1. Abdelaziz EM, Alsadaan N, Alqahtani M, Elsharkawy NB, Ouda MMA, Ramadan OME, Shaban M, Shokre ES. Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on Psychological Distress among Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role of Problem-Solving Appraisal. Behav Sci (Basel);2024 (Jan 10);14(1)

Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face considerable psychological distress. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has shown promise in reducing caregiver burden, but evidence in the Arab world is lacking. Problem-solving appraisal training may optimize CBT’s benefits. This study evaluated a tailored CBT program emphasizing the role of problem-solving appraisal in managing distress through the process of CBT. Sixty mothers were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the CBT intervention group or the control group. The CBT group received 3-month sessions incorporating problem-solving appraisal training within a CBT curriculum from October 2022 to April 2023. Problem-solving techniques are focused on equipping individuals with the skills to identify, approach, and effectively resolve problems, leading to a reduction in stress levels and an improved capacity to cope with difficult situations. All mothers completed assessments of socio-demographics such as age, level of education, marital status, occupation, and adequacy of family income, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Problem-Solving Inventory (PSI) before and after the program. The CBT group showed significant pre-to-post reductions in depression, anxiety, stress, and general psychological distress compared to controls (all p < 0.05). They also exhibited significant improvements in problem-solving confidence, approach-avoidance style and personal control (all p < 0.05). The customized CBT program markedly improved psychological well-being for mothers of children with ASD in Egypt. Incorporating problem-solving techniques may optimize CBT's benefits cross-culturally. These findings have implications for the implementation of evidence-based support programs for families impacted by ASD worldwide.

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2. Arai Y, Okanishi T, Nakamura Y, Maegaki Y. Successful perioperative preparation of a child with autism spectrum disorder in collaboration with his school for special needs education: a case report. Front Psychiatry;2023;14:1162833.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children is greater than 1%. Children with ASD show an increased rate of hospital contact for several reasons. Perioperative preparation for children with ASD can be challenging; therefore, obtaining information from patients’ families prior to surgery is important. However, no previous reports have described the collection of information from educational facilities. CASE REPORT: A 12 years-old male patient with ASD was referred for surgery for traumatic dislocation of the left knee joint. Before admission, we obtained valuable information from his parents regarding expected behavioral problems and coping strategies during hospitalization and from his teachers at his school for special needs education. In particular, the information obtained from teachers was specific and practical. Consequently, we could effectively conduct perioperative management based on his specific autistic characteristics. CONCLUSION: We report a pediatric case of ASD in which favorable perioperative management was successfully achieved by collecting information before admission from family members as well as teachers at the patient’s school for special needs education. This management may help in future hospital admissions for children with autism.

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3. Carpita B, Nardi B, Pronestì C, Parri F, Giovannoni F, Cremone IM, Pini S, Dell’Osso L. May Female Autism Spectrum Be Masked by Eating Disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder, or Complex PTSD Symptoms? A Case Series. Brain Sci;2023 (Dec 30);14(1)

Introduction: The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is four times higher in males than females; however, females are significantly more likely to go undiagnosed due to the existence of a « female autistic phenotype », a manifestation unique to females that conflicts with conventional, masculine conceptualizations of ASD. Furthermore, subthreshold autistic traits, which exert a significantly negative impact on quality of life and represent a vulnerability factor for the development of other psychopathological conditions, may remain even more under-recognized. Subsequently, many women with ASD may never receive a diagnosis or any resulting care, with serious consequences for their health. Aims: We aimed to describe two brief cases in order to confirm the diagnostic difficulties that ASD female undergo during their clinical evaluation and the possible alternative phenotype that they can manifest. Methods: We reported the cases of two young women on the autism spectrum that came to clinical attention only after the development of severe symptomatology attributed to other mental disorders, overlooking the presence of underlying autism spectrum features and a brief résumé of the literature on this topic. Results: These cases confirm the need for a timely and proper identification of females on the autism spectrum in order to prevent complications and improve the outcome. Conclusions: Research on gender differences could lead to a reexamination of the sex ratio in the prevalence of ASD and provide a better understanding of several psychiatric conditions that are frequently diagnosed in women, supporting the neurodevelopmental approach to psychopathology.

