1. Alutaibi AI, Sharma SK, Khan AR. Capsule DenseNet++: Enhanced autism detection framework with deep learning and reinforcement learning-based lifestyle recommendation. Comput Biol Med;2025 (Mar 21);190:110038.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological condition that impairs the ability to interact, communicate, and behave. It is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, with an increase in the number of young children diagnosed with ASD in Saudi Arabia. Timely identification and customized interventions are essential for enhancing developmental outcomes. However, existing diagnostic approaches are subjective, limiting the cost-effectiveness of their utilization and the uniformity of their outcomes across different communities. In light of these concerns, this study presents a two-phase deep learning framework for autism detection with lifestyle advice using reinforcement learning. In the first phase, the proposed framework utilizes advanced multiscale statistical techniques for feature extraction, such as measures of central tendencies, variability indices, and percentiles, incorporated with the CosmoNest Optimizer, which is a hybrid of the African Vultures Optimization Algorithm and Butterfly Optimization Algorithm. For accurate ASD identification, these optimized features were classified using Capsule DenseNet++, an advanced deep learning model that increases feature representation efficiency and interpretability. In the second stage, we implement a personalized lifestyle recommendation system using the Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) algorithm, a reinforcement learning algorithm. In the PPO approach, lifestyle decisions are sequential actions aimed at optimizing interventions, therapies, or daily activities for a given person. The PPO system dynamically learns and adapts recommendations over time to improve its effectiveness. The framework was developed in Python and tested on two datasets: autism screening data and ASD screening data for toddlers in Saudi Arabia. The performance of the detection model was recorded in terms of accuracy (99.2 % and 99.3 %, respectively), precision (98.5 % and 98.7 %, respectively), sensitivity (98.7 % and 98.9 %, respectively), and F1-score (99.1 % and 99.2 %, respectively), demonstrating its robustness for ASD detection across both datasets.

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2. Fang J, Guo J, Lao Y, Kang SG, Huang K, Tong T. L-tyrosine alleviates autism-like behavior in mice by remodeling the gut microbiota. Brain Behav Immun;2025 (Mar 20)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impaired social interaction and repetitive stereotyped behavior, and effective interventions for the core autistic symptoms are currently limited. This study examines the protective role of L-tyrosine in alleviating ASD-like behavioral disorders in a valproic acid (VPA)-induced ASD mouse model and explores the underlying mechanisms via integrated multi-omics. We first investigated the potential of dietary L-tyrosine in mitigating autistic behavior. Subsequently, 16S rRNA sequencing, hippocampal transcriptomics, and neurotransmitter metabolome were employed to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Further, we conducted transplantation of the L-tyrosine-regulated microbiota in VPA-induced ASD mice. The results showed that L-tyrosine supplementation significantly mitigates ASD-like behavioral disorders, alleviates social communication deficits, and reduces repetitive behavior in autistic mice. L-tyrosine also attenuates the neuronal loss caused by VPA treatment in the DG and CA1 hippocampal regions in mice. The hippocampi of the L-tyrosine-treated mouse model for ASD displays modified gene expression profiles and different neurotransmitter levels. L-tyrosine also mitigates colonic barrier damage and amends the gut microbial composition and function. The integrative transcriptomic, metabolomic, and microbiome analysis shows strong connections between the hippocampal genes, neurotransmitters, and gut microbiota affected by L-tyrosine. The transplantation of microbiota from L-tyrosine-treated mice to VPA-induced ASD mice recipients recapitulated the preventive and protective effects of L-tyrosine on autistic behavior disorders. These findings suggest that dietary L-tyrosine may represent a viable, effective treatment option for managing the physiological and behavioral deficits associated with ASD.

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3. Mortamais M, Ongono JS, Michelon C, Hough I, Seyve E, Kloog I, Zaros C, Charles MA, Lepeule J, Baghdadli A. Prenatal Exposure to Ambient Particulate Matter and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children, a Case Control Study in France. J Autism Dev Disord;2025 (Mar 22)

A series of epidemiological studies conducted in the United States have consistently shown an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children associated with pre- and postnatal exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM). In Europe, studies are scarce and results are inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the association between prenatal exposure to PM and the risk of ASD in France. ASD cases were participants from the ELENA cohort. Controls children from the ELFE cohort were matched by sex, year (± 2) and region of birth. Prenatal exposures to PM10 and to PM2.5 were estimated between 2008 and 2013 using innovative hybrid spatio-temporal models developed for France. Conditional logistic regression models adjusted for birth season, parent’s age at the child birth and parental education level were run. We included 125 ASD cases and 500 controls. Prenatal PM2.5 and PM10 median (IQR) concentration estimates were respectively 16.3 (3.9) µg/m(3) and 22.9 (6.6) µg/m(3) in the whole sample. The conditional logistic regression models showed Odds Ratios (ORs) (Confidence Interval 95%) for ASD risk of 0.72 (0.52-1.01) and 0.84 (0.58-1.22) for an IQR increase in PM2.5 and PM10 prenatal levels, respectively. When restricting population of ASD cases to children born the same year of controls, ORs were 1.79 (0.80-4.01) and 2.23 (0.71-9.04), respectively. Our results did not show that prenatal exposures to PM2.5 and PM10 were associated with the risk of ASD in children in France.Trial Registration Number NCT02625116.

