1. Bakian AV, Bilder DA, Coon H, McMahon WM. {{Spatial Relative Risk Patterns of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Utah}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2014 (Sep 21)
Heightened areas of spatial relative risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), or ASD hotspots, in Utah were identified using adaptive kernel density functions. Children ages four, six, and eight with ASD from multiple birth cohorts were identified by the Utah Registry of Autism and Developmental Disabilities. Each ASD case was gender-matched to 20 birth cohort controls. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of children born inside versus outside ASD hotspots were compared. ASD hotspots were found in the surveillance area for all but one birth cohort and age group sample; maximum relative risk in these hotspots ranged from 1.8 to 3.0. Associations were found between higher socioeconomic status and birth residence in an ASD hotspot in five out of six birth cohort and age group samples.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
2. Bishop SL, Farmer C, Thurm A. {{Measurement of Nonverbal IQ in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Scores in Young Adulthood Compared to Early Childhood}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2014 (Sep 20)
Nonverbal IQ (NVIQ) was examined in 84 individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) followed from age 2 to 19. Most adults who scored in the range of intellectual disability also received scores below 70 as children, and the majority of adults with scores in the average range had scored in this range by age 3. However, within the lower ranges of ability, actual scores declined from age 2 to 19, likely due in part to limitations of appropriate tests. Use of Vineland-II daily living skills scores in place of NVIQ did not statistically improve the correspondence between age 2 and age 19 scores. Clinicians and researchers should use caution when making comparisons based on exact scores or specific ability ranges within or across individuals with ASD of different ages.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
3. Brandwein AB, Foxe JJ, Butler JS, Frey HP, Bates JC, Shulman LH, Molholm S. {{Neurophysiological Indices of Atypical Auditory Processing and Multisensory Integration are Associated with Symptom Severity in Autism}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2014 (Sep 23)
Atypical processing and integration of sensory inputs are hypothesized to play a role in unusual sensory reactions and social-cognitive deficits in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Reports on the relationship between objective metrics of sensory processing and clinical symptoms, however, are surprisingly sparse. Here we examined the relationship between neurophysiological assays of sensory processing and (1) autism severity and (2) sensory sensitivities, in individuals with ASD aged 6-17. Multiple linear regression indicated significant associations between neural markers of auditory processing and multisensory integration, and autism severity. No such relationships were apparent for clinical measures of visual/auditory sensitivities. These data support that aberrant early sensory processing contributes to autism symptoms, and reveal the potential of electrophysiology to objectively subtype autism.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
4. Casenhiser DM, Binns A, McGill F, Morderer O, Shanker SG. {{Measuring and Supporting Language Function for Children with Autism: Evidence from a Randomized Control Trial of a Social-Interaction-Based Therapy}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2014 (Sep 19)
In a report of the effectiveness of MEHRIT, a social-interaction-based intervention for autism, Casenhiser et al. (Autism 17(2):220-241, 2013) failed to find a significant advantage for language development in the treatment group using standardized language assessments. We present the results from a re-analysis of their results to illustrate the importance of measuring communicative language acts (formally called « speech acts »). Reanalysis confirmed that children in the MEHRIT group outperformed the community treatment group on measures of MLUm, number of utterances produced, and various speech act categories. The study underscores the importance of functional language measures in guiding and evaluating treatment for children with autism, and suggests that MEHRIT is effective in improving children’s use of language during parent-child interactions.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
5. Davis G, Plaisted-Grant K. {{Low endogenous neural noise in autism}}. {Autism};2014 (Sep 23)
‘Heuristic’ theories of autism postulate that a single mechanism or process underpins the diverse psychological features of autism spectrum disorder. Although no such theory can offer a comprehensive account, the parsimonious descriptions they provide are powerful catalysts to autism research. One recent proposal holds that ‘noisy’ neuronal signalling explains not only some deficits in autism spectrum disorder, but also some superior abilities, due to ‘stochastic resonance’. Here, we discuss three distinct actions of noise in neural networks, arguing in each case that autism spectrum disorder symptoms reflect too little, rather than too much, neural noise. Such reduced noise, perhaps a function of atypical brainstem activation, would enhance detection and discrimination in autism spectrum disorder but at significant cost, foregoing the widespread benefits of noise in neural networks.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
6. de Jonge M, Parr J, Rutter M, Wallace S, Kemner C, Bailey A, van Engeland H, Pickles A. {{New Interview and Observation Measures of the Broader Autism Phenotype: Group Differentiation}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2014 (Sep 23)
To identify the broader autism phenotype (BAP), the Family History Interview subject and informant versions and an observational tool (Impression of Interviewee), were developed. This study investigated whether the instruments differentiated between parents of children with autism, and parents of children with Down syndrome (DS). The BAP scores of parents of 28 multiplex autism families were compared with parents from, 32 DS families. The BAP measures provided good group differentiation but when considered together, the subject interview did not improve group differentiation. The differentiation was better for fathers than mothers. The measures do carry an important degree of validity; whether they can differentiate the BAP from other social disorders should be tested.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
