1. Bessé M, Morel-Kohlmeyer S, Capdeville J, Prévost P, Tuller L, Bouazzaoui B, Taconnat L, Houy-Durand E, Gomot M, Angel L. Autistic traits and cognitive functions: A cross-sectional study from younger to older adulthood. Acta Psychol (Amst). 2025; 262: 106092.

PURPOSE: This study explored the relationships between autistic traits and cognitive functioning across the lifespan in the general population. METHODS: Young (19-39 years old, N = 38), middle-aged (40-57 years old, N = 40), and older adults (60-80 years old, N = 39) underwent performance-based assessments (e.g., verbal short-term and working memory, episodic memory, processing speed, executive functions) and completed self-reported measures (self-reported executive functioning), which are commonly studied in the context of autistic traits and aging. A self-reported questionnaire of anxiety and depression was also included to explore relationships among all self-reported measures. RESULTS: Findings showed that autistic traits, measured continuously using the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) were negatively associated with age. Higher levels of autistic traits were associated with lower performance specifically in verbal short-term and working memory, with no significant associations found in other cognitive functions. These effects were consistent across all age groups. Interestingly, while elevated autistic traits were linked to more self-reported executive difficulties in young and middle-aged adults, no such relationship was observed in older adults. These findings suggest that the association between autistic traits and perceived executive function is weaker at older age, possibly due to older adults’ lower and less correlated self-reported scores, while younger groups may exhibit a stronger tendency toward negative self-assessment rather than a specific direct link between autistic traits and perceived executive function. CONCLUSION: Overall, the study highlights the complex relationships between autistic traits and cognition across the lifespan, suggesting the need for further research with larger, more diverse samples to clarify these associations.

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2. Boxberger A, Chen B, Olson L, Cordova M, Mahmalji J, Rios A, Linke AC, Fishman I. Correction: Functional connectivity patterns differ as a function of co-occurring attentional problems in preschoolers with autism. J Neurodev Disord. 2025; 17(1): 71.

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3. Campanale A, Mir HD, Dumais E, Inserra A, Flamand N, Chakravarty M, Gantois I, Siddiqui N, Sonenberg N, Gobbi G, Silvestri C, Di Marzo V. Uncovering novel endocannabinoidome-gut microbiome-brain axis-based therapeutic targets in a Fragile X Syndrome mouse model. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2025; 144: 111575.

BACKGROUND: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition associated with increased risk of psychiatric, gastrointestinal, and metabolic comorbidities. Recent studies highlight the bidirectional role of the gut microbiome (GM) and endocannabinoidome (eCBome)-axis in the gut-brain axis, suggesting its therapeutic potential for ASD and comorbidities. METHODS: We investigated the eCBome-GM-brain axis in the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (Fmr1(-/y)) mouse model, known as a genetic model of ASD, to identify therapeutic targets. Fecal GM composition was analysed by 16S rDNA sequencing, brain eCBome profile by HPLC-MS/MS and qRT-PCR, and fecal short chain fatty acids by GC-FID. RESULTS: Significant eCBome-GM-brain axis dysregulation was observed in Fmr1(-/y) compared to wild-type mice. GM analyses revealed potential gut dysbiosis, increased permeability, and inflammation. Specifically, elevated Akkermansia and Eubacterium siraeum-linked to gut barrier dysfunction-and Ruminococcus and Clostridium, associated with ASD severity, were identified. Concurrently, decreased levels of the gut health biomarker Roseburia and the taxa Helicobacter and Anaeroplasma were observed. Brain region-specific eCBome alterations underscored neuroinflammation. In the HPC, reduced anti-inflammatory dihomogamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) was accompanied by elevated pro-inflammatory 12-hydroxy-heptadecatrienoic acid, a mediator of microglial activation. In the PFC, decreased DGLA, 1/2-linoleoylglycerol, and N-linoleoyl-ethanolamine suggested neuroinflammation; elevated prostaglandin D2, a marker of autophagy impairment, underscores further mechanisms of dysfunction. Upregulation of cannabinoid type 2 and PPAR-γ receptor genes in the PFC suggested a compensatory response to neuroinflammation. Correlations between eCBome and GM alterations highlighted potential links between gut dysbiosis, systemic inflammation, and neurodevelopmental atypicalities. CONCLUSIONS: The Fmr1(-/y) ASD mouse model harbors significant eCBome-GM-brain axis alterations. This study highlights specific GM taxa and eCBome components as potential therapeutic targets for clinical validation in Fragile X Syndrome and ASD.

