1. AA MB, Perea JA, Tralie CJ, Goodwin MS. Automated Quantification of Stereotypical Motor Movements in Autism Using Persistent Homology. bioRxiv. 2025.

Stereotypical motor movements (SMM) are a core diagnostic feature of autism that remain difficult to quantify efficiently and validly across individuals and developmental stages. The current paper presents a novel pipeline that leverages Topological Data Analysis to quantify and characterize recurrent movement patterns. Specifically, we use persistent homology to construct low-dimensional, interpretable feature vectors that capture geometric properties associated with autistic SMM by extracting periodic structure from time series derived from pose estimation landmarks in video data and accelerometer signals from wearable sensors. We demonstrate that these features, combined with simple classifiers, enable accurate automated quantification of autistic SMM. Visualization of the learned feature space reveals that extracted features generalize across individuals and are not dominated by person-specific SMM. Our results highlight the potential of using mathematically principled features to support more scalable, interpretable, and person-agnostic characterization of autistic SMM in naturalistic settings.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

2. Alak G, Akçamuş M. The Turkish Short Version of the Sensory Experience Questionnaire: A Validity and Reliability Study in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Noro Psikiyatr Ars. 2025; 62(3): 249-55.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the present study is to examine the psychometric properties of the Turkish form of the Sensory Experience Questionnaire Short Version (SEQv2.1), which is based on parent or primary caregiver reports, consisting of three sensory response patterns (hyporeactivity, hyperreactivity, and sensory seeking) previously validated in different clinical groups and the general population, on young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHOD: The study participants consisted of 180 children with ASD and 65 typically developing children aged between 24 and 80 months. The children’s sensory characteristics were measured using the SEQv2.1, which was filled out by their mothers. The study used the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) to examine concurrent criterion validity and confirm the children’s ASD diagnosis. After the SEQv2.1 was translated, the questionnaire’s validity was examined with construct and criterion validity, while its reliability was examined with Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega internal consistency coefficient. RESULTS: The analyses conducted to examine construct validity showed that the model fit indices for the questionnaire’s three-factor structure were acceptable, but not all items had acceptable loading values. Furthermore, the sub-factors of the SEQv2.1 were moderately positively correlated with each other and highly positively correlated with the overall scale, and the mean scores of children with ASD and typically developing children from the sub-factors of the SEQv2.1 and the overall scale significantly differed from each other. The analyses performed for criterion validity demonstrated that the sub-factors of the SEQv2.1 and the overall scale were moderately positively correlated with the CARS. Finally, reliability analyses determined that the sub-factors of the SEQv2.1 were acceptable and the overall scale had a good level of internal consistency reliability. CONCLUSION: The Turkish form of the SEQv2.1, which includes three sensory response patterns (hyporeactivity, hyperreactivity, and sensory seeking), is generally valid and reliable in determining the sensory characteristics of young children with ASD. However, since not all items have satisfactory loading values, it is thought that inferences regarding the Turkish version of the SEQv2.1 should be made more carefully. Furthermore, since this may be related to the participants’ ages, it is recommended that future research be conducted with an older age group.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

3. Appah J, Senoo-Dogbey VE, Wuaku DA, Akpagloh MC, Armah D, Laari L. Exploring the Coping Resources of Caregivers with Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Southern Ghana. Sage Open Pediatr. 2025; 12: 30502225251374932.

BACKGROUND: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting about 1 in 160 children globally. Caring for children with ASD can be challenging, requiring effective coping strategies. OBJECTIVE: To explore coping strategies and resources used by caregivers of children with ASD in a Ghanaian healthcare setting. METHODS: A qualitative phenomenological approach with an exploratory descriptive design was used. Ten caregivers of children with ASD at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital’s neurology clinic were purposively selected. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically using the ABC-X model of family stress. RESULTS: Caregivers mainly adopted emotion-focused coping strategies, such as acceptance, optimism, prayer, and seeking knowledge. These were supported by individual resilience, familial assistance (especially from spouses and siblings), and communal support from religious groups and healthcare providers. CONCLUSION: Caregivers rely heavily on emotion-focused strategies and support systems. Strengthening these supports at individual, familial, and communal levels is essential.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

4. Beker S, Kadosh O, Foxe JJ, Molholm S, Bonneh YS. Children with Autism Show Impaired Oculomotor Entrainment to Predictable Stimuli. bioRxiv. 2025.

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show altered synchronization with external events, which may underlie the rigidity and reduced adaptability that characterize the condition. We previously demonstrated that electroencephalography (EEG) recorded from children with ASD reveals impaired neuronal entrainment to predictable visual sequences. Whether similar effects are reflected in other physiological signals remains unclear. Here, we investigated whether eye movement and pupil dilation responses exhibit comparable entrainment differences in ASD. Microsaccades (MS) and pupil diameter were recorded from 31 children with ASD (6-9 years) and 21 age- and IQ-matched typically developing (TD) controls during a task in which four equally spaced visual cues preceded an auditory target. We analyzed modulation of MS release time (MS RT) and pupil response time (pupil RT), along with trial-by-trial variability, as indices of ocular entrainment. Both groups exhibited periodic oculomotor responses to the cues, including phasic MS inhibition and repeated pupil constrictions. In TD children, MS RT and pupil RT increased across cues while their variability decreased, consistent with progressive temporal alignment. These effects were significantly reduced in the ASD group. Oculomotor entrainment measures correlated with EEG inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC) in TD but not ASD children. They also correlated with behavioral response times in both groups, and moderately correlated with autism severity scores. Children with ASD thus showed diminished oculomotor modulation and greater variability in response to predictable stimuli, paralleling earlier EEG findings. These results suggest convergence across physiological systems in indexing impaired processing of predictability in ASD and highlight the promise of multimodal approaches.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

5. Braillon A. Autism and prenatal exposure to antiseizure medications: Still a long-standing blind spot?. Seizure. 2025; 131: 480-1.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

6. Brown AS, Sourander A, Hinkka-Yli-Salomäki S, McKeague IW, Sundvall J, Surcel HM. Correction to: Elevated maternal C-reactive protein and autism in a national birth cohort. Mol Psychiatry. 2025.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

7. Burton JM, Creaghead NA, Duncan A, Silbert N, Breit AD, Grether SM. Social Communication, Repetitive Behaviors and Interests, and Adaptive Behavior in Girls With Autism Spectrum Disorder Without Intellectual Disability. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

Social communication, repetitive behaviors and interests, and adaptive behavior in girls with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disability were compared to a group of typically developing (TD) girls. Thirty seven girls 7;5-15;2 were included: 18 ASD and 19 TD. Groups were matched on age and IQ. Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS-2) were administered. Item level scores within the subdomains of reciprocal social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors and interests were examined on the SCQ and ADOS-2. With unadjusted p, significant differences between groups were observed on 21 of 36 items on the SCQ. With adjusted p, significant differences between groups were observed on 17 of the 36 total items. With unadjusted p, significant differences between groups were observed on 20 of 32 total items on the ADOS-2. With adjusted p, significant differences between groups were observed on 16 of the 32 total items. Within the ASD group significant negative correlation was observed between ADOS-2 repetitive behaviors and interests and SCQ communication. The ASD group demonstrated borderline to moderately low VABS-2 scores. Girls with ASD may demonstrate relative strengths in social communication on diagnostic measures. Differences in the expression of repetitive behaviors and interests between girls with ASD and girls with TD may not be observed during structured observation but may be reported by parents. Girls with ASD demonstrate weaker socialization skills relative to other adaptive behaviors and indicate a priority for treatment.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

8. Çalışır Ö M, Çakır MP, Acartürk C, Atbaşoğlu EC. A Dual Eye Tracking Study of Joint Attention in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Noro Psikiyatr Ars. 2025; 62(3): 220-7.