7. Durrleman S, Hippolyte L, Zufferey S, Iglesias K, Hadjikhani N. {{Complex syntax in autism spectrum disorders: a study of relative clauses}}. {Int J Lang Commun Disord};2014 (Sep 19)
BACKGROUND: The few studies that have evaluated syntax in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have yielded conflicting findings: some suggest that once matched on mental age, ASD and typically developing controls do not differ for grammar, while others report that morphosyntactic deficits are independent of cognitive skills in ASD. There is a need for a better understanding of syntax in ASD and its relation to, or dissociation from, nonverbal abilities. AIMS: Syntax in ASD was assessed by evaluating subject and object relative clause comprehension in adolescents and adults diagnosed with ASD with a performance IQ within the normal range, and with or without a history of language delay. METHODS & PROCEDURES: Twenty-eight participants with ASD (mean age 21.8) and 28 age-matched controls (mean age 22.07) were required to point to a character designated by relative clauses that varied in syntactic complexity. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Scores indicate that participants with ASD regardless of the language development history perform significantly worse than age-matched controls with object relative clauses. In addition, participants with ASD with a history of language delay (diagnosed with high-functioning autism in the DSM-IV-TR) perform worse on subject relatives than ASD participants without language delay (diagnosed with Asperger syndrome in the DSM-IV-TR), suggesting that these two groups do not have equivalent linguistic abilities. Performance IQ has a positive impact on the success of the task for the population with ASD. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: This study reveals subtle grammatical difficulties remaining in adult individuals with ASD within normal IQ range as compared with age-matched peers. Even in the absence of a history of language delay in childhood, the results suggest that a slight deficit may nevertheless be present and go undetected by standardized language assessments. Both groups with and without language delay have a similar global performance on relative clause comprehension; however, the study also indicates that the participants with reported language delay show more difficulty with subject relatives than the participants without language delay, suggesting the presence of differences in linguistic abilities between these subgroups of ASD.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
8. Emerson E, Blacher J, Einfeld S, Hatton C, Robertson J, Stancliffe RJ. {{Environmental risk factors associated with the persistence of conduct difficulties in children with intellectual disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders}}. {Res Dev Disabil};2014 (Sep 16);35(12):3508-3517.
We investigated the association between exposure to environmental risks in early childhood and the prevalence and persistence of conduct difficulties (CD) in children with intellectual disability (ID) who did not have autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), children with ASD and typically developing (TD) children. Results indicated that: (1) exposure to risk was associated with elevated prevalence of CD at age three and, for TD children and children with ID, increased risk of CD persisting to ages five and seven; (2) at all levels of risk, children with ASD were more likely to show persistent CD than other children; (3) children with ID were no more likely to show persistent CD than TD children at low levels of exposure to environmental risk.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
9. Giovedi S, Corradi A, Fassio A, Benfenati F. {{Involvement of synaptic genes in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders: the case of synapsins}}. {Front Pediatr};2014;2:94.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social interaction and social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Many synaptic protein genes are linked to the pathogenesis of ASDs, making them prototypical synaptopathies. An array of mutations in the synapsin (Syn) genes in humans has been recently associated with ASD and epilepsy, diseases that display a frequent comorbidity. Syns are pre-synaptic proteins regulating synaptic vesicle traffic, neurotransmitter release, and short-term synaptic plasticity. In doing so, Syn isoforms control the tone of activity of neural circuits and the balance between excitation and inhibition. As ASD pathogenesis is believed to result from dysfunctions in the balance between excitatory and inhibitory transmissions in neocortical areas, Syns are novel ASD candidate genes. Accordingly, deletion of single Syn genes in mice, in addition to epilepsy, causes core symptoms of ASD by affecting social behavior, social communication, and repetitive behaviors. Thus, Syn knockout mice represent a good experimental model to define synaptic alterations involved in the pathogenesis of ASD and epilepsy.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
10. Herrington JD, Riley ME, Grupe DW, Schultz RT. {{Successful Face Recognition is Associated with Increased Prefrontal Cortex Activation in Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2014 (Sep 19)
This study examines whether deficits in visual information processing in autism-spectrum disorder (ASD) can be offset by the recruitment of brain structures involved in selective attention. During functional MRI, 12 children with ASD and 19 control participants completed a selective attention one-back task in which images of faces and houses were superimposed. When attending to faces, the ASD group showed increased activation relative to control participants within multiple prefrontal cortex areas, including dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). DLPFC activation in ASD was associated with increased response times for faces. These data suggest that prefrontal cortex activation may represent a compensatory mechanism for diminished visual information processing abilities in ASD.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
11. Huang CY, Chen KL. {{Response to the Letter to the Editor: Impacts of Autistic Behaviors, Emotional and Behavioral Problems on Parenting Stress in Caregivers of Children with Autism: Errors and Discrepancies}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2014 (Sep 19)
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
12. Iidaka T. {{Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging and neural network classified autism and control}}. {Cortex};2014 (Aug 28);63C:55-67.