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4. Chang JC, Chen YC, Lin HT, Chen YL, Gau SS. Identifying gut microbiota composition disparities in autistic individuals and their unaffected siblings: correlations with clinical characteristics. Transl Psychiatry. 2025.

Recent research has begun to illuminate a potential link between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the microbial environment. The unaffected sibling design is a valuable approach to identifying markers and protective factors for the condition, particularly in Asian populations lacking specific data. We assessed 239 autistic individuals, 102 unaffected siblings (SIB), and 81 typically developing controls (TDC) aged 4 to 25 years. We analyzed fresh stool samples via 16S rRNA amplicon library preparation and Illumina V3V4 sequencing. We employed taxonomic diversity analysis and microbiota differential abundance analysis to discern variations in microbial composition. In addition, we analyzed the associations between microbiota profiles and autistic symptoms, emotional/behavioral problems, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The SIB had higher alpha diversity, and autistic individuals had a different beta diversity compared to the TDC. Compared to ASD and SIB, the TDC group exhibited a higher relative abundance of microbiota, including Blautia, Eubacterium hallii group, Anaerostipes, Erysipelotrichaceae UCG 003, Parasutterella, and Ruminococcaceae UCG 013 at the genus level. Furthermore, the family Prevotellaceae and genera Agathobacter were predominant in SIB compared to ASD and TDC. We found that the microbial communities were related to autistic symptoms and gastrointestinal symptoms. Moreover, individuals with more Anaerostipes exhibited significantly less social impairment and internalizing problems. Our study reveals unique microbial compositions in the ASD and SIB groups and a relationship between behavior patterns and microbial composition. These findings suggest the potential of microbial interventions for autistic individuals that warrant further exploration.

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5. Chen S, Xiang Y. Brain assembloids decode human cortical networks in Rett syndrome. Cell Rep. 2025; 44(12): 116709.

Tenreiro et al.(1) employ human cerebral organoids and telencephalic assembloids to reveal that MeCP2 deficiency leads to multiple defects in the formation of cortical neuronal networks during early prenatal brain development, offering new insights into the pathology of Rett syndrome.

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6. Chen X, Li X, Lu T, Li Y, Deng W, Wu F, Chen J, Du Q. Neuroimaging Evidence of Facial Emotion Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Functional Neuroimaging Studies. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

PURPOSE: The neural mechanisms underlying facial emotion processing (FEP) difficulties in autistic people remain unclear. This Seed-based d Mapping with Permutation of Subject Images (SDM-PSI) meta-analysis examined brain activity during FEP in autistic people. METHOD: We systematically searched three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO) for fMRI studies (published up to September 2, 2025) comparing DSM-diagnosed autistic people with non-autistic people (NAP) during FEP, and eligible studies reported whole-brain coordinates. A convergence analysis of the contrasts between the ASD and NAP groups was performed. Subgroup analyses and meta-regressions were conducted to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: A total of 25 fMRI studies, comprising 632 autistic people and 568 non-autistic people, were included in this meta-analysis. The results revealed a widespread convergence of decreased activation in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), middle temporal gyrus (MTG), fusiform gyrus (FG), cerebellum (Cb), and insula during FEP in autistic people at an uncorrected threshold level with P < 0.005. Among these, only the IFG passed FWE correction with P < 0.05. Subgroup exploratory analyses based on task type suggested that both explicit and implicit tasks may elicit a convergence of decreased activation along the ventral stream (IFG, FG, MTG), while explicit tasks may additionally involve convergence of increased activation in visual processing regions (lingual gyrus and inferior longitudinal fasciculus) at an uncorrected threshold level with P < 0.005. In addition, subgroup exploratory analysis of age showed autistic minors may recruit more visual resources compared to adults at an uncorrected threshold level with P < 0.005, and the exploratory regression analysis showed that higher IQ may be associated with decreased neural activity in the superior occipital gyrus (SOG) at an uncorrected threshold level with P < 0.005. CONCLUSION: Dysfunctional brain activity during facial emotion processing in autistic people was most robustly reflected in the convergence of decreased activation in the IFG, particularly the left IFG-op. Exploratory analyses further suggested that other aberrant brain activations may be focused on the ventral stream. In addition, exploratory subgroup analyses indicated that explicit tasks and minors might recruit multiple visual systems, potentially as a compensatory strategy.

