1. Bragg MG, Rando J, Carroll KN, Eick SM, Karagas MR, Lin PI, Schmidt RJ, Lyall K. The association of prenatal dietary factors with child autism diagnosis and autism-related traits using a mixtures approach: Results from the ECHO Cohort. J Nutr;2025 (Mar 17)

BACKGROUND: Previous research on the role of maternal diet in relation to autism has focused on examining individual nutrient associations. Few studies have examined associations with multiple nutrients using mixtures approaches, which may better reflect true exposure scenarios. OBJECTIVE: To examine associations of nutrient mixtures with children’s autism diagnosis and traits scores within a large, diverse population. METHODS: Participants were drawn from the US Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) consortium. Maternal prenatal diet was reported via validated food frequency questionnaires. Children’s autism-related traits were measured using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and autism diagnoses were from parent report of physician diagnosis. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was used to examine the overall mixture effect and interactions between a set of 5 primary nutrients (folate, vitamin D, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, and iron), adjusted for potential confounders, in relationship to child outcomes. Secondary analyses were conducted in a subset of cohorts with an expanded set of 14 nutrients. Traditional linear and logistic regression models were also run for comparison of results to mixture models. RESULTS: 2,614 participants drawn from 7 ECHO cohorts were included in primary analysis. Mixture analyses suggested that increasing the overall 5-nutrient mixture was associated with lower SRS scores. Individual U-shaped associations and bivariate interactions between folate and omega 3 fatty acids were suggested. In the subset included in the secondary analyses of the 14-nutrient mixture, a modest inverse trend remained, but individual nutrient associations were altered, with vitamin D demonstrating higher relative importance than other nutrients. Strong associations with autism diagnosis were not observed. CONCLUSION: In this large sample, we found evidence for combined nutrient effects with broader autism-related traits. Because results for individual nutrients were sensitive to mixture components, replication of combined associations between nutrients and autism-related outcomes is needed.

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2. Dutta D, Black J, Montoya EA, Burrow TA, Shieh J, McGivern B, Raymond M, Sheedy CB, Smith SC, Garg R. Neurodevelopmental delay, musculoskeletal disorders and dysmorphia associated with a novel pathogenic interstitial deletion of chromosome 10q21.1q21.3. J Med Genet;2025 (Mar 20);62(4):268-275.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports of distal deletions in chromosome 10q in patients have described distinct facial features combined with other neurodevelopmental abnormalities, including intellectual disability. However, the association of interstitial deletions in chromosome 10q with global developmental delay, musculoskeletal abnormalities, and dysmorphic features has not been previously reported. METHODS: Genetic testing using whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed on three patients with neurodevelopmental delay, musculoskeletal abnormalities and dysmorphic features. Sequencing reads were aligned to the human genome build GRCh37/UCSC hg19 and analysed for both sequence and copy number variants. RESULTS: WES identified similar interstitial deletions in the 10q21.1q21.3 locus in all three patients. The deleted region includes online Mendelian inheritance in man (OMIM)-annotated genes with clinical significance, such as ANK3 (*600465), JMJD1C (*604503), EGR2 (*129010), BICC1 (*614295), ZNF365 (*607818) and TFAM (*600438). Deletion of this region is considered pathogenic and is implicated in the aetiology of the clinical phenotypes observed in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report associating interstitial deletions in the 10q21.1q21.3 locus with neurodevelopmental delay, musculoskeletal abnormalities and dysmorphic features. Our findings highlight the clinical significance of this deleted region and suggest possible mechanisms underlying the observed pathological phenotypes.

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3. Eltokhi A, Gamal El-Din TM. Two pores instead of one: Gating pore current and the electrical leak in autism and epilepsy. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry;2025 (Mar 20);137:111291.

Imagine the brain as a dynamic city, where countless vehicles traverse major arterial roads and branching side streets. The smooth traffic flow depends on a balance between excitatory neurons, which act as main roads encouraging vehicles to move forward, and inhibitory neurons, represented by branching side streets that regulate and control the traffic flow back onto the main route. Both systems work in tandem to maintain efficient operations, preventing gridlock or chaos. Zooming in further, the voltage-gated ion channels within neurons resemble traffic lights on arterial roads or side streets. Green means go, red means stop, and yellow signals caution. These channels regulate the flow of bioelectric signals, coordinating transitions between green, yellow, and red-analogous to an action potential. In excitatory neurons (major roads), voltage-gated sodium channels act as green lights, allowing sodium ions to flow in during depolarization. In contrast, voltage-gated potassium channels serve as yellow lights, eventually signaling red to terminate the action potential. In inhibitory neurons (side streets), sodium influx produces action potentials that ultimately control and limit traffic on the major roads. This analogy can be extended to describe neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy, which arise from mutations in voltage-gated ion channels. These mutations alter the channels’ ability to open and close properly, disrupting the timing and duration of red, yellow and green signals and impairing traffic flow. Now, picture yourself on a major arterial road with green and red flickering simultaneously. Such a disastrous scenario could lead to even more dangerous outcomes, with cars moving when they should stop or stopping when they should move. This specific analogy illustrates a key feature of certain mutations in voltage-gated ion channels that result in the gating pore current (I(gp)), a secondary pore that leaks electrical current. This mini-review focuses on I(gp) caused by mutations in the gating charge residues of voltage-gated ion channels. We will discuss how I(gp) contributes to the pathophysiology of ASD and epilepsy and explore therapeutic strategies targeting this mechanism.

