1. Cornew L, Roberts TP, Blaskey L, Edgar JC. {{Resting-State Oscillatory Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorders}}. {J Autism Dev Disord}. 2011 Dec 30.
Neural oscillatory anomalies in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) suggest an excitatory/inhibitory imbalance; however, the nature and clinical relevance of these anomalies are unclear. Whole-cortex magnetoencephalography data were collected while 50 children (27 with ASD, 23 controls) underwent an eyes-closed resting-state exam. A Fast Fourier Transform was applied and oscillatory activity examined from 1 to 120 Hz at 15 regional sources. Associations between oscillatory anomalies and symptom severity were probed. Children with ASD exhibited regionally specific elevations in delta (1-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-12 Hz), and high frequency (20-120 Hz) power, supporting an imbalance of neural excitation/inhibition as a neurobiological feature of ASD. Increased temporal and parietal alpha power was associated with greater symptom severity and thus is of particular interest.
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2. Downey R, Rapport MJ. {{Motor activity in children with autism: a review of current literature}}. {Pediatr Phys Ther}. 2012 Spring;24(1):2-20.
: Physical therapists have expanded their role and visibility in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Limitations in motor activity have not been considered in the assessments of core deficits of this population; however, physical therapists should be prepared to discuss and address these limitations in children with ASD. PURPOSE: : The primary purposes of this review were to summarize current evidence for motor activity limitations in children with ASD and suggest further areas of research in physical therapy and autism while considering how physical therapy may benefit children with autism. METHOD: : A literature search was carried out in 2009 and 2010 by using multiple search engines. RESULTS: : Forty-nine articles met inclusion criteria and were included in the review. CONCLUSION: : Findings indicate that limitations in motor activity may be present in individuals with ASD, and further research is needed to identify specific functional limitations.
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3. Hamilton A, Marshal MP, Sucato GS, Murray PJ. {{Rett Syndrome and Menstruation}}. {J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol}. 2011 Dec 27.
OBJECTIVE: Describe the experience that girls with Rett syndrome have with menstruation including menstrual hygiene, dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and attempts at treatment. DESIGN: Anonymous web-based survey. SETTING: Convenience sample recruited from Rett syndrome LISTSERV in July of 2009. PARTICIPANTS: Mothers of girls with Rett syndrome between the ages of 10-25 who have had at least one menses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence, frequency, and severity of dysmenorrhea and PMS; hygiene concerns; and treatments attempts and perceived effectiveness. RESULTS: Dysmenorrhea and PMS are common problems among young women with Rett syndrome. Despite their frequency and severity they do not routinely limit activities. Multiple treatment attempts are common. Hormonal contraception is used mostly for menstrual cycle control with oral contraceptive pills the most commonly used method. CONCLUSIONS: Young women with Rett syndrome have standard symptoms of dysmenorrhea and PMS as well as autism spectrum specific PMS symptoms. Hormonal contraception is commonly used for menstrual management.
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4. Lane A, Harpster K, Heathcock J. {{Motor characteristics of young children referred for possible autism spectrum disorder}}. {Pediatr Phys Ther}. 2012 Spring;24(1):21-9.
PURPOSE: : To examine motor characteristics of children referred for evaluation for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III). METHODS: : BSID-III scores were collected through retrospective chart review for 30 children (mean age = 31.57 +/- 6 months) admitted to an outpatient autism evaluation clinic. RESULTS: : Children referred to an ASD clinic demonstrated a mean delay of 6 months for gross motor skills and 8 months for fine motor skills. There were no differences in total score or item analysis in group comparisons of motor characteristics in young children who did or did not receive a diagnosis of ASD. CONCLUSIONS: : These results suggest that a delay in fine and gross motor skills at an early age is a characteristic of infants referred to an ASD clinic. Furthermore, the BSID-III may not be sensitive enough to distinguish between referred children with and without ASD.
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5. Mieres AC, Kirby RS, Armstrong KH, Murphy TK, Grossman L. {{Autism spectrum disorder: an emerging opportunity for physical therapy}}. {Pediatr Phys Ther}. 2012 Spring;24(1):31-7.
