1. Bouyer LN, Pellicano E, Saurels BW, Schwarzkopf DS, Arnold DH. The vividness of visualisations and autistic trait expression are not strongly associated. Conscious Cogn. 2025; 129: 103821.

A minority of people (Aphantasics) report an inability to visualise. Aphantasia has been linked to Autism – a neurodevelopmental condition affecting social interactions. There is a risk of a circular logic informing proposed links, as the most popular metric of autistic traits, the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), has an Imagination subscale with items relating directly and indirectly to imagery. We tested for inter-relationships between imagery vividness ratings and the expression of autistic traits, using metrics that do and do not encompass an Imagination subscale. We also conducted hierarchical linear regression analyses to assess the contributions of different AQ subscale scores to imagery inter-relationships. Only in our highest-powered study (N = 308) were we able to detect a weak inter-relationship between AQ scores and imagery, independent of the Imagination subscale. We suggest that only a weak inter-relationship should exist, as many autistic people describe themselves as visual thinkers who have strong imagery.

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2. Du X, Gao S, Huang T, Liang J, Xiao X. « Out of sight out of mind »: attentional characteristics in mothers who have children with autism. BMC Womens Health. 2025; 25(1): 53.

BACKGROUND: Families are faced with enormous challenges in caring for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) over a lifetime. As the main caregiver of children, mothers who have children with autism are in poor health compared to the mothers of typically developing (TD) children. Previous studies have revealed that the mental health of mothers has a direct impact on children. On the other hand, attention bias (AB) can be an important indicator of the mental status. Therefore, the characteristic of AB of mothers who have children with autism can be a window into the treatment of autism. METHODS: In this study, 28 mothers who have children with autism and 31 mothers of typically developing children completed the modified dot-probe task to explore the attention bias. RESULTS: We found that there was a significant difference of AB between mothers who have children with autism and mothers of typically developing children, which indicated that mothers who have children with autism tend to avoid negative emotional words. CONCLUSIONS: The current study illuminates the attentional characteristics of mothers who have children with autism toward emotional words, which provides a new starting point for the intervention of mothers of children with autism.

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3. Evans S, Pringle H, Sandner Z, Hayley A. Exploring parents’ experiences of interprofessional collaboration among health professionals in the assessment and support of autistic children. J Interprof Care. 2025: 1-9.

Interprofessional collaboration among health professionals is increasingly recognized as best practice in assessing and supporting autistic children, however limited research has explored whether this collaboration is being practiced. This study explored parents’ experiences of interprofessional collaboration between health professionals involved with the assessment and support of their autistic children. Seventeen parents of autistic children participated in semi-structured interviews exploring their unique experiences of health professional collaboration. Six themes were developed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis. Parents suggested that health professionals are taking a siloed and staggered approach to the assessment of autistic children. When providing support to autistic children, parents reported health professionals had variable understanding of others’ roles, with minimal direct communication across practices, often limited by time and funding. The parents identified the importance of collaboration between the health professionals and school teachers, but identified several barriers to the implementation of supports in the school setting recommended by the health professionals. Overall, parents perceived themselves as their child’s case manager, facilitating professionals’ collaboration. This study’s findings suggest the need for a review of systems and processes to better support interprofessional collaboration between health professionals, along with schools, in the assessment and support of autistic children.

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4. Grant S, Norton S, Hoekstra RA. Central Sensitivity Symptoms and Autistic Traits in Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults. Autism Res. 2025.

Central sensitivity syndromes (CSSs) are a group of health conditions thought to include an underlying sensitisation of the central nervous system. Evidence suggests autistic adults experience poorer physical health than the general population and are more likely to have a CSS. This study examined CSS diagnoses and symptoms in autistic and non-autistic adults, to determine whether CSS symptoms were related to autistic traits, mental health, sensory sensitivity, age or gender. Participants included 534 adults with clinical diagnoses of autism, CSS, both diagnoses or neither (i.e., comparison group), who were recruited through social media, support groups and institutional affiliations. Participants completed online self-report validated questionnaires, including the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI), Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ), and the PHQ-9 and GAD-7. Autistic people without a diagnosed CSS reported significantly more CSS symptoms than the comparison group, with a mean score above the clinical cut-off. Non-autistic participants with a CSS had significantly more autistic traits than the comparison group. Autistic people with a CSS reported the most sensory sensitivity, with autism only and CSS only groups reporting similar levels of sensory sensitivity and all diagnostic groups reporting more sensory sensitivity than the comparison group. Sensory sensitivity, anxiety, autistic traits, age and gender were all significant predictors of CSS symptoms. The overlap in symptoms between autistic individuals and those with CSS suggests diagnostic overshadowing and possible under-diagnosis or misdiagnosis. Furthermore, these symptoms may exacerbate or mask one another. Notwithstanding potential limitations of representativeness and selection bias, increased awareness of the association between autistic traits and CSS symptoms is important for clinicians to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment.