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4. Fang J, Guo J, Lao Y, Kang SG, Huang K, Tong T. L-tyrosine alleviates autism-like behavior in mice by remodeling the gut microbiota. Brain Behav Immun;2025 (Mar 20)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impaired social interaction and repetitive stereotyped behavior, and effective interventions for the core autistic symptoms are currently limited. This study examines the protective role of L-tyrosine in alleviating ASD-like behavioral disorders in a valproic acid (VPA)-induced ASD mouse model and explores the underlying mechanisms via integrated multi-omics. We first investigated the potential of dietary L-tyrosine in mitigating autistic behavior. Subsequently, 16S rRNA sequencing, hippocampal transcriptomics, and neurotransmitter metabolome were employed to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Further, we conducted transplantation of the L-tyrosine-regulated microbiota in VPA-induced ASD mice. The results showed that L-tyrosine supplementation significantly mitigates ASD-like behavioral disorders, alleviates social communication deficits, and reduces repetitive behavior in autistic mice. L-tyrosine also attenuates the neuronal loss caused by VPA treatment in the DG and CA1 hippocampal regions in mice. The hippocampi of the L-tyrosine-treated mouse model for ASD displays modified gene expression profiles and different neurotransmitter levels. L-tyrosine also mitigates colonic barrier damage and amends the gut microbial composition and function. The integrative transcriptomic, metabolomic, and microbiome analysis shows strong connections between the hippocampal genes, neurotransmitters, and gut microbiota affected by L-tyrosine. The transplantation of microbiota from L-tyrosine-treated mice to VPA-induced ASD mice recipients recapitulated the preventive and protective effects of L-tyrosine on autistic behavior disorders. These findings suggest that dietary L-tyrosine may represent a viable, effective treatment option for managing the physiological and behavioral deficits associated with ASD.

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5. Fu S, Wang X, Chen Z, Huang Z, Feng Y, Xie Y, Li X, Yang C, Xu S. Abnormalities in brain complexity in children with autism spectrum disorder: a sleeping state functional MRI study. BMC Psychiatry;2025 (Mar 19);25(1):257.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The theory of complexity loss in neurodivergent brain is widely acknowledged. However, the findings of autism research do not seem to align well with this theory. We aim to investigate the brain complexity in children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) compared with the TD (Typical Developed) children in sleeping state. METHOD: 42 ASD children and 42 TD children were imaged using sleep-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (ss-fMRI), and brain complexity was analyzed by employing sample entropy (SampEn) and transfer entropy (TE). For the ASD group, we also investigated the relationship of symptom severity with SampEn and with TE. RESULTS: In compared with TD group, ASD group showed significant increased SampEn in the right inferior frontal gyrus. However, in the group of TD, 13 pairs of brain regions exhibit higher TE compared to the ASD group. In the ASD group, the TE of 5 pairs of brain regions is higher than in the TD group. CONCLUSION: This sleeping-state fMRI study provide evidence that ASD children exhibited aberrant brain complexity in compare with the TD children. The complexity of the autistic brain is composed of aberrant randomness in brain activity and anomalous information transmission between brain regions. We believe that brain complexity in ASD is a highly valuable area of research. Differences in the entropy of local brain regions, as well as in the transfer entropy between brain regions, may be related to the brain complexity observed in children with ASD.

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6. Gu C, Zeng Y, Wei W, Sun J, Zhang L. Should teaching strategies emphasize emotion or competence? Enhancing audience acceptance of children with autism through online music performances – evidence from China. Acta Psychol (Amst);2025 (Mar 18);255:104923.

This study investigates the experiences and perceptions of audiences watching online music performances by children with autism, focusing on how the emotions and competence displayed by the children during the performances affect the audience’s sense of immersion and acceptance. We conducted an online survey with 949 respondents, t-tests was used to compare the differences before and after the respondents watching the performance, and structural equation modeling was used to analyzed the path relationships among variables. The results showed that audience acceptance was significantly higher after watching the music performances (t = -6.104, p < 0.05). We found that the competence demonstrated during the performances had a medium effect on both the audience's sense of immersion (β = 0.337, p < 0.05) and acceptance (β = 0.211, p < 0.05). Emotions expressed through the performances also significantly influenced the audience's immersion (β = 0.323, p < 0.05) and had a large effect on their acceptance (β = 0.401, p < 0.05). Based on these findings, we propose the Music-Driven Acceptance Model (MDAM), which suggests that while fostering the competence of children with autism, teachers might consider placing instructional emphasis on guiding children to learn methods of expressing emotions through music.

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7. Hua Z, Li T, Shi R, Wei R, Yi L. Activation of Thematic and Taxonomic Relations During Lexical-Semantic Processing in Autistic Children: Evidence From Eye Movements. Autism Res;2025 (Mar 19)

This study investigated the activation of thematic and taxonomic relations during online lexical-semantic processing in autistic children using an eye-tracking competition task. Thirty-six preschool-aged autistic children and 35 age-, gender-, and verbal-IQ-matched neurotypical (NT) children viewed arrays containing a target object, a thematically related competitor, a taxonomically related competitor, and an unrelated distractor while hearing the target word. Results revealed three key findings. First, both groups demonstrated activation of thematic and taxonomic relations during lexical processing, with comparable timing of activation onset. Second, while autistic children began to systematically orient attention to the target as quickly as NT children, they showed reduced overall attention to the target during lexical processing. Third, autistic children exhibited stronger activation of taxonomic relations and stronger taxonomic competition effects on target recognition compared to NT children, whereas their activation of thematic relations and thematic competition effects were comparable to NT children. These findings suggest that while the basic thematic and taxonomic activation processes remain robust in autistic children, and while their initial activation of the target and semantically related representations is as fast as that of NT children, the increased sensitivity to taxonomic relations in autistic children might interfere with the overall processing efficiency of target words. These results advance our understanding of lexical-semantic organization and processing in autism and provide implications for language intervention strategies.