INTRODUCTION: Joint attention (JA) is a fundamental aspect of social interaction and a cornerstone of social communication. This study explores factors influencing JA in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using an interactive, dual eye-tracking paradigm during a tangram puzzle computer gameplay. The JA performance of adults with ASD and a typically developing non-clinical control group (TD-NCC) was assessed alongside partner familiarity (familiar / stranger), partner roles (presenter / operator) and gaze cue (present / absent). Two main objectives were: 1) to evaluate JA through gaze recurrence (GR) in adults with ASD, and 2) to examine the effect of partner familiarity on JA by comparing the performance in the task conducted with either a familiar or an unfamiliar partner (stranger). METHODS: The sample consisted of 42 participants (21 adults with ASD; ages 18-50, 9 females and 12 males and 21 TD-NCC; ages 21-50, 11 females and 10 males). Two non-intrusive desktop eye trackers simultaneously recorded gaze during the JA tangram task. Gaze recurrence was used as an indicator of JA. The gaze cue (present/absent) was a semi-transparent indicator showing where to look. Additionally, to control for potential eye pathophysiology in JA, saccade and anti-saccade tasks were applied to the eye movements of each participant. RESULTS: The Linear Mixed Effect Model revealed that GR was significantly lower in the ASD group compared to controls. However, the presence of a gaze cue significantly improved the ASD group’s GR, especially when interacting with a familiar partner under gaze-cue on conditions. CONCLUSION: Understanding factors influencing JA in autism may foster further exploratory studies and significantly impact future research. Eye movements may serve as objective, quantitative, and non-invasive biomarkers for ASD, particularly in interactive gaming contexts.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

9. Chen C, Tsai SY, Tahamata VM, Chuang YH, Cheng Y, Fan YT. Decoding the brain’s excitatory-inhibitory metabolite balance in relation to sensory responsivity and autistic traits. Neuroimage. 2025; 320: 121470.

Brain excitatory-inhibitory (E-I) balance plays a fundamental role in sensory and social processing. Alterations in E-I neurotransmitter systems-commonly indexed by the glutamate and glutamine (Glx)/GABA ratio-have been implicated in various neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, how individual differences in E-I balance relate to sensory responsivity and autism-spectrum-related traits in neurotypical populations remains poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated E-I balance across sensory-related brain regions in 92 neurotypical participants to explore its association with sensory responsivity and autistic traits. Our findings revealed that individuals with higher levels of self-reported autistic traits also exhibited stronger associations with sensory responsivity and higher Glx/GABA ratios. In cross-correlation analyses, the Glx/GABA ratio was significantly associated with both autistic traits and sensory responsivity, whereas Glx alone showed fewer associations. Clustering analyses further grouped autistic traits with the Glx/GABA ratio, rather than with the individual metabolite concentrations, suggesting that the ratio may be more behaviorally relevant than either metabolite alone. Moreover, the prefrontal Glx/GABA ratio demonstrated stronger associations with both autistic traits and sensory responsivity compared to other brain regions, a finding further supported by hierarchical moderation and mediation analyses. Overall, these results suggest that individual variability in regional E-I balance may be meaningfully related to sensory and social-affective traits, even within non-clinical populations. These findings may offer insights into the broader neurobiological mechanisms underlying sensory-affective processing across the general population spectrum.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

10. Choi H, Seomun G, Song J. Factors associated with uncertainty in parents of children with developmental disabilities: A scoping review. Disabil Health J. 2025: 101962.

BACKGROUND: Parents of children with developmental disabilities (DD) experience ongoing uncertainty, which contributes to various physical and mental health challenges. However, studies mapping the factors influencing this uncertainty and its effects on other variables remain scarce. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze and synthesize existing evidence on the factors influencing uncertainty among parents of children with DD and its impact on parental outcomes. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. Relevant studies were identified through a literature review conducted across five databases-Medline/PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, and APA PsycArticles-up to March 1, 2024. Studies with English abstracts were included without time restrictions. RESULTS: Eight studies involving 1986 participants were analyzed. The identified influencing factors were categorized into health condition-related factors (e.g., the severity of the child’s condition), family and community resources (e.g., maternal education level, trust in healthcare professionals, and appraisal support), and appraisals of uncertainty as either a risk (e.g., caregiver burden and marital conflict) or an opportunity (e.g., adaptation, quality of life, parenting efficacy, sense of coherence, optimism, and self-help). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study provide essential evidence for developing effective healthcare strategies to reduce parental uncertainty. By addressing these factors, the study aims to contribute to decreasing parental uncertainty and promoting the optimal development of children with DD.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

11. Cruz N, Stone EM, Samples H. Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors Among Medicaid-Enrolled Youths With and Without Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Psychiatr Serv. 2025: appips20240609.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

12. de la Roche L, Chen YJ, Roncadin C, D’Angiulli A, Lee V, Salt M, Trinari E, Carter M, Koller J, Fournier S, Zwaigenbaum L, McPhee P, Gentles S, Drmic I, DiRezze B, Rosenbaum P, Mesterman R, Frei J, Zubairi M, Georgiades K, Duku E, Bennett T, Hanlon-Dearman A, Lai J, Singal D, Georgiades S, Kelley E. Exploring the Relationship Between Family Experiences and Behavioral Inflexibility in Young Autistic Children. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

Behavioral inflexibility (BI) is a known challenge for many Autistic individuals and refers to rigid behavioral patterns not easily adapted across changing situations. While the associations between BI and specific autism characteristics are established, research on the possible impact of young children’s BI on familial functioning is limited. To fill the gap, the current study explored the associations between BI and parent-reported family experiences. Participants were 132 families with an Autistic child (M = 3.73 years, SD = 0.84); sample size was determined sufficient to detect a medium effect size (i.e., 0.06 < R(2) < 0.11). Measures included the Behavioral Inflexibility Scale (BIS), Autism Family Experience Questionnaire (AFEQ), Autism Impact Measure-communication subscale (AIM), and a sociodemographic questionnaire. After controlling for socioeconomic status, sex, and social-communication symptom severity, (with Benjamini-Hochberg correction), BI was not significantly associated with parenting an Autistic child, but was significantly associated with family life. Our mixed findings may be partially due to the young age of our sample. It is possible that an association between BI and specific family experiences, such as parenting experiences, may not emerge until later years but this needs to be examined. Further understanding of the relationship between BI and family experiences, notably the developmental trajectory of this relationship, may inform understanding of social dynamics, familial supports, and resources for families with Autistic children.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

13. Denis M, Mazzocconi C, Da Fonseca D, Schön D. Temporal Predictions in Music and Language: The Case of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2025.