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5. Hechler FC, Tuomainen O, Weber N, Fahr F, Karlek B, Maroske M, Misia M, Caruana N. « What does ‘often’ even mean? » Revising and validating the Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory in partnership with autistic people. Mol Autism. 2025; 16(1): 7.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we revised the comprehensive autistic trait inventory (CATI)-a self-report inventory of autistic traits, in collaboration with autistic people and provided preliminary evidence for its validity as a self-report measure of autistic traits in the general population. An established strength of the CATI is its ability to capture female autistic traits. Our project aimed to extend this further, to increase the inventory’s accessibility, and to minimise stigma induced by deficit-based representations of autistic experience. METHODS: Together with 22 individuals from the autism and autistic communities, we created the Revised Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory (CATI-R). Revisions included rewording items to increase clarity or reduce stigma and expanding items to capture diverse autistic experiences. We also present a series of guidelines for developing self-report inventories of subclinical neurodivergent traits. We validated the CATI-R within a large sample (n = 1439), comprising people with a self-reported autism diagnosis (n = 331), people who self-identified as autistic (n = 44), and non-autistic participants (n = 1046). RESULTS: We successfully validated a revision of the CATI. A confirmatory factor analysis supported the six-subscale structure (two-factor bifactors model: Chi-squared = 2705.73, p < .001, RMSEA = .04, SRMR = .03, CFI = .95, TLI = .94). Spearman's rank correlations showed positive relationships between all subscales (all rs > .56, ps < .001). Convergent validity was demonstrated by significant correlations between the CATI-R and two contemporary inventories of autistic traits: the AQ (rho = .86, p < .01) and BAPQ (rho = .82, p < .01). Finally, a measurement invariance analysis indicated that total-scale scores can be compared across genders. LIMITATIONS: Our study presents only initial evidence for the validity of the CATI-R that should be enriched with further analyses and types of data, including a larger number of participants who do not identify as male or female. CONCLUSIONS: This project provides a revised trait inventory that resonates with actual autistic experience, along with guidelines for creating self-report measures that are sensitive, accessible, and non-stigmatising.

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6. Ho FC, Chung HW, Yu CH, Huang CY, Liang FW. Timing of antenatal corticosteroid exposure and its association with childhood mental disorders in early- and full-term births: A population-based cohort study. Eur J Pediatr. 2025; 184(2): 181.

Although the administration of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) is generally recognized as cost-effective and beneficial, recent studies have indicated potential long-term adverse effects on neurodevelopment, particularly for term-born infants. However, limited research has explored the association between the timing of ACS exposure, gestational age (GA) at birth, and their potential implications for mental and behavioral outcomes in offspring compared to non-exposed infants. This study aimed to examine the association between the timing of antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) exposure for threatened preterm labor and childhood mental disorders among early-term and full-term births. All eligible term infants born between 2010 to 2014 were included in this nationwide study and followed until the end of 2021. The primary outcome was any childhood mentaldisorders, with secondary outcomes being attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and developmental delay (DD). Compared to unexposed infants, ACS exposure before 34 weeks of GA increased the risk of developing mental behavior disorders. Exposure to ACS before 34 weeks was significantly associated with an increased risk of ADHD and DD; however, this association was observed only in early-term births but not in those born at full-term. CONCLUSION: Our finding suggests a need for further investigation into the influence of GA at birth on these disorders and supports that the risk of childhood mental disorders in term infants varied among different ACS exposure timing. WHAT IS KNOWN: • While administration of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) for preterm birth threats is widely acknowledged as both cost-effective and beneficial, recent studies have raised concerns about potential long-term adverse effects on neurodevelopment, particularly in term-born infants. • Previous studies have found that early-term birth is associated with lower intelligence, ADHD, and poorer school performance compared to full-term birth. WHAT IS NEW: • There is an interaction between the timing of ACS treatment and gestational age at birth with respect to the likelihood of neurodevelopmental outcomes in term-born infants. • Exposure to ACS before 34 weeks is associated with an increased risk of any childhood mental disorders, specifically ADHD and DD, among early-term births, whereas this association was not observed in infants who reached full-term gestation.

