents who advocated were associated with more positive outcomes. These data provide insights into the factors that affect the participation of youth with autism during their transition years and should ultimately lead to interventions that could improve those transitions.
18. Marui T, Funatogawa I, Koishi S, Yamamoto K, Matsumoto H, Hashimoto O, Jinde S, Nishida H, Sugiyama T, Kasai K, Watanabe K, Kano Y, Kato N. {{The NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase 1 alpha subcomplex 5 (NDUFA5) gene variants are associated with autism}}. {Acta Psychiatr Scand};2011 (Feb);123(2):118-124.
OBJECTIVE: Autism appears to have a strong genetic component. The product of the NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase 1 alpha subcomplex 5 (NDUFA5) gene is included in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. METHOD: We performed a case-control study of 235 patients with autism and 214 controls and examined three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within this gene in a Japanese population. We then conducted a transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis in 148 autistic trios. RESULTS: In the case-control study, two SNPs (rs12666974 and rs3779262) showed a significant association with autism (P=0.00064 and 0.00046 respectively). Furthermore, a haplotype containing these two SNPs showed a significant association (P-global=0.0013, individual haplotype A-A: P=0.010). In TDT analysis, the global and A-A haplotype P-values also indicated significant associations. Minor allele and genotype frequencies were decreased in the autistic subjects. CONCLUSION: We found significant association between the NDFA5 gene and autism.
19. McPartland JC, Webb SJ, Keehn B, Dawson G. {{Patterns of visual attention to faces and objects in autism spectrum disorder}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Feb);41(2):148-157.
This study used eye-tracking to examine visual attention to faces and objects in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typical peers. Point of gaze was recorded during passive viewing of images of human faces, inverted human faces, monkey faces, three-dimensional curvilinear objects, and two-dimensional geometric patterns. Individuals with ASD obtained lower scores on measures of face recognition and social-emotional functioning but exhibited similar patterns of visual attention. In individuals with ASD, face recognition performance was associated with social adaptive function. Results highlight heterogeneity in manifestation of social deficits in ASD and suggest that naturalistic assessments are important for quantifying atypicalities in visual attention.
20. Nazeer A. {{Psychopharmacology of autistic spectrum disorders in children and adolescents}}. {Pediatr Clin North Am};2011 (Feb);58(1):85-97.
This article provides an overview of the psychopharmacologic management of irritability, hyperactivity, and repetitive behaviors in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. A review of the current literature on medications used to treat these conditions with emphasis on randomized controlled trials is presented.
21. Nonkin Avchen R, Wiggins LD, Devine O, Van Naarden Braun K, Rice C, Hobson NC, Schendel D, Yeargin-Allsopp M. {{Evaluation of a records-review surveillance system used to determine the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Feb);41(2):227-236.
We conducted the first study that estimates the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of a population-based autism spectrum disorders (ASD) surveillance system developed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The system employs a records-review methodology that yields ASD classification (case versus non-ASD case) and was compared with classification based on clinical examination. The study enrolled 177 children. Estimated specificity (0.96, [CI(.95) = 0.94, 0.99]), PPV (0.79 [CI(.95) = 0.66, 0.93]), and NPV (0.91 [CI(.95) = 0.87, 0.96]) were high. Sensitivity was lower (0.60 [CI(.95) = 0.45, 0.75]). Given diagnostic heterogeneity, and the broad array of ASD in the population, identifying children with ASD is challenging. Records-based surveillance yields a population-based estimate of ASD that is likely conservative.
