1. Achterberg EJM, van Oldeniel RJ, van Tilborg E, Verharen JPH, Nijboer CH, Vanderschuren L. Cognitive performance during adulthood in a rat model of neonatal diffuse white matter injury. Psychopharmacology. 2022; 239(3): 745-64.

RATIONALE: Infants born prematurely risk developing diffuse white matter injury (WMI), which is associated with impaired cognitive functioning and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder. Recently, our rat model of preterm diffuse WMI induced by combined fetal inflammation and postnatal hypoxia showed impaired motor performance, anxiety-like behaviour and autism-like behaviour in juvenile rats, especially males. Immunohistochemistry showed delayed myelination in the sensory cortex and impaired oligodendrocyte differentiation. OBJECTIVE: To assess long-term cognitive deficits in this double-hit rat model of diffuse WMI, animals were screened on impulsivity, attention and cognitive flexibility in adulthood using the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT) and a probabilistic reversal learning task, tests that require a proper functioning prefrontal cortex. Thereafter, myelination deficits were evaluated by immunofluorescent staining in adulthood. RESULTS: Overall, little effect of WMI or sex was found in the cognitive tasks. WMI animals showed subtle differences in performance in the 5CSRTT. Manipulating 5CSRTT parameters resulted in performance patterns previously seen in the literature. Sex differences were found in perseverative responses and omitted trials: female WMI rats seem to be less flexible in the 5CSRTT but not in the reversal learning task. Males collected rewards faster in the probabilistic reversal learning task. These findings are explained by temporally rather than permanently affected myelination and by the absence of extensive injury to prefrontal cortical subregions, confirmed by immunofluorescent staining in both adolescence and adulthood. CONCLUSION: This rat model of preterm WMI does not lead to long-term cognitive deficits as observed in prematurely born human infants.

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2. Eshraghi AA, Cavalcante L, Furar E, Alessandri M, Eshraghi RS, Armstrong FD, Mittal R. Implications of parental stress on worsening of behavioral problems in children with autism during COVID-19 pandemic: « the spillover hypothesis ». Molecular psychiatry. 2022: 1-2.

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3. Fanghella M, Gaigg SB, Candidi M, Forster B, Calvo-Merino B. Somatosensory Evoked Potentials Reveal Reduced Embodiment of Emotions in Autism. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 2022; 42(11): 2298-312.

Consistent with current models of embodied emotions, this study investigates whether the somatosensory system shows reduced sensitivity to facial emotional expressions in autistic compared with neurotypical individuals, and whether these differences are independent from between-group differences in visual processing of facial stimuli. To investigate the dynamics of somatosensory activity over and above visual carryover effects, we recorded EEG activity from two groups of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or typically developing (TD) humans (male and female), while they were performing a facial emotion discrimination task and a control gender task. To probe the state of the somatosensory system during face processing, in 50% of trials we evoked somatosensory activity by delivering task-irrelevant tactile taps on participants’ index finger, 105 ms after visual stimulus onset. Importantly, we isolated somatosensory from concurrent visual activity by subtracting visual responses from activity evoked by somatosensory and visual stimuli. Results revealed significant task-dependent group differences in mid-latency components of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs). ASD participants showed a selective reduction of SEP amplitudes (P100) compared with TD during emotion task; and TD, but not ASD, showed increased somatosensory responses during emotion compared with gender discrimination. Interestingly, autistic traits, but not alexithymia, significantly predicted SEP amplitudes evoked during emotion, but not gender, task. Importantly, we did not observe the same pattern of group differences in visual responses. Our study provides direct evidence of reduced recruitment of the somatosensory system during emotion discrimination in ASD and suggests that this effect is not a byproduct of differences in visual processing.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The somatosensory system is involved in embodiment of visually presented facial expressions of emotion. Despite autism being characterized by difficulties in emotion-related processing, no studies have addressed whether this extends to embodied representations of others’ emotions. By dissociating somatosensory activity from visual evoked potentials, we provide the first evidence of reduced recruitment of the somatosensory system during emotion discrimination in autistic participants, independently from differences in visual processing between typically developing and autism spectrum disorder participants. Our study uses a novel methodology to reveal the neural dynamics underlying difficulties in emotion recognition in autism spectrum disorder and provides direct evidence that embodied simulation of others’ emotional expressions operates differently in autistic individuals.

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4. Hansford R, Ouellette-Kuntz H, Martin L. Short Report: The influence of congregate setting on positive COVID-19 tests among a high-risk sample of adults with intellectual and developmental disability in Ontario. Research in developmental disabilities. 2022; 122: 104178.