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7. Hungerford C, Kornhaber R, West S, Cleary M. Autism, Stereotypes, and Stigma: The Impact of Media Representations. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2025: 1-7.

In this discursive paper, we explore the impact of media representations of autistic people, including the stereotypes and stigma perpetuated by these representations. Increasingly, autistic people are featured in the mass media, including the news, entertainment and social media, suggesting opportunities to positively influence community attitudes. However, autistic people are often stereotypically represented as a plot device, laughable, possessing savant-like traits, infantilized, or patronized as intellectually impaired. Such stereotypes either glamorize or minimize the challenges encountered by autistic people, perpetuating stigma and adversely impacting the mental health and well-being of autistic people and their families. Mental health nurses can help address the impact of sensationalist, misinformed, or derogatory media representations of autistic people by maintaining a contemporary understanding of the diversity within the autistic community. Mental health nurses can influence how this topic is framed by promoting accurate representations of autistic people; and choosing to use language that empowers rather than disempowers. Additionally, mental health nurses can practice humility when supporting the autistic person and their family, and advocate for safe and productive spaces in which the autistic person can share their experiences.

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8. Khoodoruth MAS, Chut-Kai Khoodoruth WN, Alabdulla M, Khan YS. Preliminary Findings on the Use of Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Qatar: A Case Series Study. J Genet Psychol. 2025: 1-13.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with rising prevalence. Traditional diagnostic approaches often lack biological markers, making precision in diagnosis challenging. This study explores the role of array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH) in improving diagnostic accuracy for ASD. Five clinical vignettes of children diagnosed with ASD via DSM-5 or ADOS-2 were evaluated at a child and adolescent psychiatry clinic. Genome-wide oligonucleotide aCGH analysis was conducted using the Human Genome CGH Microarray kit (OGT), containing approximately 180,000 probes with 30-37 kb spacing based on the GRCh37 build. Fragile X syndrome was excluded using the Asuragen Amplidex PCR/CE FMR1 kit. The case series included boys aged 8-11 from diverse ethnic backgrounds (Asian, African, and Qatari), all presenting with varying degrees of ASD. Genetic analyses revealed significant chromosomal changes affecting eight genes, SHOX, HNF1B, COH1, AHNAK, DOCK8, TIAM1, TBL1XR1, and ALKBH8, highlighting diverse genetic contributions to ASD. These findings encompassed both chromosomal gains and losses, as well as variants of uncertain significance (VUS). The aCGH analyses provided valuable genetic insights, refining the diagnostic process and informing personalized management strategies for ASD. This suggests that aCGH is a useful tool in identifying clinically relevant genetic variations, particularly in settings with limited resources, where other diagnostic modalities may be less accessible.

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9. Kim YE, Kim M, Kim S, Lee R, Ujihara Y, Marquez-Wilkins EM, Jiang YH, Yang E, Kim H, Lee C, Park C, Kim IH. Endothelial SHANK3 regulates tight junctions in the neonatal mouse blood-brain barrier through β-Catenin signaling. Nat Commun. 2025; 16(1): 1407.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability condition arising from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Despite the blood-brain barrier (BBB) serving as a crucial gatekeeper, conveying environmental influences into the brain parenchyma, the contributions of BBB in ASD pathogenesis remain largely uncharted. Here we report that SHANK3, an ASD-risk gene, expresses in the BBB-forming brain endothelial cells (BECs) and regulates tight junctional (TJ) integrity essential for BBB’s barrier function. Endothelium-specific Shank3 (eShank3) knockout (KO) neonatal mice exhibit male-specific BBB-hyperpermeability, reduced neuronal excitability, and impaired ultra-sonic communications. Although BBB permeability is restored during adult age, the male mutant mice display reduced neuronal excitability and impaired sociability. Further analysis reveals that the BBB-hyperpermeability is attributed to the β-Catenin imbalance triggered by eShank3-KO. These findings highlight a pathogenic mechanism stemming from the ASD-risk Shank3, emphasizing the significance of neonatal BECs in the BBB as a potential therapeutic target for ASD.