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8. Kabatas S, Civelek E, Savrunlu EC, Karaaslan U, Yıldız Ö, Karaöz E. Advances in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder: Wharton jelly mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. World J Methodol;2025 (Mar 20);15(1):95857.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with multifaceted origins. In recent studies, neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation have come to the forefront in its pathogenesis. There are studies suggesting that stem cell therapy may be effective in the treatment of ASD. AIM: To evolve the landscape of ASD treatment, focusing on the potential benefits and safety of stem cell transplantation. METHODS: A detailed case report is presented, displaying the positive outcomes observed in a child who underwent intrathecal and intravenous Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) transplantation combined with neurorehabilitation. RESULTS: The study demonstrates a significant improvement in the child’s functional outcomes (Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Denver 2 Developmental Screening Test), especially in language and gross motor skills. No serious side effects were encountered during the 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: The findings support the safety and effectiveness of WJ-MSC transplantation in managing ASD.

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9. Kang QQ, Gao YF, Su W, Fan YL, Kong HB. Analysis of clinical and psychological characteristics of 225 children with autism spectrum disorder based on the C-PEP-3 scale. World J Psychiatry;2025 (Mar 19);15(3):101101.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that affect children’s social interaction and communication skills and exert a serious effect on children’s perception, language, emotion, and especially social interaction development. AIM: To determine the clinical and psychological characteristics of children with ASD according to the C-PEP-3. METHODS: This retrospective study included 225 children with autism aged 2-7 years who were treated in our hospital from 2021 to 2024. The C-PEP-3 scale was used for assessment, and the evaluation results were analyzed. RESULTS: The comparison of children with ASD in the age groups of < 3.5 years and > 3.5 years revealed significant differences in the scores of imitation, fine motor, gross motor, hand-eye coordination, cognitive performance, and verbal cognition development areas (P: Pass) (P < 0.01). However, no significant differences in the scores of perception, emotion, interpersonal relationships, play, sensation, and language (S: Severe) were observed on pathological scales (P > 0.05). The difference in age in the gross motor developmental delay of the scale was the smallest, whereas that of the verbal cognition was the largest, followed by the imitation functional area. An inverse correlation was found between the scores of imitation, perception, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive performance (P) developmental function areas in children with ASD and those of emotion, interpersonal relationships, game and item preferences, sensory patterns, and emotion (S) in the pathological scale (P < 0.05). Fine and gross motor skills were negatively correlated with interpersonal relationships, game and item preferences, and emotions in the pathological scale (P < 0.05). Age was significantly positively correlated with the scores of imitation, perception, fine motor, gross motor, hand-eye coordination, cognitive performance, and verbal cognition developmental function areas (P) (P < 0.05). Further, age was not associated with emotions, interpersonal relationships, game and item preferences, sensory patterns, and emotions (P > 0.05). No gender difference was observed between the scores of each developmental area (P) of the scale and the scores of each functional area (S) of the pathological scale. CONCLUSION: The C-PEP-3 scale reflects the differences in clinical characteristics of children with autism, and the pathological scale is associated with the severity of developmental function areas. The C-PEP-3 scale can be utilized to assess the effect of age changes on children with autism. Attention in rehabilitation should be focused on addressing the pathological behaviors of children with autism.

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10. Kılınç K, Türkoğlu S, Kocabaş R, Güler HA, Yılmaz Ç, Büyükateş A. What are the levels and interactions of neuroligin-1, neuroligin-3, and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8) in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder?. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry;2025 (Mar 20);137:111275.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social interaction, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Several genes, including synaptic proteins and environmental risk factors, play a role in the etiology of autism. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between neuroligin-1 (NLGN-1) and neuroligin-3 (NLGN-3) levels, which are neuronal cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), and inflammatory cytokine (IL-6, IL-8) levels with disease severity and symptom clusters and with each other in children with ASD. Eighty children diagnosed with autism who met the inclusion criteria and sixty-five typically developing children matched for age and sex were included in the study. The children were evaluated psychiatrically through a semi-structured interview, DSM-5 criteria, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ). IL-6, IL-8, NLGN-1, and NLGN-3 levels were analyzed in peripheral serum samples using human ELISA kits. IL-8 and NLGN-3 levels were higher in the autism group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). IL-6 was positively related to CARS and SCQ total scores (p = 0.021, p = 0.040, respectively). IL-8, and NLGN-3 were positively associated with the all subtests of the SCQ and the SCQ total score (all p values <0.001). NLGN-1, NLGN-3, and inflammatory cytokine (IL-6, IL-8) levels were positively correlated (all p values <0.001). Neuroligins play a central role in the brain's ability to process information and maybe a key target in the pathogenesis of ASD. Further research is needed to determine whether, to what extent and how neuronal CAMs and immunity modulate each other and whether this contributes to ASD pathogenesis. Future studies should also be expanded to investigate the influence of variables such as oxidative stress, metalloproteases responsible for ectodomain shedding, or epigenetic regulation.

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11. Longhurst P, Aspell JE, Todd J, Swami V. Body appreciation mediates the association between satisfaction with autistic identity and flourishing in autistic adults. Body Image;2025 (Mar 20);53:101876.