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4. Murphy J, Ichijo E, Bird G, Cooper L. Brief Report: False Memory Formation in Autism: The Role of Relational Processing at Study. J Autism Dev Disord;2025 (Mar 23)

PURPOSE: Several studies have investigated false memory production in autistic adults, yet it remains unclear whether susceptibility to false memories differs from non-autistic adults and what mechanisms might contribute to any differences. This study examines the mechanisms behind false memory formation in autistic adults using the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm. METHODS: Participants studied DRM word lists designed to activate a critical word (the ‘critical lure). To examine false memory formation and associative processing, participants completed three tasks: a standard recognition test to measure false memory rates, a word stem completion task to assess implicit priming of the critical lure, and a free association task to evaluate explicit associative processing. RESULTS: Autistic individuals showed comparable rates of false memories as non-autistic adults (i.e., falsely reporting having studied the critical lure), were as likely to mention the critical lure on the free association task but showed no tendency to complete word stems with the critical lure when implicitly primed to do so. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that autistic adults may rely less on spontaneous spreading of semantic activation during encoding but are capable of engaging in explicit associative processing when directed. The results provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying false memory formation in autism.

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5. Rahman T, Hasan MZ. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – An analysis of the ASD interventions utilized in Bangladesh. Res Dev Disabil;2025 (Mar 21);160:104971.

OBJECTIVES: This study focused on analysing treatment applicability and effectiveness for ASD in Bangladesh based on the perspectives of parents/guardians, and educational or healthcare professionals. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We utilized a cross-sectional survey and a mixed methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative and qualitative data about interventions used, effectiveness, and satisfaction levels. Data were analysed via descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent sample t-tests. RESULTS: The results revealed that developmental approaches were the most commonly used and participants expressed a high level of satisfaction with the interventions. Educational and healthcare professionals emphasized the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. The study also found no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of interventions between the two cities. CONCLUSIONS: The research highlights the need for a comprehensive and tailored approach to support individuals with ASD and provides valuable insights for organizations, policymakers, and professionals to improve the provision of effective interventions, It also focuses on the significance of involving caregivers in the treatment process. Further research is recommended to explore other regions’ interventions and evaluate the long-term outcomes of different treatment approaches.

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6. Roizen N, Friedman S, Vanderbilt D, Cacia J, Fussell J, Hansen R, Hofer J, Sideridis G, Stein REK, Barbaresi W. Developmental Profiles of Young Children Referred for Concern for Autism Spectrum Disorder: DBPNet Study. J Autism Dev Disord;2025 (Mar 22)

The aim of this study was to compare differences in cognitive, adaptive, and language function in young children referred for concerns for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are diagnosed with ASD vs those not diagnosed with ASD (no ASD). This prospective diagnostic study of 349 children < 6 years of age, with 250 diagnosed with ASD and 99 with no ASD, was conducted at 8 diagnostic centers. There were no differences in cognition between those diagnosed with ASD and those with no ASD. As compared to those with no ASD, children with ASD had significantly lower language and adaptive functioning. Children with no ASD had language and adaptive functioning similar to their cognitive function. Differences between developmental domains were also compared within the ASD and no ASD groups. There were no differences between any 2 areas of function in the no ASD group. However, there were significant differences within the ASD group, with cognitive function significantly higher than both language function and adaptive function. This study suggests that a discrepancy between adaptive and language skills beyond that expected based on cognitive function should heighten concern for ASD. Beyond the categorical diagnosis of ASD, it is important to assess all these developmental domains to develop comprehensive plans for interventions.

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7. Song Y, Kong X, Fu W, Song F. Parent-mediated Interventions Based on the NDBI for Children With ASD: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Autism Dev Disord;2025 (Mar 22)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that warrants early intervention. This systematic review evaluated the efficacy of parent-mediated natural developmental behavioral interventions (NDBIs) for children aged 0-6 with ASD across various randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and explored the limitations of these interventions. A systematic search was conducted across the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases to identify RCTs, and the selected studies were assessed for quality. The search was conducted through January 2024 and identified eight RCTs that, despite varying methodological rigor, collectively suggest benefits for social communication, language skills, and parent‒child interactions in individuals with ASD. Future research should implement standardized intervention protocols, employ sensitive assessment tools, and provide detailed statistical analysis plans to improve the generalizability and reliability of the outcomes of this study.

