1. Bolte S, Ciaramidaro A, Schlitt S, Hainz D, Kliemann D, Beyer A, Poustka F, Freitag C, Walter H. {{Training-induced plasticity of the social brain in autism spectrum disorder}}. {Br J Psychiatry};2015 (Mar 19)
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is linked to social brain activity and facial affect recognition (FAR). Aims To examine social brain plasticity in ASD. Method Using FAR tests and functional magnetic resonance imaging tasks for FAR, we compared 32 individuals with ASD and 25 controls. Subsequently, the participants with ASD were assigned to FAR computer-aided cognitive training or a control group. Results The ASD group performed more poorly than controls on explicit behavioural FAR tests. In the scanner, during implicit FAR, the amygdala, fusiform gyrus and other regions of the social brain were less activated bilaterally. The training group improved on behavioural FAR tests, and cerebral response to implicit affect processing tasks increased bilaterally post-training in the social brain. Conclusions Individuals with ASD show FAR impairments associated with hypoactivation of the social brain. Computer-based training improves explicit FAR and neuronal responses during implicit FAR, indicating neuroplasticity in the social brain in ASD.
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2. Butcher JS, Wolraich ML, Gillaspy SR, Martin VG, Wild RC. {{The impact of a Medical Home for children with developmental disability within a pediatric resident continuity clinic}}. {J Okla State Med Assoc};2014 (Dec);107(12):632-638.
Primary care provided in a Medical Home (MH) can improve outcomes for Children with Special Health Care Needs. It is important for residents to experience MH in their training. The Oklahoma Family Support 360 project, a five-year collaborative initiative, established a MH in a pediatric primary care resident continuity clinic at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. A study of the effects of enhancement of the seven key MH attributes showed a significant decrease in Emergency Service use, a significant increase in Dental Service use, high satisfaction with MH activities, and high ratings for a positive impact on quality of life for the child and family. The project demonstrated that a MH could be established in a pediatric academic program, improved health service use, and had a high level of satisfaction from participating families. This model provides a good example of the MH qualities for residents in training.
3. Delaveau P, Arzounian D, Rotge JY, Nadel J, Fossati P. {{Does imitation act as an oxytocin nebulizer in autism spectrum disorder?}}. {Brain};2015 (Mar 21)
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4. Green T, Barnea-Goraly N, Raman M, Hall SS, Lightbody AA, Bruno JL, Quintin EM, Reiss AL. {{Specific effect of the fragile-X mental retardation-1 gene (FMR1) on white matter microstructure}}. {Br J Psychiatry};2015 (Mar 19)
Background Fragile-X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with intellectual disability and neurobiological abnormalities including white matter microstructural differences. White matter differences have been found relative to neurotypical individuals. Aims To examine whether FXS white matter differences are related specifically to FXS or more generally to the presence of intellectual disability. Method We used voxel-based and tract-based analytic approaches to compare individuals with FXS (n = 40) with gender- and IQ-matched controls (n = 30). Results Individuals with FXS had increased fractional anisotropy and decreased radial diffusivity values compared with IQ-matched controls in the inferior longitudinal, inferior fronto-occipital and uncinate fasciculi. Conclusions The genetic variation associated with FXS affects white matter microstructure independently of overall IQ. White matter differences, found in FXS relative to IQ-matched controls, are distinct from reported differences relative to neurotypical controls. This underscores the need to consider cognitive ability differences when investigating white matter microstructure in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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5. Grinker RR. {{Reframing the Science and Anthropology of Autism}}. {Cult Med Psychiatry};2015 (Mar 20)
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6. Mankad D, Dupuis A, Smile S, Roberts W, Brian J, Lui T, Genore L, Zaghloul D, Iaboni A, Marcon PM, Anagnostou E. {{A randomized, placebo controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of young children with autism}}. {Mol Autism};2015;6:18.
BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting more than 1% of children. It is characterized by social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors/restricted interests. In the absence of any medications known to improve core symptom domains, parents often use complementary alternative treatments, including omega-3 fatty acid supplements. METHODS: We conducted a 6-month, randomized, placebo controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acid supplements (1.5 g) vs placebo in children 2 to 5 years of age with ASD. Primary outcome measures included the autism composite score of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders Behavioral Inventory (PDDBI) and the externalizing problems score of the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-2). Secondary outcome measures included clinical global improvement (Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I)), adaptive function (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS-II)), and language gains (Preschool Language Scale (PLS-4)), as well as safety. Exploratory analysis investigated potential correlations between changes in cytokine profiles and treatment response. RESULTS: Thirty-eight participants were randomized in a 1:1 fashion. There was no significant difference between groups on the 0- to 24-week change in PDDBI autism composite scores (p = 0.5). There was a significant group by week interaction on the BASC-2 externalizing problem score, with participants randomized to the treatment group demonstrating worsening scores (p = 0.02). There was no statistically significant week by group effect on either adaptive function (p = 0.09) or language (p = 0.6). Omega-3s were relatively well tolerated. Changes in cytokines during the study did not significantly correlate with treatment response. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not support high dose supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids in young children with ASD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01248728. Registered 22 November 2010.