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10. Le H, Fenchel D, Dimitrakopoulou K, Patel H, Curtis C, Cordero-Grande L, Edwards AD, Hajnal J, Tournier JD, Deprez M, Cullen H. Autism spectrum disorder common variants associated with regional lobe volume variations at birth: cross-sectional study in 273 European term neonates in developing human connectome project. Transl Psychiatry. 2025; 15(1): 41.

Increasing lines of evidence suggest cerebral overgrowth in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children in early life, but few studies have examined the effect of ASD common genetic variants on brain volumes in a general paediatric population. This study examined the association between ASD polygenic risk score (PRS) and volumes of the frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital, fronto-temporal and parieto-occipital lobes in 273 term-born infants of European ancestry in the developing Human Connectome Project. ASD PRS was positively associated with frontal (β = 0.027, p(FDR) = 0.04) and fronto-temporal (β = 0.024, p(FDR) = 0.01) volumes, but negatively with parietal (β = -0.037, p(FDR) = 0.04) and parieto-occipital (β = -0.033, p(FDR) = 0.01) volumes. This preliminary result suggests the potential involvement of ASD common genetic variants in early structural variations linked to ASD.

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11. Lien CT, Reichel N, Micali N, Bentz M. Weight Gain in Family-Based Treatment for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) with and Without Autism. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2025.

Health-threatening underweight and poor growth is a frequent consequence of Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and should be a priority for treatment in children and adolescents (young people, YP). Coexisting autism is more prevalent in YP with ARFID than in YP with other eating disorders. Treatment studies are still sparse for ARFID, and it is not known whether treatment response is lower in those with coexisting autism, as it is documented in other eating disorders. In this study we examined if family-based treatment for ARFID (FBT-ARFID) was associated with weight gain in underweight young people (YP) with ARFID and if coexisting autism affected weight gain. A clinical naturalistic prospective case series of 33 YP aged 6.3-18 years with ARFID presentations and underweight were offered a manualized FBT-ARFID with weight monitoring. We examined changes in body weight between start and end of treatment in those with and without diagnosed coexisting autism. The majority of participants (N = 26, 79%) had a weight gain between 1 and 15 kg, whereas 7 YP (21%) had a stable body weight between start and end of treatment (differences between - 0.6 kg and + 0.9 kg). At the group level, weight gain was statistically significant between start and end (Median = 3.9 kg (4.0, -0.6 -15.1) z = 4.491, p <.001). There was no significant difference in weight gain between participants with (N = 14, 42%) and without (N = 19, 58%) coexisting autism. Participants had a significant weight gain at the group level, suggesting that FBT-ARFID is associated with weight gain in the majority of underweight ARFID patients, both with and without coexisting autism. However, a subgroup may need additional interventions in order to secure weight rehabilitation.

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12. Machado Silva H. The Complex Intersection Between Autism, Prejudice and the LGBTQIA+ Movement: An Analysis of an Excerpt from the Series « The Good Doctor ». J Homosex. 2025: 1-6.

In contemporary culture, digital content like social media videos and TV series shape social perceptions, sometimes with negative impacts, particularly in countries like Brazil. The series The Good Doctor exemplifies this, with an episode exploring sexuality and diversity through the lens of an autistic doctor. The character’s rigid belief in binary sexes (XX and XY) and his ignorance of conditions like Klinefelter’s and Morris syndromes reflect a narrow perspective. A confrontational dialog highlights his lack of empathy, which contrasts with his efforts to challenge autism stigmas. Conservative groups exploited this episode to align with radical narratives perpetuating LGBTQIA+ stigmas, despite the character’s ignorance being unintentional. The discovery of testicular cancer in a transgender patient challenges the simplistic view of transgender identities and underscores their complexity. In Brazil, a country with high LGBTQIA+ violence, the use of this video by conservative and religious groups is alarming and contradicts principles of compassion central to Christianity. Addressing such issues requires a deeper understanding of the autistic spectrum and fostering empathy for sexual diversity, promoting social justice and harmony.