Although the neurodevelopmental and genetic underpinnings of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been investigated, the etiology of the disorder has remained elusive, and clinical diagnosis continues to rely on symptom-based criteria. In this study, to classify both control subjects and a large sample of patients with ASD, we used resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and a neural network. Imaging data from 312 subjects with ASD and 328 subjects with typical development was downloaded from the multi-center research project. Only subjects under 20 years of age were included in this analysis. Correlation matrices computed from rs-fMRI time-series data were entered into a probabilistic neural network (PNN) for classification. The PNN classified the two groups with approximately 90% accuracy (sensitivity = 92%, specificity = 87%). The accuracy of classification did not differ among the institutes, or with respect to experimental and imaging conditions, sex, handedness, or intellectual level. Medication status and degree of head movement did not affect accuracy values. The present study indicates that an intrinsic connectivity matrix produced from rs-fMRI data could yield a possible biomarker of ASD. These results support the view that altered network connectivity within the brain contributes to the neurobiology of ASD.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
13. Kronenberg LM, Slager-Visscher K, Goossens PJ, van den Brink W, van Achterberg T. {{Everyday life consequences of substance use in adult patients with a substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD): a patient’s perspective}}. {BMC Psychiatry};2014;14(1):264.
BACKGROUND: Although the prevalence of substance use disorder (SUD) with co-occurring attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is relatively high in adult patients, there is hardly any knowledge about these dual diagnoses. A recent study reported met- and unmet needs for several life domains regarding these patient groups. To improve treatment, it is necessary to identify the everyday life consequences of SUD and co-occurring ADHD or ASD in adult patients. METHODS: Qualitative study using in-depth interviews. 11 SUD + ADHD and 12 SUD + ASD patients participated in the study. The interview transcripts were coded and analysed according to the seven steps for descriptive phenomenology by Colaizzi. RESULTS: Both patients with ADHD and patients with ASD can get caught in a jumble of thoughts and emotions which can often lead to agitation and impulsivity in the case of ADHD or passivity and melancholia in the case of ASD with co-occurring SUD in both cases. Initially substance use ameliorates the symptoms and related problems, but both patient groups can later experience even greater problems: difficulties with the structuring of daily life due to a lack of planning (SUD + ADHD) or due to a lack of initiative (SUD + ASD). Both groups indicate that structure helps them function better. They also recognize that substance use disorganizes their lives and that an absence of structure contributes to substance use in what becomes a vicious circle which needs to be broken for effective treatment and care. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insight into the daily life consequences of SUD with a co-occurring ADHD or ASD. Substance use is reported to solve some ADHD- or ASD-related problems in the short run but have negative consequences in the long run (i.e., contribute to already impaired cognitive functioning). Insight is provided into what clinicians can do to break this vicious circle and thus help ADHD patients to refrain from action and ASD patients to take action.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
14. Lagunju IA, Bella-Awusah TT, Omigbodun OO. {{Autistic disorder in Nigeria: Profile and challenges to management}}. {Epilepsy Behav};2014 (Sep 17);39C:126-129.