The predictive coding theory of autism suggests that individuals with autism may show atypicalities in how predictions are formed or updated. This may in turn affect how they process temporal information. While predictive coding has been widely applied to the study of language, including conversation, and music, including musical interactions, relatively few studies have explored the intersection of these domains in autism. Even fewer have focused on the role of temporal predictions in both language and music. This review examines studies that investigate temporal processing and predictive mechanisms in both music and language in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Understanding these shared temporal mechanisms is crucial for providing a more comprehensive view of the underlying cognitive processes and difficulties in ASD. Furthermore, exploring the relationship between music and language from a temporal prediction perspective offers valuable insights into more ecologically valid and interactive settings, such as conversation and music-making. Such research not only improves our understanding of autism but also has important implications for therapeutic interventions, particularly those leveraging rhythmic training to enhance social communication and coordination skills.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

14. Falkenberg AL, Levano SR, Lemberg M, Fiori KP, Seijo R, Valicenti-Mcdermott M. Developmental Disabilities Are Associated with Higher Unmet Social Needs in Children. J Pediatr. 2025: 114809.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the likelihood of self-reporting at least one health-related social need (HRSN) for pediatric patients with developmental disabilities (DD) compared with pediatric primary care (PC) patients. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a large urban health system in the Bronx, New York, between May 2023 and August 2024. We identified a cohort of patients <21 years old with DD (N=1,420), at an urban center that specializes in serving children with DD, who completed a standardized HRSN screener to assess housing insecurity, housing quality, utility needs, food insecurity, healthcare transportation needs, healthcare cost needs, child or adult care needs, and legal needs. We also identified a cohort of pediatric PC patients who completed the HRSN screener at 1 of 14 outpatient PC practices (N=32,143). We completed a retrospective analysis using electronic health record data. Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to estimate the likelihood of self-reporting at least 1 HRSN in regard to a patient's DD status, while adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Approximately 30.0% (n= 426) of DD patients self-reported at least 1 HRSN compared with 12.6% (n=4,064) of PC patients. In the multivariable analysis, DD patients demonstrated 2.49 (2.20, 2.82) greater odds of having at least 1 HRSN compared with PC patients. CONCLUSIONS: Health systems should consider developing workflows that identify and address HRSNs for pediatric patients with DD. Further research is needed to understand the factors contributing to the increased HRSN prevalence observed in patients with DD.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

15. Fowler LF, Burry TN, Maekawa AS, Cahill LS. A systematic review and experimental study of micro/nanoplastic-induced endocrine disruption in rodents: Potential links to autism spectrum disorder. Horm Behav. 2025; 175: 105818.

Recent research shows that microplastic (diameter < 5 mm) and nanoplastic (diameter < 1 μm) exposures can have endocrine-disrupting effects and lead to autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-like behaviours in rodent models. We combine both a (i) systematic literature review and (ii) experimental study to synthesize the potential mechanisms underlying the link between micro-/nanoplastic (MNP) exposure and ASD, focusing on endocrine disruption and articles utilizing rodent models. First, we identify and discuss trends in the literature, outline research gaps, and suggest future directions. Most articles measured gonadal hormones in male adult rodents and consistently reported decreased testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) with MNP exposure. Females were understudied, with no trends emerging in exposure-induced hormone disruption. Second, we present experimental data demonstrating direct effects of maternal polystyrene NP exposure on neuroendocrine systems and inflammatory markers in the fetal brain. Cytokines, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and triiodothyronine (T3) were significantly altered in the fetal brain following prenatal exposure to NPs, and thyroxine (T4) and T were significantly suppressed in female NP-exposed fetuses but not in males. Together, these findings demonstrate that MNP exposure during adulthood and early development affect multiple endocrine systems, including those implicated in autism spectrum disorder, in a sex-dependent manner. We synthesize how such results are important to motivate exposure studies in animals and humans and future regulatory guidelines on MNPs.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

16. Girolamo T, Butler L, Parish-Morris J. Language impairment in autistic adolescents and young adults: Variability by definition. medRxiv. 2025.

PURPOSE: Though co-occurring structural language impairment (LI) in autism is common and predicts long-term outcomes, little is known about LI in autism beyond childhood. One challenge to closing this gap is that there is no consensus definition of LI. This study focuses on LI in autistic adolescents and young adults, asking to what extent clinical classification differs by definition and examining performance across language measures, nonverbal intelligence (NVIQ), and autism traits. METHOD: Participants ( N = 75; ages 13-30) varying in levels of autism traits completed norm-referenced measures of overall expressive language, overall receptive language, receptive vocabulary, expressive vocabulary, nonword repetition, and NVIQ. Scores were compared to epidemiological definitions for LI varying in criteria and cutoffs from -1 SD to -1.5 SD . Data were analyzed using descriptives and clustering. RESULTS: More stringent definitions yielded a greater proportion of participants meeting LI criteria, and more stringent cutoffs for LI yielded greater overall consistency in clinical classification across individual language measures, but there was no one-to-one ratio between cutoff and clinical classification. Clustering indicated three profiles differentiated on the basis of language and nonverbal cognitive skills, but each cluster was heterogeneous. Individual performance also varied across language measures. DISCUSSION: Findings support multi-domain approaches to characterizing language skills in autistic adolescents and adults, including those with LI. Future work is needed to understand language skills in autism beyond childhood and how to develop effective assessment practices.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

17. Greathouse AD, Zemantic PK, Strong-Bak W, Lieneman C, Hayes LB. Effectiveness of a Time-limited Parent Training Program via Telehealth for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Externalizing Behavior. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2025.