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7. Da Silva AB, Berry E, Craig S, Doumas M. A Systematic Review of Autistic Adults’ Experiences of Anxiety From a Qualitative Perspective. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

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8. Donoso-Estay L, Bravo CV, López V. Systematizing community-based health services for autistic individuals: a municipal model from Chile. Int J Equity Health. 2025; 24(1): 344.

BACKGROUND: There is a significant gap in health and social service provision for autistic children and youth in Chile, particularly regarding access to community-based care models that promote inclusion and quality of life. In response, this study presents the design and preliminary evaluation of a municipal health service model focused on autistic children and youth. This model integrates principles from the neurodiversity paradigm, the biopsychosocial model of disability, and quality of life approaches within a situated Theory of Change framework. METHODS: A qualitative, participatory approach was adopted, involving document analysis, participatory observation, and interviews with professionals and families. The study focused on the implementation process, the articulation of services provided, and the preliminary outcomes observed during the first two years of operation. Data were analysed thematically to assess the model’s contributions to service access, family well-being, and community engagement. RESULTS: Since its inception, the Municipal Centre has delivered more than nine thousand health and support services to nearly five hundred families. The model has strengthened local support networks, promoted community awareness, and contributed to changing social imaginaries about autism. Initial findings indicate improvements in access to care, family quality of life, and coordination between health and social services. However, challenges remain regarding long-term sustainability, intersectoral collaboration, and the absence of formal public policies ensuring continuity. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the field of community-based health services by offering a replicable, rights-based approach to addressing the needs of autistic populations. It highlights the importance of integrated, participatory, and territorial strategies in health service delivery, particularly in contexts with significant gaps in provision. Further research is needed to evaluate long-term outcomes and scalability.

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9. Fan Y, Shu L, Zhang S. Distinct Patterns of Cognitive and Emotional Empathy in Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Behavioral and Self-Report Study. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

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10. Hiemstra RJ, Sari NP. Diagnostic Procedures and Treatments for Autistic Children in the Netherlands: A Scoping Review. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

PURPOSE: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children in the Netherlands is relatively high at 2.8%. Given the significant impact of an ASD diagnosis on a child’s life, there is a clear need for adequate autism services. This study aimed to identify current diagnostic procedures, available treatments, and interventions for children with ASD under 18 years old in the Netherlands. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Searches were performed in SmartCat, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar databases, covering studies from 2004 to 2024. After the selection process, 32 studies were included for analysis. RESULTS: The Netherlands has developed several guidelines for the preferred diagnostics of ASD, but full adherence remains inconsistent, potentially leading to delays in diagnosis. Available interventions primarily focus on skill training, and there is growing evidence supporting alternative therapies such as music therapy. CONCLUSION: To improve outcomes for children with ASD, the Netherlands should prioritize early detection to facilitate timely interventions and enhance well-being. Additionally, longitudinal studies are essential to validate the effectiveness of existing treatments.

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11. Lee A, Oh WO, Park EJ. Family responses and influencing factors in raising children with developmental disabilities: A cross-sectional study in South Korea. Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1): 43667.

Family responses, which encompass how families respond to raise children with developmental disabilities (DDs) and manage their child’s condition, have a profound impact on both the child and the family as a whole. Demographic and contextual factors contribute to shaping family responses and overall experiences. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of family responses to raising children with DDs and the influencing factors is essential. This study examined how families responded to caring for their children with DDs and determined the factors associated with the family responses. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 200 parents of children with DDs in South Korea between September 2020 and October 2021. Families reported unfavorable perceptions across multiple aspects of family management and experienced difficulties in day-to-day caregiving. Various factors, including the child’s age, gender, and diagnosis, as well as parental age, gender, and education, were associated with different aspects of family responses. Higher levels of social support, from relatives, friends, and others in general, were linked to more positive family responses. This study highlights the challenges faced by these families and underscores the critical role of social support in promoting positive family responses. Moreover, this study emphasizes the importance of providing tailored interventions that take into account demographic and contextual factors to address the specific needs of families of children with DDs.