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13. Mohammedsaeed W, Alharbi M. Biochemical Markers as Predictors of Health Outcomes in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Mol Neurosci. 2025; 75(1): 17.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with an increasing prevalence worldwide, including in Saudi Arabia. Emerging evidence suggests that biochemical markers, such as oxidative stress indicators, neurotransmitter levels, and lipid profiles, play a significant role in ASD’s pathology and may also elevate cardiovascular and metabolic risks in affected individuals. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesize current findings on these biomarkers, with a particular focus on the Saudi population, to elucidate their relationship with ASD pathology and associated health outcomes. Following the PRISMA guidelines, data from 41 studies on oxidative stress markers, neurotransmitters, lipid profiles, and immune markers were analyzed. Searches were conducted across major databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase, and effect sizes were calculated using standardized mean differences with a 95% confidence interval. To further interpret the data, bioinformatics tools such as Reactome, Panther, and STRING were employed to analyze biomarker pathways. The results highlight a significant association between elevated oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in individuals with ASD, with profound effects on gastrointestinal and mitochondrial health. These biochemical abnormalities disrupt synaptic plasticity and drive chronic neuroinflammation, which impairs neurodevelopmental processes, contributing to the pathology of ASD. The meta-analysis reveals minimal heterogeneity (I(2) = 0.02%) and limited publication bias, supporting the reliability of these associations. The findings underscore the need for a multidisciplinary approach to ASD management in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing biomarker-based diagnostics and personalized treatment strategies. Future research directions include developing individualized diagnostic and therapeutic frameworks utilizing these biomarkers to enhance ASD-related health outcomes.

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14. Nakhshab M, Asgary A, Ahmadi A. The language use Inventory-Persian: report of the psychometric properties. BMC Psychol. 2025; 13(1): 101.

BACKGROUND: Pragmatic language assessment is a necessary component of evaluation in language impairments. Some procedures are applied to assess pragmatic abilities in childhood. Parent-report questionnaires are among the most useful instruments for evaluating pragmatics in real situations. This study aimed to translate and adapt the Language Use Inventory (LUI) into Persian and examine its psychometric properties. METHOD: It was a methodological and cross-sectional study. We pursued the steps of translation and adaptation of this questionnaire into Persian according to a standard guideline. Then, 348 parents/caregivers of three groups of children consisting of typically developing (TD), late-talking children, and ones with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) 18-47-month-old Persian-speaking children completed the adapted version of the LUI. The participants were recruited into study by convenience sampling. Next, different psychometric properties including item analysis, validity (content, face, and construct), and reliability (test-retest and internal consistency) were investigated. RESULTS: Translation, adaptation, and item analysis led to the deletion of 7 Items. Differential validity for age revealed the noticeably different performance among different age groups (p < 0.001). Also, Given the clinical validity, TD and ASD children performed differently in this measure(p < 0.001). In addition, the evidence of the discriminant validity was confirmed by a significant difference between TD and late-talking children (p < 0.001). Concurrent validity was also established by a moderate and positive value of the correlation between total scores of the LUI-Persian and Newsha developmental scale (r = 0.54, p = 0.01). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) indicated that the Language Use Inventory-Persian had 2 factors of verbal and nonverbal use of language. Also, the evidence for the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was attained (all the values of factor load were higher than 0.40). The internal consistency (α = 0.99) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.97) proved adequate values. CONCLUSIONS: The Language Use Inventory-Persian with 173 items revealed the acceptable psychometric attributes for assessing pragmatics in 18-47-month-old Persian-speaking children; however, for screening pragmatic impairments, it may need further studies on clinical populations with a larger sample size to see whether the LUI items are appropriate or possible changes in the items are required.

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15. Oberman LM, Berry-Kravis E, Budimirovic DB, Erickson CA, Hagerman RJ, Harris HK, Hessl D, Lozano R, Thurm A, Tartaglia N, Tran J, Kaufmann WE. The Aberrant Behavior Checklist for Fragile X Syndrome: A Qualitative Clinician Evaluation of Content Validity. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2025.

