1. Alon R. A moderated mediation model for predicting acceptance of a sibling with autism or Down Syndrome. Res Dev Disabil;2025 (Jun 10);164:105059.

Within the family system, the sibling subsystem holds particular importance, especially when there is a family member with a disability. Typically-developing siblings increasingly assume caregiving responsibilities for a brother/sister with a disability, particularly during the life stage of emerging adulthood. A critical factor influencing sibling relations is the acceptance of the sibling with a disability. Guided by the salutogenic approach, which emphasizes factors that promote health and effective coping, this study explored a moderated mediation model to examine the relationships between sense of coherence and emotions (active negative, passive negative, and positive emotions) toward siblings with autism or Down Syndrome, and how these relate to sibling acceptance. The sample included 520 emerging adult siblings (aged 18-27) of individuals with autism or Down Syndrome, who completed four self-report questionnaires. Disability type significantly moderated the indirect effect of the mediation relationship between sense of coherence and acceptance via active negative and positive emotions, but not via passive negative emotions. Specifically, the mediation effect via active negative emotions was significantly stronger for siblings of individuals with autism compared to those with Down Syndrome (b = 0.105), and the mediation effect via positive emotions was significant for siblings of individuals with autism but not for siblings of individuals with Down Syndrome (b = 0.137). The results highlight the role of sense of coherence in fostering sibling acceptance, mediated by emotions, and emphasize the need for community-based programs that enable siblings to process their feelings toward their siblings with autism or Down Syndrome, in order to promote acceptance.

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2. Chen X, Zhang J, Wu J, Robinson MJ, Kothandaraman H, Yoo YE, Dopeso-Reyes IMG, Buffenoir TD, Halurkar MS, Zhang Z, Wang M, Creager EN, Zhao Y, Olivero-Acosta MI, Wettschurack KW, Que Z, Yuan C, Schaser AJ, Lanman NA, Rochet JC, Skarnes WC, Kremer EJ, Yang Y. Autism-associated SCN2A deficiency disrupts cortico-striatal circuitry in human brain assembloids. bioRxiv;2025 (Jun 3)

Profound autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is frequently attributable to single-gene mutations, with SCN2A (voltage-gated sodium channel Na (V) 1.2) protein-truncating variants (PTVs) being one of the most penetrant. Although cortico-striatal circuitry is implicated as a key node in ASD, the impact of SCN2A deficiency on human neural circuits is unknown. Using the human cortico-striatal assembloid model, we show that the autism-causing PTV SCN2A-C959X impairs long-range cortical axonal projections, reduces striatal spine density, and attenuates excitatory cortical-striatal synaptic transmission. Surprisingly, these assembloids carrying the heterozygous SCN2A nonsense mutation exhibited pronounced network hyperexcitability, a human cell-specific phenotype not observed in Scn2a (+/-) mice, highlighting a human-specific circuit vulnerability. Collectively, our study unveils human circuit-specific dysfunctions of SCN2A deficiency and SCN2A -mediated ASD. HIGHLIGHTS: Axonal projections facilitate synapse formation and functional connectivity in human brain assembloids. Na (V) 1.2 is expressed along neuronal axons, extending to soma and dendrites in human brain assembloids. SCN2A-C959X disrupts axonal projection patterns, impairs excitatory synaptic transmission, reduces spine density, and results in elevated neuronal excitability. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: In brief: SCN2A haploinsufficiency impairs cortico-striatal circuitry.: SCN2A haploinsufficiency disrupts axon initial segment (AIS) integrity, leading to hyperexcitability (red arrow), reduced axon projections, and impaired synaptic transmission (decreased sEPSCs and altered network firing). These deficits result in dysfunction within the cortico-striatal circuitry.

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3. Giblon R, Mahar A, Hallet J, Kelly C, Coburn N, Shooshtari S, Sutradhar R. Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and cancer symptom reporting: a matched retrospective cohort study. Support Care Cancer;2025 (Jun 12);33(7):571.