Underpinned by the neurodiversity paradigm, scholars are increasingly interested in relationships between positive autistic identity (i.e., feeling satisfaction and pride with being autistic) and states of flourishing (i.e., where numerous aspects of a person’s life and well-being are good) in autistic people. However, possible mediational pathways between these constructs remain relatively under-researched. Here, we propose a conceptual model wherein positive autistic identity is associated with flourishing in autistic adults via positive body image. To test this model, we recruited an online sample of 384 autistic adults (189 women, 195 men; M = 34.66 years, SD = 10.77) from the United Kingdom. Participants were asked to complete measures of satisfaction with autistic identity, body appreciation, and flourishing, and provide their demographic information. Structural equation modelling showed that body appreciation mediated the association between satisfaction with autistic identity and flourishing. The mediational triangle remained significantly robust after controlling for participant demographics. Future research should consider promoting positive autistic identity as a means of developing more positive body image and capacities to flourish in autistic adults.

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12. Martin H, Choi JE, Rodrigues AR, Eshel N. Review: Dopamine, Serotonin, and the Translational Neuroscience of Aggression in Autism Spectrum Disorder. JAACAP Open;2025 (Mar);3(1):29-41.

OBJECTIVE: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a 1% to 2% prevalence in children. In addition to social communication deficits and restricted or repetitive behavior, ASD is often characterized by a heightened propensity for aggression. In fact, aggressive behavior is the primary reason for hospitalization in children with ASD, and current treatment options, despite some efficacy, are often associated with prominent side effects. Despite such high clinical toll, the neurobiology of aggression in ASD remains poorly understood. METHOD: The neural circuits linked to both ASD and aggression were reviewed, with the goal of identifying overlapping components to help guide future treatment development. In discussing the clinical phenotype of aggression in ASD, some of the triggers and risk factors were noted to differ from those that cause aggression in neurotypical children. Preclinical and clinical studies on the neurobiology of aggression and ASD were synthesized to combine evidence from genetics, neuroimaging, pharmacology, and circuit manipulations. Dopamine and serotonin, 2 neuromodulators that contribute to development and behavioral control, were specifically studied. RESULTS: The literature indicates that the intricate interplay of the dopamine and serotonin systems has a pivotal role in shaping behavior, including the expression of aggression. CONCLUSION: Understanding the balance between dopamine as an accelerator and serotonin as a brake may provide insights into the mechanisms of aggression in children with ASD. Although much work remains to be done, new perspectives promise to bridge the gap between human and animal studies and pinpoint the neurobiology of aggression in ASD. DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT: One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented sexual and/or gender groups in science. We actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our author group. This narrative review explores how serotonin and dopamine might contribute to the presentation of aggression in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Synthesizing animal and human studies, the review suggests that diminished serotonin levels may contribute to aggression in response to social threats while increased dopamine levels might facilitate aggression in response to the disruption of routines. eng

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13. Muscatello RA, Cola M, Vandekar S, Corbett BA. Pubertal developmental, body mass index, and cardiovascular autonomic function in children and adolescents with and without autism spectrum disorder: a four-time point accelerated longitudinal study. J Neurodev Disord;2025 (Mar 19);17(1):14.

BACKGROUND: The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) regulates ‘automatic’ functions such as heart rate, and alterations may have significant impacts on health outcomes. Cardiovascular measures of autonomic function such as heart rate variability are of interest as biological markers in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The interplay between the ANS and physical health establishes a need to examine cardiovascular autonomic functioning in youth with and without ASD over development. The current study aimed to identify change in autonomic function and balance across the parasympathetic and sympathetic branches over time as a function of diagnosis, age, pubertal development, and physical health status. METHODS: The study included 244 ASD (N = 140) or neurotypical (NT) (N = 104) youth, ages 10 to 13 years at enrollment and followed over four years. Resting state autonomic functioning was measured using respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA; parasympathetic) and pre-ejection period (PEP; sympathetic). Autonomic balance and regulation were also examined as outcomes. Linear mixed models tested between- and within-group differences in the primary autonomic outcomes as well as the influence of pubertal development, body weight, and medication use. RESULTS: Baseline models showed diagnostic differences, with lower parasympathetic regulation, in youth with ASD, but no differences were observed for the other three outcomes. Adding body mass index (BMI) percentile and medication use removed the statistically significant diagnostic effect, while both variables were significantly related to lower RSA and overall autonomic regulation. Parasympathetic function (RSA) was stable over age and pubertal stage, while a notable decrease in sympathetic control (increased PEP) was found for age and pubertal stage. BMI percentile at enrollment significantly predicted autonomic function, while change in BMI over time did not. CONCLUSIONS: Minimal research to date has explored physical health (e.g., BMI) and autonomic outcomes in ASD. The current study observed few group differences yet demonstrates important effects of physical health on ANS function in both ASD and neurotypical youth. Findings further emphasize a need to focus on individual traits such as BMI and medication use to elucidate the extent to which autonomic differences are related to health status, irrespective of diagnostic category, across the lifespan.

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14. O’Grady K, Grabrucker AM. Metal Dyshomeostasis as a Driver of Gut Pathology in Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Neurochem;2025 (Mar);169(3):e70041.

