1. Alexeeff SE, Yau V, Qian Y, Davignon M, Lynch F, Crawford P, Davis R, Croen LA. {{Medical Conditions in the First Years of Life Associated with Future Diagnosis of ASD in Children}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2017 (Apr 22)
This study examines medical conditions diagnosed prior to the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Using a matched case control design with 3911 ASD cases and 38,609 controls, we found that 38 out of 79 medical conditions were associated with increased ASD risk. Developmental delay, mental health, and neurology conditions had the strongest associations (ORs 2.0-23.3). Moderately strong associations were observed for nutrition, genetic, ear nose and throat, and sleep conditions (ORs 2.1-3.2). Using machine learning methods, we clustered children based on their medical conditions prior to ASD diagnosis and demonstrated ASD risk stratification. Our findings provide new evidence indicating that children with ASD have a disproportionate burden of certain medical conditions preceding ASD diagnosis.
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2. Au-Yeung SK, Kaakinen JK, Liversedge SP, Benson V. {{Would Adults with Autism be less likely to Bury the Survivors? An Eye Movement Study of Anomalous Text Reading}}. {Q J Exp Psychol (Hove)};2017 (Apr 24):1-27.
In a single eye movement experiment we investigated the effects of context on the time course of local and global anomaly processing during reading in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In one condition short paragraph texts contained anomalous target words. Detection of the anomaly was only possible through evaluation of word meaning in relation to the global context of the whole paragraph (Passage Level Anomalies). In another condition the anomaly could be detected via computation of a local thematic violation within a single sentence embedded in the paragraph (Sentence Level Anomalies). For the sentence level anomalies the ASD group, in contrast with the typically developing (TD) group, showed early detection of the anomaly as indexed by regressive eye movements from the critical target word upon fixation. Conversely, for the passage level anomalies, and in contrast with the ASD group, the TD group showed early detection of the anomaly, with increased regressive eye movements once the critical word had been fixated. The reversal of the pattern of regression path data for the two groups, for the sentence and passage level anomalies, is discussed in relation to cognitive accounts of ASD.
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3. Barkaia A, Stokes TF, Mikiashvili T. {{Intercontinental telehealth coaching of therapists to improve verbalizations by children with autism}}. {J Appl Behav Anal};2017 (Apr 24)
This study examined the effects of intercontinental telehealth coaching on the mastery of therapists’ skills and improvements in verbalizations by children with autism, testing whether telehealth can be a solution for underserved communities in developing countries such as Georgia-Sakartvelo in Eastern Europe. Three therapists delivering and three children with autism receiving early-intervention services from the nongovernmental organization Children of Georgia in Tbilisi participated. Experimenters provided coaching from Virginia, USA to therapists in Georgia-Sakartvelo. Observers in Georgia-Sakartvelo and in Virginia conducted the behavioral observations. We used inexpensive communications technology to provide the coaching and a multiple-baseline design across participants to evaluate the effects of the intervention. Therapists demonstrated improvements in two classes of behaviors: correct command sequences and positive consequences. The children demonstrated improvements with echoics and mands. The study demonstrated that telehealth can be a good model for delivering early-intervention services to children with autism in underserved and distant regions of the world.
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4. Bush KL, Tasse MJ. {{Employment and choice-making for adults with intellectual disability, autism, and down syndrome}}. {Res Dev Disabil};2017 (Apr 20);65:23-34.
BACKGROUND: Adults with disabilities are employed at a significantly lower rate than adults without disabilities. Of adults with disabilities in the workforce, more individuals work in a facility setting rather than a community setting, despite efforts to improve community inclusion. Choice-making has been proposed as a predictive factor for employment for individuals with disabilities. AIMS: The purpose of this research was to examine the current state of employment for three groups of adults with intellectual disability (ID): individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), individuals with Down syndrome (DS), and individuals with idiopathic ID. Choice-making and its relation to improved employment outcomes was explored. METHODS: This study used National Core Indicator’s Adult Consumer Survey datasets from years 2011-2012 and 2012-2013. Factor analyses revealed latent variables from six choice-making questions in the Adult Consumer Survey. Ordinal logistic regression was used to identify factors related to employment status. RESULTS: Adults with DS had the highest rates of paid community jobs, but adults with ID had the highest rates of choice-making. ID severity level and short-term choice-making had the greatest effects on employment status in all three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Employment rates remain low despite national efforts to find jobs for people with disabilities. Choice-making is a unique factor that was found to be associated with employment status and provides a target for interventions to increase employability.
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5. Carlisi CO, Norman L, Murphy CM, Christakou A, Chantiluke K, Giampietro V, Simmons A, Brammer M, Murphy DG, Mataix-Cols D, Rubia K. {{Comparison of neural substrates of temporal discounting between youth with autism spectrum disorder and with obsessive-compulsive disorder}}. {Psychol Med};2017 (Apr 24):1-15.
BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) share abnormalities in hot executive functions such as reward-based decision-making, as measured in the temporal discounting task (TD). No studies, however, have directly compared these disorders to investigate common/distinct neural profiles underlying such abnormalities. We wanted to test whether reward-based decision-making is a shared transdiagnostic feature of both disorders with similar neurofunctional substrates or whether it is a shared phenotype with disorder-differential neurofunctional underpinnings. METHODS: Age and IQ-matched boys with ASD (N = 20), with OCD (N = 20) and 20 healthy controls, performed an individually-adjusted functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) TD task. Brain activation and performance were compared between groups. RESULTS: Boys with ASD showed greater choice-impulsivity than OCD and control boys. Whole-brain between-group comparison revealed shared reductions in ASD and OCD relative to control boys for delayed-immediate choices in right ventromedial/lateral orbitofrontal cortex extending into medial/inferior prefrontal cortex, and in cerebellum, posterior cingulate and precuneus. For immediate-delayed choices, patients relative to controls showed reduced activation in anterior cingulate/ventromedial prefrontal cortex reaching into left caudate, which, at a trend level, was more decreased in ASD than OCD patients, and in bilateral temporal and inferior parietal regions. CONCLUSIONS: This first fMRI comparison between youth with ASD and with OCD, using a reward-based decision-making task, shows predominantly shared neurofunctional abnormalities during TD in key ventromedial, orbital- and inferior fronto-striatal, temporo-parietal and cerebellar regions of temporal foresight and reward processing, suggesting trans-diagnostic neurofunctional deficits.