Autism represents one of the most common developmental disorders affecting children, but there are few reports on autism in African children. Our study describes the profile of autistic disorder in a cohort of Nigerian children and appraises short-term outcomes. Children seen at the pediatric neurology and the child psychiatry clinic of the University College Hospital, Nigeria were screened for autistic disorder using the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV. Forty-five males and 9 females were identified with autism, and the disease accounted for 2.3% of 2320 new cases seen during the period. The mean age at which parents observed deviations in behavior was 22.5 (SD=6.6) months, while the mean age at diagnosis was 44.7 (SD=21.2) months. Twelve (22.6%) children had a positive family history of autism, and forty (75.5%) had associated neurological comorbidities. Diagnosis of autism is often delayed in Nigeria, and affected children have a high frequency of neurological comorbidities.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
15. Lai MC, Lombardo MV, Ecker C, Chakrabarti B, Suckling J, Bullmore ET, Happe F, Murphy DG, Baron-Cohen S. {{Neuroanatomy of Individual Differences in Language in Adult Males with Autism}}. {Cereb Cortex};2014 (Sep 23)
One potential source of heterogeneity within autism spectrum conditions (ASC) is language development and ability. In 80 high-functioning male adults with ASC, we tested if variations in developmental and current structural language are associated with current neuroanatomy. Groups with and without language delay differed behaviorally in early social reciprocity, current language, but not current autistic features. Language delay was associated with larger total gray matter (GM) volume, smaller relative volume at bilateral insula, ventral basal ganglia, and right superior, middle, and polar temporal structures, and larger relative volume at pons and medulla oblongata in adulthood. Despite this heterogeneity, those with and without language delay showed significant commonality in morphometric features when contrasted with matched neurotypical individuals (n = 57). In ASC, better current language was associated with increased GM volume in bilateral temporal pole, superior temporal regions, dorsolateral fronto-parietal and cerebellar structures, and increased white matter volume in distributed frontal and insular regions. Furthermore, current language-neuroanatomy correlation patterns were similar across subgroups with or without language delay. High-functioning adult males with ASC show neuroanatomical variations associated with both developmental and current language characteristics. This underscores the importance of including both developmental and current language as specifiers for ASC, to help clarify heterogeneity.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
16. Liew SM, Thevaraja N, Hong RY, Magiati I. {{The Relationship Between Autistic Traits and Social Anxiety, Worry, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Depressive Symptoms: Specific and Non-specific Mediators in a Student Sample}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2014 (Sep 19)
The high prevalence of anxiety symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorders has now been well documented. There is also a positive relationship between autistic traits and anxiety symptoms in unselected samples and individuals with anxiety disorders have more autistic traits compared to those without. Less is known, however, regarding which elements of autistic traits (i.e., social versus non-social/behavioral) or which other variables may mediate this relationship. This study investigated the shared and specific role of five autistic-trait related mediators (social problem-solving, social competence, teasing experiences, prevention from/punishment for preferred repetitive behaviors and aversive sensory experiences) in a non-clinical sample of 252 university students. Autistic traits positively correlated with both anxiety and depressive symptoms. Social competence mediated the relationship between autistic traits and social anxiety symptoms only, while only prevention from preferred repetitive behaviors and frequent aversive sensory experiences mediated the relationship between autistic traits, worry and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Replication of these findings is required in longitudinal studies and with clinical samples. Limitations of the study are discussed and possible implications for intervention are tentatively suggested.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
17. Loukas KM, Raymond L, Perron AR, McHarg LA, LaCroix TC. {{Occupational transformation: Parental influence and social cognition of young adults with autism}}. {Work};2014 (Sep 23)
BACKGROUND: SCIT-A is a social cognition curriculum for young adults with autism developed at the University of North Carolina. This study seeks to further the use of SCIT-A as a tool for family centered practice.OBJECTIVE. This study explored the value of a complementary parent/caretaker support group on occupational performance of young adult children participating in the Social Cognition and Interaction Training-Autism(SCIT-A) program. An interprofessional SCIT-A program for young adults with high functioning autism (HFA) was examined for its effect on transition. PARTICIPANTS: The program included five parents/caregivers and three young adult males with HFA. Final data collection was performed on three parents/caregivers and one young adult with HFA. METHODS: A mixed methods approach utilized two focus groups for caregivers and young adults. Quantitative results were obtained from the young adult.RESULTS: This paper describes themes among caregivers which included: (1) swapping family stories; (2) experiencing an epiphany; (3) place-making; and (4) transformation. Results for the young adult are also presented.CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests a positive impact and possible future trajectories of research and programming of social cognition during transition to adult occupations. The importance of support and participation of caretakers to facilitate transition is elucidated.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
18. MacDonald R, Parry-Cruwys D, Dupere S, Ahearn W. {{Assessing progress and outcome of early intensive behavioral intervention for toddlers with autism}}. {Res Dev Disabil};2014 (Sep 18);35(12):3632-3644.