22. Oldershaw A, Treasure J, Hambrook D, Tchanturia K, Schmidt U. {{Is anorexia nervosa a version of autism spectrum disorders?}}. {Eur Eat Disord Rev};2011 (Jan 30)
OBJECTIVES: Similarities have been noted between cognitive profiles of anorexia nervosa (AN) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, there are no direct comparison studies. This study aimed to compare the cognitive profile of AN against published ASD data on tasks measuring empathy, executive function and central coherence. METHODS: Currently ill AN outpatients (n = 40) were statistically compared against published ASD scores on Reading the Mind in the Eyes, Voice and Films tasks (assessing empathy), Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST) (assessing executive function) and Embedded Figures Task (EFT) (assessing detail focus aspect of central coherence). RESULTS: Cognitive profiles of the groups were statistically similar, except for differences in the relative patterns of empathy scores. CONCLUSIONS: The cognitive profile in current AN resembles that of ASD with important clinical implications. Replication studies with planned comparisons, examination of the state-or trait-nature of AN profile and clarification of factors underpinning similarities are required in order to broaden understanding of both disorders. Copyright (c) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
23. Pecorelli A, Ciccoli L, Signorini C, Leoncini S, Giardini A, D’Esposito M, Filosa S, Hayek J, De Felice C, Valacchi G. {{Increased levels of 4HNE-protein plasma adducts in Rett Syndrome}}. {Clin Biochem};2011 (Jan 25)
Objective Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurological disorder and a leading cause of mental retardation in females. It is caused by mutations in methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) gene and more rarely in cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) and Forkhead Box Protein G1 (FOXG1) genes. Increased oxidative stress (OS) has been documented in MeCP2-RTT patients. Here we evaluated the levels of 4-hydroxynonenal plasma protein adducts (4HNE-PAs) in MeCP2-, CDKL5- and FOXG1-RTT and in their clinical variants. Design and Methods 4HNE-PAs were determined by Western blot in plasma from healthy subjects and RTT patients. RESULTS: 4HNE-PAs levels were increased in MeCP2- and CDKL5-related RTT but not in FOXG1-related RTT. CONCLUSION: These results showed that OS is present in RTT clinical variants and could play a key role in RTT pathogenesis. Under the OS point of view FOXG1-related RTT appears to be distinct from the MeCP2/CDKL5, suggesting a distinct mechanism involved in its pathogenesis.
24. Reiersen AM, Todorov AA. {{Association between DRD4 genotype and Autistic Symptoms in DSM-IV ADHD}}. {J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry};2011 (Feb);20(1):15-21.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of the DRD4 exon 3 7-repeat allele with clinically significant levels of autistic symptoms among children and adolescents with DSM-IV Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). METHODS: Subjects included in the main analysis were 954 Missouri-born twins from a study of the genetic epidemiology of ADHD with complete data on DSM-IV ADHD diagnosis, DRD4 genotype and the parent-rated Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Logistic regression was used to investigate the association of the DRD4 7-repeat allele with clinically elevated SRS score. RESULTS: Among individuals with DSM-IV ADHD (any subtype), the DRD4 7-repeat allele was associated with high SRS score. The distribution of raw SRS scores appeared bimodal among subjects with at least one copy of the DRD4 7-repeat allele, suggesting a possible interaction between this DRD4 genotype and other, unmeasured variables. CONCLUSIONS: The DRD4 7-repeat allele may increase the risk for clinically elevated autistic symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding and explore the role of specific gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in the development of autistic symptoms and other co-occurring psychopathology among individuals with ADHD.
25. Rodier P, Miller RK, Brent RL. {{Does treatment of premature labor with terbutaline increase the risk of autism spectrum disorders?}}. {Am J Obstet Gynecol};2011 (Feb);204(2):91-94.
26. Sasson NJ, Elison JT, Turner-Brown LM, Dichter GS, Bodfish JW. {{Brief report: circumscribed attention in young children with autism}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Feb);41(2):242-247.
School-aged children and adolescents with autism demonstrate circumscribed attentional patterns to nonsocial aspects of complex visual arrays (Sasson et al. 2008). The current study downward extended these findings to a sample of 2-5 year-olds with autism and 2-5 year-old typically developing children. Eye-tracking was used to quantify discrete aspects of visual attention to picture arrays containing combinations of social pictures, pictures of objects frequently involved in circumscribed interests in persons with autism (e.g., trains), and pictures of more commonplace objects (e.g., clothing). The children with autism exhibited greater exploration and perseverative attention on objects related to circumscribed interests than did typically developing children. Results suggest that circumscribed attention may be an early emerging characteristic of autism.