Objective: The current intense period of drug development for fragile X syndrome (FXS) and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) indications has highlighted the importance of behavioral outcome measures with strong psychometric properties and specifically content validity. The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Edition (ABC-C), which has successfully been applied to autism spectrum disorder drug trials, has been revised for FXS (ABC(FX)) and is widely used for both clinical and research purposes. Despite its strong psychometric validation, the ABC(FX) and its parent measure have not been subjected to qualitative content validity evaluations. The present study intended to fill this gap. Methods: Using two surveys administered sequentially and developed with guidance and review from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we asked 10 clinicians experienced in FXS and related NDDs to determine the adequacy of the ABC(FX) for assessing its behavioral constructs, its relevance to FXS, and its potential for detecting response to interventions. Various descriptive statistic parameters and ad hoc metrics were used to analyze categorical and Likert-like scale responses. Results: Experts considered that most items and all six ABC(FX) subscales indeed evaluated their explicit or implicit behavioral constructs. However, item and subscale specificity were relatively low (∼25%-30%). Relevance of items of the Hyperactivity subscale was relatively high while low for many items of the Socially Unresponsive/Lethargic subscale. These items were also considered of low responsiveness potential. Irritability, Hyperactivity, Stereotypy, and Social Avoidance were the subscales with the strongest profiles, although the experts estimated that Stereotypy items may not be that responsive to treatment. A novel Anxiety construct, representing mainly recently reported observable behaviors, contributed mainly by Irritability items, emerged as a potential measure. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated the overall adequacy of the ABC(FX) for its behavioral constructs, its relevance to FXS, and its potential for detecting response to treatment. It also showed that anxiety, a distinctive feature of FXS and other genetic NDDs, can also be measured by the ABC(FX). These findings can help with the implementation and interpretation of the ABC(FX), as well as with potential improvements to the measure in FXS and other NDDs.

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16. Pilić S, Selović A, Sulejmanović J. Metallomic Profiling of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Insights from Hair Sample Analysis. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2025.

The rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the past decade is a pressing concern that underscores the urgent need to investigate its etiology. While this issue is recognized globally, there is a significant lack of data specific to Bosnia and Herzegovina, making comprehensive analysis essential. To address this gap, this study analyzed 41 hair samples from children categorized into three age subgroups (3-5 years, 6-9 years, 10-12 years) and differentiated by gender within both control and ASD groups. The concentrations of essential metals (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) as well as potentially toxic metals (Cd, Co, Ni, Pb) were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). This research aims to provide valuable insights into the metallomic differences that may contribute to the understanding of ASD in this population. Females with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibited elevated levels of Fe, Ni, and Cd across all age subgroups, surpassing reference values, while ASD males also showed increased Cd content. The control subgroup of 3-5-year-olds and all ASD female subgroups had Co levels exceeding the reference limit. Alarmingly, elevated Pb levels were found in all hair samples, with ASD males showing values that were twice as high as the reference. Statistically significant differences were identified in the concentrations of Cd, Fe, and Zn in females, as well as Pb in males, between the control and ASD groups. These findings underscore the urgent need for further research to elucidate the role of heavy metals in the etiology of ASD.

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17. Seçer İ, Ulaş S, Tatlı E, Çimen F, Bülbül B, Tosunoğlu B. Investigation of the effectiveness of parent-child interaction therapy on adjustment and behavioral problems in children with subthreshold autism. Front Psychol. 2024; 15: 1408847.

BACKGROUND: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an increasingly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder. However, the number of children who exhibit subthreshold levels of ASD symptoms, significant enough to experience functional and adaptive difficulties, is also substantial. These children require early interventions, similar to those diagnosed with ASD, due to their exhibited adaptive and behavioral challenges. PCIT offers a unique opportunity for children and their parents exhibiting subthreshold ASD to address such challenges through its practices and techniques. AIM: This study aims to assess the initial result effectiveness of standard PCIT on the adaptive skills and school refusal behaviors of children exhibiting subthreshold ASD, as well as on the levels of parental stress and caregiving burden. The study intends to test these effects and report the outcomes. METHOD: This study is a case study, and it involves three children with subthreshold ASD symptoms and their parents. The therapy processes were conducted for approximately 1 year. RESULT: Results obtained from this study revealed that PCIT holds promising prospects for improving adaptive and interaction skills, reducing school refusal, and alleviating parental stress and caregiving burden among children exhibiting subthreshold ASD. DISCUSSION: PCIT is considered a functional approach for children and parents demonstrating subthreshold ASD symptoms, besides interventions addressing diagnosed ASD children. It is suggested that future studies should evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of PCIT through randomized controlled trials in the context of subthreshold ASD.