PURPOSE: Symptom assessment is key to managing symptom burden following a cancer diagnosis. Adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) experience worse outcomes from cancer; disparities may also exist in routine cancer symptom screening. This study investigated whether differences exist in routine cancer symptom assessment between people with and without IDD in a public healthcare system. METHODS: We conducted a matched retrospective cohort study of adults in Ontario, Canada, with and without IDD who received a cancer diagnosis between 2010 and 2019 using administrative health data. Among people with cancer, those with IDD were hard-matched 1:5 to those without IDD on age at diagnosis, sex, diagnosis year, cancer type and regional cancer centre registration. Cumulative incidence of first symptom assessment accounting for death as a competing risk was estimated. Sub-distribution and cause-specific hazards models were used. Effect modification by age, sex and cancer stage was investigated. RESULTS: A total of 1545 people with IDD were matched to 7725 people without IDD. Individuals with IDD experienced a lower incidence of cancer symptom assessment (1-year probability: 0.62 vs. 0.77) and lower rates of symptom assessment (sub-distribution HR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.59, 0.67; cause-specific HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.73) relative to those without IDD. Results were most pronounced for those in advanced cancer stages. CONCLUSION: Among persons with cancer, the incidence of symptom assessment is lower for individuals with IDD compared to those without; the magnitude of these findings varied across cancer stages. These findings may indicate systemic barriers to equitable healthcare access for people with cancer and IDD.

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4. Hao Y, Banker S, Schafer M, Zhang E, Barkley S, Trayvick J, Peters A, Thinakaran A, McLaughlin C, Gu X, Foss-Feig J, Schiller D. A unique neural and behavioral profile of social anxiety in autism. Res Sq;2025 (May 28)

Social anxiety (SA) commonly co-occurs with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), each sometimes misdiagnosed as the other. We examine behavioral and neural profile of SA in ASD in an online study (ASD = 575, control = 357) and a neuroimaging study (ASD = 72, control = 72). Using a naturalistic social interaction task, we identified acquiescent behaviors in individuals with both SA and ASD compared to those with ASD or SA alone. The amygdala-previously linked to anxiety and ASD-was uniquely enlarged only in adults with both SA and ASD. Furthermore, larger amygdala volume was associated with acquiescent behaviors in ASD, a relationship that was enhanced when accounting for SA. These findings suggest that autistic adults with larger amygdala are more likely to experience SA and difficulties in power dynamics (dominance or control), highlighting unique phenotype of SA in ASD.

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5. Ishizawa K, Hashimoto K, Oka H, Sugawara T, Amari M, Kawarabayashi T, Okamoto K, Tamai C, Sone J, Ikeda Y, Takatama M, Shoji M. A case of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome with superior cerebellar peduncle lesions. eNeurologicalSci;2025 (Sep);40:100571.

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting carriers of a premutation in the FMR1 gene involving expansion of CGG repeats. We present the case of a 66-year-old man with fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome caused by a premutation of the FMR1 gene with approximately 80-110 CGG repeats. He demonstrated progressive cognitive decline, dysarthria, truncal ataxia, and incoordination. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed prominent middle cerebellar peduncle and corpus callosum splenium signs, while skin biopsy showed p62-positive nuclear inclusion bodies. Genetic analysis showed no expansion of the NOTCH2NLC gene. The diagnosis of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome was confirmed by the CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene. We discovered new superior cerebellar peduncle and superior cerebellar peduncle decussation lesions in our case, suggesting the possibility of prominent and early magnetic resonance imaging lesions in fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome.

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6. Kellerman A, Janis A, Piergies A, Dermody SS, Messinger DS, Miller M, Schwichtenberg AJ. Dyadic Synchrony and Responsiveness Within the Context of Elevated Autism Likelihood: Applying Time-Varying Effect Models. J Autism Dev Disord;2025 (Jun 11)

The ability to engage in synchronous interactions develops in the first year, as infants learn to sequentially regulate prosocial behaviors. Difficulty developing competence in these early social building blocks is linked to later developmental concerns, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Currently, metrics for quantifying social competence rely primarily on mean-level indices; however, interactions are dynamic. The present study modeled change in the odds of dyadic synchrony (DS), maternal responsiveness (MR), and infant responsiveness (IR) over time to explore if temporal patterns can inform developmental monitoring. Dyads were recruited from families with at least one older child with ASD (elevated ASD likelihood, n = 95) or families with no history of ASD (typical ASD likelihood, n = 72). Theory-driven indices of dyadic synchrony and responsiveness were derived from micro-analytically coded gaze, positive affect, and vocalizations. A series of logistic time-varying effect models (TVEMs) were conducted to compare temporal changes in synchrony and responsiveness across the infant/toddler groupings of (1) elevated- vs typical-ASD likelihood and (2) typical (TYP), ASD, or other developmental concerns (Non-ASD DC). DS, IR, and MR patterns were temporally stable but lower for the elevated ASD likelihood group. Temporal patterns of DS, IR, and MR were more variable for the ASD and Non-ASD DC groups. TVEMs captured meaningful dyadic information and could be used in future studies to inform prospective monitoring and parent-mediated intervention approaches.