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4. Daramjav N, Takagi J, Iwayama H, Kanemoto K, Otake K. Quetiapine and Valproic Acid-induced Central Hypothyroidism in a Patient with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intractable Epilepsy: A Case Report. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets;2024 (Jan 19)

OBJECTIVES: Patients with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are prone to disruptive behaviors and aggression. Atypical antipsychotics are used to treat these difficult ASD conditions. Several psychotropic drugs have been linked to hypothyroidism. The clinical manifestation of hypothyroidism is indistinguishable from that of an antipsychotic’s general adverse effect, which can lead to a delayed or missed diagnosis. Conversely, thyroid dysfunction can exhibit an impact on mood, anxiety, depression, and cognitive functions. CASE STUDY: We present a case of central hypothyroidism caused by long-term use of valproic acid (VPA) and adding quetiapine to risperidone. The current case had a history of hyperprolactinemia and subclinical hypothyroidism caused by risperidone and VPA, respectively, before the administration of quetiapine. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of quetiapine-induced central hypothyroidism in a patient with ASD, as determined by a thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) loading test. TRH loading test may be useful in elucidating the pathogenesis of hypothyroidism in patients receiving quetiapine and VPA. Thyroid function monitoring in patients taking quetiapine and VPA may provide an opportunity to begin replacement therapy.

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5. Dell’Osso L, Nardi B, Bonelli C, Amatori G, Pereyra MA, Massimetti E, Cremone IM, Pini S, Carpita B. Autistic Traits as Predictors of Increased Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Severity: The Role of Inflexibility and Communication Impairment. Brain Sci;2024 (Jan 9);14(1)

Due to similar manifestations, some authors have proposed a potential correlation between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This link has long been recognized and debated, with some authors arguing that these disorders frequently occur comorbid but distinct while others believe they are part of the same spectrum. The aim of our study was to explore the prevalence and correlates of autistic traits in 55 OCD patients and 55 matched controls and to assess possible autistic dimensions predictive of higher OCD symptoms. All participants were assessed with the Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum-Short Version (OBS-SV) and the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum). The OCD group scored significantly higher in both questionnaires. Total OBS-SV scores and domains were significantly correlated with all AdAS Spectrum domains and total score. The AdAS Spectrum total, Verbal Communication and Inflexibility and adherence to routine domain scores were significant positive predictors of higher OBS-SV scores. Lastly, when two clusters of subjects (high and low autism) were determined, Inflexibility and adherence to routine domain presented the greatest influence in forming the clusters. Our findings support the association between OCD and autistic traits in the adult population, supporting the hypothesis of a neurodevelopmental basis for these psychiatric conditions.

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6. Frye RE, McCarty PJ, Werner BA, Scheck AC, Collins HL, Adelman SJ, Rossignol DA, Quadros EV. Binding Folate Receptor Alpha Autoantibody Is a Biomarker for Leucovorin Treatment Response in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Pers Med;2024 (Jan 1);14(1)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects up to 1 in 36 children in the United States. It is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with life-long consequences. Patients with ASD and folate pathway abnormalities have demonstrated improved symptoms after treatment with leucovorin (folinic acid), a reduced form of folate. However, biomarkers for treatment response have not been well investigated and clinical trials are lacking. In this retrospective analysis, a cohort of prospectively collected data from 110 consecutive ASD clinic patients [mean (SD) age: 10.5 (6.2) years; 74% male] was examined. These patients all underwent testing for folate receptor alpha autoantibodies (FRAAs) and soluble folate binding proteins (sFBPs) biomarkers and were treated with leucovorin, if appropriate. Analyses examined whether these biomarkers could predict response to leucovorin treatment as well as the severity of ASD characteristics at baseline. The social responsiveness scale (SRS), a measure of core ASD symptoms, and the aberrant behavior checklist (ABC), a measure of disruptive behavior, were collected at each clinic visit. Those positive for sFBPs had more severe ASD symptoms, and higher binding FRAA titers were associated with greater ABC irritability. Treatment with leucovorin improved most SRS subscales with higher binding FRAA titers associated with greater response. Leucovorin treatment also improved ABC irritability. These results confirm and expand on previous studies, underscore the need for biomarkers to guide treatment of folate pathways in ASD, and suggest that leucovorin may be effective for children with ASD.