BACKGROUND: For a number of reasons, persons with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19. AIMS: This study explored the influence of congregate setting on testing positive for COVID-19 among adults with IDD in Ontario. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: 833 home care recipients with IDD were included, 204 were tested at least once for COVID-19. These data were linked to the homecare assessment data. The association between living in a congregate setting and receiving a positive COVID-19 test was explored using a logistic regression model among the total sample and those tested for COVID-19. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: 77 individuals tested positive for COVID-19 (9.24 %). Congregate setting, age, aggression, and mobility were significantly associated with receiving a positive COVID-19 test in the total sample. Among the subgroup, congregate setting and age were significant. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Adults with IDD have an increased risk for positive COVID-19 tests at younger ages than other high-risk populations, such as elderly persons. These findings confirm the vulnerability of adults with IDD living in group settings to COVID-19. As such, they should be prioritized when COVID-19 prevention and public health strategies, including vaccination and boosters, are introduced.

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5. Lytridis C, Kaburlasos VG, Bazinas C, Papakostas GA, Sidiropoulos G, Nikopoulou VA, Holeva V, Papadopoulou M, Evangeliou A. Behavioral Data Analysis of Robot-Assisted Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Interventions Based on Lattice Computing Techniques. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland). 2022; 22(2).

Recent years have witnessed the proliferation of social robots in various domains including special education. However, specialized tools to assess their effect on human behavior, as well as to holistically design social robot applications, are often missing. In response, this work presents novel tools for analysis of human behavior data regarding robot-assisted special education. The objectives include, first, an understanding of human behavior in response to an array of robot actions and, second, an improved intervention design based on suitable mathematical instruments. To achieve these objectives, Lattice Computing (LC) models in conjunction with machine learning techniques have been employed to construct a representation of a child’s behavioral state. Using data collected during real-world robot-assisted interventions with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the aforementioned behavioral state representation, time series of behavioral states were constructed. The paper then investigates the causal relationship between specific robot actions and the observed child behavioral states in order to determine how the different interaction modalities of the social robot affected the child’s behavior.

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6. Motil KJ, Geerts S, Annese F, Neul JL, Benke T, Marsh E, Lieberman D, Skinner SA, Glaze DG, Heydemann P, Beisang A, Standridge S, Ryther R, Lane JB, Edwards L, Percy AK. Anthropometric Measures Correspond with Functional Motor Outcomes in Females with Rett Syndrome. The Journal of pediatrics. 2022.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize growth and anthropometric measurements in females with Rett syndrome and compare these measurements with functional outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: We obtained longitudinal growth and anthropometric measurements from 1154 females with classic and atypical Rett syndrome seen between 2006 and 2019 in the US Natural History Study. We calculated the Clinical Severity Score, Motor Behavior Assessment score, and arm and leg muscle areas and recorded the functional assessments of arm and hand use and ambulation. We compared growth and anthropometric variables from females with Rett syndrome in regard to normative data. We analyzed Clinical Severity Score, Motor Behavior Assessment, and anthropometric measurements in regard to functional assessments. RESULTS: Growth and anthropometric measurements were significantly lower in females with classic and severe atypical Rett syndrome compared with those classified as mild atypical Rett syndrome and deviated from normative patterns among all 3 groups. Suprailiac skinfold measurements correlated with body mass index measurements in each group. Lower leg muscle area measurements were significantly greater among females in all 3 Rett syndrome groups who ambulated independently compared with those who did not. In females with classic Rett syndrome, arm, thigh, and lower leg muscle area measurements increased significantly over time and were significantly greater among those who had purposeful arm and hand use and independent ambulation compared with those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of growth and anthropometric measures in females with Rett syndrome differs from normative data and demonstrates clear differences between classic and mild or severe atypical Rett syndrome. Anthropometric measures correspond with functional outcomes and could provide markers supporting efficacy outcomes in clinical trials.

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7. Phelps RA, Sample E, Greene RK, Duvall SW. Identifying Patient Characteristics to Understand Which Children May Receive Diagnostic Clarity in a Virtual Autism Spectrum Disorder Evaluation. Journal of autism and developmental disorders. 2022: 1-13.

Given long waitlists for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) evaluation coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to triage patients to services they are likely to receive diagnostic clarity (i.e., virtual, in-person evaluation). Participants attended a virtual ASD assessment. A subset also attended in-person evaluation. Results suggest younger children with educational services for ASD may benefit from virtual assessment while older patients with a history of psychiatric conditions may benefit from in-person evaluation. An ASD symptom severity tool related to virtual and in-person diagnostic clarity. Family history of ASD related to in-person diagnosis while other variables (e.g., age, educational services) did not. The study suggests patient characteristics may be used to determine for whom virtual ASD assessment may be appropriate.

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8. Ransohoff JI, Sujin Kumar P, Flynn D, Rubenstein E. Reproductive and pregnancy health care for women with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A scoping review. Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID. 2022; 35(3): 655-74.

BACKGROUND: Women with intellectual and developmental disabilities face poorer reproductive and pregnancy outcomes partially due to health care inequity. Our objective was to conduct a scoping review of reproductive and pregnancy related health care among women with intellectual and developmental disabilities. METHODS: We systematically reviewed three databases for keywords pertaining to pregnancy, reproductive health, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Two reviewers screened abstracts and extracted full text. We synthesised included papers, identifying common themes. RESULTS: Thirty-six papers met review criteria. Women with intellectual and developmental disabilities had lower fertility rates and were less likely to receive adequate sexual education compared to peers. While most women received prenatal care, uptake was lower and received later than women without intellectual and developmental disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy-related health care is often lacking for women with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There are gaps inhibiting our understanding which prevents action to reduce health disparities.

