1. {{Pregnant mice illuminate risk factors that could lead to autism}}. {Nature};2017 (Sep 13);549(7671):131-132.
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2. Bryson S, Garon N, McMullen T, Brian J, Zwaigenbaum L, Armstrong V, Roberts W, Smith I, Szatmari P. {{Impaired disengagement of attention and its relationship to emotional distress in infants at high-risk for autism spectrum disorder}}. {J Clin Exp Neuropsychol};2017 (Sep 15):1-15.
INTRODUCTION: We provide data on visual orienting and emotional distress in infants at high and low risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHOD: Participants included 83 high-risk (HR) infants with an older sibling with ASD and 53 low-risk (LR) control infants with no family history of ASD. Infants were assessed on the gap-overlap task and a parent-completed temperament questionnaire at 6 and 12 months of age. At 36 months of age, an independent, gold standard diagnostic assessment for ASD was conducted. RESULTS: HR infants subsequently diagnosed with ASD were distinguished at 12 months by an asymmetric disengage impairment (for left- vs. right-sided stimuli) that was associated with an increase in latencies between 6 and 12 months. Across groups, prolonged left-directed disengage latencies at 12 months were associated with emotional distress (high irritability and difficult to soothe). CONCLUSIONS: The asymmetry in our findings raises the question of whether the disengage problem in ASD is at base one of orienting or alerting attention. Our findings also raise the question of whether attention training might be a critical ingredient in the early treatment of ASD.
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3. Catala-Lopez F, Hutton B, Page MJ, Ridao M, Driver JA, Alonso-Arroyo A, Fores-Martos J, Macias Saint-Gerons D, Vieta E, Valencia A, Tabares-Seisdedos R. {{Risk of mortality among children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and their first-degree relatives: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies}}. {Syst Rev};2017 (Sep 15);6(1):189.
BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are childhood onset neurodevelopmental disorders that may persist into adulthood. ASD and ADHD tend to run in families and may have a significant negative impact on the health and longevity of those with the disorder and their relatives. The aim of this study will be to analyze the risk of mortality among children, adolescents, and adults with ASD or ADHD and their first-degree relatives. METHODS/DESIGN: We will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, and ISI Web of Science will be used to identify epidemiological studies. Eligible studies will be observational studies reporting study-specific data for all-cause mortality or cause-specific mortality in children, adolescents, or adults with ASD or ADHD and/or their first-degree relatives. Cohort studies and case-control studies will be included. The primary outcome will be all-cause mortality. The secondary outcome will be cause-specific mortality. Two reviewers will independently screen references identified by the literature search, as well as potentially relevant full-text articles. Data will be abstracted, and study risk of bias/methodological quality will be appraised by two reviewers independently. The methodological quality of epidemiological studies will be appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Conflicts at all levels of screening and abstraction will be resolved through discussion. Random-effects meta-analyses of primary studies will be conducted where appropriate. Subgroup analyses for exploring statistical heterogeneity, if feasible, will include gender, age group, ethnicity, comorbidities, classification of cause of death, and relevant study characteristics. DISCUSSION: Our study will establish the extent of the epidemiological evidence underlying the risk of mortality among children, adolescents, and adults with ASD or ADHD and their first-degree relatives. We anticipate that our findings will be of interest to patients, their families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, scientists, and policy makers. Implications for future epidemiological research will be discussed. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42017059955 .
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4. Clark MLE, Vinen Z, Barbaro J, Dissanayake C. {{School Age Outcomes of Children Diagnosed Early and Later with Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2017 (Sep 14)
Early diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder is considered best practice, increasing access to early intervention. Yet, many children are diagnosed after 3-years. The current study investigated the school age outcomes of children who received an early and later diagnosis of ASD. The cognitive and behavioural outcomes of children diagnosed early (n = 48), were compared to children diagnosed after 3-years (n = 37). Children diagnosed early accessed more intervention, demonstrated better verbal and overall cognition at school age, were more likely to attend mainstream school and required less ongoing support than children diagnosed later. Behavioural differences were not found between groups. Earlier diagnosis is important and is likely to promote more positive outcomes at school age due to increased opportunity for EI.
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5. Duffield TC, Parsons TD, Landry A, Karam S, Otero T, Mastel S, Hall TA. {{Virtual environments as an assessment modality with pediatric ASD populations: a brief report}}. {Child Neuropsychol};2017 (Sep 13):1-8.