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7. Iannone A, Giansanti D. Breaking Barriers-The Intersection of AI and Assistive Technology in Autism Care: A Narrative Review. J Pers Med;2023 (Dec 28);14(1)

(Background) Autism increasingly requires a multidisciplinary approach that can effectively harmonize the realms of diagnosis and therapy, tailoring both to the individual. Assistive technologies (ATs) play an important role in this context and hold significant potential when integrated with artificial intelligence (AI). (Objective) The objective of this study is to analyze the state of integration of AI with ATs in autism through a review. (Methods) A review was conducted on PubMed and Scopus, applying a standard checklist and a qualification process. The outcome reported 22 studies, including 7 reviews. (Key Content and Findings) The results reveal an early yet promising interest in integrating AI into autism assistive technologies. Exciting developments are currently underway at the intersection of AI and robotics, as well as in the creation of wearable automated devices like smart glasses. These innovations offer substantial potential for enhancing communication, interaction, and social engagement for individuals with autism. Presently, researchers are prioritizing innovation over establishing a solid presence within the healthcare domain, where issues such as regulation and acceptance demand increased attention. (Conclusions) As the field continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly clear that AI will play a pivotal role in bridging various domains, and integrated ATs with AI are positioned to act as crucial connectors.

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8. Jiang DQY, Guo TL. Interaction between Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) and Acetaminophen in Disease Exacerbation-Focusing on Autism and the Gut-Liver-Brain Axis. Toxics;2024 (Jan 3);12(1)

This review presents a new perspective on the exacerbation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through the gut-liver-brain axis. We have summarized evidence reported on the involvement of the gut microbiome and liver inflammation that led to the onset and exacerbation of ASD symptoms. As PFAS are toxicants that particularly target liver, this review has comprehensively explored the possible interaction between PFAS and acetaminophen, another liver toxicant, as the chemicals of interest for future toxicology research. Our hypothesis is that, at acute dosages, acetaminophen has the ability to aggravate the impaired conditions of the PFAS-exposed liver, which would further exacerbate neurological symptoms such as lack of social communication and interest, and repetitive behaviors using mechanisms related to the gut-liver-brain axis. This review discusses their potential interactions in terms of the gut-liver-brain axis and signaling pathways that may contribute to neurological diseases.

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9. Kaplan ZB, Pearce EN, Lee SY, Shin HM, Schmidt RJ. Maternal Thyroid Dysfunction During Pregnancy as an Etiologic Factor in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Challenges and Opportunities for Research. Thyroid;2024 (Jan 22)

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with unknown etiology. Both genetic and environmental factors have been associated with ASD. Environmental exposures during the prenatal period may play an important role in ASD development. This narrative review critically examines the evidence for a relationship between maternal thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and ASD in the child. Summary: Studies that assessed the associations of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroxinemia, thyroid hormone concentrations, or autoimmune thyroid disease with ASD outcomes were included. Most research focused on the relationship between hypothyroidism and ASD. Multiple population-based studies found that maternal hypothyroidism was associated with higher likelihood of an ASD diagnosis in offspring. Associations with other forms of maternal thyroid dysfunction were less consistent. Findings may have been affected by misclassification bias, survival bias, or publication bias. Studies using medical records may have misclassified subclinical thyroid dysfunction as euthyroidism. Two studies that assessed children at early ages may have misclassified those with ASD as typically developing. Most studies adjusted for maternal body mass index (BMI) and/or mental illness, but not interpregnancy interval or pesticide exposure, all factors associated with fetal survival and ASD. Most studies reported a combination of null and statistically significant findings, although publication bias is still possible. Conclusions: Overall, evidence supported a positive association between maternal thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and ASD outcomes in the child, especially for hypothyroidism. Future studies could reduce misclassification bias by using laboratory measures instead of medical records to ascertain thyroid dysfunction and evaluating children for ASD at an age when it can be reliably detected. Survival bias could be further mitigated by adjusting models for more factors associated with fetal survival and ASD. Additional research is needed to comprehensively understand the roles of maternal levothyroxine treatment, iodine deficiency, or exposure to thyroid-disrupting compounds in the relationship between maternal thyroid dysfunction and child ASD outcomes.

