1. {{Circulating levels of neurotrophic factors in autism spectrum disorders}}. {Neuro Endocrinol Lett};2014 (Sep 1);35(5)
OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the levels of a neurotrophic factor and some neurotrophins in the plasma of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Design: This study enrolled 30 children with ASD and 19 healthy children. Plasma levels of the neurotrophins BDNF, NGF, NT3, NT4 and of the neurotrophic factor GDNF were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Setting: The etiopathogenesis of ASD is largely unknown, but it seems to involve dysfunction in several biological systems. One of these systems comprises the neurotrophic factors, which are molecules involved in many processes in the central nervous system, including neuronal survival, synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Recent studies have shown association between neurotrophic factors and ASD. Results: No differences in plasma BDNF, NGF, NT3, NT4 and GDNF were found between ASD and control. Neurotrophic factors are not altered in ASD. Conclusions: These molecules may play a minor role in ASD.
2. Brick DJ, Nethercott HE, Montesano S, Banuelos MG, Stover AE, Schutte SS, O’Dowd DK, Hagerman RJ, Ono M, Hessl DR, Tassone F, Schwartz PH. {{The Autism Spectrum Disorders Stem Cell Resource at Children’s Hospital of Orange County: Implications for Disease Modeling and Drug Discovery}}. {Stem Cells Transl Med};2014 (Oct 1)
The autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) comprise a set of neurodevelopmental disorders that are, at best, poorly understood but are the fastest growing developmental disorders in the United States. Because animal models of polygenic disorders such as the ASDs are difficult to validate, the derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by somatic cell reprogramming offers an alternative strategy for identifying the cellular mechanisms contributing to ASDs and the development of new treatment options. Access to statistically relevant numbers of ASD patient cell lines, however, is still a limiting factor for the field. We describe a new resource with more than 200 cell lines (fibroblasts, iPSC clones, neural stem cells, glia) from unaffected volunteers and patients with a wide range of clinical ASD diagnoses, including fragile X syndrome. We have shown that both normal and ASD-specific iPSCs can be differentiated toward a neural stem cell phenotype and terminally differentiated into action-potential firing neurons and glia. The ability to evaluate and compare data from a number of different cell lines will facilitate greater insight into the cause or causes and biology of the ASDs and will be extremely useful for uncovering new therapeutic and diagnostic targets. Some drug treatments have already shown promise in reversing the neurobiological abnormalities in iPSC-based models of ASD-associated diseases. The ASD Stem Cell Resource at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County will continue expanding its collection and make all lines available on request with the goal of advancing the use of ASD patient cells as disease models by the scientific community.
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3. Chee DY, Lee HC, Falkmer M, Barnett T, Falkmer O, Siljehav J, Falkmer T. {{Viewpoints on driving of individuals with and without autism spectrum disorder}}. {Dev Neurorehabil};2014 (Oct 3):1-11.
Abstract Objective: Understanding the viewpoints of drivers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is crucial in the development of mobility support and driver training that is responsive to their needs. Methods: Fifty young adults with ASD and fifty seven typically developed adults participated in the study to form a contrasting group. Q-methodology was used to understand viewpoints on driving as a main mode of transportation. Data were analysed using a PQ by-person varimax rotation factor analysis. Results: Although some ASD participants perceived themselves as confident and independent drivers, others preferred other modes of transportation such as public transport and walking. Anxiety was also found to be a barrier to driving. The contrast group revealed consistent viewpoints on their driving ability. They preferred driving as their main mode of transportation and believed that they were competent, safe and independent drivers. Conclusion: These results are important in the planning of transport policies and driver training for individuals with ASD. Driver training manuals can be developed to address anxiety issues, hazard perception and navigation problems in the ASD population. Their use of public transport could be further facilitated through more inclusive transport policies.
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4. Ito H, Matsumoto K, Takayanagi N, Harada S, Ohtake S, Mochizuki N, Nakajima S, Noda W, Tanaka Y, Tsujii M. {{[Psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ): development of a short form]}}. {Shinrigaku Kenkyu};2014 (Aug);85(3):304-312.