OBJECTIVE: The Research Units in Behavioral Intervention (RUBI) Autism Network Parent Training Program is an effective behavioral parent training program for reducing child externalizing behavior and parenting stress in families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study examined the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a time-limited (i.e., 6-10 sessions), telehealth delivered, and community-based adaptation of the RUBI program for families of children with suspected or diagnosed ASD. METHOD: Twenty-six parents started treatment, and 18 were considered treatment completers (i.e., completed a minimum of 6 sessions). To assess effectiveness, the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-4-SF), and Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) were used. Feasibility was evaluated through therapist fidelity, Therapist-Reported Parent Objectives, session attendance, and homework completion. Parent satisfaction was measured via a post-treatment questionnaire. RESULTS: No significant differences were found from pretreatment to post-treatment on the ABC-2; however, there were significant reductions in the PSI-4-SF Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction subscale (p < 0.05) along with reductions in the PSI-4-SF Total Stress score (p < 0.05). Half of the treatment completers showed clinically significant improvement on the CGI-I. Overall, there were high therapist treatment fidelity, parent completed objectives, attendance, and homework completion. Furthermore, there were high approval ratings across several satisfaction categories. CONCLUSION: Results provide support for the continued research and use of brief, flexible, telehealth intervention formats in community settings for children suspected of or diagnosed with ASD diagnosis and their families.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

18. Hariyani N, Oktarina, Shoaib LA, Rohani MM, Hanna KMB, Lee H. Caregivers’ perceptions, beliefs and behavior influence dental caries experience in children with autism spectrum disorder: A qualitative study. Saudi Dent J. 2024; 36(12): 1533-8.

OBJECTIVES: While many children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience dental caries, some of them are caries-free. This study aimed to understand the caregivers’ oral health perceptions, beliefs, and behavior that could influence dental caries experience in children with ASD. METHODS: The qualitative study was part of a study employing a mixed-methods design conducted to explore the severity and risk factors for caries experience. Individual interviews and two focus group discussions (FGD) involving caregivers of children with ASD aged 5-18 years were conducted. The caregivers’ perception of caries risks, oral care beliefs and behavior were explored. Interviews and FGDs recordings were transcribed and then analyzed thematically by two independent coders. RESULTS: Twenty-two caregivers provided their thoughts. The study found that caries experience was influenced by fatalistic belief, low self-efficacy and control. Caregivers of children with dental caries thought that caries is not dangerous. Caregivers experienced social pressure to provide their ASD children with what they want . Conversely, Caregivers of caries-free ASD children thought that strict commitment from an early age was needed to prevent caries. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support that caregivers’ perceptions, beliefs and behavior influence dental caries experience in children with ASD which might need the clinicians’ consideration.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

19. Hickey Townsend P, Jones L, Tolosa A, Massa N, Simon NA, Mylonas D, Neumeyer AM, Manoach DS. A protocol for measuring sleep at home in children with autism using EEG headbands. Res Sq. 2025.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social and communication challenges and the presence of restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and atypical sensory processing. Sleep disturbances are prevalent in ASD and worsen daytime functioning, yet their neural bases remain poorly understood. We hypothesize that thalamocortical circuit dysfunction contributes to poor sleep in ASD. To test this hypothesis, we employ sleep EEG to determine whether sleep spindles, biomarkers of thalamocortical circuit function, are reduced in ASD and correlate with sleep quality. Since laboratory-based overnight sleep studies are costly, burdensome, and particularly problematic for individuals with ASD, we use wearable EEG headbands to record sleep in the home. This paper describes the methodology of our ongoing study of sleep in adolescents with ASD, including those with profound autism. An optional desensitization protocol helps participants gradually acclimate to the headband, promoting inclusion of individuals with sensory sensitivities and greater support needs. METHODS: We plan to enroll 80 adolescents with ASD and 80 of their typically developing peers. Participants and their families are trained remotely to use a wearable EEG headband. They also complete assessments and questionnaires. Participants who need time to acclimate follow a personalized 2-week desensitization protocol with a practice headband. Sleep is monitored at home for 3 consecutive nights, the first of which is for adaptation to sleeping with the headband. Sleep data quality is checked daily and remote technical support is provided as needed. DISCUSSION: At-home sleep monitoring enables larger samples that are needed to characterize the neural underpinnings of sleep disturbances across the autism spectrum. The personalized desensitization protocol promotes inclusivity by accommodating individuals often excluded from research due to sensory or behavioral challenges. These methods are adaptable for other conditions and research goals beyond ASD, such as longitudinal studies across development or characterizing sleep in other neurodevelopmental disorders. Desensitization protocols may also increase the tolerability of diagnostic lab-based sleep studies and other medical procedures, improving both patient experience and quality of care.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

20. Kerns CM, Zaidman-Zait A, Robins DL, Shattuck PT, Mazefsky CA, Newschaffer CJ, Berkowitz SJ. Psychometric properties of the Childhood Adversity and Social Stress Questionnaire, Parent Report (CASSQ-PR), a measure tailored to assess stressful experiences and traumatic stress symptoms in autistic youth. Psychol Trauma. 2025.

OBJECTIVE: Sources and symptoms of traumatic stress may vary in autistic versus nonautistic youth and be challenging to assess given phenotypic overlap; nonetheless, there is a dearth of autism-tailored measures. METHOD: The Childhood Adversity and Social Stress Questionnaire-Parent Report (CASSQ-PR) was developed to assess stressful experiences (SE) and subsequent traumatic stress symptom (TSS) within the context of autism and tested in an online community sample of parents of autistic youth (N = 729; 8-17 years; 80% male; recruited February-December 2018) with communicative speech. RESULTS: Per parent report, autistic youth experienced ≥ 2 SE in traditionally assessed (52.7%) and autism-nominated categories (i.e., derived from mixed method research with autistic individuals and caregivers; 58.3%); 39.5% (n = 288) of parents completed the CASSQ-TSS subscale. Bullying, stigma, sensory, change, and interaction-related stress were the most commonly endorsed SE. The CASSQ-SE subscale correlated positively with Child Behavior Checklist Total Problems, with both traditional and autism-nominated SE contributing to variance explained (supporting concurrent and incremental validity). Bivariate correlations demonstrated stronger convergence between the CASSQ-PR-TSS and parent-report Child Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale, than the Child Behavior Checklist externalizing subscale, supporting convergent and discriminant validity. Factor structure supported a second-order, four-factor, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition posttraumatic stress disorder model per confirmatory factor analysis; however, exploratory structural equation modeling suggested some adaptations to remove low-loading items, reduce item cross-loading, and enhance model fit. CONCLUSIONS: The CASSQ-PR offers a valid estimate of SE and TSS as observed by parents in verbally communicative, school-age autistic youth; however, further research with more sociodemographically diverse and clinical samples is warranted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

21. Kozlova EV, Gonzalez GM, Denys ME, Bishay AE, Gutierrez R, Reid J, Krum JM, Lampel G, Luvsanravdan N, Rabbani KM, Tu J, Campoy L, Anchondo LM, Luna CN, Olomi DS, Monarrez E, Carrillo V, Tran JD, Platt D, Korde Y, Chinthirla BD, Blaibel M, Kim S, Chompre G, Phillips AL, Stapleton HM, Henkelmann B, Schramm KW, Curras-Collazo MC. Enduring Autism-like Phenotypes and Deregulated Hypothalamic Prosocial Peptides After Early-Life Exposure to Indoor Flame Retardants in Male C57BL/6 Mice. bioRxiv. 2025.