Despite being classified as neurodevelopmental disorders, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in the association between autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and gut pathology. This comprehensive and systematic review explores a potential mechanism underlying gut pathology in ASDs, including alterations in gut microbiota, intestinal permeability, immune dysregulation, and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Specifically, it delves into the role of toxic and essential metals and their interplay, affecting the development and function of the GI tract. The review also discusses the potential implications of this gut pathology in the development and management of ASDs. Studies have shown that heavy metal exposure, whether through environmental sources or dietary intake, can disrupt the delicate balance of trace elements in the gut. This disruption can adversely affect zinc homeostasis, potentially exacerbating gut pathology in individuals with ASDs. The impaired zinc absorption resulting from heavy metal exposure may contribute to the immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation observed in the gut of individuals with ASDs. By shedding light on the multifaceted nature of gut pathology, including the impact of metal dyshomeostasis as a non-genetic factor in ASD, this review underscores the significance of the gut-brain axis in the etiology and management of ASDs.

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15. Ranjan R, Sinha M, Ahmad S, Kumar P, Deshpande SN, Bipeta R. Study Protocol for Development and Validation of an Indian Instrument for Severity of Sensory Reactivity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Indian J Psychol Med;2025 (Mar 17):02537176251323595.

BACKGROUND: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit atypical responses to sensory stimuli. These sensory and perceptual issues persist as hyper-, hypo-, or atypical sensory reactivity that impacts their daily activities. The present protocol describes a method for developing a locally relevant and simple instrument for identifying and estimating the severity of sensory reactivity in children with ASD. NOVELTY: Employing a consultative approach, the authors aim to develop and validate an Indian instrument to assess sensory reactivity in children with ASD. OBJECTIVES: To gather insights from parents and experts about sensory reactivity patterns in children with ASD and to use this information to create and validate a culturally relevant tool for measuring the severity of sensory reactivity in these children. METHODS: This study will be conducted in two phases following an exploratory sequential mixed-method design. In the first phase, data will be collected through in-depth interviews of parents of children with ASD and focused group discussions with the experts. The collected data will be used to identify different themes and domains related to sensory reactivity. A questionnaire will be developed based on their inputs. In the second phase, the instrument will be analyzed further using exploratory factor analysis to obtain the factor structure and confirmatory factor analysis to test the factor structure of the developed instrument. EXPECTED OUTCOME: A simple, reliable, and validated severity instrument will be developed for children with ASD and made accessible to all for convenient use.

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16. Santos JLS, Paredes BD, Adanho CSA, Nonaka CKV, da Silva KN, Santos IM, Loiola EC, Silva VAO, Rocha CAG, Souza BSF. Generation and characterization of human-induced pluripotent stem cell lines from patients with autism spectrum disorder and SCN2A variants. Hum Cell;2025 (Mar 20);38(3):74.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders that affect communication and social interactions. Over a thousand genes have been associated with ASD, with SCN2A standing out due to its critical role in neuronal function and development. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from individuals with ASD have become invaluable in vitro models for investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the disorder. In this study, we generated and characterized four iPSC clones from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of two ASD patients carrying loss-of-function variants in the SCN2A gene. These iPSC lines underwent comprehensive characterization through multiple assays. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence analyses confirmed the presence of pluripotency markers. An embryoid body formation assay demonstrated their potential to differentiate into the three germ layers. Sequencing analysis confirmed the SCN2A variants, while short tandem repeat (STR) analysis authenticated the cell lines, and karyotype analysis ensured chromosomal integrity. The iPSCs exhibited typical morphologic characteristics, including large nuclei with prominent nucleoli, a high nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio, densely packed cells, and well-defined borders. These cells maintained pluripotency markers, demonstrated the ability to differentiate into the three germ layers, and showed a normal karyotype. Furthermore, we successfully generated cerebral organoids from these cells. Our study establishes a robust platform for further exploration of the pathophysiological mechanisms of ASD, particularly those involving SCN2A.

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17. Savaldi-Harussi G, Amter I, Stoler O, Ben-Itzhak E. The effect of Smart-Glove exchange-based system vs. PECS® on communication initiation in minimally verbal toddlers with autism spectrum disorder. Res Dev Disabil;2025 (Mar 18);160:104964.

Children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) show low engagement and priority of video over other activities. The Smart-Glove system is an augmentative and alternative communication tool combining video visual scene display (VVSD) with a picture exchange-based approach. This study compares the effectiveness of integrating Smart-Glove during PECS® phase 1 instructional strategy to teach independent initiation in minimally verbal toddlers with ASD. Four participants who failed to master PECS® Phase 1 over eight months at a specialized daycare were included. An alternating treatment design evaluated the relative effectiveness of Smart-Glove (VVSD and cards) versus cards only during PECS Phase 1 instruction. Percentages of independent request initiations, reaction times (RT) and social validity inventories were measured. Participants demonstrated improved independent initiations in both intervention sessions, with instances of 90 %-100 % successful independent exchanges. However, during Smart-Glove sessions, significantly higher average independent initiation, a faster learning linear trend and reduced RT reductions over time were achieved. Social validity inventories indicated satisfaction with the Smart-Glove system. Use of the Smart-Glove system improved independent request initiations, accelerated learning and increased reaction speed among minimally verbal toddlers with ASD, suggesting that integrating VVSD into PECS may be a motivational and effective instructional strategy for this subgroup.

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18. Shen Q, Zhao F, Zhang N, Zheng L, Su D, Qian Y, Xin L, Mingxia S, Hongxu Z, Chen F, Qiu W, Liu D. Embryonic exposure of estrogen and BPA in zebrafish leads to ADHD-like and ASD-like phenotypes, respectively. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry;2025 (Mar 20);137:111293.

