1. Matson JL, Rivet TT. {{Characteristics of challenging behaviours in adults with autistic disorder, PDD-NOS, and intellectual disability}}. {J Intellect Dev Disabil};2008 (Dec);33(4):323-329.
Background Challenging behaviours are frequently a problem for people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID). A better understanding of which individuals display which behaviours, at what rates, and the relationship of these behaviours to comorbid psychopathology would have important implications. Method A group of 161 adults with ASD (autistic disorder or Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified [PDD-NOS]) and 159 matched controls with ID only residing in two large residential facilities in Southeastern United States, were studied using the Autism Spectrum Disorders – Behavior Problems for Adults (ASD-BPA). Results In all four categories of challenging behaviour measured by the ASD-BPA (Aggression/Destruction, Stereotypy, Self-Injurious Behavior, and Disruptive Behavior), frequency of challenging behaviours increased with severity of autistic symptoms. The greatest group differences were found for Stereotypy (repeated/unusual vocalisations/body movements and unusual object play), Self-Injurious Behavior (harming self and mouthing/swallowing objects), Aggression/Destruction (banging on objects), and Disruptive Behavior (elopement). Conclusions Challenging behaviours in people with ASD and ID are barriers to effective education, training, and social development, and often persist throughout adulthood. Thus, programs designed to remediate such behaviours should continue across the life-span of these individuals.
2. Orabona GM, Griesi-Oliveira K, Vadasz E, et al. {{HTR1B and HTR2C in autism spectrum disorder in Brazilian families}}. {Brain Res};2008 (Nov 12)
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a group of behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disabilities characterized by multiple genetic etiologies and a complex presentation. There are several studies suggesting the involvement of the serotonin system in the development of ASD, but only few of them investigated serotonin receptors. We have performed a case-control and a family-based study with 8 polymorphisms mapped in two serotonin receptor genes (HTR1B and HTR2C) in 252 Brazilian male ASD patients of European ancestry. These analyses showed evidence of undertransmission of the haplotype containing alleles -161G and -261A at HTR1B gene in ASD (P=0.003), but no involvement of HTR2C in the predisposition to this disease. Considering the relatively low level of statistical significance and the power of our sample, further studies are required to confirm the association of these serotonin-related genes and ASD.