We examined the psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) and developed a short-form. This study included 157 children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD, ages 7-18, 128 boys) and 4,101 healthy controls (ages 7-15, 3,344 boys) from a general population with a controlled male-female ratio. Four factors (Unusual Interests, Sociality, Peer Relations, and Repetitive Behaviors) were extracted by exploratory factor analysis of control group data. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the 4-factor model fit well with data for another sample of the control and ASD groups. Logistic analysis showed that the former 3 factors could significantly predict ASD diagnosis. Thus, a short form of the ASSQ was developed, consisting of 11 items for these 3 factors. This short form showed sufficient internal consistency and high discrimination power for ASD diagnosis that was comparable to that of the 22-item version. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated an optimal cut-off of 7 for the 22-item version (sensitivity .949, specificity .801) and 5 for the short-form (sensitivity .936, specificity .818).
5. Lake JK, Perry A, Lunsky Y. {{Mental health services for individuals with high functioning autism spectrum disorder}}. {Autism Res Treat};2014;2014:502420.
Adolescents and adults with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who do not have an intellectual impairment or disability (ID), described here as individuals with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD), represent a complex and underserved psychiatric population. While there is an emerging literature on the mental health needs of children with ASD with normal intelligence, we know less about these issues in adults. Of the few studies of adolescents and adults with HFASD completed to date, findings suggest that they face a multitude of cooccurring psychiatric (e.g., anxiety, depression), psychosocial, and functional issues, all of which occur in addition to their ASD symptomatology. Despite this, traditional mental health services and supports are falling short of meeting the needs of these adults. This review highlights the service needs and the corresponding gaps in care for this population. It also provides an overview of the literature on psychiatric risk factors, identifies areas requiring further study, and makes recommendations for how existing mental health services could include adults with HFASD.
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6. Lundstrom S, Reichenberg A, Melke J, Rastam M, Kerekes N, Lichtenstein P, Gillberg C, Anckarsater H. {{Autism spectrum disorders and coexisting disorders in a nationwide Swedish twin study}}. {J Child Psychol Psychiatry};2014 (Oct 3)
BACKGROUND: Evidence from twin and molecular genetic studies is accumulating that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) shares substantial etiological factors with other disorders. This is mirrored in clinical practice where ASD without coexisting disorders is rare. The present study aims to examine the range of coexisting disorders in ASD in a genetically informative cohort. METHODS: Parents of all Swedish 9-year-old twins born between 1992 and 2001 (n = 19,130) underwent a telephone interview designed to screen for child psychiatric disorders, including ASD. To ensure full coverage of child psychiatric disorders, data were also retrieved from population-based health registers. We investigated the coexistence of eight psychiatric disorders known to coexist with ASDs in probands and their co-twins. RESULTS: Half of the individuals with ASDs (50.3%) had four or more coexisting disorders and only 4% did not have any concomitant disorder. The ‘healthy co-twin’ in ASD discordant monozygotic twin pairs was very often (79% of boys and 50% of girls) affected by at least one non-ASD disorder. The corresponding figures for ASD discordant dizygotic twin pairs were significantly lower (46% of males and 30% of females). CONCLUSIONS: Detailed phenotypic descriptions including symptoms of problems associated with a wide range of child psychiatric disorders may aid in unraveling the genetic architecture of ASD and should guide the development of intervention strategies addressing each problem type specifically.
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7. Marshall ES. {{Increasing prevalence of autism: implications for school nursing}}. {NASN Sch Nurse};2014 (Sep);29(5):241-243.