Virtual environments (VEs) have demonstrated promise as a neuropsychological assessment modality and may be well suited for the evaluation of children suspected of having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Some recent studies indicate their potential for enhancing reliability, ecologically validity, and sensitivity over traditional neuropsychological evaluation measures. Although research using VEs with ASD is increasing to the degree that several reviews of the literature have been conducted, the reviews to date lack rigor and are not necessarily specific to cognitive or neuropsychological assessment as many focus on intervention. The aim of this project was to comprehensively examine the current literature status of neuropsychological assessment in pediatric ASD using VEs by conducting a systematic review. Specifically, psychometric comparisons of VEs to traditional neuropsychological assessment measures that examined reliability, validity, and/or diagnostic accuracy for pediatric individuals, age 18 and below, with ASD were sought. The search using key words yielded 899 manuscripts, 894 of which were discarded for not meeting inclusion criteria. The remaining five met exclusion criteria. Therefore, the systematic review was modified to a brief report. These findings (or lack thereof) indicate a significant gap in the literature in that psychometric comparisons of these tools for the neuropsychological assessment of pediatric individuals with ASD are lacking. An important future direction of research will be extending the demonstrated incremental validity of VE neuropsychological assessment with other neurodevelopmental (e.g., attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and adult populations to pediatric ASD populations.
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6. Ebihara K, Fujiwara H, Awale S, Dibwe DF, Araki R, Yabe T, Matsumoto K. {{Decrease in endogenous brain allopregnanolone induces autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-like behavior in mice: A novel animal model of ASD}}. {Behav Brain Res};2017 (Sep 15);334:6-15.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with core symptoms of social impairments and restrictive repetitive behaviors. Recent evidence has implicated a dysfunction in the GABAergic system in the pathophysiology of ASD. We investigated the role of endogenous allopregnanolone (ALLO), a neurosteroidal positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors, in the regulation of ASD-like behavior in male mice using SKF105111 (SKF), an inhibitor of type I and type II 5alpha-reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme of ALLO biosynthesis. SKF impaired sociability-related performance, as analyzed by three different tests; i.e., the 3-chamber test and social interaction in the open field and resident-intruder tests, without affecting olfactory function elucidated by the buried food test. SKF also induced repetitive grooming behavior without affecting anxiety-like behavior. SKF had no effect on short-term spatial working memory or long-term fear memory, but enhanced latent learning ability in male mice. SKF-induced ASD-like behavior in male mice was abolished by the systemic administration of ALLO (1mg/kg, i.p.) and methylphenidate (MPH: 2.5mg/kg, i.p.), a dopamine transporter inhibitor. The effects of SKF on brain ALLO contents in male mice were reversed by ALLO, but not MPH. On the other hand, SKF failed to induce ASD-like behavior or a decline in brain ALLO contents in female mice. These results suggest that ALLO regulates episodes of ASD-like behavior by positively modulating the function of GABAA receptors linked to the dopaminergic system. Moreover, a sex-dependently induced decrease in brain ALLO contents may provide an animal model to study the main features of ASD.
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7. Khowaja M, Robins DL, Adamson LB. {{Utilizing two-tiered screening for early detection of autism spectrum disorder}}. {Autism};2017 (Sep 01):1362361317712649.
Despite advances in autism screening practices, challenges persist, including barriers to implementing universal screening in primary care and difficulty accessing services. The high false positive rate of Level 1 screening methods presents especially daunting difficulties because it increases the need for comprehensive autism evaluations. This study explored whether two-tiered screening-combining Level 1 (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up) and Level 2 (Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children) measures-improves the early detection of autism. This study examined a sample of 109 toddlers who screened positive on Level 1 screening and completed a Level 2 screening measure prior to a diagnostic evaluation. Results indicated that two-tiered screening reduced the false positive rate using published Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children cutoffs compared to Level 1 screening alone, although at a cost to sensitivity. However, alternative Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children scoring in the two-tiered screening improved both positive predictive value and sensitivity. Exploratory analyses were conducted, including comparison of autism symptoms and clinical profiles across screening subsamples. Recommendations regarding clinical implications of two-tiered screening and future areas of research are presented.
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8. Levin AR, Varcin KJ, O’Leary HM, Tager-Flusberg H, Nelson CA. {{EEG power at 3 months in infants at high familial risk for autism}}. {J Neurodev Disord};2017 (Sep 13);9(1):34.
