1. Anderson GM, Hertzig ME, McBride PA. {{Brief Report: Platelet-Poor Plasma Serotonin in Autism}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Oct 7)
Possible explanations for the well-replicated platelet hyperserotonemia of autism include an alteration in the platelet’s handling of serotonin (5-hydroxyserotonin, 5-HT) or an increased exposure of the platelet to 5-HT. Measurement of platelet-poor plasma (PPP) levels of 5-HT appears to provide the best available index of in vivo exposure of the platelet to 5-HT. Mean (+/-SD) concentrations of PPP 5-HT observed in the autism (N = 18), hyperserotonemic subgroup (N = 5) and control (N = 24) groups were 0.86 +/- 0.53, 0.87 +/- 0.43 and 0.86 +/- 0.36 nM, respectively. The results suggest that the hyperserotonemia of autism is not due to increased exposure of the platelet to 5-HT and make it more likely that the factor(s) contributing to the hyperserotonemia of autism have to do with the platelet’s handling of 5-HT.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
2. Cukier SH, Wahlberg E. {{[Autism spectrum disorders. Functional-emotional development hypotheses and their relationship with therapeutic interventions]}}. {Vertex};2011 (Mar-Apr);22(96):135-146.
Autism Spectrum Disorders do not have a treatment that offers definitive solution to the serious challenges faced by people who suffer from them. Consequently, as in other chronic conditions, many therapeutic interventions are offered, each based on different neurobiological or psychological hypotheses. In the present article criteria for the organization of the proposed interventions are suggested, and the main aspects of the affective diathesis hypothesis are summarized. This theory emphasizes the importance of emotional signaling as a basis for development and is the theoretical framework for one of the therapeutic options in the field of autism that is earning recognition in our country: the DIR-Floortime model.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
3. Dempsey AG, Llorens A, Brewton C, Mulchandani S, Goin-Kochel RP. {{Emotional and Behavioral Adjustment in Typically Developing Siblings of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Oct 8)
Research findings describing the emotional and behavioral functioning of typically developing (TD) siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are contradictory. Methodological issues, such as small study sample sizes and reliance on parent report, may contribute to inconsistent findings. The purpose of this study was to use parent and teacher report to describe presence of internalizing and externalizing behaviors among a large sample (n = 486) of TD siblings of children with ASD. Results indicated that siblings did not exhibit a disproportionate prevalence of internalizing or externalizing symptoms in comparison to the standardization sample of the rating scale. The presence of a sibling with an ASD may not be considered a risk-factor for adjustment problems among TD siblings.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
4. Erickson LC, Scott-Van Zeeland AA, Hamilton G, Lincoln A, Golomb BA. {{Brief Report: Approaches to (31)P-MRS in Awake, Non-Sedated Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Oct 7)
We piloted a suite of approaches aimed to facilitate a successful series of up to four brain and muscle (31)Phosphorus-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ((31)P-MRS) scans performed in one session in 12 awake, non-sedated subjects (ages 6-18), 6 with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and 6 controls. We targeted advanced preparation, parental input, physical comfort, short scan protocols, allocation of extra time, and subject emotional support. 100% of subjects completed at least one brain scan and one leg muscle scan: 42 of 46 attempted scans were completed (91%), with failures dominated by exercise muscle scans (completed in 6/6 controls but 3/6 cases). One completed scan lacked usable data unrelated to subject/scan procedure (orthodonture affected a frontal brain scan). As a group, these methods provide a foundation for conduct and enhancement of future MR studies in pediatric subjects with ASD.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
5. Song RR, Zou L, Zhong R, Zheng XW, Zhu BB, Chen W, Liu L, Miao XP. {{An Integrated Meta-Analysis of Two Variants in HOXA1/HOXB1 and Their Effect on the Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders}}. {PLoS One};2011;6(9):e25603.
BACKGROUND: HOXA1 and HOXB1 have been strongly posed as candidate genes for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) given their important role in the development of hindbrain. The A218G (rs10951154) in HOXA1 and the insertion variant in HOXB1 (nINS/INS, rs72338773) were of special interest for ASD but with inconclusive results. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis integrating case-control and transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) studies to clearly discern the effect of these two variants in ASD. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Multiple electronic databases were searched to identify studies assessing the A218G and/or nINS/INS variant in ASD. Data from case-control and TDT studies were analyzed in an allelic model using the Catmap software. A total of 10 and 7 reports were found to be eligible for meta-analyses of A218G and nINS/INS variant, respectively. In overall meta-analysis, the pooled OR for the 218G allele and the INS allele was 0.97 (95% CI = 0.76-1.25, P(heterogeneity) = 0.029) and 1.14 (95% CI = 0.97-1.33, P(heterogeneity) = 0.269), respectively. No significant association was also identified between these two variants and ASD risk in stratified analysis. Further, cumulative meta-analysis in chronologic order showed the inclination toward null-significant association for both variants with continual adding studies. Additionally, although the between-study heterogeneity regarding the A218G is not explained by study design, ethnicity, and sample size, the sensitive analysis indicated the stability of the result. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests the HOXA1 A218G and HOXB1 nINS/INS variants may not contribute significantly to ASD risk.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
6. Wan CY, Bazen L, Baars R, Libenson A, Zipse L, Zuk J, Norton A, Schlaug G. {{Auditory-motor mapping training as an intervention to facilitate speech output in non-verbal children with autism: a proof of concept study}}. {PLoS One};2011;6(9):e25505.
Although up to 25% of children with autism are non-verbal, there are very few interventions that can reliably produce significant improvements in speech output. Recently, a novel intervention called Auditory-Motor Mapping Training (AMMT) has been developed, which aims to promote speech production directly by training the association between sounds and articulatory actions using intonation and bimanual motor activities. AMMT capitalizes on the inherent musical strengths of children with autism, and offers activities that they intrinsically enjoy. It also engages and potentially stimulates a network of brain regions that may be dysfunctional in autism. Here, we report an initial efficacy study to provide ‘proof of concept’ for AMMT. Six non-verbal children with autism participated. Prior to treatment, the children had no intelligible words. They each received 40 individual sessions of AMMT 5 times per week, over an 8-week period. Probe assessments were conducted periodically during baseline, therapy, and follow-up sessions. After therapy, all children showed significant improvements in their ability to articulate words and phrases, with generalization to items that were not practiced during therapy sessions. Because these children had no or minimal vocal output prior to treatment, the acquisition of speech sounds and word approximations through AMMT represents a critical step in expressive language development in children with autism.