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10. Khairetdinov OZ, Rubakova LI. Equivalence of the autism spectrum disorders diagnostics in children in telemedicine and face-to-face consultations: a literature review. Consort Psychiatr;2023 (Sep 29);4(3):55-64.

BACKGROUND: The use of remote forms of mental health care has become widespread during the period of epidemiological restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodological and organizational issues remain insufficiently developed, including the level of equivalence of the use of telemedicine technologies in the diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders. AIM: Study of the equivalence of diagnostic tools in the framework of telemedicine and face-to-face consultations in children with autistic spectrum disorders according to modern scientific literature. METHODS: A descriptive review of scientific studies published between January 2017 and May 2023 was carried out. The papers presented in the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and eLibrary were analyzed. Descriptive analysis was used to summarize the obtained data. RESULTS: The conducted analysis convincingly indicates sufficient equivalence of remote tools used in different countries for level I screening, assessment scales, and structured procedures for diagnosing autistic spectrum disorders with a high level of specificity from 60.0 to 94.4%, sensitivity from 75 dog 98.4%, and satisfaction of patients and their legal representatives. CONCLUSION: The widespread use of validated telemedicine diagnostic systems in clinical practice contributes to the early detection of autistic spectrum disorders, increasing the timeliness and effectiveness of medical, corrective psychological, pedagogical, and habilitation interventions.

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11. Kurt O, Cevher Z, Kutlu M. Effectiveness of video modeling in teaching earthquake and postearthquake evacuation safety skills for children with autism. J Appl Behav Anal;2024 (Jan 21)

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of video modeling to teach safety skills during earthquakes and postearthquake evacuation to children with autism. Three male children with autism, aged 9-10 years, participated in the study. The results indicate that video modeling was effective at promoting the acquisition of « drop, cover, and hold on » and evacuation skills for all three students. Furthermore, the skills generalized to a new setting for all three participants and maintained up to 4 weeks after video modeling for the two participants for whom maintenance was evaluated. Social-validity data were also collected from participants, their parents, and a teacher, and the findings were positive overall. Implications for instruction and future research are discussed based on the results of the study.

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12. Lee JD, Kang VY, Terol AK, Joo S. Examining the Efficacy of Culturally Responsive Interventions for Autistic Children and Their Families: A Meta-Analysis. J Autism Dev Disord;2024 (Jan 21)

Culturally responsive interventions for autistic children and their families have been developed and implemented to address issues related to limited representation, inequities, and disparities in access to care of minoritized families in research. Currently available reviews are relatively limited in scope or do not synthesize interventions specifically. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to synthesize autism intervention literature that specifically targeted autistic individuals and their family members from minoritized backgrounds, such as immigrant families. We used four databases to identify studies that used culturally responsive interventions with minoritized autistic children and their families. An article was included if it included empirical intervention data using an experimental design. A total of 354 studies were initially screened, and 24 studies were included. Effect sizes of these studies were extracted across two levels (i.e., child and family levels). Data from group design studies were extracted manually, and data from single-case design studies were extracted using a web-based tool. We used design-comparable standardized effect sizes to compare across both designs. The analysis revealed a large, positive, and significant overall effect size across culturally responsive interventions. Specifically, social-communication and mental health outcomes yielded significant effects at the child level. Additionally, parents’ mental health and fidelity of strategy implementation also yielded significant results. Our results suggest that culturally responsive interventions yield comparable outcomes to unadapted, original interventions. Future research should examine the distinction between the effect of cultural adaptation and the efficacy of the intervention itself.