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12. Lee CE, Koo J, Li C. Application of machine learning to predict employment attainment among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Res Dev Disabil. 2025; 168: 105181.

Promoting desirable employment outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities has been an important task for decades. However, the statistics indicate inequitable employment outcomes still exist; including underrepresentation in the workforce and employment in a part-time, low-wage, and segregated setting. One way to address the gap is to review and promote individual and environmental characteristics that are related to enhanced employment outcomes. For this study, we used machine learning approaches to investigate the predictors of employment status in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities based on a national database in South Korea. All machine learning models employed in this study-specifically a Random Forest-accurately and consistently predicted employment outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The most important factors contributing to the model’s predictive accuracy include employment capability, family support for employment, age, overall work ability, and daily living skills. Implications for practice and research are also discussed.

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13. Lotito MCF, Pinto ACT, Alves LC, Barbosa MA, Ferreira DC, Portela MB, Pereira AF, Tavares-Silva CM, Pastura G, de Araújo Castro GFB. Correction: Autism Spectrum Disorder: Sleep Characteristics in Children and Adolescents, and Their Relationship with Probable Sleep Bruxism, Anxiety, and Cortisol and Melatonin Levels-A Cross-Sectional Study of Children in Brazil. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

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14. Özcan Ö, Çevreli B, Kamalı M, Ergüzel TT, Metin B. Gender and Medication-Related Patterns of Sensory Reactivity, Repetitive Behaviors, Severity and Motor Coordination in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the interrelationships among sensory reactivity, repetitive behaviors, motor balance, and autism symptom severity in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The moderating roles of gender and pharmacological treatment were also examined. METHODS: A sample of 125 children with ASD (mean age = 8.7 ± 2.9 years; 52% male) was assessed using the Parent-Rated Sensory Reactivity Scale (ESRS), Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R), Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Statistical analyses included group comparisons (t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA/Kruskal-Wallis), correlations, and multiple regression models. RESULTS: Girls showed greater sensory reactivity and slightly better motor balance, whereas boys demonstrated more compulsive, restricted, and ritualistic behaviors. Children receiving medication tended to have higher sensory reactivity, lower balance performance, and greater autism severity compared to unmedicated peers. ADHD medications predicted elevated sensory and compulsive behaviors, while antipsychotics were associated with greater ritualistic patterns Regression analyses indicated that gender, medication use, and medication category together explained approximately 17% of the variance in autism severity. Correlation analyses suggested associations among sensory, behavioral, motor, and severity domains. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest gender-specific symptom clustering and context-dependent effects of pharmacological treatment in ASD. Sensory, behavioral, motor, and severity domains are interdependent, underscoring the need for individualized, multimodal interventions that target sensory sensitivities, behavioral rigidity, and motor coordination to enhance adaptive functioning and overall quality of life in children with ASD through integrated approaches of life in children with ASD.

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15. Park M, Yoo GE. Bridging internal states with music: An exploratory analysis of music-induced embodied emotion regulation in autistic youth and young adults. Res Dev Disabil. 2025; 168: 105180.