Intensive behavioral intervention for young children diagnosed with autism can produce large gains in social, cognitive, and language development. Although several studies have identified behaviors that are possible indicators of best outcome, changes in performance are typically measured using norm-referenced standardized scores referencing overall functioning level rather than via repeated observational measures of autism-specific deficits (i.e., social behavior). In the current study, 83 children with autism (CWA), aged 1, 2 and 3 years, and 58 same-aged typically developing children (TDC) were directly observed in the areas of cognitive skills, joint attention (JA), play, and stereotypic behavior using a measure called the Early Skills Assessment Tool (ESAT; MacDonald et al., 2006). CWA were assessed at entry into an EIBI program and again after 1 year of treatment. Changes in performance were compared pre- and post-treatment as well as to the normative data by age. Results indicate significant gains on the ESAT across all age groups with the greatest gains seen in the children who entered treatment prior to their second birthday. Increases were seen on direct measures of JA, play, imitation and language while decreases were seen in stereotypy regardless of level of performance at entry into EIBI. The ESAT, a direct measurement tool, served as a sensitive tool to measure changes in autism symptomatology following EIBI treatment.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
19. Macedoni-Luksic M, Gosar D, Bjorklund G, Orazem J, Kodric J, Lesnik-Musek P, Zupancic M, France-Stiglic A, Sesek-Briski A, Neubauer D, Osredkar J. {{Levels of Metals in the Blood and Specific Porphyrins in the Urine in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders}}. {Biol Trace Elem Res};2014 (Sep 19)
The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of metals in blood (zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), aluminium (Al), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg)), as well as the specific porphyrin levels in the urine of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared with patients with other neurological disorders. The study was performed in a group of children with ASD (N = 52, average age = 6.2 years) and a control group of children with other neurological disorders (N = 22, average age = 6.6 years), matched in terms of intellectual abilities (Mann-Whitney U = 565.0, p = 0.595). Measurement of metals in blood was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry, while the HPLC method via a fluorescence detector was used to test urinary porphyrin levels. Results were compared across groups using a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). In addition, a generalized linear model was used to establish the impact of group membership on the blood Cu/Zn ratio. In terms of blood levels of metals, no significant difference between the groups was found. However, compared to the control group, ASD group had significantly elevated blood Cu/Zn ratio (Wald chi 2 = 6.6, df = 1, p = 0.010). Additionally, no significant difference between the groups was found in terms of uroporphyrin I, heptacarboxyporphyrin I, hexacarboxyporphyrin and pentacarboxyporphyrin I. However, the levels of coproporphyrin I and coproporphyrin III were lower in the ASD group compared to the controls. Due to observed higher Cu/Zn ratio, it is suggested to test blood levels of Zn and Cu in all autistic children and give them a Zn supplement if needed.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
20. Miller HL, Ragozzino ME, Cook EH, Sweeney JA, Mosconi MW. {{Cognitive Set Shifting Deficits and Their Relationship to Repetitive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2014 (Sep 19)
The neurocognitive impairments associated with restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are not yet clear. Prior studies indicate that individuals with ASD show reduced cognitive flexibility, which could reflect difficulty shifting from a previously learned response pattern or a failure to maintain a new response set. We examined different error types on a test of set-shifting completed by 60 individuals with ASD and 55 age- and nonverbal IQ-matched controls. Individuals with ASD were able to initially shift sets, but they exhibited difficulty maintaining new response sets. Difficulty with set maintenance was related to increased severity of RRBs. General difficulty maintaining new response sets and a heightened tendency to revert to old preferences may contribute to RRBs.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
21. Mouga S, Almeida J, Cafe C, Duque F, Oliveira G. {{Adaptive Profiles in Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2014 (Sep 21)