27. Soulieres I, Mottron L, Giguere G, Larochelle S. {{Category induction in autism: Slower, perhaps different, but certainly possible}}. {Q J Exp Psychol (Colchester)};2011 (Feb);64(2):311-327.
Available studies on categorization in autism indicate possibly intact category formation, performed through atypical processes. Category learning was investigated in 16 high-functioning autistic and 16 IQ-matched nonautistic participants, using a category structure that could generate a conflict between the application of a rule and exemplar memory. Same-different and matching-to-sample tasks allowed us to verify discrimination abilities for the stimuli to be used in category learning. Participants were then trained to distinguish between two categories of imaginary animals, using categorization tests early in the training and at the end (160 trials). A recognition test followed, in order to evaluate explicit exemplar memory. Similar discrimination performance was found in control tasks for both groups. For the categorization task, autistic participants did not use any identifiable strategy early in the training, but used strategies similar to those of the nonautistic participants by the end, with the same level of accuracy. Memory for the exemplars was poor in both groups. Our findings confirm that categorization may be successfully performed by autistics, but may necessitate longer exposure to material, as the top-down use of rules may be only secondary to a guessing strategy in autistics.
28. Toma C, Hervas A, Balmana N, Vilella E, Aguilera F, Cusco I, del Campo M, Caballero R, De Diego-Otero Y, Ribases M, Cormand B, Bayes M. {{Association study of six candidate genes asymmetrically expressed in the two cerebral hemispheres suggests the involvement of BAIAP2 in autism}}. {J Psychiatr Res};2011 (Feb);45(2):280-282.
29. Trembath D. {{Book Review Editor: Rachel Mayes Autism Spectrum Disorders and AAC. Pat Mirenda & Teresa Iacono (Eds.) Baltimore, MD : Brookes . 2009 . 504 pp. US$49.95 . ISBN: 978-1-55766-953-7}}. {J Intellect Dev Disabil};2011 (Feb 1)
30. Tsatsanis KD, Noens IL, Illmann CL, Pauls DL, Volkmar FR, Schultz RT, Klin A. {{Managing complexity: impact of organization and processing style on nonverbal memory in autism spectrum disorders}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Feb);41(2):135-147.
The contributions of cognitive style and organization to processing and recalling a complex novel stimulus were examined by comparing the Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) test performance of children, adolescents, and adults with ASD to clinical controls (CC) and non-impaired controls (NC) using the Developmental Scoring System. The ROCF task involves a complex structure with strong organizational or integrative processing demands. The individuals with ASD relied on a predominantly part-oriented strategy to cope with the complexity of the task and did not make the typical developmental shift to a configurational approach. Both processing style and organization (whether pieces of information were perceived as connected to one another in a meaningful way) contributed to structural recall in the ASD group.
31. Villafuerte S. {{Suggestive evidence on the genetic link between mitochondria dysfunction and autism}}. {Acta Psychiatr Scand};2011 (Feb);123(2):95.
32. Wass S. {{Distortions and disconnections: disrupted brain connectivity in autism}}. {Brain Cogn};2011 (Feb);75(1):18-28.
The past few years have seen considerable interest in findings of abnormal brain connectivity in the autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We review recent work from neuroimaging and other sources, and argue that there is considerable convergent evidence suggesting that connectivity is disrupted in ASD. We point to evidence both of local over-connectivity and of long-distance under-connectivity, and describe some non-uniformities in this picture, most notably that disruptions appear more severe in later-developing cortical regions. We conclude by discussing a number of extant questions. Firstly, we consider whether aberrant connectivity should be seen as part of the primary pathogenesis of autism, or whether disrupted connectivity in ASD emerges over time. Secondly, we consider how the patterns of disrupted connectivity found in ASD might relate to those being found in a range of other disorders.
