1. {{International society for autism research news}}. {Autism Res} (Jun);3(3):146.
2. Falter CM, Grant KC, Davis G. {{Object-based attention benefits reveal selective abnormalities of visual integration in autism}}. {Autism Res} (Jun);3(3):128-136.
A pervasive integration deficit could provide a powerful and elegant account of cognitive processing in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, in the case of visual Gestalt grouping, typically assessed by tasks that require participants explicitly to introspect on their own grouping perception, clear evidence for such a deficit remains elusive. To resolve this issue, we adopt an index of Gestalt grouping from the object-based attention literature that does not require participants to assess their own grouping perception. Children with ASD and mental- and chronological-age matched typically developing children (TD) performed speeded orientation discriminations of two diagonal lines. The lines were superimposed on circles that were either grouped together or segmented on the basis of color, proximity or these two dimensions in competition. The magnitude of performance benefits evident for grouped circles, relative to ungrouped circles, provided an index of grouping under various conditions. Children with ASD showed comparable grouping by proximity to the TD group, but reduced grouping by similarity. ASD seems characterized by a selective bias away from grouping by similarity combined with typical levels of grouping by proximity, rather than by a pervasive integration deficit.
3. Gonzalez-Gronow M, Cuchacovich M, Francos R, Cuchacovich S, Del Pilar Fernandez M, Blanco A, Bowers EV, Kaczowka S, Pizzo SV. {{Antibodies against the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) and its protective ligand hexokinase-I in children with autism}}. {J Neuroimmunol} (Jun 22)
Autistic children show elevated serum levels of autoantibodies to several proteins essential for the function of normal brains. The voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) and hexokinase-I, a VDAC protective ligand, were identified as targets of this autoimmunity in autistic children. These autoantibodies were purified using immunoaffinity chromatographic techniques. Both antibodies induce apoptosis of cultured human neuroblastoma cells. Because VDAC and hexokinase-I are essential for brain protection from ischemic damage, the presence of these autoantibodies suggests a possible causal role in the neurologic pathogenesis of autism.
4. Kim SM, Han DH, Lyoo HS, Min KJ, Kim KH, Renshaw P. {{Exposure to environmental toxins in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder}}. {Psychiatry Investig} (Jun);7(2):122-127.
OBJECTIVE: Environmental pollutants, especially environmental toxins (ET), may have the potential to disrupt neurodevelopmental pathways during early brain development. This study was designed to test our hypothesis that mothers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children would have less knowledge about ET and more chance to be exposed to ET than mothers with healthy children (MHC). METHODS: One hundred and six biologic mothers with ASD children (MASD) and three hundred twenty four biologic mothers with healthy children MHC were assessed using two questionnaires asking about ET. RESULTS: The total score in response to questions related to knowledge about ET in MHC was higher than that in MASD. The possibility of exposure to ET was higher in MASD than MHC. MASD showed higher sub-scale scores in terms of exposures to canned food, plastics, waste incinerators, old electronics, microwavable food, and textiles. CONCLUSION: The current results show that reduced knowledge about ET and greater exposure to ET may be associated with autism spectrum disorder.
5. Kroeger K, Sorensen R. {{A parent training model for toilet training children with autism}}. {J Intellect Disabil Res} (Jun);54(6):556-567.
BACKGROUND: Azrin & Foxx pioneered an intensive toilet training protocol for individuals with intellectual disability living in a residential setting. Since the development of the Rapid Toilet Training (RTT) protocol, many have replicated the efficacy, most notably in educational and outpatient treatment settings, but often training over longer periods of time. This study presents data from a parent training model that replicates Azrin and Foxx’s results and training time. METHOD: This multiple baseline across subjects design study employs an ABA design where two boys diagnosed with autism were toilet trained using a modified Azrin & Foxx intensive teaching protocol. The first subject, a 4-year-old boy, did not have a history of attempted toilet training. The second subject, a 6-year-old boy, demonstrated a history of failed toilet training attempts in both the home and school settings. The trainings were conducted in the home setting where a novel parent-training approach was implemented. RESULTS: Participant 1 was continent at the end of the second day of training, and completely toilet trained (including initiation and communication) by day 10 of the intervention. Participant 2 was continent after day 1 and completely toilet trained by day 5 of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term follow-up demonstrates maintenance of skills 3 years post training. Social validity via parent satisfaction was assessed. Limitations to the current study and recommendations for future research were discussed.
6. Mazefsky CA, Conner CM, Oswald DP. {{Association between depression and anxiety in high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorders and maternal mood symptoms}}. {Autism Res} (Jun);3(3):120-127.
Research suggests that children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and their relatives have high rates of depression and anxiety. However, relatively few studies have looked at both factors concurrently. This study examined the potential relationship between maternal mood symptoms and depression and anxiety in their children with ASD. Participants were 31 10- to 17-year-old children with an ASD diagnosis that was supported by gold-standard measures and their biological mothers. Mothers completed the Autism Comorbidity Interview to determine whether the child with ASD met criteria for any depressive or anxiety diagnoses and a questionnaire of their own current mood symptoms. As expected, many children with ASD met criteria for lifetime diagnoses of depressive (32%) and anxiety disorders (39%). Mothers’ report of their own current mood symptoms revealed averages within the normal range, though there was significant variability. Approximately 75% of children with ASD could be correctly classified as having a depressive or anxiety disorder history or not based on maternal symptoms of interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, phobic anxiety, depression, and anxiety. The results provide preliminary evidence that maternal mood symptoms may be related to depression and anxiety in their children with ASD. Although the design did not allow for testing of heritability per se, the familial transmission patterns were generally consistent with research in typical populations. While larger follow-up studies are needed, this research has implications for prevention and intervention efforts.
7. Woods JS, Armel SE, Fulton DI, Allen J, Wessels K, Simmonds PL, Granpeesheh D, Mumper E, Bradstreet JJ, Echeverria D, Heyer NJ, Rooney JP. {{Urinary Porphyrin Excretion in Neurotypical and Autistic Children}}. {Environ Health Perspect} (Jun 24)
Background: Increased urinary concentrations of pentacarboxyl-, precopro- and copro- porphyrins have been associated with prolonged mercury exposure in adults, and comparable increases have been attributed to mercury exposure in children with autism. Objectives: Measure and compare urinary porphyrin concentrations in neurotypical (NT) children and same-aged children with autism (AU); examine the association between porphyrin levels and past or current mercury exposure in children with AU. Methods: This exploratory study enrolled 278 children aged 2-12. We evaluated 3 groups: AU, PDD-NOS (Pervasive developmental disorder-Not otherwise specified) and NT. Mothers/caregivers provided information at enrollment regarding medical, dental and dietary exposures. Urine samples from all children were acquired for porphyrin, creatinine and mercury analyses. Differences between groups for mean porphyrin and mercury levels were evaluated. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine whether porphyrin levels were associated with increased risk of AU. Results: Mean urinary porphyrin concentrations are naturally high in young children and decline by as much as 2.5-fold between ages 2 and 12 years. Elevated copro- (p<0.009), hexacarboxyl- (p<0.01) and pentacarboxyl- (p<0.001) porphyrin concentrations were significantly associated with AU but not with PDD-NOS. No differences were found between NT and AU in urinary mercury levels or in past mercury exposure as determined by fish consumption, number of dental amalgam fillings, or vaccines received. Conclusions: These findings identify disordered porphyrin metabolism as a salient characteristic of autism. Mercury exposures were comparable between diagnostic groups, and a porphyrin pattern consistent with that seen in mercury-exposed adults was not apparent.