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13. McKenna K, Prasad S, Cooper J, King AM, Shahzeidi S, Mittal J, Zalta M, Mittal R, Eshraghi AA. Incidence of Otolaryngological Manifestations in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Special Focus on Auditory Disorders. Audiol Res;2024 (Jan 4);14(1):35-61.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by stereotyped and repetitive behavior patterns. In addition to neurological and behavioral problems, individuals with ASD commonly experience otolaryngological comorbidities. Individuals with ASD often have auditory disorders including hearing loss and auditory processing disorders such as central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), as well as both chronic and recurrent otitis media. These challenges negatively impact a person’s ability to effectively communicate and may further impact their neurological functioning, particularly when not appropriately treated. Individuals diagnosed with ASD also have difficulty sleeping which contributes to increased irritability and may further aggravate the core behavioral symptoms of autism. The individuals with ASD also have a higher rate of sinusitis which contributes to the worsening of the autism behavior phenotype. The high prevalence of otolaryngological comorbidities in individuals with ASD warrants a better collaboration between their various healthcare providers and otolaryngologists with expertise in auditory, sleep, and sinus disorders in pursuit of improving the quality of life of affected individuals and their families/caregivers.

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14. Nogay HS, Adeli H. Multiple Classification of Brain MRI Autism Spectrum Disorder by Age and Gender Using Deep Learning. J Med Syst;2024 (Jan 22);48(1):15.

The fact that the rapid and definitive diagnosis of autism cannot be made today and that autism cannot be treated provides an impetus to look into novel technological solutions. To contribute to the resolution of this problem through multiple classifications by considering age and gender factors, in this study, two quadruple and one octal classifications were performed using a deep learning (DL) approach. Gender in one of the four classifications and age groups in the other were considered. In the octal classification, classes were created considering gender and age groups. In addition to the diagnosis of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders), another goal of this study is to find out the contribution of gender and age factors to the diagnosis of ASD by making multiple classifications based on age and gender for the first time. Brain structural MRI (sMRI) scans of participators with ASD and TD (Typical Development) were pre-processed in the system originally designed for this purpose. Using the Canny Edge Detection (CED) algorithm, the sMRI image data was cropped in the data pre-processing stage, and the data set was enlarged five times with the data augmentation (DA) techniques. The most optimal convolutional neural network (CNN) models were developed using the grid search optimization (GSO) algorism. The proposed DL prediction system was tested with the five-fold cross-validation technique. Three CNN models were designed to be used in the system. The first of these models is the quadruple classification model created by taking gender into account (model 1), the second is the quadruple classification model created by taking into account age (model 2), and the third is the eightfold classification model created by taking into account both gender and age (model 3). ). The accuracy rates obtained for all three designed models are 80.94, 85.42 and 67.94, respectively. These obtained accuracy rates were compared with pre-trained models by using the transfer learning approach. As a result, it was revealed that age and gender factors were effective in the diagnosis of ASD with the system developed for ASD multiple classifications, and higher accuracy rates were achieved compared to pre-trained models.

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15. Roy B, Amemasor E, Hussain S, Castro K. UBE3A: The Role in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and a Potential Candidate for Biomarker Studies and Designing Therapeutic Strategies. Diseases;2023 (Dec 27);12(1)

Published reports from the CDC’s Autism and Development Disabilities Monitoring Networks have shown that an average of 1 in every 44 (2.3%) 8-year-old children were estimated to have ASD in 2018. Many of the ASDs exhibiting varying degrees of autism-like phenotypes have chromosomal anomalies in the Chr15q11-q13 region. Numerous potential candidate genes linked with ASD reside in this chromosomal segment. However, several clinical, in vivo, and in vitro studies selected one gene more frequently than others randomly and unbiasedly. This gene codes for UBE3A or Ubiquitin protein ligase E3A [also known as E6AP ubiquitin-protein ligase (E6AP)], an enzyme involved in the cellular degradation of proteins. This gene has been listed as one of the several genes with a high potential of causing ASD in the Autism Database. The gain of function mutations, triplication, or duplication in the UBE3A gene is also associated with ASDs like Angelman Syndrome (AS) and Dup15q Syndrome. The genetic imprinting of UBE3A in the brain and a preference for neuronal maternal-specific expression are the key features of various ASDs. Since the UBE3A gene is involved in two main important diseases associated with autism-like symptoms, there has been widespread research going on in understanding the link between this gene and autism. Additionally, since no universal methodology or mechanism exists for identifying UBE3A-mediated ASD, it continues to be challenging for neurobiologists, neuroscientists, and clinicians to design therapies or diagnostic tools. In this review, we focus on the structure and functional aspects of the UBE3A protein, discuss the primary relevance of the 15q11-q13 region in the cause of ASDs, and highlight the link between UBE3A and ASD. We try to broaden the knowledge of our readers by elaborating on the possible mechanisms underlying UBE3A-mediated ASDs, emphasizing the usage of UBE3A as a prospective biomarker in the preclinical diagnosis of ASDs and discuss the positive outcomes, advanced developments, and the hurdles in the field of therapeutic strategies against UBE3A-mediated ASDs. This review is novel as it lays a very detailed and comprehensive platform for one of the most important genes associated with diseases showing autistic-like symptoms. Additionally, this review also attempts to lay optimistic feedback on the possible steps for the diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of these UBE3A-mediated ASDs in the upcoming years.

