1. Greenberg J, Seltzer M, Baker J, Smith L, S FW, Brady N, Hong J. {{Family environment and behavior problems in children, adolescents, and adults with fragile x syndrome}}. {Am J Intellect Dev Disabil};2012 (Jul);117(4):331-346.
Abstract We examine how the family environment is associated with aspects of the Fragile X syndrome phenotype during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Mothers of children (n = 48), adolescents (n = 85), and adults (n = 34) with Fragile X syndrome participated in a multisite study. For children and adults with Fragile X syndrome, the presence of warmth and positivity and the absence of criticism were associated with fewer behavior problems. Although a higher level of criticism was significantly associated with greater behavior problems, there were only trend-level associations between levels of warmth and positivity and behavior problems during the adolescent years. The provision of family psychoeducation programs, which can reduce parental criticism, would likely benefit both the individual with Fragile X syndrome and the family.
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2. Kern JK, Geier DA, Audhya T, King PG, Sykes LK, Geier MR. {{Evidence of parallels between mercury intoxication and the brain pathology in autism}}. {Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars)};2012;72(2):113-153.
The purpose of this review is to examine the parallels between the effects mercury intoxication on the brain and the brain pathology found in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This review finds evidence of many parallels between the two, including: (1) microtubule degeneration, specifically large, long-range axon degeneration with subsequent abortive axonal sprouting (short, thin axons); (2) dentritic overgrowth; (3) neuroinflammation; (4) microglial/astrocytic activation; (5) brain immune response activation; (6) elevated glial fibrillary acidic protein; (7) oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation; (8) decreased reduced glutathione levels and elevated oxidized glutathione; (9) mitochondrial dysfunction; (10) disruption in calcium homeostasis and signaling; (11) inhibition of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) activity; (12) disruption of GABAergic and glutamatergic homeostasis; (13) inhibition of IGF-1 and methionine synthase activity; (14) impairment in methylation; (15) vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and pathological changes of the blood vessels; (16) decreased cerebral/cerebellar blood flow; (17) increased amyloid precursor protein; (18) loss of granule and Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum; (19) increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the brain (TNF-alppha, IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, IL-8); and (20) aberrant nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappaB). This review also discusses the ability of mercury to potentiate and work synergistically with other toxins and pathogens in a way that may contribute to the brain pathology in ASD. The evidence suggests that mercury may be either causal or contributory in the brain pathology in ASD, possibly working synergistically with other toxic compounds or pathogens to produce the brain pathology observed in those diagnosed with an ASD.
3. Martin BS, Huntsman MM. {{Pathological plasticity in fragile x syndrome}}. {Neural Plast};2012;2012:275630.
Deficits in neuronal plasticity are common hallmarks of many neurodevelopmental disorders. In the case of fragile-X syndrome (FXS), disruption in the function of a single gene, FMR1, results in a variety of neurological consequences directly related to problems with the development, maintenance, and capacity of plastic neuronal networks. In this paper, we discuss current research illustrating the mechanisms underlying plasticity deficits in FXS. These processes include synaptic, cell intrinsic, and homeostatic mechanisms both dependent on and independent of abnormal metabotropic glutamate receptor transmission. We place particular emphasis on how identified deficits may play a role in developmental critical periods to produce neuronal networks with permanently decreased capacity to dynamically respond to changes in activity central to learning, memory, and cognition in patients with FXS. Characterizing early developmental deficits in plasticity is fundamental to develop therapies that not only treat symptoms but also minimize the developmental pathology of the disease.
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4. McDonald KE. {{« We want respect »: adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities address respect in research}}. {Am J Intellect Dev Disabil};2012 (Jul);117(4):263-274.
Abstract Respect is central to ethical guidelines for research. The scientific community has long debated, and at times disagreed on, how to demonstrate respect in research with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To illuminate the voices of those most affected, the author studies the views of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities on respect in research. Findings are consistent with disability rights’ ideas and indicate that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have much to contribute to the discussion, that they value participating, and that they agree with calls to focus on human rights and dignity. Notably, participants spoke at lengths about the nature of interactions between researchers and participants. Implications are discussed, including how to infuse research standards with community-supported values and preferences.
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5. Oppedijk D. {{[Reaction on ‘The God image in relation to autistic traits and religious denomination’]}}. {Tijdschr Psychiatr};2012;54(7):689-691.
6. Parish S, Magana S, Rose R, Timberlake M, Swaine JG. {{Health care of latino children with autism and other developmental disabilities: quality of provider interaction mediates utilization}}. {Am J Intellect Dev Disabil};2012 (Jul);117(4):304-315.
Abstract This study examines access to, utilization of, and quality of health care for Latino children with autism and other developmental disabilities. We analyze data from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (N = 4,414 children with autism and other developmental disabilities). Compared with White children, Latino children with autism and other developmental disabilities had a consistent pattern of worse health care access, utilization, and quality. We then test mediation models to determine if health care quality mediates the relationship between ethnicity and health care utilization disparities. Three of four quality indicators (provider does not spend enough time with child, provider is not culturally sensitive, and provider does not make parent feel like a partner) were significant mediators. These analyses suggest that interventions targeted at improving providers’ cultural sensitivity and behavior during the clinical encounter may reduce disparities in the health care utilization of Latino children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
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7. Zablotsky B, Boswell K, Smith C. {{An evaluation of school involvement and satisfaction of parents of children with autism spectrum disorders}}. {Am J Intellect Dev Disabil};2012 (Jul);117(4):316-330.
Abstract Parental school involvement and satisfaction are unstudied in families raising a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To fill this gap, the current study utilized a national sample of families (N = 8,978) from the 2007 Parent and Family Involvement in Education survey ( U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2006-2007 ). Parents of children with ASDs were found to be more likely than parents of children without the disorder to attend parent-teacher conferences, meet with school guidance counselors, and help with homework. Parents of children with ASD were also more dissatisfied with the level of communication provided by the school. There was a significant positive correlation between parental school involvement and parental school satisfaction. These findings have important implications for how schools interact with families with children with ASD.
