1. Adams JB, Johansen LJ, Powell LD, Quiq D, Rubin RA. {{Gastrointestinal flora and gastrointestinal status in children with autism — comparisons to neurotypical children and correlation with autism severity}}. {BMC Gastroenterol};2011 (Mar 16);11(1):22.
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Children with autism have often been reported to have gastrointestinal problems that are more frequent and more severe than in children from the general population. METHODS: Gastrointestinal flora and gastrointestinal status were assessed from stool samples of 58 children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and 39 healthy typical children of similar ages. Stool testing included bacterial and yeast culture tests, lysozyme, lactoferrin, secretory IgA, elastase, digestion markers, short chain fatty acids (SCFA’s), pH, and blood presence. Gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed with a modified six-item GI Severity Index (6-GSI) questionnaire, and autistic symptoms were assessed with the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). RESULTS: Gastrointestinal symptoms (assessed by the 6-GSI) were strongly correlated with the severity of autism (assessed by the ATEC), (r=0.59, p<0.001). Children with 6-GSI scores above 3 had much higher ATEC Total scores than those with 6-GSI-scores of 3 or lower (81.5 +/- 28 vs. 49.0 +/- 21, p=0.00002). Children with autism had much lower levels of total short chain fatty acids (-27%, p=0.00002), including lower levels of acetate, proprionate, and valerate; this difference was greater in the children with autism taking probiotics, but also significant in those not taking probiotics. Children with autism had lower levels of species of Bifidobacter (-43%, p=0.002) and higher levels of species of Lactobacillus (+100%, p=0.00002), but similar levels of other bacteria and yeast using standard culture growth-based techniques. Lysozyme was somewhat lower in children with autism (-27%, p=0.04), possibly associated with probiotic usage. Other markers of digestive function were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The strong correlation of gastrointestinal symptoms with autism severity indicates that children with more severe autism are likely to have more severe gastrointestinal symptoms and vice versa. It is possible that autism symptoms are exacerbated or even partially due to the underlying gastrointestinal problems. The low level of SCFA’s was partly associated with increased probiotic use, and probably partly due to either lower production (less sacchrolytic fermentation by beneficial bacteria and/or lower intake of soluble fiber) and/or greater absorption into the body (due to longer transit time and/or increased gut permeability).
2. Hus V, Taylor A, Lord C. {{Telescoping of caregiver report on the Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised}}. {J Child Psychol Psychiatry};2011 (Mar 16)
Background: Delays in development are a fundamental feature in diagnosing autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Age of language acquisition, usually obtained through retrospective caregiver report, is currently used to distinguish between categories within ASD. Research has shown that caregivers often report children as having acquired developmental milestones earlier or later than they were actually achieved. The current study examines the extent to which this phenomenon, referred to as ‘telescoping,’ impacts retrospective reports provided by caregivers of children with ASD. Methods: Participants were 127 caregivers of children referred for possible ASD or non-spectrum developmental delay. Caregivers were interviewed when children were 2, 3, 5, and 9 years of age. Caregiver-reported ages of first concern, language and non-diagnostic developmental milestones and interviewer-estimated age of onset were compared over time using linear models. Results: Significant telescoping of language milestones resulted in more children meeting language delay criteria as they grew older, in spite of original reports that their language was not delayed. There was little evidence of consistent telescoping of caregiver-reported ages of first concern, daytime bladder control, and independent walking. With time, the interviewers’ judged ages of symptom onset increased, but remained prior to age three. Conclusions: Telescoping of caregiver-reported ages of language acquisition has implications for both clinical diagnosis and genetic studies using these milestones to increase homogeneity of samples. Results support proposals to remove specific age-based criteria in the diagnosis of ASD. Telescoping should be considered when working with any clinical population in which retrospectively recalled events are used in diagnosis.
3. Kozlowski AM, Matson JL, Horovitz M, Worley JA, Neal D. {{Parents’ first concerns of their child’s development in toddlers with autism spectrum disorders}}. {Dev Neurorehabil};2011;14(2):72-78.
Objective: Investigations about first concerns among parents of toddlers with ASD and comparisons of the same with children diagnosed with other developmental disorders are scarce. Method: The current study utilized a sample of toddlers diagnosed with an ASD or other developmental delay and examined the nature of parents’ first concern and the age of first concern compared to the age of first assessment. Results: The majority of parents of both toddlers diagnosed with ASD and non-ASD related developmental delays indicated that the area of first concern was in communication. However, the age of first concern was significantly younger for toddlers with an ASD diagnosis. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between the age at which concerns were first noted and the age at which assessment was sought. Conclusion: The implications of these findings are discussed as they relate to early assessment and intervention.
4. Takumi T. {{[A humanoid mouse model of autism and its implication in child neurology]}}. {No To Hattatsu};2011 (Mar);43(2):91-94.
5. Tsuchiya KJ, Matsumoto K, Takei N. {{[Recent progress of epidemiological research in search of the aetiology of autism]}}. {Nihon Shinkei Seishin Yakurigaku Zasshi};2011 (Feb);31(1):29-34.
Autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by the behavioral traits of impaired social cognition and communication, and repetitive and/or obsessive behaviour and interests. Studies point towards increased prevalence of autism/ASD. However, no treatment or prevention for the disorder has been established, since the aetiological pathway of this disorder remains largely unknown. Considering this lack of knowledge, epidemiological studies are expected to give clues for a better understanding of the disorder. As such, advanced paternal age at birth and low birthweight (or intrauterine growth retardation) have been reported to be candidate risk factors. These findings allow us to propose novel research strategies in search of the aetiology of autism/ASD. Following this trend, the authors initiated a research project, « the Hamamatsu Birth Cohort for Mothers and Children (HBC) », seeking risk factors for autism/ASD extensively. The HBC is expected to enroll 1,200 dyads of mother and child and to follow them until the child becomes 4 years of age.