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16. Severino L, Kim J, Nam MH, McHugh TJ. From synapses to circuits: What mouse models have taught us about how autism spectrum disorder impacts hippocampal function. Neurosci Biobehav Rev;2024 (Jan 19):105559.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts a variety of cognitive and behavioral domains. While a genetic component of ASD has been well-established, none of the numerous syndromic genes identified in humans accounts for more than 1% of the clinical patients. Due to this large number of target genes, numerous mouse models of the disorder have been generated. However, the focus on distinct brain circuits, behavioral phenotypes and diverse experimental approaches has made it difficult to synthesize the overwhelming number of model animal studies into concrete throughlines that connect the data across levels of investigation. Here we chose to focus on one circuit, the hippocampus, and one hypothesis, a shift in excitatory/inhibitory balance, to examine, from the level of the tripartite synapse up to the level of in vivo circuit activity, the key commonalities across disparate models that can illustrate a path towards a better mechanistic understanding of ASD’s impact on hippocampal circuit function.

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17. Sung MC, McClelland MM, Massey W, Logan SW, MacDonald M. Association between motor skills and executive function of children with autism spectrum disorder in Taiwan and the United States. Front Public Health;2023;11:1292695.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between parent ratings of motor skills and executive function (EF) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States and Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHOD: One hundred and seventy-two parents/legal guardians of children (4-6 years and 11 months old) with ASD were recruited from two countries, Taiwan (n = 100) and the United States (n = 72). The parents or guardians of the child with ASD completed a questionnaire including demographic information, child’s motor skills (using Children Activity Scale – Parents, ChAS-P), and child’s EF (using Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory, CHEXI). A series of hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted to determine whether ChAS-P (total motor score, fine motor skills, and gross motor skill) was associated with CHEXI (total EF score, working memory, and inhibition), after controlling for covariates (i.e., age, gender, race, body mass index, whether children received physical activity or cognitive training, parental education level). RESULTS: Total motor skills, fine motor skills, and gross motor skills were significantly associated with EF in both working memory and inhibition as rated by parents in both countries (β = 0.21-0.57, p < 0.01), with the exception of a non-significant association between parent-rated total motor skills, fine motor skills, and gross motor skills, and inhibition among Taiwanese children with ASD. In addition, the associations between parent ratings of motor skills (i.e., fine motor and gross motor skills) and EF (i.e., working memory and inhibition) were similar between the two countries. CONCLUSION: Positive associations with specific aspects of parent ratings of fine motor and gross motor skills and working memory and inhibition were found in children with ASD from both countries. These findings have implications for future interventions and programs focused on improving early motor skills and EF development for young children with ASD from Taiwan and the United States.

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18. Thompson K, Choi E, Artis J, Dubay M, Baranek GT, Watson LR. An observational study of parental language during play and mealtime in toddlers at variable likelihood for autism. J Child Lang;2024 (Jan 22):1-29.

Parental language input influences child language outcomes but may vary based on certain characteristics. This research examined how parental language differs during two contexts for toddlers at varying likelihood of autism based on their developmental skills. Parental language (quantity, quality, and pragmatic functions) was analyzed during dyadic play and mealtime interactions as a secondary data analysis of observational data from a study of toddlers at elevated and lower likelihood of autism. Child developmental skills and sensory processing were also assessed. Parents used more words per minute, directives, and verbs during play and more adjectives, descriptions, and questions during mealtime. Parental language differed based on child fine motor skills, receptive language, and levels of sensory hyporesponsiveness but not autism likelihood. Overall, this study found that parental language varies based on context and child developmental skills. Future research examining parental language should include pragmatic functions and context across developmental trajectories.