PURPOSE: : A growing body of evidence from research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) confirms a substantial sensory motor component to ASD. Yet, policy and practice lag behind in recognizing the potential contributions of physical therapists in research, practice, and education related to ASD. The objective of this commentary is to inform and encourage reflection and formal dialogue among pediatric physical therapists regarding the assumption of vital roles in research, education, and clinical practice in ASD. KEY POINTS: : Selected studies representative of the type of work being carried out with respect to motor aspects of ASD is presented with selected older literature for those unfamiliar with the range of information available. CONCLUSION: : Findings from research provide ample substantiation for physical therapists to join interdisciplinary efforts as researchers, scholars, educators, policy analysts, and advocates in ASD. Physical therapists have the potential and ability to play a much greater role in ASD.
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6. Modi ME, Young LJ. {{The oxytocin system in drug discovery for autism: Animal models and novel therapeutic strategies}}. {Horm Behav}. 2011 Dec 20.
Animal models and behavioral paradigms are critical for elucidating the neural mechanism involved in complex behaviors, including social cognition. Both genotype and phenotype based models have implicated the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) in the regulation of social behavior. Based on the findings in animal models, alteration of the OT system has been hypothesized to play a role in the social deficits associated with autism and other neuropsychiatric disorders. While the evidence linking the peptide to the etiology of the disorder is not yet conclusive, evidence from multiple animal models suggest modulation of the OT system may be a viable strategy for the pharmacological treatment of social deficits. In this review, we will discuss how animal models have been utilized to understand the role of OT in social cognition and how those findings can be applied to the conceptualization and treatment of the social impairments in ASD. Animal models with genetic alterations of the OT system, like the OT, OT receptor and CD38 knock-out mice, and those with phenotypic variation in social behavior, like BTBR inbred mice and prairie voles, coupled with behavioral paradigms with face and construct validity may prove to have predictive validity for identifying the most efficacious methods of stimulating the OT system to enhance social cognition in humans. The widespread use of strong animal models of social cognition has the potential yield pharmacological, interventions for the treatment social impairments psychiatric disorders.
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7. Pan CH, Tsai S. {{Early intervention with psychostimulants or antidepressants to increase methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) expressions: A potential therapy for Rett syndrome}}. {Med Sci Monit}. 2011 Dec 22;18(1):HY1-3.
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe X-linked postnatal neurodevelopmental disorder. The syndrome is caused primarily by mutations in the methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) gene on Xq28. Most individuals with RTT are female, and female RTT is normally heterozygous for mutations in MeCP2. Patients with RTT display a normal period of development prior to the onset of symptoms, at which point they undergo a period of regression. Currently, no effective medication is available for this disorder, although animal studies have suggested that RTT symptoms are potentially reversible. For females with RTT, the severity of symptoms and progression of the disease varies a great deal, despite its homogenous genetic origin. These differences could be attributed to differences in the mutation points of MeCP2 and the skew caused by X-chromosome inactivation. Thus, the increased expression in the normal MeCP2 gene could decrease the severity of the disease. Based on findings from studies on animals indicating that fluoxetine (an antidepressant) and cocaine (a psychostimulant) can increase MeCP2 expression in the brain, it is suggested that early intervention with antidepressants or psychostimulants could increase the normal MeCP2 expression in females with RTT, who are normally heterozygous. This therapeutic hypothesis could be tested in an RTT animal model. Following the identification of the antidepressants or psychostimulants with the greatest influence on MeCP2 expression, a combination of early detection of the disorder with early intervention may result in improved therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, a trial investigating the effects of antidepressants or psychostimulants on MeCP2 expression in lymphocyte culture from patients with RTT is suggested for clinical therapeutic prediction.<br />
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8. van der Net J, Sprong MC. {{Commentary on « motor characteristics of young children referred for possible autism spectrum disorder »}}. {Pediatr Phys Ther}. 2012 Spring;24(1):30.