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7. Kobayashi M, Kobayashi T, Obara T, Narita A, Miyake A, Suzuki T, Ishikuro M, Orui M, Kodama EN, Shimizu R, Hamanaka Y, Izumi Y, Hozawa A, Fuse N, Kikuchi A, Tamiya G, Kure S, Kuriyama S, Yamamoto M. Gaze Patterns of Children with Communication Difficulties Associated with Core Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Tohoku J Exp Med;2025 (Jun 12)

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8. Mukherjee SS, Halder A, Singhi AK, Sivakumar K. 2: 1 AV block post ASD device closure – What is the mechanism?. Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J;2025 (Jun 12)

We report a case of atrioventricular (AV) block post successful percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) device closure. He had minimal fatigue and presented for his routine follow-up after intervention. His ECG showed 2:1 AV block. The interesting finding was appearance of varying PR interval in the conducted beats evoking possibility of complete heart block (CHB). We review the literature and conclude that changing PR is part of compensation to maintain R-R interval in a typical Wenckebach phenomenon.

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9. Nisar A, Thompson PA, Boer H, Al-Delfi H, Langdon PE. Specialist Psychiatric Bed Utilisation by People With Intellectual Disabilities and Autistic People: A Time-Series Analysis Using the English Assuring Transformation Dataset. J Intellect Disabil Res;2025 (Jun 12)

BACKGROUND: Using nationally available anonymised and aggregated English data, we examined specialist and nonspecialist psychiatric bed utilisation by people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism. METHODS: Using data about specialist psychiatric bed utilisation from the Assuring Transformation Dataset, from March 2015 to January 2024, we applied linear regression (with moving average or autoregressive errors) to explore the relationships between a set of outcome variables (e.g., number of inpatients and length of stay) and a set of sociodemographic, clinical and service-related predictor variables (e.g., age, ethnicity, admission source, legal status, admission source, discharge destination, Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews) over time. Comparisons were made with data from the Mental Health Services Data Set about nonspecialist psychiatric bed utilisation. RESULTS: Over time, there was an average reduction of 8.07 inpatients per month. This reduction was due to a reduction in the number with a length of stay longer than 2 years, and fewer inpatients with intellectual disabilities without autism over time, rather than fewer autistic inpatients without intellectual disabilities; instead, the number of autistic inpatients increased by 6.02 per month. However, overall, there were fewer inpatients in specialist psychiatric beds than in nonspecialist beds by an average of 877 patients, and the number in specialist beds reduced faster than the number in nonspecialist beds over time. We found that more hospital spells were associated with more inpatients older than 18, more detentions under Part III of the Mental Health Act, more inpatients not known to the local authority, and an increased number of White inpatients. More admissions were associated with fewer discharges, while those with a hospital stay longer than 2 years were less likely to have had a postadmission Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews and were more likely to use advocacy. CONCLUSIONS: The number of inpatients with intellectual disabilities in specialist psychiatric beds continues to decline over time, while the number of autistic inpatients without intellectual disabilities is increasing. Future research should utilise participant-level data to explore patient long-term trajectories.

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10. O’Flaherty M, Hill J, Bourke M, Gomersall S, Tweedy S, Cairney J. Comparing trajectories of sport participation for autistic- and non-autistic-youth: A group-based multi-trajectory modelling approach. Autism;2025 (Jun 11):13623613251345345.