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9. Szabó D, Tod P, Gölöncsér F, Román V, Lendvai B, Otrokocsi L, Sperlágh B. Maternal P2X7 receptor inhibition prevents autism-like phenotype in male mouse offspring through the NLRP3-IL-1β pathway. Brain, behavior, and immunity. 2022; 101: 318-32.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition caused by interactions of environmental and genetic factors. Recently we showed that activation of the purinergic P2X7 receptors is necessary and sufficient to convert maternal immune activation (MIA) to ASD-like features in male offspring mice. Our aim was to further substantiate these findings and identify downstream signaling pathways coupled to P2X7 upon MIA. Maternal treatment with the NLRP3 antagonist MCC950 and a neutralising IL-1β antibody during pregnancy counteracted the development of autistic characteristics in offspring mice. We also explored time-dependent changes of a widespread cytokine and chemokine profile in maternal blood and fetal brain samples of poly(I:C)/saline-treated dams. MIA-induced increases in plasma IL-1β, RANTES, MCP-1, and fetal brain IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, MCP-1 concentrations are regulated by the P2X7/NLRP3 pathway. Offspring treatment with the selective P2X7 receptor antagonist JNJ47965567 was effective in the prevention of autism-like behavior in mice using a repeated dosing protocol. Our results highlight that in addition to P2X7, NLRP3, as well as inflammatory cytokines, may also be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets of social deficits and repetitive behaviors observed in autism spectrum disorder.

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10. Varcin KJ, Herniman SE, Lin A, Chen Y, Perry Y, Pugh C, Chisholm K, Whitehouse AJO, Wood SJ. Occurrence of psychosis and bipolar disorder in adults with autism: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. 2022; 134: 104543.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence suggests that individuals with autism spectrum disorder have increased rates of co-occurring psychosis and/or bipolar disorder. Considering the peak age of onset for psychosis and bipolar disorder occurs in adulthood, we investigated the co-occurrence of these disorders in adults with autism. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42018104600) to (1) examine the prevalence of psychosis and bipolar disorder in adults with autism, and (2) review potential risk factors associated with their co-occurrence. RESULTS: Fifty-three studies were included. The pooled prevalence for the co-occurrence of psychosis in adults with autism was 9.4 % (N = 63,657, 95 %CI = 7.52, 11.72). The pooled prevalence for the co-occurrence of bipolar disorders in adults with autism was 7.5 % (N = 31,739, 95 %CI = 5.79, 9.53). CONCLUSIONS: Psychosis and bipolar disorder occur at a substantially higher prevalence in adults with autism compared to general population estimates. While there is an overall dearth of research examining risk factors for these disorders in autism, males had increased likelihood of co-occurring psychosis, and females of co-occurring bipolar disorder. These results highlight the need for ongoing assessment and monitoring of these disorders in adults with autism.

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11. Wada M, Umesawa Y, Sano M, Tajima S, Kumagaya S, Miyazaki M. Weakened Bayesian Calibration for Tactile Temporal Order Judgment in Individuals with Higher Autistic Traits. Journal of autism and developmental disorders. 2022.

Previous psychophysical studies reported a positive aftereffect in tactile temporal order judgments, which can be explained by the Bayesian estimation model (‘Bayesian calibration’). We investigated the relationship between Bayesian calibration and autistic traits in participants with typical development (TD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Bayesian calibration was weakened in TD participants with high autistic traits, consistent with the ‘hypo-priors’ hypothesis for autistic perceptions. The results from the ASD group were generally observed as a continuation of those from the TD groups. Meanwhile, two ASD participants showed irregularly large positive or negative aftereffects. We discussed the mechanisms behind the general results among TD and ASD participants and two particular results among ASD participants based on the Bayesian estimation model.

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12. Wilkinson E, Vo LTV, London Z, Wilson S, Bal VH. Parent-Reported Strengths and Positive Qualities of Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disability. Journal of autism and developmental disorders. 2022.

Despite increasing attention to understanding strengths in those on the autism spectrum, few studies have explored this in older individuals. The present study provides a qualitative analysis of parent-reported strengths and positive qualities of 68 15-30-year-olds with autism and/or intellectual disability (ID). Most parents (97%) reported at least one positive quality. Themes were consistent with previous studies; Personality characteristics (82%) and Sociability (53%) were reported most frequently. A Work Ethic/Motivation category not previously reported emerged. Autistic individuals (with/without ID) were more likely than those with ID-only to have a Specific Skill. Findings highlight the importance of recognizing strengths of autistic adults. Research is needed to understand how to best leverage positive qualities to promote goal achievement and quality of life.

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13. Wood H. Autism spectrum disorders linked to gestational immune activation. Nature reviews Neurology. 2022; 18(3): 127.

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