8. Salhia HO, Al-Nasser LA, Taher LS, Al-Khathaami AM, El-Metwally AA. {{Systemic review of the epidemiology of autism in Arab Gulf countries}}. {Neurosciences (Riyadh)};2014 (Oct);19(4):291-296.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the current state of knowledge on the epidemiology of autism in Arab Gulf countries, and identify gaps for future research. METHODS: PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were used to identify relevant articles published until the 3rd of April 2013 (date of search). The search was conducted using the electronic library of King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they concerned the epidemiology of autism, conducted in any Arab Gulf country, and published in English. RESULTS: Twelve articles met the inclusion criteria. Studies showed a prevalence ranging from 1.4 to 29 per 10,000 persons. Identified risk factors were metabolic, autoimmune, and environmental in nature. The following determinants were found as possible contributing factors for autism: suboptimal breast-feeding, advanced maternal and paternal age, cesarean section, and prenatal complications. CONCLUSION: Only a few studies explored the epidemiology of autism in Arab Gulf countries and none have investigated the burden of the disease on the child, family, or society. More research is needed to better identify the burden and risk factors of autism in Gulf countries.
9. Tsui GH, Rutherford MD. {{Video self-modeling is an effective intervention for an adult with autism}}. {Case Rep Neurol Med};2014;2014:425897.
With the increases in size and strength that come with adulthood, challenging behaviours among those with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can become critical. Few studies have explored behavioural interventions in adults with ASD, though recent studies have shown video self-modeling (VSM) to be effective in children with ASD. VSM involves an individual watching videos of himself demonstrating prosocial behaviours, while those behaviours are pointed out and encouraged. In the current study, VSM was used to encourage prosocial behaviours and to reduce problematic behaviour displayed by an adult with ASD. Results reveal a decrease in the tendency to invade others’ personal space and make inappropriate loud noises. VSM may be an effective intervention and improve the lives of adults with ASD.
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10. Watkins L, O’Reilly M, Kuhn M, Gevarter C, Lancioni GE, Sigafoos J, Lang R. {{A Review of Peer-Mediated Social Interaction Interventions for Students with Autism in Inclusive Settings}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2014 (Oct 2)
This review addresses the use of peer-mediated interventions (PMI) to improve the social interaction skills of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in inclusive settings. The purpose of this review is to (a) identify the characteristics and components of peer-mediated social interaction interventions, (b) evaluate the effectiveness of PMI by offering an analysis of intervention results and research design, and (c) suggest directions for future research. Overall, results suggest that PMI is a promising treatment for increasing social interaction in children, adolescents, and young adults with ASD in inclusive settings, with positive generalization, maintenance, and social validity outcomes. Findings also suggest that participant characteristics and the type of social deficit an individual exhibits are important considerations when choosing the optimal configuration of PMI strategies.
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11. Wood CL, Warnell F, Johnson M, Hames A, Pearce MS, McConachie H, Parr JR. {{Evidence for ASD Recurrence Rates and Reproductive Stoppage From Large UK ASD Research Family Databases}}. {Autism Res};2014 (Oct 1)
Following a diagnosis of a developmental disorder such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in early childhood, parents may decide to have fewer children than previously planned. The tendency for families to halt reproduction after receiving a diagnosis for one child is known as reproductive stoppage. Stoppage may lead to an underestimate of recurrence risk estimates of parents having more than one child with ASD. Using two large UK ASD family databases, we investigated recurrence rates for ASD and evidence for reproductive stoppage for both ASD and undiagnosed ASD/broader autism phenotype in a subgroup of families. Reproductive stoppage was tested for using the Mann-Whitney U-test to disprove the null hypothesis that affected and nonaffected children were distributed randomly by birth order. Dahlberg’s later-sib method was used to estimate recurrence risk and take stoppage into account. Data were available from 299 families (660 children) including 327 with ASD. Ten percent of the complete families had more than one child with an ASD. Using Dahlberg’s later-sib method, the recurrence risk for ASD was 24.7% overall and 50.0% in families with two or more older siblings with ASD. Children with ASD were born significantly later in families than those without ASD in all sibship combinations. This study shows strong evidence that ASD is associated with reproductive stoppage. These data have important implications for family planning and genetic counseling. Autism Res 2014, : -. (c) 2014 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