BACKGROUND: Alterations in brain development during infancy may precede the behavioral manifestation of developmental disorders. Infants at increased risk for autism are also at increased risk for other developmental disorders, including, quite commonly, language disorders. Here we assess the extent to which electroencephalographic (EEG) differences in infants at high versus low familial risk for autism are present by 3 months of age, and elucidate the functional significance of EEG power at 3 months in predicting later development. METHODS: EEG data were acquired at 3 months in infant siblings of children with autism (high risk; n = 29) and infant siblings of typically developing children (low risk; n = 19) as part of a prospective, longitudinal investigation. Development across multiple domains was assessed at 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months. Diagnosis of autism was determined at 18-36 months. We assessed relationships between 3-month-olds’ frontal EEG power and autism risk, autism outcome, language development, and development in other domains. RESULTS: Infants at high familial risk for autism had reduced frontal power at 3 months compared to infants at low familial risk for autism, across several frequency bands. Reduced frontal high-alpha power at 3 months was robustly associated with poorer expressive language at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced frontal power at 3 months may indicate increased risk for reduced expressive language skills at 12 months. This finding aligns with prior studies suggesting reduced power is a marker for atypical brain function, and infants at familial risk for autism are also at increased risk for altered developmental functioning in non-autism-specific domains.
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9. Ozonoff S, Li D, Deprey L, Hanzel EP, Iosif AM. {{Reliability of parent recall of symptom onset and timing in autism spectrum disorder}}. {Autism};2017 (Sep 01):1362361317710798.
Past events are often reported as occurring more recently than they actually took place, an error called forward telescoping. This study examined whether forward telescoping was evident in parent reports of autism spectrum disorder symptom emergence and onset classification. Parents were interviewed when their child was 2-3 years old (Time 1) and approximately 6 years old (Time 2). Significant forward telescoping was found in both age of social regression and age when language milestones were achieved, but not age of language regression. The correspondence between Time 1 and Time 2 onset report was low ( kappa = 0.38). Approximately one-quarter of the sample changed onset categories, most often due to parents not recalling a regression at Time 2 that they had reported at Time 1. These results challenge the use of retrospective methods in determining onset patterns.
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10. Richman KA, Bidshahri R. {{Autism, theory of mind, and the reactive attitudes}}. {Bioethics};2017 (Sep 15)
Whether to treat autism as exculpatory in any given circumstance appears to be influenced both by models of autism and by theories of moral responsibility. This article looks at one particular combination of theories: autism as theory of mind challenges and moral responsibility as requiring appropriate experience of the reactive attitudes. In pursuing this particular combination of ideas, we do not intend to endorse them. Our goal is, instead, to explore the implications of this combination of especially prominent ideas about autism and about moral responsibility. These implications can be quite serious and practical for autists and those who interact directly with autists, as well as for broader communities as they attend to the fair, compassionate, and respectful treatment of increasing numbers of autistic adults. We find that these theories point to a limited range of situations in which autists should not be blamed for transgressive actions for which neurotypical individuals should be blamed. We build on what others have written on these issues by bringing in a recent cognitive model of the role theory of mind plays in empathy, by discussing the social implications of the theoretical findings, and by raising questions about the compatibility of reactive attitude theories of moral responsibility with the neurodiversity approach to autism.
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11. Zheng Z, Zhang L, Li S, Zhao F, Wang Y, Huang L, Huang J, Zou R, Qu Y, Mu D. {{Association among obesity, overweight and autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis}}. {Sci Rep};2017 (Sep 15);7(1):11697.
Obesity, overweight and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain serious public health problems. Although lots of studies have recently explored the association among obesity, overweight and ASD, the findings are inconsistent. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies to examine the association among obesity, overweight and ASD. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were used for literature searches to identify eligible studies published in English before November 15, 2016. Relevant studies estimating the association among obesity, overweight and ASD were included. Fifteen studies encompassing 49,937,078 participants and 1,045,538 individuals with ASD were included in this study. A random effects model was chosen to synthesize the effect sizes of individual studies. The prevalence of obesity was significantly higher in individuals with ASD than in controls (OR = 1.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37-2.48, P < 0.001). However, the prevalence of overweight in individuals with ASD was not significantly different from that in controls (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.83-1.38, P = 0.62). Both sensitivity analysis and publication bias testing revealed that the findings were robust. The meta-analysis showed a significant association between obesity and ASD. However, no significant association was identified between overweight and ASD. Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