Autistic children are less likely to participate in sport than non-autistic children, but we know little about how patterns of participation in team and individual sport change across childhood. Drawing on a nationally representative cohort of Australian children, this study analysed trajectories of participation in team and individual sport between the ages of 8 and 15 using a group-based multiple trajectory modelling approach. A five-group solution was found to be the best fit to the data, identifying distinct patterns of sport participation over time. In comparison with non-autistic children, autistic children were more likely to belong to the ‘sport avoider’ group with low participation in both team and individual sport at all ages. Conversely, autistic children were less likely to be classified in the ‘team sportsperson’, ‘ex-team sportsperson’ or ‘mixed sportsperson’ groups. No difference in the likelihood of belonging to the ‘individual sportsperson’ group was found. Risk factors for trajectory group membership were similar for autistic and non-autistic children. Our findings indicate that autistic children are particularly likely to experience exclusion from team sport environments, and this exclusion persists over time. Similar rates of participation in individual sport for autistic and non-autistic children indicate that these environments may be more supportive for autistic children.Lay abstractAutistic children are less likely to participate in sport than non-autistic children, but we know little about how patterns of participation in team and individual sport change across childhood. Drawing on data for a group of Australian children whose families were reinterviewed between ages 8 and 15, the present study patterns of participation in team and individual sport over time. Findings from the analysis suggested that children could be grouped into five patterns of participation in team and individual sport between the ages of 8 and 15. In comparison with non-autistic children, autistic children were more likely to belong to the ‘sport avoider’ group with low participation in both team and individual sport at all ages. Conversely, autistic children were less likely to belong to the ‘team sportsperson’, ‘ex-team sportsperson’ or ‘mixed sportsperson’ groups. Similar numbers of autistic and non-autistic children belonged to the ‘individual sportsperson’ group. Factors linked to patterns of participation over time were similar for autistic and non-autistic children. Our findings indicate that autistic children are particularly likely to experience exclusion from team sport environments, and this exclusion persists over time. Similar rates of participation in individual sport for autistic and non-autistic children indicate that these environments may be more supportive for autistic children.

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11. Plank IS, Tepest R, Vogeley K, Falter-Wagner CM. The influence of interpersonal synchrony and autism on impressions of dyadic interactions: a preregistered study. Mol Autism;2025 (Jun 12);16(1):34.

BACKGROUND: Humans form almost instantaneous impressions of everyone they encounter. These impressions set the first tone for how they approach and interact with others. Research on impression formation unveiled that impressions formed by autistic and non-autistic people are often less favourable when rating an autistic person. This effect is partly explainable by differences in motion dynamics. METHODS: In this preregistered study, we systematically assessed impressions formed by 27 autistic and 36 non-autistic comparison observers when watching videos showing silent interactions between either two non-autistic or between an autistic and a non-autistic person. We used an eye tracker to capture their gaze patterns while observing these interactions. Of each dyadic interaction, video vignettes with high and vignettes with low interpersonal synchrony of movement (IPS(mov)) were extracted using Motion Energy Analysis so that we could investigate the effects of interpersonal synchrony and diagnosis, respectively. RESULTS: Interactions were rated less favourably when the observed dyad included an autistic adult. Additionally, interactions showing low IPS(mov) were rated less favourably than interactions showing high IPS(mov), regardless of dyad type. Both autistic and comparison observers rated interactions of non-autistic dyads and high IPS(mov) interactions more favourably. Gaze patterns revealed differences between autistic and comparison observers, but no differences due to IPS(mov) or dyad type. Furthermore, dwell times to hands predicted ratings. LIMITATIONS: In this study, we investigated specific influences on impression formation, specifically interpersonal synchrony of movement and autism. There are many more potentially interesting aspects of individuals that impact impression formation, such as facial expressiveness, gaze behaviour and linguistic content of conversations, which should be investigated systematically and in a controlled fashion in future research. CONCLUSIONS: Extending research on autism and impression formation to dyadic interactions, this study reveals that motion dynamics play a role in how pleasant interactions are perceived. Autistic-involved interactions were rated lower, despite observers being unaware of the dyad type and only watching people’s outlines. Future research should identify conversational aspects driving lower ratings of mixed dyads, potentially considering the effect of hand dwell times on ratings. Autistic and comparison observers showed different gaze patterns despite similar ratings, confirming distinct social information processing.

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12. Qin Y, Li M, Nian C, He Y. Application and efficacy analysis of empowerment theory-based Pharmacological intervention in the rehabilitation of children with autism. Pak J Pharm Sci;2025 (Mar-Apr);38(2):439-447.

To explore the application and efficacy of a combined pharmacological and behavioral intervention in the rehabilitation of children with autism, emphasizing individualized treatment approaches. Ninety-six hospitalized children diagnosed with autism, aged 3-8 years, were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group. The control group received conventional interventions, including systematic language training, behavioral therapy and social interaction exercises. The experimental group received additional individualized pharmacological interventions, including anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., alprazolam) and antipsychotic medications (e.g., risperidone), with dosages tailored to each child based on age, weight and symptom severity. The efficacy of interventions was assessed using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) alongside additional measures, including self-care ability and social communication skills. Adverse effects of medications were closely monitored and recorded. The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in social skills and self-care ability, a marked reduction in stereotypical behaviors and a greater decrease in ABC scores compared to the control group. These improvements were achieved with manageable and well-monitored side effects. The addition of pharmacological intervention to conventional therapies provides enhanced therapeutic benefits in the rehabilitation of children with autism. This approach significantly improves core symptoms, particularly social communication and behavior management, supporting its integration into clinical practice. Further research is recommended to optimize individualized treatment protocols and evaluate long-term outcomes.

