1. Begovac I, Divcic B, Begovac B, Klopotan Z. {{The loss of criteria for mental retardation and regression of symptoms of childhood autism during a five-year follow-up–a case report}}. {Acta Clin Croat};2009 (Sep);48(4):445-450.
It is usually held that most individuals with childhood autism have poor prognosis. According to our knowledge, a favorable outcome of a child with childhood autism is quite rare and inspires a number of controversies. A 4-year-old boy was diagnosed with childhood autism and mild mental retardation. Interviews and findings reported by other specialists were used in the diagnosis and follow-up that lasted for five years, along with parental counseling and therapy. After three years, regression of the symptoms of childhood autism and loss of the criteria for mental retardation were observed. The difference between the second and first examination was 30 and 24 IQ points. The boy attends regular school with individual approach. Childhood autism and mental retardation should not be viewed as static conditions. Early and intensive therapy is recommended. Some children that make good progress can attend regular school.
2. Jou RJ, Minshew NJ, Keshavan MS, Hardan AY. {{Cortical Gyrification in Autistic and Asperger Disorders: A Preliminary Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study}}. {J Child Neurol};2010 (Apr 22)
The validity of Asperger disorder as a distinct syndrome from autism is unclear partly because of the paucity of differentiating neurobiological evidence. Frontal lobe cortical folding between these disorders was compared using the gyrification index. Twenty-three boys underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging: 6 with high-functioning autism, 9 with Asperger disorder, and 8 controls. Using the first coronal slice anterior to the corpus callosum, total and outer cortical contours were traced to calculate the gyrification index. This index was also calculated for superior and inferior regions to examine dorsolateral prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortices, respectively. Analysis of variance revealed differences in the left inferior gyrification index, which was higher in the autism group compared with Asperger and control groups. There were no differences in age, intelligence quotient, and brain volume. These preliminary findings suggest that cortical folding may be abnormally high in the frontal lobe in autism but not Asperger disorder, suggesting distinct frontal lobe neuropathology.
3. Malisza KL, Clancy C, Shiloff D, Foreman D, Holden J, Jones C, Paulson K, Summers R, Yu CT, Chudley AE. {{Functional Evaluation of Hidden Figures Object Analysis in Children with Autistic Disorder}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2010 (Apr 22)
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during performance of a hidden figures task (HFT) was used to compare differences in brain function in children diagnosed with autism disorder (AD) compared to children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and typical controls (TC). Overall greater functional MRI activity was observed in the two control groups compared to children with AD. Laterality differences were also evident, with AD subjects preferentially showing activity in the right medial temporal region while controls tended to activate the left medial temporal cortex. Reduced fMRI activity was observed in the parietal, ventral-temporal and hippocampal regions in the AD group, suggesting differences in the way that children with AD process the HFT.
4. Nickl-Jockschat T, Michel TM. {{[Genetic and brain structure anomalies in autism spectrum disorders : Towards an understanding of the aetiopathogenesis?]}}. {Nervenarzt};2010 (Apr 22)
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are pervasive development disorders with high heritability and an as yet unclear aetiology. So far molecular genetic research was able to identify several candidate genes for the disorder which are functionally linked to neurotransmission and neuronal migration, cortical organisation and synaptic plasticity. MRI studies repeatedly showed a higher total brain volume for ASD patients. The volume increase was most pronounced for the frontal and the temporal lobes and peaked in early childhood. A combination of molecular genetic and structural imaging research appears promising for a further characterization of ASD aetiology.
5. Stieglitz Ham H, Bartolo A, Corley M, Rajendran G, Szabo A, Swanson S. {{Exploring the Relationship Between Gestural Recognition and Imitation: Evidence of Dyspraxia in Autism Spectrum Disorders}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2010 (Apr 21)
In this study, the relationship between gesture recognition and imitation was explored. Nineteen individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) were compared to a control group of 23 typically developing children on their ability to imitate and recognize three gesture types (transitive, intransitive, and pantomimes). The ASD group performed more poorly than controls on all tasks of recognition and imitation. Higher performance on tests of working memory was associated with increased odds of successful imitation in both groups. Group differences remained even when working memory was statistically controlled for. An association was revealed in the ASD group between pantomime recognition and imitation but a similar association was not identified for intransitive gestures suggesting that recognition alone is not sufficient for imitation success.
6. Whiteley P, Haracopos D, Knivsberg AM, Reichelt KL, Parlar S, Jacobsen J, Seim A, Pedersen L, Schondel M, Shattock P. {{The ScanBrit randomised, controlled, single-blind study of a gluten- and casein-free dietary intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders}}. {Nutr Neurosci};2010 (Apr);13(2):87-100.
There is increasing interest in the use of gluten- and casein-free diets for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We report results from a two-stage, 24-month, randomised, controlled trial incorporating an adaptive ‘catch-up’ design and interim analysis. Stage 1 of the trial saw 72 Danish children (aged 4 years to 10 years 11 months) assigned to diet (A) or non-diet (B) groups by stratified randomisation. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS) were used to assess core autism behaviours, Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (VABS) to ascertain developmental level, and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – IV scale (ADHD-IV) to determine inattention and hyperactivity. Participants were tested at baseline, 8, and 12 months. Based on per protocol repeated measures analysis, data for 26 diet children and 29 controls were available at 12 months. At this point, there was a significant improvement to mean diet group scores (time*treatment interaction) on sub-domains of ADOS, GARS and ADHD-IV measures. Surpassing of predefined statistical thresholds as evidence of improvement in group A at 12 months sanctioned the re-assignment of group B participants to active dietary treatment. Stage 2 data for 18 group A and 17 group B participants were available at 24 months. Multiple scenario analysis based on inter- and intra-group comparisons showed some evidence of sustained clinical group improvements although possibly indicative of a plateau effect for intervention. Our results suggest that dietary intervention may positively affect developmental outcome for some children diagnosed with ASD. In the absence of a placebo condition to the current investigation, we are, however, unable to disqualify potential effects derived from intervention outside of dietary changes. Further studies are required to ascertain potential best- and non-responders to intervention. The study was registered with ClincialTrials.gov, number NCT00614198.