BACKGROUND: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are neuroendocrine disrupting chemicals that produce adverse neurodevelopmental effects. PBDEs have been implicated as risk factors for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is characterized by abnormal psychosocial functioning and is commonly accompanied by co-morbidities such as cognitive and attentional deficits. Here, we used a mouse model with translationally relevant exposure to establish direct causal evidence that maternal transfer of a commercial mixture of PBDEs, DE-71, produces ASD-relevant behavioral and neurochemical deficits in male offspring. METHODS: C57Bl6/N mouse dams were exposed to a commercial PBDE mixture, DE-71, via oral administration of 0 (vehicle control, VEH/CON), 0.1 (L-DE-71), or 0.4 (H-DE-71) mg/kg bw/d for 10 weeks, spanning three weeks prior to gestation through the end of lactation at postnatal day (PND) 21. RESULTS: Mass spectrometric analysis indicated dose-dependent transfer of PBDEs (in ppb) to brains of F1 male offspring at PND 30, with reduction in levels by PND 110. Adult F1 male offspring displayed ASD-relevant neurobehavioral phenotypes, including impaired short- and long-term social recognition memory (SRM), despite intact general sociability, and exaggerated repetitive behavior. Exposed mice also displayed altered olfactory discrimination of social odors, impaired novel object recognition memory, and reduced open field habituation. However, no changes were observed in anxiety-like, sensorimotor, or depressive-like behaviors relative to VEH/CON. At the molecular level, DE-71 exposed males displayed deregulated gene markers of prosocial neuropeptides. Oxt was upregulated in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN); Avp was upregulated in the PVN and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) but downregulated in the lateral septum (LS); Avp1ar and Adcyap1 were upregulated in the BNST; and Adcyap1r1 was upregulated in the PVN, supraoptic nucleus (SON), and BNST. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that developmental PBDE exposure produces enduring behavioral and neurochemical phenotypes that resemble core domains of ASD, which may result from early neurodevelopmental reprogramming within central social and memory networks.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

22. Liu Z, Liu Y, Yan L, Li Q. Trends in the global burden of disease for mental disorders among children aged 0-14 years, 1990-2021. J Affect Disord. 2025; 385: 119325.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to scrutinize the global burden of mental disorders (MD) among children aged 0-14 years from 1990 to 2021. METHODS: The GBD 2021 provided indicators for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Conduct Disorder (CD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), and Idiopathic Developmental Intellectual Disability (IDID). Additionally, the burden of these disorders was evaluated using the Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC). RESULTS: Globally, ASD showed an increasing trend in ASIR (EAPC: 0.05) and ASDR (EAPC: 0.12), with the most significant rise in high-middle SDI regions. AD/HD exhibited a decline in ASIR (EAPC: -0.33) and ASDR (EAPC: -0.42), except in high SDI regions, where both surged. CD displayed upward trends in all SDI regions, with the largest increases in middle SDI areas. IDID’s ASDR decreased globally, least in high SDI regions. Among countries, Guatemala, the UK, and Canada had the highest ASIR for ASD, AD/HD, and CD, respectively, while Japan, the UK, Canada, and Australia led in ASDR rates. Males consistently showed higher ASIR and ASDR rates than females. CONCLUSION: The study revealed a significant rise in ASD and CD burdens globally, with AD/HD surging in high SDI regions and CD more prevalent in middle SDI areas. However, low SDI regions bore a disproportionately high burden of these disorders.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

23. Maingi B, Akkunje PS, Karuppali S. Perspectives of Indian Speech-Language Pathologists on Implementing Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems for Individuals with Nonverbal Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

The implementation of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems for individuals with nonverbal Autism Spectrum Disorder (nvASD) remains highly debated, especially in a multilingual and multicultural country like India. Existing AAC guidelines are largely Western-based and may not be fully applicable in the Indian context. This study explored the perspectives of Indian Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) on AAC implementation in individuals with nvASD. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 involved developing and validating a questionnaire assessing SLP’s practices and attitudes towards AAC. In phase 2, the validated questionnaire was administered online to 93 Indian SLPs (29.23 years of mean age, 71% female) represented diverse clinical, educational, and academic settings. The survey explored key parameters, including AAC candidacy, cultural and linguistic adaptation, AAC selection and customization, interdisciplinary collaboration and caregiver involvement, outcome based evaluation practices, speech-AAC integration, and barriers to AAC implementation. Most SLPs emphasized working on communication prerequisites before introducing AAC. Vocabulary selection was prioritized over partner training. AAC was primarily used for both intervention and communication, employing goal-oriented approaches alongside other speech and language strategies. Challenges included lack of resources, inadequate training, and limited interdisciplinary collaboration. Parental involvement and caregiver feedback were identified as critical to success. SLPs in India broadly recognize AAC as a valuable tool for individuals with nvASD but report facing multiple systemic and practical challenges to its implementation. The findings underscore the need for culturally and contextually relevant AAC guidelines, targeted clinician training, and supportive policy measures to improve access and long-term communication outcomes in Indian settings.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

24. Parish-Morris J, Cola M, Parish-Morris J, Cola M. A Way With Words: Do Clinicians Talk Differently When Assessing Autism in Boys vs Girls?. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2025.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

25. Procyshyn TL, Moseley RL, Marsden SJ, Allison C, Parsons T, Cassidy S, Pelton M, Weir E, Chikaura T, Hodges H, Mosse D, Hall I, Owens L, Cheyette J, Crichton D, Rodgers J, Baron-Cohen S. ‘I did not think they could help me’: Autistic adults’ reasons for not seeking public healthcare when they last experienced suicidality. Autism. 2025: 13623613251370789.

With autistic people at increased risk of dying by suicide, understanding barriers to help-seeking is crucial for suicide prevention efforts. Using an online survey designed in consultation with autistic people, we examined reasons why autistic adults living in the United Kingdom did not seek help from the National Health Service (NHS) when they last experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviours. Participants who disaffirmed help-seeking from the NHS (n = 754) were able to select from a prepopulated list of 20 reasons why and to enter their own. The three most commonly endorsed reasons were ‘I tried to cope and manage my feelings by myself’, ‘I did not think they could help me’ and ‘The waiting list is too long – no point’. Endorsement of reasons differed significantly with gender identity, age group and degree of lifetime suicidality. Four themes emerged from analysis of free-form responses: NHS is ineffective, NHS as antagonistic, Fear and consequences and Barriers to access. These findings highlight the need to foster more flexible healthcare systems capable of supporting autistic people, and that autistic people view as trustworthy and effective, to enable help-seeking behaviours with the potential to save lives.Lay abstractAutistic people are more likely than non-autistic people to think about, attempt and die by suicide. For people in crisis, public healthcare services are, in theory, a source of help. In reality, many non-autistic people do not seek help from healthcare services. We wanted to understand why autistic people living in the United Kingdom may not seek help from the National Health Service (NHS) when suicidal and if these reasons differed by characteristics like age and gender. This study tried to answer these questions using responses from a survey co-designed with autistic people about various aspects of suicidal experiences. Participants were able to select from a list of 20 reasons and enter their own explanations (free-form responses) why they did not seek NHS support when suicidal. Our findings show that the most common reasons were that people tried to cope and manage by themselves; they did not think the NHS could help; and they thought the waiting list was too long. Reasons for not seeking help differed by age and gender, as well as lifetime history of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. For example, cisgender women and transgender/gender-divergent participants were more likely to say that previous bad experiences with the NHS prevented them from seeking help, and people with experience of suicide attempts were more likely to have been turned away by the NHS in the past. The free-form responses showed that many participants believed the NHS was ineffective, had previously had negative experiences with the NHS, worried about the consequences of help-seeking and experienced barriers that prevented help-seeking. This work highlights the crucial change and work required to make the NHS safe and accessible for autistic people so they can reach out for help when suicidal.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