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18. Tarahomi P, Arab M, Seyedinia SA, Rahmani M, Rashidy-Pour A, Vafaei AA, Raise-Abdullahi P. Vitamin C and Gallic Acid Ameliorate Motor Dysfunction, Cognitive Deficits, and Brain Oxidative Stress in a Valproic Acid-Induced Model of Autism. Brain Behav. 2025; 15(2): e70262.

PURPOSE: Autism, a developmental-neurodegenerative disorder, often manifests as social communication difficulties and has been correlated to oxidative stress in the brain. Vitamins C and gallic acid (GA) possess potent antioxidant properties, making them potential candidates for addressing autism-related issues. This study examined the influence of vitamin C (Vit C) and GA on behavioral, motor, and cognitive performance, along with the assessment of brain oxidative markers, using an experimental model of autism. METHOD: Fourteen female rats were divided into saline and valproic acid (VPA) groups, and mating with mature male rats generated offspring. VPA (500 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) on gestational day (GD) 12.5. Male pups remained undisturbed for 29 days. On postnatal day (PND) 30, 48 male pups were randomly selected and administered daily injections of Vit C (30 mg/kg, i.p.) or GA (30 mg/kg, i.p.) for 4 weeks (PND 38-65). Behavioral assessments were conducted before and after treatment (PND 30-37 and 66-73). Animals were then anesthetized, and their brains were analyzed for oxidative stress markers. FINDING: The prenatal VPA-induced autism model increased nociceptive threshold, heightened anxiety-like behaviors, impaired balance power, delayed spatial learning, elevated malondialdehyde, and decreased glutathione and catalase levels in the brains of the male offspring. Administration of Vit C and GA effectively mitigated these anomalies. CONCLUSIONS: Vit C and GA could potentially alleviate anxiety-like behaviors, motor and cognitive deficits, and brain oxidative stress markers in a prenatal rat autism model. This underscores their viability as potential pharmacological interventions for treating autistic dysfunction.

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19. Vignapiano A, Monaco F, Landi S, Steardo L, Jr., Mancuso C, Pagano C, Petrillo G, Marenna A, Piacente M, Leo S, Ingenito CM, Bonifacio R, Di Gruttola B, Solmi M, Pontillo M, Di Lorenzo G, Fasano A, Corrivetti G. Proximity-based solutions for optimizing autism spectrum disorder treatment: integrating clinical and process data for personalized care. Front Psychiatry. 2024; 15: 1512818.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects millions of individuals worldwide, presenting challenges in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and sensory processing. Despite its prevalence, diagnosis can be lengthy, and access to appropriate treatment varies greatly. This project utilizes the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL), to improve Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis and treatment. A central data hub, the Master Data Plan (MDP), will aggregate and analyze information from diverse sources, feeding AI algorithms that can identify risk factors for ASD, personalize treatment plans based on individual needs, and even predict potential relapses. Furthermore, the project incorporates a patient-facing chatbot to provide information and support. By integrating patient data, empowering individuals with ASD, and supporting healthcare professionals, this platform aims to transform care accessibility, personalize treatment approaches, and optimize the entire care journey. Rigorous data governance measures will ensure ethical and secure data management. This project will improve access to care, personalize treatments for better outcomes, shorten wait times, boost patient involvement, and raise ASD awareness, leading to better resource allocation. This project marks a transformative shift toward data-driven, patient-centred ASD care in Italy. This platform enhances treatment outcomes for individuals with ASD and provides a scalable model for integrating AI into mental health, establishing a new benchmark for personalized patient care. Through AI integration and collaborative efforts, it aims to redefine mental healthcare standards, enhancing the well-being for individuals with ASD.

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