33. Wohr M, Roullet FI, Crawley JN. {{Reduced scent marking and ultrasonic vocalizations in the BTBR T+tf/J mouse model of autism}}. {Genes Brain Behav};2011 (Feb);10(1):35-43.
Qualitative impairments in communication, such as delayed language and poor interactive communication skills, are fundamental to the diagnosis of autism. Investigations into social communication in adult BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) mice are needed to determine whether this inbred strain incorporates phenotypes relevant to the second diagnostic symptom of autism, communication deficits, along with its strong behavioral phenotypes relevant to the first and third diagnostic symptoms, impairments in social interactions and high levels of repetitive behavior. The aim of the present study was to simultaneously measure female urine-elicited scent marking and ultrasonic vocalizations in adult male BTBR mice, in comparison with a standard control strain with high sociability, C57BL/6J (B6), for the assessment of a potential communication deficit in BTBR. Adult male BTBR mice displayed lower scent marking and minimal ultrasonic vocalization responses to female urine obtained from both B6 and BTBR females. Lower scent marking and ultrasonic vocalizations in a social setting by BTBR, as compared with B6, are consistent with the well-replicated social deficits in this inbred mouse strain. Our findings support the interpretation that BTBR incorporate communication deficits, and suggest that scent marking and ultrasonic vocalizations offer promising measures of interest in social cues that may be widely applicable to investigations of mouse models of autism.
34. Woodard CR, Van Reet J. {{Object identification and imagination: an alternative to the meta-representational explanation of autism}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Feb);41(2):213-226.
Past research has focused on pretend play in infants with autism because it is considered an early manifestation of symbolic or imaginative thinking. Contradictory research findings have challenged the meta-representational model. The intent of this paper is to propose that pretend play is the behavioral manifestation of developing imaginative ability, the complexity of which is determined by the degree of progression from part-object/inanimate object to whole-object/human object identification. We propose that autism is the result of non-completion of this process to varying degrees. This not only affects early pretend play behaviors, but also later social, language, and cognitive skills derived from the level of imagination-based sophistication achieved during foundational periods available for early identification.
35. Wright B, Sims D, Smart S, Alwazeer A, Alderson-Day B, Allgar V, Whitton C, Tomlinson H, Bennett S, Jardine J, McCaffrey N, Leyland C, Jakeman C, Miles J. {{Melatonin versus placebo in children with autism spectrum conditions and severe sleep problems not amenable to behaviour management strategies: a randomised controlled crossover trial}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Feb);41(2):175-184.
Twenty-two children with autism spectrum disorders who had not responded to supported behaviour management strategies for severe dysomnias entered a double blind, randomised, controlled crossover trial involving 3 months of placebo versus 3 months of melatonin to a maximum dose of 10 mg. 17 children completed the study. There were no significant differences between sleep variables at baseline. Melatonin significantly improved sleep latency (by an average of 47 min) and total sleep (by an average of 52 min) compared to placebo, but not number of night wakenings. The side effect profile was low and not significantly different between the two arms.
36. Yuhas J, Cordeiro L, Tassone F, Ballinger E, Schneider A, Long JM, Ornitz EM, Hessl D. {{Brief report: sensorimotor gating in idiopathic autism and autism associated with fragile x syndrome}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Feb);41(2):248-253.
Prepulse inhibition (PPI) may useful for exploring the proposed shared neurobiology between idiopathic autism and autism caused by FXS. We compared PPI in four groups: typically developing controls (n = 18), FXS and autism (FXS+A; n = 15), FXS without autism spectrum disorder (FXS-A; n = 17), and idiopathic autism (IA; n = 15). Relative to controls, the FXS+A (p < 0.002) and FXS-A (p < 0.003) groups had impaired PPI. The FXS+A (p < 0.01) and FXS-A (p < 0.03) groups had lower PPI than the IA group. Prolonged startle latency was seen in the IA group. The differing PPI profiles seen in the FXS+A and IA indicates these groups may not share a common neurobiological abnormality of sensorimotor gating.