26. Ressa HJ, Newman BT, Jacokes Z, McPartland JC, Kleinhans NM, Druzgal TJ, Pelphrey KA, Van Horn JD. Widespread associations between behavioral metrics and brain microstructure in ASD suggest age mediates subtypes of ASD. Imaging Neurosci (Camb). 2025; 3.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by differences in social communication and repetitive behaviors. Our laboratory has previously found that g-ratio, the proportion of axon width to myelin diameter, and axonal conduction velocity, which is associated with the capacity of an axon to carry information, are both decreased throughout the adolescent brain in ASD. By associating these differences with performance on cognitive and behavioral tests, this study aims to first associate a broad array of behavioral metrics with neuroimaging markers of ASD, and to explore the prevalence of ASD subtypes using a neuroimaging driven perspective. Analyzing 273 participants (148 with ASD) ages 8 to 17 years through an NIH-sponsored Autism Centers of Excellence network (MH100028), we observe widespread associations between behavioral and cognitive evaluations of autism and between behavioral and microstructural metrics, alongside different directional correlations between different behavioral metrics. Stronger associations with individual subcategories from each test rather than summary scores suggest that different neuronal profiles may be masked by composite test scores. Machine learning cluster analyses applied to neuroimaging data reinforce the association between neuroimaging and behavioral metrics and suggest that age-related maturation of brain metrics may drive changes in ASD behavior. This suggests that if ASD can be definitively subtyped, these subtypes may show different behavioral trajectories across the developmental period. Clustering identified a pattern of restrictive and repetitive behavior in some participants and a second group that was defined by high sensory sensitivity and language performance.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

27. Saranek LM, Shraim M, Abdel Aati N, Al-Jayyousi GF. Perceived Needs and Barriers in Raising a Child with ASD and Accessing Early Interventions in Qatar: Parents’ Voices. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2025; 18: 5663-76.

BACKGROUND: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that is often associated with mental health comorbidities. Parents are challenged with raising a child diagnosed with ASD. However, research about parental challenges in Arab countries is limited. The study aims to explore parents’ experiences of raising a child with ASD and accessing early interventions provided for their children in Qatar. METHODS: An inductive qualitative study design was applied. Data was collected using face-to-face interviews with parents (n=20). Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was employed. RESULTS: The main elicited themes from the analysis were mainly about: challenges of raising a child diagnosed with ASD; parents’ perception of existing ASD services; parents’ perception of mental health services for children diagnosed with ASD; parents’ perception of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ASD services; and the impact of raising a child diagnosed with ASD on parents. CONCLUSION: Parents face challenges with raising a child diagnosed with ASD and with accessing ASD early intervention services for their children. The findings guide health care professionals working with children with ASD and their families, and policy makers in developing standards of care for ASD service in the governmental facilities in Qatar.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

28. Shan X, Li Y, Xiao J, Wang X, Huang X, Li L, Feng Y, Zhao W, Chen H, Duan X. Developmental Shift From Intrinsic Hyper- to Hypo-Connectivity Occurring at Pre-Adolescence in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res. 2025.

Accumulating evidence suggests that hyper-connectivity is more characteristic of young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), while hypo-connectivity begins to emerge in adolescence and persists into adulthood. Despite increasing efforts being invested to explore the altered functional connectivity in ASD, the timing of the shift from intrinsic hyper-to hypo-connectivity of large-scale brain functional networks remains unclear. Here, we systematically depict the development of intrinsic functional connectivity in 800 participants from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange. We first use independent component analyses to identify the large-scale brain functional networks. Then, we utilize the locally estimated scatterplot smoothing algorithm to fit the developmental trajectory of brain functional networks. Finally, we develop a « sliding threshold » method to detect the age stage at which the shift from hyper- to hypo-connectivity occurs in ASD. We identify six large-scale brain functional networks, including the default mode network (DMN), fronto-parietal network (FPN), salience network (SAN), auditory network (AN), somatomotor network (SMN), and visual network (VN). We find that primary networks (AN, SMN, and VN) undergo the shift from hyper- to hypo-connectivity earlier than high-order networks (DMN, FPN, and SAN) in ASD. At pre-adolescence, the SMN, AN, VN, DMN, SAN, and FPN undergo the shift from hyper- to hypo-connectivity in sequence in ASD. Our findings shed light on the age-related changes of intrinsic functional connectivity in ASD, highlighting the need for conceptualizing functional connectivity in ASD from a developmental perspective.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

29. Sher DA, Sher NW, Gibson JL, Sher HE. ‘It feels like a blessing’ – The experience of Hebrew-English bilingualism among autistic children: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Autism. 2025: 13623613251367244.

Over half the world’s population are bilingual. Despite this, practitioners often advise parents of autistic children to teach their child one dominant national language and limit their child’s exposure to community languages. Limited research with autistic children’s carers has shown that this monolingual approach impoverishes children’s experiences in communal, familial, religious, and social contexts. There is very little research on this topic from the first-person perspectives of autistic children themselves. There is no research exploring the perspectives of Hebrew-English bilingual autistic children. This study aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of autistic children on Hebrew-English bilingualism. In accord with the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodological framework, semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the experiences of 13 Hebrew-English bilingual autistic children. The IPA clustering process resulted in two overarching group experiential themes (GETs). The first GET was ‘Bilingualism aids religious, educational, and social integration and connection’. The second GET was ‘Preference of bilingualism and dislike of monolingual approach’. Recommendations include training for practitioners regarding potential positive outcomes of bilingualism, alongside the way their advice to adopt a monolingual approach impacts upon autistic children. We also argue the importance of autistic children’s views being considered whenever bilingual decision-making is made.Lay abstractOver half the world’s population speak two or more languages. Despite this, practitioners often advise parents of autistic children to teach their child one main national language and not expose their child to additional community languages. Limited research with autistic children’s carers has shown that this approach negatively impacts autistic children’s communal, family, religious, and social experiences. There is very little research on this topic from the first-hand perspectives of autistic children themselves. There is no research exploring the perspectives of autistic children who speak both Hebrew and English. This study aimed to explore the views of autistic children who have ability in the Hebrew and English languages. Using the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) research approach, we conducted interviews to explore the experiences of 13 autistic children who have ability in both the Hebrew and English languages. The research resulted in two overarching themes. The first theme was ‘Bilingualism aids religious, educational, and social integration and connection’. The second theme was ‘Preference of bilingualism, and dislike of monolingual approach’. Our recommendations include training practitioners to be more aware of the way the advice they give for autistic children to only learn one language can negatively impact autistic children. We also argue that whenever decision-making about an autistic child learning two or more languages is made, autistic children’s views should be considered.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

30. Simić Stanojević I, Wheeler G, Fu TC, Piatt J, Herbenick D. Experiences with Rough Sex Among Autistic University Students: Descriptive Findings from a Campus Probability-Based Survey. J Sex Res. 2025: 1-16.