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19. Vives-Vilarroig J, Ruiz-Bernardo P, García-Gómez A. Effects of Horseback Riding on the Postural Control of Autistic Children: A Multiple Baseline Across-subjects Design. J Autism Dev Disord;2024 (Jan 21)

The aim of this research was to study the effect of a horseback-riding programme on postural control in a group of autistic children (ASD). Nine children aged 9 to 12 years participated in this study through a multiple baseline across subjects design. The whole programme took place over nine months. Participants followed a previously developed specific horseback-riding programme, consisting of 45-minute sessions held twice a week for at least three months. To evaluate postural control, the average velocity of the centre of pressure displacement was measured by means of a posturographic platform. Results indicated that this intervention with horses had a positive effect on the postural control in children with ASDs.

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20. Wall CA, Shic F, Will EA, Wang Q, Roberts JE. Similar Gap-Overlap Profiles in Children with Fragile X Syndrome and IQ-Matched Autism. J Autism Dev Disord;2024 (Jan 21)

PURPOSE: Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a single-gene disorder characterized by moderate to severe cognitive impairment and a high association with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Atypical visual attention is a feature of FXS, ASD, and ADHD. Thus, studying early attentional patterns in young children with FXS can offer insight into early emerging neurocognitive processes underlying challenges and contribute to our understanding of common and unique features of ASD and ADHD in FXS. METHODS: The present study examined visual attention indexed by the gap-overlap paradigm in children with FXS (n = 39) compared to children with ASD matched on intellectual ability and age (n = 40) and age-matched neurotypical controls (n = 34). The relationship between gap-overlap performance and intellectual ability, ASD, and ADHD across groups was characterized. Saccadic reaction times (RT) were collected across baseline, gap, and overlap conditions. RESULTS: Results indicate no group differences in RT for any conditions. However, RT of the ASD and NT groups became slower throughout the experiment whereas RT of the FXS group did not change, suggesting difficulties in habituation for the FXS group. There was no relationship between RT and intellectual ability, ADHD, or ASD symptoms in the FXS and ASD groups. In the NT group, slower RT was related to elevated ADHD symptoms only. CONCLUSION: Taken together, findings suggest that the social attention differences documented in FXS and ASD may be due to other cognitive factors, such as reward or motivation, rather than oculomotor control of visual attention.

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21. Zhang Q, Li F, Li T, Lin J, Jian J, Zhang Y, Chen X, Liu T, Gou S, Zhang Y, Liu X, Ji Y, Wang X, Li Q. Nomo1 deficiency causes autism-like behavior in zebrafish. EMBO Rep;2024 (Jan 22)

Patients with neuropsychiatric disorders often exhibit a combination of clinical symptoms such as autism, epilepsy, or schizophrenia, complicating diagnosis and development of therapeutic strategies. Functional studies of novel genes associated with co-morbidities can provide clues to understand the pathogenic mechanisms and interventions. NOMO1 is one of the candidate genes located at 16p13.11, a hotspot of neuropsychiatric diseases. Here, we generate nomo1(-/-) zebrafish to get further insight into the function of NOMO1. Nomo1 mutants show abnormal brain and neuronal development and activation of apoptosis and inflammation-related pathways in the brain. Adult Nomo1-deficient zebrafish exhibit multiple neuropsychiatric behaviors such as hyperactive locomotor activity, social deficits, and repetitive stereotypic behaviors. The Habenular nucleus and the pineal gland in the telencephalon are affected, and the melatonin level of nomo1(-/-) is reduced. Melatonin treatment restores locomotor activity, reduces repetitive stereotypic behaviors, and rescues the noninfectious brain inflammatory responses caused by nomo1 deficiency. These results suggest melatonin supplementation as a potential therapeutic regimen for neuropsychiatric disorders caused by NOMO1 deficiency.

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