Exposure to the estrogenic pollutant bisphenol A (BPA) during pregnancy and early childhood is a risk factor for numerous neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders in humans. To understand why early BPA exposure is associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we have analyzed a series of zebrafish behaviors, neurodevelopmental process, and gene expression profiles, after a moderate level of estrogen (17β-estradiol, E(2), as a positive control) and BPA treatments during embryogenesis (2-48 h post fertilization). E(2) exposure-caused hyperactivity was likely due to elevated expression of cyp19a1b since blocking aromatase activity rescued the defect. Furthermore, E(2) exposure resulted in impulsive behaviors, perhaps due to a reduced expression of brain th (crucial for dopamine synthesis), resembling the ADHD phenotypes. However, the hyperactivity upon BPA exposure was due to a reduction of GABAergic neurons, particularly in the midbrain. BPA-exposed fish were less-social, with increased repetitive behaviors and escape rate (during strobe light stimulation), like the ASD phenotypes. Taking advantage of published single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing data related to zebrafish BPA exposure, we uncovered that embryonic midbrain GABAergic neurons express less stmn1a upon BPA exposure. When stmn1a function was partially lost, 14-day post-fertilization larvae became less social, further stressing the ASD phenotype after BPA exposure. Upon embryonic E(2) and BPA exposure, we have unexpectedly unveiled zebrafish ADHD-like and ASD-like phenotypes, respectively, suggesting that women of childbearing age should be cautious to use BPA and estrogen related products.

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19. Standiford BJ, Hsu KJ. Autistic traits, alexithymia, and emotion recognition of human and anime faces. Dev Psychopathol;2025 (Mar 20):1-14.

Individuals on the autism spectrum or with elevated autistic traits have shown difficulty in recognizing people’s facial emotions. They also tend to gravitate toward anime, a highly visual medium featuring animated characters whose facial emotions may be easier to distinguish. Because autistic traits overlap with alexithymia, or difficulty in identifying and describing feelings, alexithymia might explain the association between elevated autistic traits and difficulty with facial emotion recognition. The present study used a computerized task to first examine whether elevated autistic traits in a community sample of 247 adults were associated with less accurate emotion recognition of human but not anime faces. Results showed that individuals higher in autistic traits performed significantly worse on the human facial emotion recognition task, but no better or worse on the anime version. After controlling for alexithymia and other potentially confounding variables, autistic traits were no longer associated with performance on the facial emotion recognition tasks. However, alexithymia remained a significant predictor and fully mediated the relationship between autistic traits and emotion recognition of both human and anime faces. Findings suggest that interventions designed to help individuals on the autism spectrum with facial emotion recognition might benefit from targeting alexithymia and employing anime characters.

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20. Triatmojo NN, Putri VYS, Rahimah AF, Damanik GRE, Wardhana KK. A Tale of Triumph: Overcoming Challenges in Surgical ASD Closure for a Patient with Warm AIHA. Cardiovasc Hematol Disord Drug Targets;2025 (Mar 20)

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare disorder in hematology, with an incidence of 1-3 per 100,000 per year. The current data available on open-heart procedures in patients with AIHA is limited. Despite presenting periprocedural challenges, multidisciplinary efforts enabled the successful performance of surgical atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in a patient with warm-reactive AIHA. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old woman with a large elliptical ASD was planned for surgical closure. The patient has never received a blood transfusion or experienced any previous hematological issues. During the surgical preparation, the patient’s immunoglobulin G Coombs test result was positive for the presence of immunoglobulin G. The patient was diagnosed with a remission state of warm AIHA. A challenge arose when surgical ASD closure needed a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which increased the risk of hemolysis. The patient also needed to be hypothermic to reduce metabolism, which may interact with the pathophysiology of AIHA. Several approaches were taken, and the procedure was conducted successfully without noteworthy obstacles. CONCLUSION: A successful surgical ASD closure was performed in a patient with complete remission of warm-reactive AIHA. Considering the different hemolytic mechanisms between CPB and AIHA, determining whether AIHA is cold or warm reactive is crucial for managing temperature in the heart-lung machine. Several approaches, such as utilizing a roller pump, a heparin-coated circuit, and administering steroids, can be implemented to prevent hemolysis.

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21. Truscott L, Simpson K, Malone SA. Physiotherapists Identify Movement Difficulties in Autistic Children Using Subjective and Objective Measures: An Observational Study. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr;2025 (Mar 20):1-17.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the assessment practices and identification of movement difficulties in autistic children aged 12 months to 6 years by physiotherapists in Australia. METHODS: Registered physiotherapists providing services to autistic children ages 12 months – 6 years completed a survey. The survey was distributed via closed physiotherapy social media (Facebook) pages in Australia from March to June 2022. The survey included 8 items on strategies/approaches to assessment, 47 items on measurement, and 23 items on movement difficulties. RESULTS: 85 physiotherapists completed the survey. Findings indicated that parent reports, observations, and movement analyses were the most commonly used assessment strategies employed 100% of time, followed by musculoskeletal assessments (80%) and standardized assessments (50%). Of standardized assessments used, Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) was used most, by over 69% of physiotherapists, with multiple versions of five other standardized assessments used by over 52% of physiotherapists, namely Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Neurological Sensory Motor Developmental Assessment, Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire and Test of Gross Motor Development. A range of movement difficulties were frequently identified in developmental delays (86% of time), gross motor (85%), coordination (82%), motor planning (81%), and hypotonia (80%). CONCLUSIONS: Physiotherapists in Australia use a variety of methods to examine movement difficulties in young autistic children, suggesting that this frequently occurs prior to autism diagnosis.