There is little research on autistic adults’ rough sex experiences – even though rough sex has become prevalent among young adults. We aimed to explore lifetime sexual experiences, including consensual and non-consensual rough sex, among autistic university students in the U.S. and their perceptions and subjective experiences of rough sex. The study sample consisted of 46 autistic undergraduate and graduate students from a large public Midwestern U.S. university. Participants had engaged in a broad range of solo and consensual partnered sexual experiences, including rough sex, such as having their hair pulled (54.7%), being spanked lightly (51.3%), being choked by a partner (42.5%), consensual non-consent (12.5%) and having choked themselves while masturbating (19.6%) Most indicated their rough sex experiences had felt pleasurable, joyful, exciting, intimate, loving, or liberating; however, some reported they had felt them to be upsetting (60.0%), scary (30.0%), or traumatic (15.0%). About one-fifth had experienced non-consensual rough sex. Study findings underscore the need for sexuality education curricula to address diverse sexual practices for all students, including autistic university students. As autistic students in this sample reported some higher-risk practices (e.g. choking) and non-consensual rough sex, the timely and proactive integration of autism-specific findings on rough sex into sexuality education curricula is critical.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

31. Villavicencio-Tejo F, Olesen MA, Leonardo Moya M, Quintanilla RA. Disentangling the role of tau pathology in autism spectrum disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2025: 111496.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficient social interaction, altered communication, and repetitive, stereotyped behaviors. Pathologically, ASD is characterized by abnormal brain development, including dendritic spine and axonal alterations, which are both associated with synaptic plasticity disturbances. Microtubules (MT) and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) are critical in regulating brain development by the neuronal cytoskeleton and synaptic formation. Tau is a neuronal MAP protein in which pathological posttranslational modifications (PTMs) are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this context, accumulative evidence suggests that tau is altered in mouse models and human patients of ASD. Toxic tau modifications like hyperphosphorylation, a disruptor of MTs dynamics, produced alterations in ASD, suggesting that the imbalance of this protein may contribute to neurodevelopmental deficiencies produced during ASD. In this systematic review, we revised essential evidence suggesting that the dysregulation of cytoskeletal components produced by tau pathology could play a crucial role in the pathological and behavioral changes produced in ASD. Finally, we will focus on discussing how the presence of tau pathology in ASD contributes to brain development impairment and whether pathological forms of tau could be suggested as a novel biomedical strategy to support the diagnosis of this disorder.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

32. Wang F, Gao Y, Liu Z, Cheng Z, Liu S, Zhang Y, Jiang Y, Zhang M, Yang X, Zou M, Sun C. Boosting 2-arachidonoylglycerol, but not N-acylethanolamine, ameliorates autism symptoms in VPA-exposed rats by modulating abnormal neuroinflammation. Neuropharmacology. 2025; 276: 110501.

Research has implicated endocannabinoids (eCBs) as significant regulators of neuroinflammation that may contribute to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study investigated the effect of the main eCBs, namely N-acylethanolamine (NAE) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), on ASD and their underlying mechanisms through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Results showed that elevating NAE or 2-AG ameliorated social deficits and restricted and repetitive behaviors and corrected neuropathological damage. Additionally, enhancing 2-AG protected valproic acid (VPA)-exposed rats against nerve damage by modulating abnormal neuroinflammation, as evidenced by the fact that 2-AG decreased microglial reactivity with reduced pro-inflammatory responses and increased anti-inflammatory responses. While, NAE only had a subtle effect on regulating neuroinflammation. Collectively, these findings suggested that elevating both NAE and 2-AG could improve ASD symptoms. Elevating 2-AG may play a neuroprotective role by generating a reparative milieu reactive to abnormal neuroinflammation, but NAE does not. Therefore, eCBs may be a promising therapeutic target for ASD.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

33. Wang F, Liu Z, Hu J, Cheng Z, Liu S, Tian W, Zhang Y, Yang L, Liu T, Sun C, Zou M. Activation of CB1R alleviates autism spectrum disorder-like behavior and synaptic impairments. Life Sci. 2025; 377: 123797.

We previously found that enhancing the levels of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (AEA) could improve autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms. This study investigated the effect of cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) in ASD with pharmacological, genetic and brain-targeted intervention and the underlying mechanisms. Results showed that blocking CB1R counteracted the beneficial effects of boosting 2-AG or AEA on ASD-like behaviors in valproic acid (VPA)-exposed mice. Besides, CB1R knockout mice exhibited ASD-like behaviors and synaptic deficits. In CB1R-specific brain-targeted regulation, activating CB1R ameliorated synaptic dysfunction, including neuronal complexity, spine density, dendritic integrity, synaptic protein expression, and neuronal damage. Moreover, activating CB1R enhanced the expression and current density of Kir4.1, indicating that CB1R may influence synaptic activity by modulating Kir4.1. Collectively, our findings indicated a critical role for CB1R in the improvement of ASD-like behavior and synaptic dysfunction, which may offer promising avenues for developing effective treatments for ASD.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

34. Wenzell ML, Pulver SL, Scahill L, Davidson T, Rajagopal S, Gillespie S, Huang T, Griggs S, Roark C, Patil M, Patel M, Sharp WG. Clinical Correlates of Insomnia Symptoms in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Pediatr. 2025: 114812.

