1. Bird G, Press C, Richardson DC. {{The Role of Alexithymia in Reduced Eye-Fixation in Autism Spectrum Conditions}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Feb 5)
Eye-tracking studies have demonstrated mixed support for reduced eye fixation when looking at social scenes in individuals with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). We present evidence that these mixed findings are due to a separate condition-alexithymia-that is frequently comorbid with ASC. We find that in adults with ASC, autism symptom severity correlated negatively with attention to faces when watching video clips. However, only the degree of alexithymia, and not autism symptom severity, predicted eye fixation. As well as potentially resolving the contradictory evidence in this area, these findings suggest that individuals with ASC and alexithymia may form a sub-group of individuals with ASC, with emotional impairments in addition to the social impairments characteristic of ASC.
2. Chen B, Girgis S, Elmasry M, El-Matary W. {{Abnormal Gastrointestinal Histopathology in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders}}. {J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr};2011 (Feb 2)
OBJECTIVES:: The significance of the association between many gastrointestinal (GI) pathologies and autism has yet to be discovered. The aim of the present study was to review available evidence documenting any link between autism and GI histopathology in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: In a systematic review, the following sources were searched: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (1980-August week 2, 2009), EMBASE (1980-August week 2, 2009), PubMed (last 180 days), Web of Science, and Scopus, using the terms « autism » or « autistic spectrum disorder » and « intestinal » or « gastrointestinal » or « colitis. » In addition, relevant studies were identified through browsing the reference lists of the included articles for relevant citations. All children younger than 18 years old with autistic spectrum disorder who were examined for abnormal GI histopathology were included. Cohort studies published in the English language, reporting GI histopathological examination findings in children with autism, were included. Two independent authors performed data extraction. The methodological quality of each trial was assessed. RESULTS:: Eight studies have reported the histopathological features of the GI tract in children with autism and fulfilled inclusion criteria. In general, none of these trials appeared to be of high quality. Apart from intestinal lymphonodular hyperplasia, the majority of these findings were not consistent. CONCLUSIONS:: GI pathological findings in children with autism have been inconsistent. The present available evidence does not support or refute a link between GI histopathology and autism in children. The significance of intestinal lymphonodular hyperplasia in these children is unknown. Large properly designed prospective controlled trials addressing this issue are required.
3. Farmer CA, Aman MG. {{Aripiprazole for the treatment of irritability associated with autism}}. {Expert Opin Pharmacother};2011 (Mar);12(4):635-640.
Introduction: Irritability (including tantrums, aggression and moodiness) is often associated with autistic disorder. Children with autism are frequently prescribed atypical antipsychotic medications for these behaviors. Although multiple agents have been found to be effective, the safety and tolerability of each antipsychotic may be the determining factor in its selection. Areas covered: The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety and efficacy data on aripiprazole for the treatment of irritability associated with autism are discussed. Knowledge of the mechanism of action, advantages and disadvantages relative to other atypical antipsychotics, and an appreciation of the efficacy of aripiprazole when used to treat irritability in autism is also explored in this paper. Expert opinion: Aripiprazole may have a more favorable side-effect profile than another commonly prescribed medication, risperidone, because of its unique mechanism of action. It seems to be effective in treating irritability associated with autism, but more research is needed.
4. Murray MJ, Mayes SD, Smith LA. {{Brief Report: Excellent Agreement Between Two Brief Autism Scales (Checklist for Autism Spectrum Disorder and Social Responsiveness Scale) Completed Independently by Parents and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Feb 8)
Agreement between the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and two brief scales completed by parents was 93.1% for the Checklist for Autism Spectrum Disorder (CASD) and 89.7% for the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) in a sample of adolescents with suspected autism spectrum disorders. Our study is consistent with others showing that brief scales like the CASD and SRS have strong psychometric support and compare favorably with the ADI-R. The CASD and SRS are each completed and scored in 15 min, whereas the ADI-R takes over 2 h to administer and score. The CASD and SRS offer a valid and cost effective alternative to lengthy and expensive measures and, by virtue of their brevity and simplicity, could facilitate diagnosis, access to treatment, and research.
5. Weng SM, McLeod F, Bailey ME, Cobb SR. {{Synaptic plasticity deficits in an experimental model of Rett Syndrome: LTP saturation and its pharmacological reversal}}. {Neuroscience};2011 (Feb 3)
Rett syndrome (RTT), a disorder caused almost exclusively by mutations in the X-linked gene, MECP2, has a phenotype thought to be primarily of neurological origin. Disruption of Mecp2in mice results in a prominent RTT-like phenotype. One of the consequences of MeCP2 absence in the brain is altered functional and structural plasticity. We aimed to characterize synaptic effects related to plasticity in the hippocampus further and establish whether plasticity defects are amenable to pharmacological reversal. Using male mice in which Mecp2expression was prevented by a stop cassette, we assessed synaptic plasticity in area CA1 at different phenotypic stages, scoring the mice weekly for overt RTT-like signs. Strongly symptomatic Mecp2 (stop/y) mice displayed reduced long term potentiation (LTP, 40.2 +/- 1.6 % of wild-type), post-tetanic potentiation (PTP, 45 +/- 18.8 % of wild-type) and paired-pulse facilitation (PPF, 78 +/- 0.1 % of wild type) (all P <0.05), the impairment increasing with symptom severity score. These plasticity impairments were absent in pre-symptomatic mice. Repeated high frequency stimulation revealed pronounced LTP saturation in symptomatic Mecp2 (stop/y) mice, suggesting an LTP ‘ceiling’ effect. Bath application of the weak NMDA receptor blocker memantine (1muM) resulted in partial restoration of a short-term plasticity component. These data support that idea that progressive functional synaptic impairment is a key feature in the RTT brain and demonstrate the potential for the pharmacological restoration of plasticity function.
