1. Carmody DP, Lewis M. {{Regional white matter development in children with autism spectrum disorders}}. {Dev Psychobiol} (Jun 16)
In this pilot study the severity of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) was associated with alterations in white matter development. Children with ASD and without ASD were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for their myelination development on a regional basis. Measures were obtained in medial frontal cortex, temporal poles, and temporo-parietal junction in both left and right hemispheres. Children with ASD showed myelination that was greater than expected for their age in both left and right medial frontal cortex and showed myelination that was less than expected in left temporo-parietal junction. The severity of ASD symptoms, as assessed by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic, was associated more with left hemisphere alterations than right hemisphere. (c) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
2. Esbensen AJ, Bishop SL, Seltzer MM, Greenberg JS, Taylor JL. {{Comparisons between Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Individuals with Down Syndrome in Adulthood}}. {Am J Intellect Dev Disabil} (Jul 1);115(4):277-290.
Differences between 70 adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disability and 70 age-matched adults with Down syndrome (DS) were examined on variables indicative of independence in adult life. Adults with ASD had less residential independence and social contact with friends, had more limited functional abilities and literacy, exhibited more behavior problems, had more unmet service needs, and received fewer services as compared to adults with DS. Reflecting these differences, adults with ASD were less likely to be classified as having high or moderate levels of independence in adult life as compared to adults with DS. Predictors of independence in adult life differed for adults with ASD as compared to adults with DS. Implications for service delivery are discussed.
3. Ghaziuddin N, Gih D, Barbosa V, Maixner DF, Ghaziuddin M. {{Onset of Catatonia at Puberty: Electroconvulsive Therapy Response in Two Autistic Adolescents}}. {J Ect} (Jun 16)
Catatonia is a syndrome of motor and behavioral disturbance. It is a poorly understood condition, which is underrecognized and may go untreated despite intensive medical workup and numerous unsuccessful medication trials. However, with treatments known to be effective, such as benzodiazepines and/or electroconvulsive therapy, patients may return to their baseline functioning. Autism and catatonia have been previously reported together. We report 2 patients with autism and mental retardation who developed catatonic symptoms at the onset of puberty. Both patients experienced persistent symptoms over several years and presented with a history of motor disturbance, functional decline, and episodic aggression. Both patients were treated with electroconvulsive therapy resulting in a positive response and functional improvement. Catatonia may persist as a chronic condition, lasting over several months or years, if not recognized and treated.
4. Kalkbrenner AE, Daniels JL, Chen JC, Poole C, Emch M, Morrissey J. {{Perinatal Exposure to Hazardous Air Pollutants and Autism Spectrum Disorders at Age 8}}. {Epidemiology} (Jun 17)
BACKGROUND:: Hazardous air pollutants are plausible candidate exposures for autism spectrum disorders. They have been explored in recent studies for their role in the development of these disorders. METHODS:: We used a prevalent case-control design to screen perinatal exposure to 35 hazardous air pollutants for further investigation in autism etiology. We included 383 children with autism spectrum disorders and, as controls, 2829 children with speech and language impairment. All participants were identified from the records-based surveillance of 8-year-old children conducted by the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network in North Carolina (for children born in 1994 and 1996) and West Virginia (born in 1992 and 1994). Exposures to ambient concentrations of metal, particulate, and volatile organic air pollutants in the census tract of the child’s birth residence were assigned from the 1996 National Air Toxics Assessment annual-average model. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) for autism spectrum disorders and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), comparing across the 20th and 80th percentiles of log-transformed hazardous air pollutant concentration among the selected controls, using semi-Bayes logistic models and adjusting for sampling variables (surveillance year and state), a priori demographic confounders from the birth certificate and census, and covarying air pollutants. RESULTS:: We estimated many near-null ORs, including those for metals, established human neurodevelopmental toxicants, and several pollutants that were elevated in a similar study in California. Hazardous air pollutants with more precise and elevated OR estimates included methylene chloride, 1.4 (95% CI = 0.7-2.5), quinoline, 1.4 (1.0-2.2), and styrene, 1.8 (1.0-3.1). CONCLUSIONS:: Our screening design was limited by exposure misclassification of air pollutants and the use of an alternate developmental disorder as the control group, both of which may have biased results toward the null. Despite these limitations, methylene chloride, quinoline, and styrene emerged (based on this analysis and prior epidemiologic evidence) as candidates that warrant further investigation for a possible role in autism etiology.
5. Murza KA, Pavelko SL, Malani MD, Nye C. {{Vitamin B 6-magnesium treatment for autism: the current status of the research}}. {Magnes Res} (Jun 18)
6. Sage KD, Jegatheesan B. {{Perceptions of siblings with autism and relationships with them: European American and Asian American siblings draw and tell}}. {J Intellect Dev Disabil} (Jun);35(2):92-103.
Background This study examined typically developing children’s perceptions of their siblings with autism and their relationships with them in a European American and an Asian American family. Method Data were drawn from interviews with the siblings using the draw-and-tell technique and participant observation in the homes of the 2 families. Results and Conclusions Results indicate that the 2 typically developing children differed in their perceptions of their siblings with autism and their relationship with them. Results also suggest that parent involvement in providing their children with adequate knowledge about autism and its effects on their siblings with autism plays an important role in children developing a nurturing relationship with their siblings with autism.