Emotion dysregulation in autistic individuals often manifest as atypical reactivity or maladaptive expressions, frequently accompanied by dissociation or detachment from self-experiences, avoidance, suppression, or rigidity in response to external and internal experiences. These challenges highlight the need for population-specific approaches to emotion regulation (ER). This study explored the potential of music to integrate interoceptive and exteroceptive processes for embodied ER. We proposed the Music-Induced Embodied Emotion Regulation (M-EER) model, a conceptual framework that guides sequential regulation through synchronization with modulated musical stimuli, and outlined step-by-step procedures for its implementation. Pilot interventions were conducted with three autistic individuals, one youth and two young adults, aged 19-25. Each participated in two 1-hour trial sessions, including pre-intervention interviews. During structured M-EER sessions, participants engaged with sequentially modulated music and developed self-directed plans for applying ER in everyday life. Following the sessions, participants provided self-reports of their regulatory experiences, which were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis to capture first-person perspectives. Findings suggest that the M-EER model facilitated regulated emotional changes by mapping sensory processing onto motor expression (e.g., instrument playing) and promoting embodied internal state shifts (e.g., arousal modulation). Empirical insights from lived experiences were summarized with the core themes of « agency in creating expressive space » and « music-self connection » emerged. The thematic framework of ER derived from this study suppots the role of music as a bridge between bottom-up sensory mechanisms and reflective, top-down processes (e.g., reflection on emotional changes). Although exploratory in scope, these findings also highlight the potential of the M-EER model as an integrative paradigm that combines structured clinical guidance with individual agency to address ER challenges on the autism spectrum, offering promising directions for future research and clinical application.

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16. Petruzzelli MG, Matera E, Margari L, Marzulli L, Gabellone A, Cotugno C, Annecchini F, Cortese S. An update on the comorbidity of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its clinical management. Expert Rev Neurother. 2025: 1-15.

INTRODUCTION: Over recent decades, research has identified both overlapping and distinct characteristics, risk factors, and genetic as well as neurobiological correlates associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This expanding body of evidence is increasingly informing the clinical management of individuals with comorbid ADHD and ASD. AREAS COVERED: Based on a targeted PubMed search conducted up to March 24,2025,24.03.25, prioritizing meta-analyses or umbrella reviews over primary studies (whenever relevant), with terms encompassing autism, assessment, and treatment, this review addresses: 1) Shared and distinct phenotypic characteristics, neuropsychological features, and genetic and neuroimaging correlates of ADHD and ASD; 2) The assessment of individuals presenting with both ASD and ADHD symptoms; 3) Pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies for the management for individuals with comorbid ASD and ADHD. EXPERT OPINION: The comorbidity of ADHD and ASD should not be overlooked. Nevertheless, before diagnosing comorbid ASD and ADHD, clinicians should perform a thorough differential diagnosis, ensuring that ADHD symptoms are not better explained by ASD. Regarding treatment, further research is warranted to develop personalized approaches, support long-term management strategies, and evaluate real-world outcomes such as quality of life, which are often underrepresented in clinical trials.

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17. Rieffe C, Hu CQ, Broekhof E. Empathy as risk and protective factor in the development of adolescent aggression; the role of autism unraveled. Sci Rep. 2025.

Empathy can strengthen interpersonal relationships, but the question is to what extent empathy also functions this way in autistic adolescents. Despite previous perceptions of lower empathic levels in autistic adolescents, recent studies have stated otherwise. The present study aimed to investigate the developmental trajectories of affective and cognitive empathy, as well as how they predicted the development of proactive and reactive aggression over time in autistic and non-autistic (allistic) adolescents. Eighty-two autistic (Mage = 11.73 years, SD = 1.34) and 105 allistic adolescents (Mage = 11.49 years, SD = 1.36) between 9 and 15 years old were included in this study. Self-reports were administered at 3 time points with 9-month intervals. Longitudinal analyses revealed both affective and cognitive empathy remained stable over time in both groups. Moreover, higher and increasing levels of affective empathy were longitudinally related to increasing levels of reactive aggression for autistic adolescents only, while no relationship was found for allistic participants. Additionally, higher levels of cognitive empathy were longitudinally related to decreasing levels of proactive aggression in both groups. The outcomes support the assumption that, compared to allistic adolescents, autistic adolescents are more easily over-aroused when affected by another person’s emotional states.