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6. Donzelli A, Schivalocchi A, Battaggia A. {{Influenza Vaccination in the First Trimester of Pregnancy and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {JAMA Pediatr};2017 (Apr 24)
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7. Durrleman S, Franck J. {{Erratum to « Exploring links between language and cognition in autism spectrum disorders: Complement sentences, false belief, and executive functioning » [J. Commun. Disord. 54 (2015) 15-31]}}. {J Commun Disord};2017 (Apr 19)
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8. Dy ABC, Tassone F, Eldeeb M, Salcedo-Arellano MJ, Tartaglia N, Hagerman R. {{Metformin as Targeted Treatment in Fragile X Syndrome}}. {Clin Genet};2017 (Apr 24)
Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) may be affected by several comorbid conditions, both behavioral and medical. Growth findings suggest that they are at an increased risk for obesity and overeating. The Prader-Willi phenotype (PWP) of FXS occurs in less than 10% of patients but it is associated with severe hyperphagia, lack of satiation and morbid obesity. Metformin is a drug used in individuals with high risk for diabetes type 2, obesity or impaired glucose tolerance. It has had a strong safety profile in children and adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity. There are emerging studies in FXS animal models that demonstrate the effectiveness of metformin as targeted treatment for cognitive and behavioral concerns. To date, metformin has not been studied for their behavioral effects in individuals with FXS. Here we present seven cases of individuals with FXS who have been treated with metformin clinically. One case with impaired glucose tolerance, three cases with the PWP, two adults with obesity and/or behavioral problems and, a young child with FXS. These individuals were clinically treated with metformin and monitored for behavioral and metabolic changes.
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9. Hooker BS. {{Influenza Vaccination in the First Trimester of Pregnancy and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {JAMA Pediatr};2017 (Apr 24)
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10. Nelson T, Chim A, Sheller BL, McKinney CM, Scott JM. {{Predicting successful dental examinations for children with autism spectrum disorder in the context of a dental desensitization program}}. {J Am Dent Assoc};2017 (Apr 19)
BACKGROUND: The authors evaluated the effectiveness of a dental desensitization program for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and determined characteristics associated with a successful dental examination. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective review of clinical behavioral data and previsit questionnaires for 168 children with ASD who attended a university-based dental desensitization program. Data elements included demographic, treatment, and behavioral characteristics. The primary outcome was receiving a minimal threshold examination (MTE) while seated in a dental chair. RESULTS: An MTE was achieved for 77.4% of all children within 1 to 2 visits and 87.5% in 5 visits or less. Several factors predicted a successful dental examination: ability to be involved in group activities (relative risk [RR], 1.18; P = .02), ability to communicate verbally (RR, 1.17; P < .01), understanding of most language (RR, 1.14; P = .02), moderate versus severe caregiver-rated ASD severity (RR, 1.24; P = .04), and ability to dress self (RR, 1.27; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Desensitization was effective in achieving an MTE for most children. Those with characteristics consistent of a milder presentation of ASD were more likely to be successful. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Desensitization can be a successful approach to providing dental care for children with ASD. Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
11. Parellada M, Pina-Camacho L, Moreno C, Aleman Y, Krebs MO, Desco M, Merchan-Naranjo J, Del Rey-Mejias A, Boada L, Llorente C, Moreno D, Arango C, Janssen J. {{Insular pathology in young people with high-functioning autism and first-episode psychosis}}. {Psychol Med};2017 (Apr 24):1-11.
BACKGROUND: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and psychosis share deficits in social cognition. The insular region has been associated with awareness of self and reality, which may be basic for proper social interactions. METHODS: Total and regional insular volume and thickness measurements were obtained from a sample of 30 children and adolescents with ASD, 29 with early onset first-episode psychosis (FEP), and 26 healthy controls (HC). Total, regional, and voxel-level volume and thickness measurements were compared between groups (with correction for multiple comparisons), and the relationship between these measurements and symptom severity was explored. RESULTS: Compared with HC, a shared volume deficit was observed for the right (but not the left) anterior insula (ASD: p = 0.007, FEP: p = 0.032), and for the bilateral posterior insula: (left, ASD: p = 0.011, FEP: p = 0.033; right, ASD: p = 0.004, FEP: p = 0.028). A voxel-based morphometry (VBM) conjunction analysis showed that ASD and FEP patients shared a gray matter volume and thickness deficit in the left posterior insula. Within patients, right anterior (r = -0.28, p = 0.041) and left posterior (r = -0.29, p = 0.030) insular volumes negatively correlated with the severity of insight deficits, and left posterior insular volume negatively correlated with the severity of ‘autistic-like’ symptoms (r = -0.30, p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: The shared reduced volume and thickness in the anterior and posterior regions of the insula in ASD and FEP provides the first tentative evidence that these conditions share structural pathology that may be linked to shared symptomatology.
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12. Zerbo O, Klein NP, Croen LA. {{Influenza Vaccination in the First Trimester of Pregnancy and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder-Reply}}. {JAMA Pediatr};2017 (Apr 24)