We investigated the influence of specific autism spectrum disorder (ASD) deficits in learning adaptive behaviour, besides intelligence quotient (IQ). Participated 217 school-aged: ASD (N = 115), and other neurodevelopmental disorders (OND) groups (N = 102) matched by Full-Scale IQ. We compared standard scores of Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale (VABS) in communication, daily living skills, socialization and adaptive behaviour composite. Pearson-correlation analysis was performed between each domain of VABS and Full-Scale, Verbal and Performance IQ, and chronological age (CA). Results indicated that impairment in adaptive behaviour within the domain of socialization skills remains a distinctive factor of ASD versus OND, independently of intellectual disability (ID). Co-occurring ID result in further debilitating effects on overall functioning, especially in ASD. CA is negatively associated with VABS scores.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
22. Nadeau JM, Arnold EB, Keene AC, Collier AB, Lewin AB, Murphy TK, Storch EA. {{Frequency and Clinical Correlates of Sleep-Related Problems Among Anxious Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders}}. {Child Psychiatry Hum Dev};2014 (Sep 20)
Sleep-related problems (SRPs) are common and problematic among anxious youth but have not been investigated in anxious youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants were 102 youth (ages 7-16 years) with ASD and comorbid anxiety. Youth and their primary caregiver were administered the Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale. Parents completed the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children-Parent (MASC-P) Report, Social Responsiveness Scale, and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). A measure of SRPs was created from items from the CBCL and MASC-P. Results suggest SRPs were relatively common among youth with ASD and comorbid anxiety. The number of SRPs endorsed directly associated with parent ratings of social deficits, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and anxiety symptoms, as well as with clinician-rated anxiety symptoms. Parent-rated internalizing symptoms predicted frequency of SRPs over and above social deficits, externalizing symptoms, and parent- and clinician-rated anxiety symptoms. A subset of 40 participants who completed family-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) experienced reduced SRPs following treatment. Implications, study limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
23. Rauf NK, Haq AU, Aslam N, Anjum U. {{Characteristic symptoms and adaptive behaviors of children with autism}}. {J Coll Physicians Surg Pak};2014 (Sep);24(9):658-662.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristic symptoms and adaptive behaviors of children with autism, as well as the distribution of autism severity groups across gender. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Special Education Schools of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, from September 2011 to January 2012. METHODOLOGY: Thirty nine children of either gender, aged 3 – 16 years and enrolled in special education schools, fulfilled the DSM-IV-TR criteria of autism. Among those, were identified as meeting the criteria of autism. The childhood autism rating scale-2 (CARS-2) was used to study the characteristics and severity of symptoms of autism. Later, adaptive behavior scale (school edition: 2) ABS-S: 2, was administered on children (n=21) to formulate the level of adaptive functioning. RESULTS: There were 15 boys and 8 girls with mean age of 10.6 +/- 2.97 years. They showed marked impairment in verbal communication (mean=3.17 +/- 0.90) followed by relating to people (mean=2.75 +/- 0.83) and general impression (mean=2.73 +/- 0.7). Most of the children showed average to below average adaptive behaviors on number and time (n=19, 90.5%), independent functioning (n=17, 81.0%), self direction (n=17, 81.0%), physical development (n=13, 61.9%), responsibility (n=12, 57.1%) and socialization (n=13, 61.9%) as well as poor to very poor adaptive behaviors on prevocational skill (n=15, 71.4%), language development (n=13, 61.9%) and economic development (n=13, 61.9%). The frequency of boys with autism was more towards moderate to severely impaired spectrum, without gender differences in any symptom associated with autism. CONCLUSION: Comprehension of the presentation of characteristic symptoms of children with autism will be helpful in devising the indigenous intervention plans that are congruent with the level of adaptive functioning.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
24. Rescorla L, Kim YA, Oh KJ. {{Screening for ASD with the Korean CBCL/1(1/2)-5}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2014 (Sep 20)