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18. Schuck RK, Chetcuti L, Dwyer P, Milosavljevic K, Bury SM, Hedley D, Begeer S, Vivanti G, Uljarevic M. Preferences for Identity-First and Person-First Language: A Systematic Review of Research With Autistic Adults/Adults With Autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

PURPOSE: Recommendations concerning the language used to describe autism center primarily around preferences for person-first language (PFL; e.g., person with autism) or identity-first language (IFL; e.g.., autistic person). Empirical research on this topic has recently proliferated, yet there is no clear consensus. In this study, we systematically reviewed prior research on the autistic community’s language preferences. METHODS: Our search generated 2483 articles. Nineteen studies (N = 6350) quantitatively assessed autistic people’s perspectives of autism language terms. We extracted data regarding most preferred terms and terms deemed acceptable for use. RESULTS: All studies were conducted online. Fourteen assessed preferred terminology; 10 found that more participants preferred IFL than PFL, though there was also considerable PFL endorsement (4-39% of participants) in these studies. Two studies that found a preference for PFL over IFL were conducted in Dutch. When able to choose « no preference/either » (6 studies), 4-37% of participants chose this option. Seven studies assessed acceptable terms; IFL terms were endorsed as acceptable by ~ 40-97% of participants, PFL terms by 5-53%, and « on the spectrum » by 8-45%. Across studies, participants were not representative of the entire autism spectrum (e.g., likely few participants with intellectual disability). CONCLUSION: Study results vary widely and suggest no consensus as to whether individuals with autism prefer IFL or PFL, neither across nor necessarily even within cultures and languages. We present several considerations for members of the autism community (e.g., researchers, clinicians, etc.) regarding use of PFL and IFL, with the ultimate goal of ensuring individual preferences are respected.

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19. Smith JA, Keller S, Johns M, Reighard S, Nestheide T, Keeton C. Improving Acute Psychiatric Care for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Mixed Methods Study on the Impact of a Resident Training Program to Identify and Manage Agitation. Acad Psychiatry. 2025.

OBJECTIVE: Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face significant barriers to appropriate psychiatric care, disproportionately utilize emergency departments, and report lower care quality. They are also more likely to display agitation in the form of challenging behaviors. This study evaluated the impact of a didactic training on resident psychiatrist knowledge and comfort in managing agitation in individuals with IDD in acute psychiatric settings. METHODS: A 1-h training session was delivered to resident psychiatrists, facilitated by clinicians from a county-level Developmental Disabilities Services. The session focused on communication strategies, agitation management, and local resources. Pre- and post-training surveys were used to assess the knowledge and comfort of residents in caring for this population. A follow-up survey was conducted 1 month later to assess the retention and application of learned skills. RESULTS: Twenty residents completed both the pre- and post-surveys, with nine participating in the 1-month follow-up. Residents reported that the training improved their comfort identifying, evaluating, and managing agitation in individuals with IDD, as well as teaching others to better manage agitation in this population. Knowledge of available resources and confidence in the ability to care for agitated patients with IDD also improved. At 1 month, most respondents reported applying skills from the training, and confidence in their care abilities remained significantly elevated. CONCLUSIONS: A brief, targeted training significantly improved resident psychiatrists’ knowledge and comfort in managing agitation in individuals with IDD. Future efforts should explore expanding training to include all psychiatric care team members and assess long-term impacts on patient care quality.

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20. Straub D, Schmitt LM, Boggs AE, Horn PS, Dominick KC, Gross C, Erickson CA. Correction: A sensitive and reproducible qRT-PCR assay detects physiological relevant trace levels of FMR1 mRNA in individuals with Fragile X syndrome. Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1): 43662.

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21. Tarumi W, Iwanaga R, Nakahata Y. Physiological mechanisms of social odor perception and their implications for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Acta Psychol (Amst). 2025; 262: 106124.

Olfactory social communication shapes emotional bonding, social cognition, and survival behaviors across mammals. In humans, body-odor-based social chemosignals contribute uniquely to interpersonal recognition and affective communication. However, atypical processing of social odors may disrupt early attachment formation and oxytocin-mediated socio-emotional development. Here, we review behavioral and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying social odor perception with a specific focus on maternal-infant bonding and its modulation by oxytocin pathways. Integrating evidence from humans and animal models, we propose that early disruptions in social chemosignaling may contribute to atypical developmental trajectories relevant to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). We also outline a mechanistic framework and future research directions aimed at leveraging social odor processing for translational advances in ASD.

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22. Wang Z, Qu H, Christensen D, Gemmell HM, Parks EM, Wetherington KE, Orlando AM, Romero RA, Karmakar B, Vaillancourt DE. Atypical Visually Guided Precision Grip Control in Middle-Aged and Older Autistic Adults. Autism Res. 2025.