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7. Reddy BL, Saier MH. {{Autism and our intestinal microbiota}}. {J Mol Microbiol Biotechnol};2015;25(1):51-55.
Microbial products, released into the bloodstreams of mammals including humans, cross the blood-brain barrier and influence neurodevelopment. They can either promote or alleviate neurological disorders including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This editorial describes how our microbiota influence our feelings, attitudes and mental states with particular reference to ASD.
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8. Ruthsatz J, Petrill SA, Li N, Wolock SL, Bartlett CW. {{Molecular Genetic Evidence for Shared Etiology of Autism and Prodigy}}. {Hum Hered};2015 (Mar 10);79(2):53-59.
Child prodigies are rare individuals with an exceptional working memory and unique attentional skills that may facilitate the attainment of professional skill levels at an age well before what is observed in the general population. Some characteristics of prodigy have been observed to be quantitatively similar to those observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), suggesting possible shared etiology, though objectively validated prodigies are so rare that evidence has been sparse. We performed a family-based genome-wide linkage analysis on 5 nuclear and extended families to search for genetic loci that influence the presence of both prodigy and ASD, assuming that the two traits have the same genetic etiology in the analysis model in order to find shared loci. A shared locus on chromosome 1p31-q21 reached genome-wide significance with two extended family-based linkage methods consisting of the Bayesian PPL method and the LOD score maximized over the trait parameters (i.e., MOD), yielding a simulation-based empirical significance of p = 0.000742 and p = 0.000133, respectively. Within linkage regions, we performed association analysis and assessed if copy number variants could account for the linkage signal. No evidence of specificity for either the prodigy or the ASD trait was observed. This finding suggests that a locus on chromosome 1 increases the likelihood of both prodigy and autism in these families. (c) 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.
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9. Schall CM, Wehman P, Brooke V, Graham C, McDonough J, Brooke A, Ham W, Rounds R, Lau S, Allen J. {{Employment Interventions for Individuals with ASD: The Relative Efficacy of Supported Employment With or Without Prior Project SEARCH Training}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2015 (Mar 20)
This paper presents findings from a retrospective observational records review study that compares the outcomes associated with implementation of supported employment (SE) with and without prior Project SEARCH with ASD Supports (PS-ASD) on wages earned, time spent in intervention, and job retention. Results suggest that SE resulted in competitive employment for 45 adults with ASD. Twenty-five individuals received prior intervention through PS-ASD while the other 20 individuals received SE only. Individuals in this sample who received PS-ASD required fewer hours of intervention. Additionally, individuals in the PS-ASD group achieved a mean higher wage and had higher retention rates than their peers who received SE only. Further research with a larger sample is needed to confirm these findings.
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10. Staal WG, Langen M, van Dijk S, Mensen VT, Durston S. {{DRD3 gene and striatum in autism spectrum disorder}}. {Br J Psychiatry};2015 (Mar 19)
A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the DRD3 gene (rs167771) was recently associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Different polymorphisms of rs167771 corresponded to varying degrees of stereotyped behaviour. As DRD3 receptors are relatively overexpressed in the striatum, we investigated whether striatal volume was related to these polymorphisms in autism. We assessed volumes of caudate nucleus and putamen in 86 participants with ASD (mean age 15.3 years). MANCOVA showed an association between alleles of the rs167771 SNP and the volume of striatal structures. Furthermore, greater caudate nucleus volume correlated with stereotyped behaviour. These findings support a relationship between DRD3 gene SNPs, striatum and stereotyped behaviour in ASD.
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11. Wachob D, Lorenzi DG. {{Brief Report: Influence of Physical Activity on Sleep Quality in Children with Autism}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2015 (Mar 20)
Sleep-related problems are often documented in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This study examined physical activity as a variable that might influence sleep quality in children with ASD. Ten children, ages 9-16 years, were asked to wear accelerometer devices for 7 days in order to track objective measures of activity and sleep quality. Parents of the children also completed the Child’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire and maintained a daily sleep log while their child wore the device. This study demonstrated that though over half of the children were identified as having at least one sleep-related problem, their activity levels were significantly related to their sleep patterns. Specifically, the more physically active children had overall higher sleep quality.