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13. Ryu J, Oh M. Positron Emission Tomography in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Current Status and Future Perspectives. Semin Nucl Med;2025 (Jun 12)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition marked by impairments in social communication and the presence of repetitive behaviors. While both genetic and environmental factors are known to contribute to ASD, its precise causes remain unclear. Advances in molecular imaging, particularly positron emission tomography (PET), have enhanced our ability to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying ASD. PET offers valuable insights into brain metabolism, neurotransmitter systems, neuroinflammation, and synaptic density. This review highlights the contributions of PET imaging to understanding the pathophysiology of ASD, focusing on recent advancements in technology and novel radiotracers. These innovations may lead to more accurate biomarkers for diagnosis and targeted therapeutic strategies. As PET technology continues to improve, it holds significant potential for advancing ASD research and clinical applications.

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14. Sakrani RA, Asif RZ, Wijdan SA. Interactions between circulating inflammatory factors and autism spectrum disorder. J Pak Med Assoc;2025 (May);75(5):860-861.

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15. Shimizu Y, Yoshida T, Ito K, Terada K, Sasaki N, Honda E, Motomura K. Solitude, connection with society, low quality of life in relation to autism spectrum disorder. Int J Soc Psychiatry;2025 (Jun 12):207640251345030.

BACKGROUND: Social communication and interaction deficits are characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, no study reported the association between living alone and quality of life (QOL) in participants with ASD. AIMS: To evaluate the association among solitude, connection with society, low quality of life, and ASD. METHODS: We conducted a web survey-based cross-sectional study of 3,865 Japanese participants with ASD living alone and may not view a connection to society as important. Participants were asked to choose three answers from 13 items for the question, ‘What do you think is the most important matter to elevate your quality of life (QOL)?’ If participants answered ‘connection with society’, we defined it as ‘thinking connection with society is important’. RESULTS: Living alone was inversely connected with the Life Satisfaction Scale scores for participants with and without ASD. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of living alone on the life satisfaction scale (one standard deviation) for those without and with ASD were 0.78 (0.72, 0.85) and 0.74 (0.58, 0.95), respectively. However, the association between living alone and ‘thinking connection with society is important’ is positive for those without ASD but inverse for those with ASD. The adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for patients without and with ASD were 1.25 (1.03, 1.53) and 0.28 (0.11, 0.70), respectively. CONCLUSION: Living alone might strengthen the ‘thinking connection with society is important’ for participants without ASD but weaken it for those with ASD.

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16. Stanton JC, Peel NL, Mills CJ, Breen PP. Potential of phase-based ranging as an abscondment sensor for children with autism. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol;2025 (Jun 12):1-13.

This study addresses the critical unmet need for abscondment detection systems to enhance community access and safety for children with autism. We present the development of a proof-of-concept device that identifies user needs, establishes testing methodologies, and explores the technical challenges in creating a practical solution. Through a structured approach, user requirements and device specifications were established, leading to the creation of a phase-based 2.4 GHz distance-ranging prototype. A series of laboratory-based verification experiments demonstrated significant performance improvements using filtering and alert-triggering mechanisms to mitigate the limitations of phase-based ranging. Although body obstruction remains a challenge, this can potentially be addressed through further co-design with end users. The user-centered design process and experimental framework outlined in this work provide a valuable foundation for researchers seeking to advance abscondment detection technologies for children with autism. Enhancing Safety for Children with Autism: This research highlights the potential of reliable abscondment detection systems to mitigate safety risks, addressing a critical challenge faced by children with autism and their families.Framework for Future Innovations: The study establishes a robust foundation for advancing practical, technology-driven safety solutions, incorporating both technical feasibility and user-centered design principles.Advancements in Phase-Based Ranging: Despite inherent limitations, the novel methods introduced improve the practicality of phase-based ranging, offering a pathway toward more effective tracking technologies. eng

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17. Yang F, Kang L, Zou C. Efficacy and Safety of Risperidone Interventions in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Psychiatry Clin Psychopharmacol;2025 (Jun);35(2):177-184.