To test the Child Behavior Checklist’s (CBCL/1(1/2)-5) ability to screen for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), we studied Korean preschoolers: 46 with ASD, 111 with developmental delay (DD), 71 with other psychiatric disorders (OPD), and 228 non-referred (NR). The ASD group scored significantly higher than the other groups on the Withdrawn and DSM-Pervasive Developmental Problems (DSM-PDP) scales as well as attaining higher scores (p < .001) on seven items reflecting ASD. With a T >/= 65 cutpoint on the DSM-PDP scale, sensitivity was 80 % for identifying ASD relative to the other three groups, but specificity varied across groups: NR = 87 %, OPD = 55 %, DD = 60 %, replicating in a non-Western sample results from previous studies. Results suggested that the CBCL/1(1/2)-5 performs best in Level 1 screening, namely differentiating children with ASD from children in the general population.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
25. Signorini C, De Felice C, Leoncini S, Durand T, Galano JM, Cortelazzo A, Zollo G, Guerranti R, Gonnelli S, Caffarelli C, Rossi M, Pecorelli A, Valacchi G, Ciccoli L, Hayek J. {{Altered erythrocyte membrane fatty acid profile in typical Rett syndrome: Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation}}. {Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids};2014 (Sep 6)
This study mainly aims at examining the erythrocyte membrane fatty acid (FAs) profile in Rett syndrome (RTT), a genetically determined neurodevelopmental disease. Early reports suggest a beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) on disease severity in RTT. A total of 24 RTT patients were assigned to omega-3 PUFAs-containing fish oil for 12 months in a randomized controlled study (average DHA and EPA doses of 72.9, and 117.1mg/kgb.w./day, respectively). A distinctly altered FAs profile was detectable in RTT, with deficient omega-6 PUFAs, increased saturated FAs and reduced trans 20:4 FAs. FAs changes were found to be related to redox imbalance, subclinical inflammation, and decreased bone density. Supplementation with omega-3 PUFAs led to improved omega-6/omega-3 ratio and serum plasma lipid profile, decreased PUFAs peroxidation end-products, normalization of biochemical markers of inflammation, and reduction of bone hypodensity as compared to the untreated RTT group. Our data indicate that a significant FAs abnormality is detectable in the RTT erythrocyte membranes and is partially rescued by omega-3 PUFAs.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
26. Takuma K, Hara Y, Kataoka S, Kawanai T, Maeda Y, Watanabe R, Takano E, Hayata-Takano A, Hashimoto H, Ago Y, Matsuda T. {{Chronic treatment with valproic acid or sodium butyrate attenuates novel object recognition deficits and hippocampal dendritic spine loss in a mouse model of autism}}. {Pharmacol Biochem Behav};2014 (Sep 18)
We recently showed that prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) in mice causes autism-like behavioral abnormalities, including social interaction deficits, anxiety-like behavior and spatial learning disability, in male offspring. In the present study, we examined the effect of prenatal VPA on cognitive function and whether the effect is improved by chronic treatment with VPA and sodium butyrate, histone deacetylase inhibitors. In addition, we examined whether the cognitive dysfunction is associated with hippocampal dendritic morphological changes. Mice given prenatal exposure to VPA exhibited novel object recognition deficits at 9weeks of age, and that the impairment was blocked by chronic (5-week) treatment with VPA (30mg/kg/d, i.p.) or sodium butyrate (1.2g/kg/d, i.p.) starting at 4weeks of age. In agreement with the behavioral findings, the mice prenatally exposed to VPA showed a decrease in dendritic spine density in the hippocampal CA1 region, and the spine loss was attenuated by chronic treatment with sodium butyrate or VPA. Furthermore, acute treatment with sodium butyrate, but not VPA, significantly increased acetylation of histone H3 in the hippocampus at 30min, suggesting the difference in the mechanism for the effects of chronic VPA and sodium butyrate. These findings suggest that prenatal VPA-induced cognitive dysfunction is associated with changes in hippocampal dendritic spine morphology.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
27. Tordjman S, Anderson GM, Kermarrec S, Bonnot O, Geoffray MM, Brailly-Tabard S, Chaouch A, Colliot I, Trabado S, Bronsard G, Coulon N, Botbol M, Charbuy H, Camus F, Touitou Y. {{Altered circadian patterns of salivary cortisol in low-functioning children and adolescents with autism}}. {Psychoneuroendocrinology};2014 (Aug 27);50C:227-245.