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8. Wang H, Zhao P, Hu X, Han ZR. Daily Dynamics of Parental Sleep Quality and Parenting in Chinese Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord;2025 (Mar 22)

High sleep quality in parents has been linked to positive parenting outcomes, including reduced parenting stress and increased life satisfaction. However, the daily dynamics of these factors remain underexplored, especially in families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study examined the reciprocal relationships between daily sleep quality, parenting stress, and life satisfaction among parents of children with ASD. Seventy-five Chinese parents (M = 36.21 years, SD = 3.77 years; 57 mothers) of children with ASD (M = 5.43 years, SD = 1.56 years; 67 boys) participated in a 14-day diary study. Parents reported their subjective sleep quality, parenting stress, and life satisfaction at the same time each day across 7 survey questions. Dynamic structural equation modeling revealed two significant autoregressive effects: parents’ perceptions of parenting stress and life satisfaction on a given day tended to persist into the following day. Moreover, better-than-average sleep quality on a given night predicted lower parenting stress and higher life satisfaction the next day. However, daytime fluctuations in parenting stress and life satisfaction did not influence sleep quality that night. hese preliminary findings suggest a unidirectional impact of sleep quality on perceived parenting stress and life satisfaction among these parents. Target interventions aimed at improving sleep quality, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) or structured sleep hygiene programs, may be essential for reducing parenting stress and enhancing life satisfaction in parents of children with ASD. These interventions should prioritize promoting consistent sleep routines and managing stress-related sleep disruptions.

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9. Xiang AH, Lin JC, Chow T, Yu X, Martinez MP, Chen Z, Eckel SP, Schwartz J, Lurmann FW, Kleeman MJ, McConnell R, Rahman MM. Discordant Sibling Analysis of Autism Risk Associated with Prenatal Exposure to Tailpipe and Non-Tailpipe Particulate Matter Pollution. Environ Res;2025 (Mar 20):121449.

BACKGROUND: We previously assessed associations of prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) tracers reflecting tailpipe (elemental carbon [EC] and organic carbon [OC]) and non-tailpipe emissions (copper [Cu], iron [Fe] and manganese [Mn]) with risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a large pregnancy cohort. To address genetic and family environment confounding, we conducted an ASD-discordant sibling study. METHODS: Data included 4,024 children (1,837 with and 2,187 siblings without ASD) born to 1,801 unique mothers who had at least one child diagnosed with ASD by age 5, and one child without ASD. Prenatal exposures to total PM(2.5), trace elements Cu, Fe, Mn, EC, and OC and dispersion-modeled near-roadway-air-pollution (NRAP) from freeway and non-freeway source were obtained using maternal addresses during pregnancy. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess ASD risk associated with exposures adjusting for covariates. Results were reported as odds ratio (OR, 95% CI) per inter-quartile increment of each exposure. RESULTS: In single-pollutant models, child ASD risk (OR; 95% CI) was associated with gestational exposures to non-tailpipe source Cu (1.17; 1.03-1.33), Fe (1.26; 1.07-1.48), Mn (1.29; 1.11-1.50); but not likewise associated with tailpipe source EC (1.10; 0.92-1.32) and OC (1.10; 0.91-1.32). Total PM(2.5) and non-freeway NRAP were both associated with ASD risk. Adjusting for total PM(2.5) or NRAP attenuated the ASD associations with Cu, Fe, and Mn but they remained largely statistically significant. By trimester analysis showed the associations with Cu, Fe, and Mn were significant in the first two trimesters. CONCLUSION: This ASD-discordant sibling study confirmed previously reported ASD risk associated with prenatal exposure to PM(2.5), NRAP and non-tailpipe particulate trace-element Cu, Fe, and Mn, particularly in the first two trimesters, thus, increasing evidence of causality.

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10. Zaina D, Aemehdoust Z, Klinner C, Young A, Strnadová I, Wong H, Newman CE, Davies C, Skinner SR, Danchin M, Guy R, Carter A. Stakeholder Perceptions of the School Vaccination Program in Special Schools for Adolescents With Intellectual and Developmental Disability. J Sch Health;2025 (Mar 23)

BACKGROUND: Adolescents with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) are reported to have lower uptake of routine vaccines than their peers. Little research has explored stakeholders’ perceptions and support of school-based vaccinations for this population in NSW, Australia. METHODS: Focus groups and interviews were conducted with four stakeholder groups involved in the vaccination program in special education schools in New South Wales, Australia: students with IDD, parents, education staff, and health professionals. RESULTS: Stakeholders mostly supported vaccinating adolescents with IDD in school settings. Students valued the familiar environment and emotional support from teachers. Parents appreciated the convenience and accessibility of the program. Education staff regarded vaccinations as vital for student health and mostly supported school-based delivery but faced practical and ethical challenges, such as insufficient resourcing, confusion around holding students for safety and emotional support, and concerns about losing students’ trust in the school as a safe environment if vaccination was experienced as traumatic. Health staff identified a need for better prevaccination communication with families and schools to improve vaccine uptake and student preparation. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight a need for increased support for special schools that act as key program facilitators between those who deliver and those who receive this vital health service.

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