BACKGROUND: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that severely impairs children’s health. Current data suggest that behavioral therapies are successful. Risperidone has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to moderate impulsive behavior in people with ASD. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of risperidone in children and adolescents with ASD. METHODS: This study involved searching electronic databases for relevant articles, screening them based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and performing a combined data analysis of the selected articles using Review Manager software. RESULTS: This meta-analysis comprised 7 articles. The pooled analysis indicated that: (1) Risperidone intervention decreased scores on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) scale in children and adolescents with ASD, as well as reduced scores related to stereotypy, social withdrawal, hyperactivity, inappropriate speech, and irritability on the ABC scale; (2) The use of risperidone raised the risk of weight gain, tremors, upper respiratory tract infection, and increased appetite. Other adverse responses, however, did not differ significantly from the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Risperidone demonstrated effectiveness and safety in managing behavioral issues and decreased ABC scores in children and adolescents with ASD. However, further research is needed, and the associated risks still need to be considered.

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18. Yokota S, Sasaki G, Fujiwara A, Waki T, Sueyoshi A, Kubo S, Takeda K. Exploring the impact of training on explicit and implicit attitudes toward autism spectrum disorder and physical disabilities in university students. Res Dev Disabil;2025 (Jun 10);164:105068.

BACKGROUND: The current study examined the impact of training on attitudes toward autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and physical disabilities from both explicit and implicit aspects. As the number of autistic students enrolling in universities increases, there is a growing focus on meaningful inclusion in educational environments. Although several intervention studies investigated changes in attitudes towards people with disabilities, including ASD and physical disabilities, few have focused on the implicit aspect of attitudes. METHODS: In this study, participants received a training course on understanding and supporting people with developmental disorders, physical disabilities, or no training in the case of the control group. They completed surveys on their knowledge and explicit and implicit attitudes at three time points (pre-, post, and one-month follow-up). RESULTS: We found significant positive changes in explicit attitudes toward disabilities that were not the target of the training course. Only participants who received training on physical disabilities changed their implicit attitude toward people with physical disabilities. These participants also knew more about physical disabilities before receiving the training course. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that while positive spill-over effects in explicit attitudes occur through providing knowledge and support skills, implicit attitudinal change can occur depending on the level of expertise about the target disabilities.

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19. Yu Z, Luo Z, Zheng J, Lu L, Tang C, Qu C. Autism spectrum disorders and the volume of the striatum and Amygdala: A Mendelian randomization study. Brain Res;2025 (Jun 12):149781.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: A number of studies have documented alterations in the structure and function of the striatum in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Nevertheless, the precise genetic mechanisms underpinning the relationship between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and striatum and amygdala volume remain to be elucidated. The objective of this study was to estimate the causal effect of ASD on striatum and amygdala volume. METHODS: Summarized data of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were separately downloaded from the IEU (Integrative Epidemiology Unit) open GWAS project (22138 participants of Europeans (100%), 18,382 cases of ASD and 27,969 controls, with a total of 33,219 brain imaged samples), the Enhancing Neuroimaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis Consortium (ENIGMA) (15640 participants of Europeans (96.5%) and non-Europeans). The MR-egger intercept test, MR-presso and Cochran’s Q statistic was used to examine the pleiotropy and heterogeneity, respectively. MR-egger, weighted median, inverse variance weighted, simple mode, and weighted mode methods were used to evaluate the causal association between striatum and amygdala volume and ASD. Finally, the effect of a single SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) was used to test the SNP bias. RESULTS: The increased change rate of the putamen shows a strong and statistically significant association with ASD risk (P(IVW) = 0.015, P(FDR) = 0.044), with a large beta value (β(SE) = 8.272(3.401), 95 %CI: 1.605 to 14.939) indicating a substantial effect size. This makes it a potentially important changes caused by ASD. However, the increased change rate of the amygdala shows a positive but not statistically significant association with ASD risk (P(IVW) = 0.119, P(FDR) = 0.593). The beta value (2.527) is smaller, and the confidence interval includes zero, suggesting that this result is not reliable as a predictor of ASD risk. The other part of GM (grey matter) of striatum and amygdala volume also showed unsignificant result due to small beta values or unsignificant FDR p values. CONCLUSIONS: The putamen’s change rate appears to be a significant change caused by ASD which may be a strong predictive capability for ASD risk, while the amygdala’s change rate and GM of striatum and amygdala volume does not show a significant predictive capability in this context. The present study provides evidence of a genetic relationship between ASD and putamen volume. Further investigation is required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the genetic effect of changes in putamen structure and function on ASD.

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