BACKGROUND: Reports of higher stress responsivity, altered sleep-wake cycle and a melatonin deficit in autism have stimulated interest in the cortisol circadian rhythm in individuals with autism. METHODS: The study was conducted on 55 low-functioning children and adolescents with autism (11.3+/-4.1 years-old) and 32 typically developing controls (11.7+/-4.9 years-old) matched for age, sex and puberty. Behavioral assessment was performed using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Salivary samples for measurement of cortisol were collected during a 24-h period (at least 0800h-Day1, 1600h, 0800h-Day2 for 46 individuals with autism and 27 controls, and 0800h-Day1, 1100h, 1600h, 2400h, 0800h-Day2 for 13 individuals with autism and 20 controls). Overnight (2000h-0800h) urinary cortisol excretion was also measured. RESULTS: The autism group displayed significantly higher levels of salivary cortisol at all time-points, flatter daytime and nighttime slopes, higher 0800h cortisol levels on Day2 compared to Day1, and greater variances of salivary and urinary cortisol. There was a significant relationship between salivary cortisol levels and impairments in social interaction and verbal language. Overnight urinary cortisol excretion was similar in the autism and control groups. CONCLUSION: Anticipation of the stressful collection procedure appears to contribute to the higher 0800h-Day2 versus 0800h-Day1 salivary cortisol levels in autism. This sensitization to stressors might be as, or even more, important clinically than exposure to novelty in autism. The similar group means for overnight urinary cortisol excretion indicate that basal HPA axis functioning is unaltered in low-functioning autism. The elevated salivary cortisol levels observed in autism over the 24-h period in a repeated stressful condition, flattened diurnal cortisol patterns and the apparent effect of anticipation are consistent with prior findings in high trait anxiety.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
28. Ung D, Selles R, Small BJ, Storch EA. {{A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Youth with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders}}. {Child Psychiatry Hum Dev};2014 (Sep 23)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been developed and modified to treat anxiety symptoms in youth with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD) but has yielded varying findings. The present report is a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the efficacy of CBT for anxiety among youth with ASD. A systematic search identified 14 studies involving 511 youth with high-functioning ASD. A random effects meta-analysis yielded a statistically significant pooled treatment effect size (g) estimate for CBT (g = -0.71, p < .001) with significant heterogeneity [Q (13) = 102.27, p < .001]. Removal of a study outlier yielded a statistically significant pooled treatment effect size, (g = -0.47, p < .001). Anxiety informant and treatment modality were not statistically significant moderators of treatment response. Findings suggest that CBT demonstrates robust efficacy in reducing anxiety symptoms in youth with high-functioning ASD.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
29. Vivanti G. {{The Importance of Distinguishing Propensity Versus Ability to Imitate in ASD Research and Early Detection}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2014 (Sep 20)
Imitation abnormalities are often documented in young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), however the relevance of imitation to early development and early detection of ASD remains unclear. Recent studies that investigated whether imitation at 12 months distinguishes children who will subsequently receive an ASD diagnosis from other high-risk groups have reported conflicting results. The purpose of this note is to provide a framework to interpret these conflicting findings, which is based on the often-overlooked distinction between the propensity to imitate and the ability to imitate. We argue that this distinction can critically inform understanding of early imitative behaviour in ASD and the development of early detection procedures.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
30. Wheeler AC, Mussey J, Villagomez A, Bishop E, Raspa M, Edwards A, Bodfish J, Bann C, Bailey DB, Jr. {{DSM-5 Changes and the Prevalence of Parent-Reported Autism Spectrum Symptoms in Fragile X Syndrome}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2014 (Sep 19)
We used survey methodology to assess parent-reported autism symptomology in 758 individuals (639 males; 119 females) with fragile X syndrome (FXS). Caregivers reported whether their child with FXS had been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and endorsed symptoms based on a list of observable behaviors related to ASD diagnoses. Symptom counts were categorized based on DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 criteria. Based on behavioral symptoms endorsed by caregivers, 38.7 % of males and 24.7 % of females met criteria for DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of autistic disorder. Significantly fewer males (27.8 %) and females (11.3 %) met criteria for ASD based on DSM-5 criteria. Although 86.4 % of males and 61.7 % of females met criteria for the restricted and repetitive behavior domain for DSM-5, only 29.4 % of males and 13.0 % of females met criteria for the social communication and interaction (SCI) domain. Relaxing the social communication criteria by one symptom count led to a threefold increase in those meeting criteria for ASD, suggesting the importance of subthreshold SCI symptoms for individuals with FXS in ASD diagnoses. Findings suggest important differences in the way ASD may be conceptualized in FXS based on the new DSM-5 criteria.
Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
31. Zyga O, Russ S, Ievers-Landis CE, Dimitropoulos A. {{Assessment of Pretend Play in Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Direct Comparison to Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2014 (Sep 21)
Children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) are at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including pervasive social deficits. While play impairments in ASD are well documented, play abilities in PWS have not been evaluated. Fourteen children with PWS and ten children with ASD were administered the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) (Lord et al. in Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule manual. Western Psychological Services, Los Angeles, 2006) as part of a larger project. A modified Affect in Play Scale (APS; Russ in Play in child development and psychotherapy: toward empirically supported practice. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers, Mahwah, 2004; Pretend play in childhood: foundation of adult creativity. APA Books, Washington, 2014) was used to score ADOS play activities. Results indicate both groups scored below normative data on measures of imagination, organization, and affective expression during individual play. In addition, the inclusion of a play partner in both groups increased all scaled scores on the APS. These findings suggest children with PWS show impaired pretend play abilities similar to ASD. Further research is warranted and should focus on constructing and validating programs aimed at improving symbolic and functional play abilities within these populations.