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22. Tu P, Halili X, Zhang S, Yang J, Xiao Y. The effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in children and adolescents and with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry;2025 (Mar 20);137:111257.

BACKGROUND: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is considered a potential treatment for autism spectrum disorders, aiming to improve the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. It has been studied in several clinical trials, but the effectiveness is still controversial. PURPOSE: This systematic review aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of autism in children and adolescents. METHODS: We systematically searched seven databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Libraries, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and SinoMed) up to March 20, 2024, as well as references lists. The included studies evaluated the effect of HBOT on improving the core symptoms of autism and other specific symptoms (e.g., communication, sociability, cognitive awareness, behavior), including RCTs and quasiexperimental studies. The Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Randomized Trials (RoB2.0) and the JBI Risk of Bias Tool for Quasi-Experimental Studies were used as quality assessment tools. A random effects model was used to conduct a meta-analysis of the core and specific symptoms of autism. Sensitivity analyses and meta-regression were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity and assess result robustness. A Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) evidence certainty analysis was performed for outcomes. This systematic review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024527220). RESULTS: A total of 17 studies with 890 patients were ultimately included in the metaanalysis. The meta-analysis revealed moderately large, significant effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, reducing core symptoms of autism [SMD = -0.66, 95 % CI (-1.04, -0.28), P = 0.0006], and improving three aspects of daily performances (communication [SMD = -0.88, 95 % CI (-1.71,-0.04), P = 0.04], cognitive awareness [SMD = -0.93, 95 % CI (-1.51, -0.35), P = 0.002], and behavior [SMD = -0.80, 95 % CI (- 1.46, -0.13), P = 0.02] in children and adolescents with autism. This systematic review and meta-analysis have limitations such as poor quality and high heterogeneity of the included study. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the potential benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in managing autism-related symptoms and improving daily functioning in affected children and adolescents. Future rigorously designed, high-quality studies are required to confirm the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and establish standard treatment protocols.

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23. Usilla B, Cheruku SR, Silla SS, Mohammad Z, Reddy A, Mehta J. A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Different Modes of Oral Health Education Aids in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent;2025 (Jan);18(1):80-85.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different oral health education aids in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included a total of 90 children with ASD aged 10-15 years. The children were assigned to three groups. Group A was provided oral health education using visual cards, group B with a mobile-based application (Brush Monster™), and group C with video modeling. All the children were screened to note the plaque and gingival index (GI) and were assessed at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: A significant difference in plaque scores (p = <0.001) and gingival scores (p = <0.001) was observed within the groups after 6 and 12 weeks postintervention. There was no statistically significant difference in dental plaque scores and gingival scores between the groups at all the timelines. CONCLUSION: In this study, visual cards, a mobile-based application (Brush Monster™), and video modeling significantly reduced dental plaque and gingival scores. Hence, all these modalities can be used as effective tools in educating children to improve their oral hygiene. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Poor oral hygiene can result in numerous complications for children with autism. Therefore, providing specialized education to raise awareness about oral hygiene offers significant benefits for these children in multiple aspects.CTRI registration number: CTRI/2023/08/056407. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Usilla B, Cheruku SR, Silla SS, et al. A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Different Modes of Oral Health Education Aids in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(1):80-85.

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24. Vijaya K, Guruprasad RD, Sumanth R. Crack in Drainage Cannula During Minimally Invasive ASD Repair Surgery- Troubleshooting of an Unforeseen Complication. Ann Card Anaesth;2025 (Mar 20)

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25. Volkmar FR. Introduction to the Special Section on Drivers with ASD. J Autism Dev Disord;2025 (Mar 20)

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26. Wang J, Li J, Wang F, You Y. Exercise Intervention Influences on Sleep and Anxiety in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials. Neuropediatrics;2025 (Mar 19)

OBJECTIVE: Related issues, such as sleep disturbance, are also frequently reported by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study systematically reviewed the influences of exercise on sleep and anxiety in children with ASD. METHODS: Search for eligible studies through four databases, and then proceed with screening. The inclusion criteria are as follows: 1) Children with ASD; 2) Age 6-14 years; 3) Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT); 4) The experimental (EXP) group received exercise training , while the control (CON) group did not exercise; 5) Conducted pre- and post-test, which include sleep and anxiety. Use the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool to evaluate the quality of the selected study. Select Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) as the appropriate effect scale index, and use Revman 5.4 software to analyze the mean difference of the selected article data. RESULTS: A total of seven studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were selected for the meta-analysis. The included studies involved 387 males and 79 females. The results demonstrated that the EXP group benefited from the improved sleep [SMD, -1.05 (-1.25, -0.85), p < 0.05, I2 = 27%] and anxiety [SMD, -1.14 (-1.56, -0.72), p < 0.05, I2 = 95%] than the CON group. CONCLUSION: According to the findings, exercise intervention could offer non-pharmacological interventions for improving sleep and anxiety in children diagnosed with ASD. Sports training could also be considered to promote the rehabilitation of children patients with ASD, which might provide valuable insights.

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27. Wang X, Lin C, Wang X. Psychedelics and Pro-Social Behaviors: A Perspective on Autism Spectrum Disorders. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci;2025 (Mar 14);8(3):903-906.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. This viewpoint explores the potential mechanisms through which psychedelics such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) may positively influence pro-social behaviors, focusing on their implications for individuals with ASD.