OBJECTIVE: To examine clinical correlates of insomnia symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ascertained from a general outpatient autism clinic. STUDY DESIGN: This analysis included 103 children with ASD (mean age=5.8+2.2 years; range 2-10, 77.7% male). A multidisciplinary team assessed medical and psychosocial histories using parent ratings from the Pediatric Autism Insomnia Rating Scale (PAIRS), Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC), Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI), and the PedsQL and Family Functioning Surveys. Height and weight were collected. Children in the current sample with scores on the PAIRS > 22 were compared with those with a mean PAIRS score < 22. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to evaluate clinical correlates with insomnia symptoms > 22. Best subset selection approach identified the most important predictors. RESULTS: The PAIRS mean was 18.39 + 14.54 (range 0 to 58); 33% scored > 22. After adjusting for confounders, disruptive mealtime behaviors (p < .001), parent HRQoL and family functioning (p<.001 to .001), ABC subscales (p<.001 to .022), and dietary supplements (p=.019) were significantly associated with PAIRS > 22. There were no group differences in height, weight, constipation, or demographics. Best subset modeling showed ABC Hyperactivity/Noncompliance, dietary supplements, and mealtime behaviors as the most significant predictors (ROC = 0.842, χ(2)(df) = 32.84 (3), χ(2)Diff. = 4.80, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The PAIRS appears useful for characterizing the nature and severity of current insomnia symptoms in autistic children.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

35. Zhang C, He Q, Bennett AN, Pu Y, Wang T, Chan KHK. Repositioning drugs for autism spectrum disorder: An integrated network analysis of blood and brain tissue key driver genes. Eur J Pharmacol. 2025; 1003: 177963.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological condition marked by social, communication, and behavioral challenges. Current treatments are limited, with few approved drugs. This study used network analysis of key driver genes from blood and brain tissues to identify potential therapeutic drugs for ASD. METHOD: We examined Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data from postmortem brain (GSE28521) and blood leukocyte (GSE42133) samples to find differentially expressed genes. Key driver genes were identified using weighted key driver analysis, supported by literature, knockout mouse model databases, and enrichment analysis. Drug repositioning was performed with PharmOmics and Connectivity Map (CMap) platforms. RESULTS: In blood samples, 204 key driver genes were discovered, associated with cell cycle regulation and stress response. In brain samples, 290 key driver genes focused on ribosomal activity and protein production. An integrated protein-protein interaction (PPI) network identified 16 shared key driver genes, demonstrating common disease signatures including RNA metabolism, protein regulation, SLIT and ROBO signaling, and antiviral pathways. Drug repositioning revealed 23 potential drugs for ASD, with sulpiride and everolimus demonstrating promise, and 19 drugs exhibiting neurological significance, including six with substantial blood-brain barrier permeability. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals both tissue-specific and shared molecular signatures of ASD in blood and brain tissues through PPI network analysis. We identified 16 key driver genes and 23 potential therapeutic drugs. Additionally, we discovered twelve novel key driver genes associated with ASD, emphasizing their roles in neurological and immune functions. These findings enhance our understanding of the molecular basis of ASD and suggest new therapeutic possibilities.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

36. Zhang L, Zhao JS, Zhou L, Chen L, Feng ZY. Functional Mechanisms of Spinal Cord Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein and β-Catenin Involved in Neuropathic Pain. Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao. 2025; 47(4): 509-18.

Objective To explore the functional mechanism of spinal cord fragile X mental retardation protein(FMRP)involved in neuropathic pain(NP)by using the sciatic nerve model of chronic compression injury(CCI).Methods First,to investigate the changes of spinal cord FMRP and β-catenin following the development of NP,this study compared the 50%mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT)and thermal withdrawal latency(TWL)in CCI rats,as well as changes of FMRP and β-catenin in the spinal dorsal horn post-surgery,through random grouping.Immunofluorescence staining was performed on spinal cord tissue sections from CCI rats.Second,to further validate the alterations in pain behavior when the FMRP function was lost,we measured the 50%MWT,TWL,and FMRP and β-catenin in the spinal dorsal horn after FMRP knockdown in CCI rats.Finally,we measured the 50%MWT,TWL,and FMRP and β-catenin in the case of FMRP hyperfunction for validation.Results Compared with the baseline CCI group and the naive and sham groups after modeling,the CCI group after modeling showed decreases in 50%MWT and TWL(all P<0.001).After modeling,compared with the naive group and the sham group,the CCI group presented up-regulated expression of FMRP(P=0.027,P=0.022)and β-catenin(P<0.001,P=0.001)in the spinal dorsal horn.No co-localization of FMRP with astrocytes and microglia was observed in the spinal cord,while the co-localization with neurons was observed.Compared with the baseline,the CCI+FMRP knockdown group showed decreases in 50%MWT(P=0.015)and TWL(P=0.001)after modeling.After intrathecal injection of small interfering RNA(siRNA),the 50%MWT(P=0.020)and TWL(P=0.009)of the CCI+FMRP knockdown group were increased.Moreover,compared with the CCI group and the CCI+solvent group,the CCI+FMRP knockdown group showed increases in 50%MWT(both P<0.001)and TWL(P=0.005,P=0.006).After intrathecal injection of siRNA,the expression levels of FMRP(P=0.012,P=0.007)and β-catenin(both P<0.001)in the spinal dorsal horn of the CCI+FMRP knockdown group were lower than those of the CCI group and the CCI+solvent group.Compared with the baseline FMRP overexpression group and the naive and negative control groups after adeno-associated virus(AAV)injection,the FMRP overexpression group after AAV injection showed decreases in 50%MWT and TWL(all P<0.001).After AAV injection,compared with the naive group and the negative control group,the FMRP overexpression group demonstrated up-regulated expression of FMRP(both P<0.001)and β-catenin(P=0.006,P=0.008)in the spinal cord.Conclusions This study confirms that spinal cord FMRP and β-catenin are involved in NP induced by CCI.Spinal cord FMRP may be one of the potential therapeutic targets for NP.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

37. Zhao S, Zhang X, Miao Y, Gao X, Wan Q, Qiu W, Si H, Han Y, Du X, Feng Y, Liu L, Chen Y. Integrated analysis of metabolome and microbiome in a mouse model of sodium valproate-induced autism. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2025; 250: 10452.

Sodium valproate (SV) has been shown to induce autism in animal models. In this study, the SV method was used to establish a mouse model of autism, and anxiety-like behaviours and learning memory performance were evaluated by behavioural tests. The effects of SV on metabolic profiles and gut microbiota were assessed by integrating gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Correlations between metabolites and gut microbiota were determined using Spearman correlation coefficient. Behavioral tests, including the three-chambered social assay, repetitive behaviors, open field test, elevated plus-maze test, and novel object recognition test, demonstrated that SV treatment exacerbated anxiety-like behaviors and impeded spatial learning and memory in mice. SV disrupted metabolic pathways in hippocampus, cortex, intestine, and serum, affecting primarily valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism and glutathione metabolism and so on. SV also altered gut microbiota at the genus level, decreasing the abundances of Dubosiella, Faecalibaculum, Clostridia_UCG-014, Bifidobacterium, and Alloprevotella, while increase the abundances of Lactobacillus, Alistipes, and Lachnospiraceae in intestine. The results of correlation analysis showed that in hippocampus, Bifidobacterium was positively correlated with serine and glycine, while Alistipes was negatively correlated with them. These findings suggested that SV may contribute to the development of autism progression by altering the gut microbiota abundances and metabolite profiles. This may provide new direction for the management of autism.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)