Sensorimotor impairments are well documented in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, little is known about how these difficulties present in middle-aged and older autistic adults or how they relate to demographic factors and autistic traits. In this study, 52 autistic and 56 age- and sex-matched non-autistic adults (aged 30-73 years) completed a visually guided precision grip task designed to assess temporal (reaction time, duration), spatial (force accuracy, variability), and dynamic (rate of force change) features of grip control under two conditions: varying motor output demands (target force test) and visual feedback (visual gain test). Autistic adults showed prolonged duration, delayed reaction time, and greater target overshooting at lower force levels during the rise phase. During the sustained phase, they exhibited increased grip force variability across both tasks. In contrast, autistic adults demonstrated shorter reaction times during the relaxation phase. Subgroup analyses revealed that the middle-aged autistic subgroup displayed elevated grip force variability, whereas the older autistic subgroup showed broader impairments affecting both spatial and temporal aspects of precision gripping. Within the autistic group, temporal grip force variables under the low target force condition were significantly associated with age and repetitive behaviors. These findings demonstrate that manual motor impairments persist into adulthood in ASD, and suggest shared neurobiological networks that underlie both motor dysfunction and core autistic traits.

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23. Wu C, Li X, Yang X, Wang H, Lin G, Liu Z. ‌Dual-target hUCMSCs/EVs therapy for autism spectrum disorder: remodeling gut microbiota and modulating neuroimmune crosstalk in a valproic acid-induced C57BL/6 mice model. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2025.

INTRODUCTION: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social communication and repetitive behaviors. Accumulating evidence implicates neuroimmune dysregulation and gut microbiota dysbiosis in its pathogenesis, yet effective therapies targeting these mechanisms are lacking. This study investigated the therapeutic efficacy of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) and their extracellular vesicles (EVs), both alone and in combination, in a valproic acid (VPA)-induced ASD mouse model. METHODS: VPA-exposed C57BL/6 mice were randomized into five groups: control, VPA, hUCMSCs alone, EVs alone, and hUCMSCs + EVs combination. Behavioral tests, biochemical analyses, 16 S rRNA sequencing, immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed RESULTS: While both hUCMSCs and EVs alone showed some beneficial effects on certain ASD-like symptoms, each exhibited limited efficacy in achieving comprehensive remediation. In contrast, the combined hUCMSCs + EVs therapy yielded the most robust improvements across multiple domains, including social interaction and repetitive behaviors. Furthermore, the combination therapy synergistically normalized neuroinflammatory cytokine levels and oxidative stress, restored synaptic and mitochondrial ultrastructure in key brain regions, and promoted gut microbiota homeostasis by enriching beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and reducing pathogens. DISCUSSION: These results highlight that although individual treatments offer partial relief, only the combined strategy fully restores neuroimmune-microbiota homeostasis, demonstrating a complementary and synergistic therapeutic effect. This study establishes a novel dual-target approach leveraging systemic hUCMSCs and CNS-targeted EVs, providing a promising translational strategy for ASD through orchestrated regulation of the neuro-immune-microbiota axis.

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24. Zohrabi S, Karamali Esmaili S, Sheikhtaheri A, Zayeri F. Effectiveness of a Therapist-Managed Video-Modeling Smartphone Application for Self-Care Training for Children With Autism and Their Parents: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

PURPOSE: This study examined the effectiveness of a therapist-managed smartphone application using video modeling to teach self-care skills to children with autism, compared with live modeling, while providing parents with remote therapist support. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, thirty-one children with ASD (aged 5-12 years) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (video modeling via smartphone; n = 16) or a comparison group (live modeling; n = 15). Outcome measures included the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Goal Attainment Scaling, and Activities of Daily Living Inventory for Children with Disabilities, Family Functioning Questionnaire in Rehabilitation, and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. Assessments were conducted at baseline, one-month post-intervention, and one-month follow-up, and data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in self-care-related outcome measure scores (p < .05). No significant differences were found in Family Functioning Questionnaire in Rehabilitation or Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale scores. CONCLUSION: The therapist-managed video modeling application effectively enhanced self-care performance in children with ASD and offered a family-centered, time-efficient approach for remote intervention.

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