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28. Wu Y, Chen X, Li D, Wang H, Ou Y, Su S, Liu G, Zhang Q, Rao W. Family Intensive Behavioral Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Half-Year Comparison-Controlled Study. Alpha Psychiatry;2025 (Feb);26(1):38796.

OBJECTIVE: Family intervention is a crucial component of treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet the impact of parent-mediated family-intensive behavioral intervention on the language abilities of children with ASD has been barely studied. The purpose is to investigate the effectiveness of the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP)-based family-intensive behavioral intervention in enhancing the language abilities of children with ASD. This study provides insights to help ASD children better cope with daily life. METHODS: From September 2020 to September 2022, a total of 85 clinically diagnosed children with ASD and 30 age- and sex-matched children without ASD were recruited. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and VB-MAPP were used for evaluating and determining individualized intervention programs for children with ASD. The intervention lasted 6 months. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics between children with ASD and children without ASD (all p > 0.05), except for the mother’s age. After the intervention, there was a significant increase in all VB-MAPP scores among children with ASD (all p < 0.001), compared with the baseline VB-MAPP total score and 16 domain scores. Tests of noninferiority showed that children with ASD at post-intervention were non-inferior to children without ASD in the Visual Perceptual Skills and Matching-to-Sample (VP/MTS) score (p = 0.001), play score (p = 0.034), reading score (p < 0.001), and writing score (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Family-intensive behavioral intervention significantly improved the skills of children with ASD, as assessed by the VB-MAPP. These findings emphasize the importance of family intervention and provide further support for proposing a family intervention program for children with ASD that is suitable for China's national conditions.

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29. Xiang AH, Lin JC, Chow T, Yu X, Martinez MP, Chen Z, Eckel SP, Schwartz J, Lurmann FW, Kleeman MJ, McConnell R, Rahman MM. Discordant Sibling Analysis of Autism Risk Associated with Prenatal Exposure to Tailpipe and Non-Tailpipe Particulate Matter Pollution. Environ Res;2025 (Mar 20):121449.

BACKGROUND: We previously assessed associations of prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) tracers reflecting tailpipe (elemental carbon [EC] and organic carbon [OC]) and non-tailpipe emissions (copper [Cu], iron [Fe] and manganese [Mn]) with risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a large pregnancy cohort. To address genetic and family environment confounding, we conducted an ASD-discordant sibling study. METHODS: Data included 4,024 children (1,837 with and 2,187 siblings without ASD) born to 1,801 unique mothers who had at least one child diagnosed with ASD by age 5, and one child without ASD. Prenatal exposures to total PM(2.5), trace elements Cu, Fe, Mn, EC, and OC and dispersion-modeled near-roadway-air-pollution (NRAP) from freeway and non-freeway source were obtained using maternal addresses during pregnancy. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess ASD risk associated with exposures adjusting for covariates. Results were reported as odds ratio (OR, 95% CI) per inter-quartile increment of each exposure. RESULTS: In single-pollutant models, child ASD risk (OR; 95% CI) was associated with gestational exposures to non-tailpipe source Cu (1.17; 1.03-1.33), Fe (1.26; 1.07-1.48), Mn (1.29; 1.11-1.50); but not likewise associated with tailpipe source EC (1.10; 0.92-1.32) and OC (1.10; 0.91-1.32). Total PM(2.5) and non-freeway NRAP were both associated with ASD risk. Adjusting for total PM(2.5) or NRAP attenuated the ASD associations with Cu, Fe, and Mn but they remained largely statistically significant. By trimester analysis showed the associations with Cu, Fe, and Mn were significant in the first two trimesters. CONCLUSION: This ASD-discordant sibling study confirmed previously reported ASD risk associated with prenatal exposure to PM(2.5), NRAP and non-tailpipe particulate trace-element Cu, Fe, and Mn, particularly in the first two trimesters, thus, increasing evidence of causality.

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30. Yuan LX, Chen DD, Dong WQ, Yang C, Zhang HF, Wang YB, Tang JS, Che XW, Cash RFH, Zang YF, Chen W. Case evidence of connectivity-guided intermittent theta burst stimulation for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder. Brain Stimul;2025 (Mar 17)

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31. Zhang Q, Pang X, Guo M, Wang Y, Xu Y, Li Q, Zheng H. Comparison of Gut Microbiota in Two Different Maternal Exposure Models of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Mice. Alpha Psychiatry;2025 (Feb);26(1):38790.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders with unknown etiology and unclear pathogenesis. Although construction of animal models of ASD using chemical exposure during pregnancy is a mature technique, the gut microbiota of these exposure models induced using different chemicals in mice have not been compared. METHODS: To compare the effects of exposure to different chemicals during pregnancy on the composition of gut microbiota in offspring, we treated Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy to construct different offspring ASD mouse models. After successful model construction, the gut microbiota of these models were studied. RESULTS: After adjusting for the random effects of the litter, the two groups showed a significant reduction in social time (social deficits) and an increase in self-grooming behaviors (repetitive and stereotyped behaviors). Gut microbiota analysis revealed significant changes, mostly a decrease, in the abundance of four phyla, 52 genera, and 41 species in the two types of ASD models. Several different gut microbes could be related to the development of ASD. CONCLUSIONS: Chemicals exposure during pregnancy induces ASD-related behavioral abnormalities in offspring mice. Importantly, exposure to different chemicals during pregnancy produces varying degrees of effects on gut microbiota composition in offspring ASD models. This finding can provide a reference for studies on the etiology and pathogenesis of ASD.

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