1. Correction to « Autistic patients ». Cmaj;2026 (Feb 1);198(4):E135.

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2. Anderer S. WHO Analysis Finds No Causal Link Between Vaccines and Autism. Jama;2026 (Feb 3);335(5):391.

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3. Chauhan LK, Priya S. A Case Report on the Role of Individualized, Constitutional Homeopathic Medicine in Global Developmental Delay with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Homeopathy;2026 (Feb 2)

Homeopathy has been applied in various neurodevelopmental disorders, but documented cases of complete functional recovery in global developmental delay (GDD) with co-existing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain rare. No previously published case reports are available in the literature on individualized homeopathic management of GDD. This case emphasizes the role of individualized prescribing, incorporating antenatal maternal emotional history, in the management of such conditions.A 3-year-old boy with speech delay, poor social interaction, hyperactivity, aggression, echolalia, stereotypies and poor eye contact had baseline Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS) social quotient of 56 and Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA) score of 96 and was diagnosed with mild GDD and mild ASD per DSM-5 criteria. Homeopathic treatment comprised Stramonium followed by Staphysagria, the latter selected after considering significant antenatal maternal emotional trauma. Medicines were prescribed over 13 months, interspersed with placebo.At final follow-up, VSMS had increased to 86 (within normal range) and ISAA had decreased to 61 (below autism cut-off). The Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homeopathy (MONARCH) score was +8, indicating a probable causal relationship between the homeopathic intervention and the clinical outcome.This case demonstrates the potential of individualized constitutional homeopathic treatment, with emphasis on antenatal maternal emotional history, in achieving complete functional recovery in a child with GDD and ASD.

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4. Chen YJ, Lin HY, Chu CL, Wu CC, Lin TL, Ni HC, Liu JH, Hou YM, Chiang CH. Urban-Rural Differences and Sex-Specific Cognitive Effects on Autism Symptom Trajectories: A Longitudinal Study of Autistic Children in Taiwan. Autism Res;2026 (Feb 3)

Few longitudinal studies have mapped autism symptom trajectories outside Western contexts. This study aimed to characterize trajectories of autism symptoms, assessed using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), and associated child and family factors among autistic children from two regions in Taiwan that differ by urbanicity. Another aim was to examine the time-varying effects of children’s cognitive abilities on autism symptoms, which remain understudied due to prior reliance on baseline proxies. Children with a confirmed autism diagnosis (n = 180, 87.8% male) were followed across three waves of data collection from ages 2 to 11 years. Linear multilevel growth models with random intercepts and slopes were used to estimate symptom trajectories at the total and domain levels of the ADOS. On average, total and social-affect symptoms increased significantly with age, while restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) remained stable. Children from urban areas showed higher baseline RRBs and smaller increases in social-affect symptoms compared to those from rural areas. Additionally, children diagnosed under DSM-5 criteria showed lower baseline symptoms but greater increases in total/social-affect symptoms over time than their DSM-IV counterparts. A sex interaction effect was observed in the time-varying associations between IQ (particularly verbal IQ) and total/social-affect symptoms, with girls showing stronger negative IQ-symptom associations. These findings highlight the developmental complexity underlying the manifestation of autism symptoms, particularly at the intersection of sex and cognition. The distinct patterns by urbanicity also underscore the need to mitigate urban-rural disparities in service access to better support autistic children’s long-term outcomes. This study followed 180 autistic children in Taiwan over 9 years and found that autism symptoms changed with age in ways that varied by children’s place of residence, sex, and IQ. Children from rural areas showed greater increases in social difficulties, whereas those from urban areas showed higher levels of restricted and repetitive behaviors. Higher IQ was associated with fewer social challenges over time—but only among girls, not boys. These findings highlight the need to consider both individual and environmental factors, such as the child’s cognitive abilities, sex, and urban–rural contexts, when assessing and supporting the long‐term development of autistic children. eng

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5. Choi Y, Lee M, Park S, Lee H, Kim JH, Kim JW, Yim SV, Sook M. Ginger supplementation alleviates autistic behaviors by modulating AKT/GSK3β signaling in mice exposed to prenatal valproic acid. Food Funct;2026 (Feb 3)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction and comorbid symptoms including anxiety and cognitive problems. The main pathological mechanisms underlying ASD are synaptic abnormalities and neuroinflammation. Ginger, commonly used as a spice, has been reported to enhance neurogenesis and attenuate inflammation in neurological disease; however, its effects on ASD remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of ginger extract (GE) in ASD. Prenatally valproic acid (VPA)-exposed mice were orally administered GE for 4 weeks from 6 weeks of age. Behavioral tests were performed to assess social interaction, anxiety, and cognitive functions. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses were used to predict targets and mechanisms of GE in ASD, which were verified using western blotting. Histological changes, including neurogenesis, neuroinflammation, and synaptic formation, were analyzed using immunostaining, western blotting, and qRT-PCR. GE ameliorated VPA-induced social deficits, anxiety-like behavior, and memory impairments. Network pharmacology identified AKT as a core molecular target of GE, and its active compounds exhibited high binding affinity for AKT. Consistent with these predictions, GE increased AKT and GSK3β phosphorylation in the hippocampus of mice, thereby restoring neuronal development, as evidenced by the increased Ki67- and DCX-positive cells. GE also mitigated gliosis and reduced STAT3 phosphorylation and TNF-α upregulation, thereby suppressing neuroinflammation and synaptic loss. GE alleviates ASD-like behaviors by promoting neuronal and synaptic development while suppressing neuroinflammation through AKT/GSK3β signaling, highlighting its potential as a natural supplement for ASD prevention.

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6. Christakis DA, Diekema DS. Promoting Health Equity for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Through Research. JAMA Intern Med;2026 (Feb 2)

This Viewpoint describes the historical and current exclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities from research and gives recommendations for their equitable inclusion. eng

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7. Dimitrov M, Wong NML, Leaman S, França LGS, Valasakis I, He J, Lythgoe DJ, Findon JL, Wichers RH, Stoencheva V, Robertson DM, Blainey S, Ivin G, Holiga Š, Tricklebank MD, Batalle D, Murphy DGM, McAlonan GM, Daly E. μ Opioid Modulation of Sensorimotor Functional Connectivity in Autism: Insights From a Pharmacological Neuroimaging Investigation Using Tianeptine. Biol Psychiatry Glob Open Sci;2026 (Mar);6(2):100663.

BACKGROUND: Reproducible patterns of atypical functional connectivity (FC) of sensorimotor and higher-order networks have previously been identified in the autistic brain. However, the neurosignaling pathways underpinning these differences remain unclear. The μ opioid system is involved in sensory processing as well as social and reward behaviors and has been implicated in autism, suggesting a potential role in shaping the autistic brain. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that there is atypical involvement of the μ opioid system in these networks in autism. METHODS: We used a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, crossover study design to compare the effects of a single dose of the μ opioid receptor agonist tianeptine in autistic (n = 20) and nonautistic (n = 21) males on FC of sensorimotor and frontoparietal networks. RESULTS: We found that tianeptine increased FC of a sensorimotor network previously characterized by atypically low FC in autism. The connectivity of the frontoparietal network was not significantly shifted. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that μ opioid neurosignaling may contribute to functional brain differences in the sensorimotor network in autism. Given that sensorimotor system alterations are thought to be central to autism and contribute to other core autistic features, as well as adaptability and mental health, further research is warranted to explore the translational potential of μ opioid modulation in autism. Reproducible patterns of atypical brain connectivity have been identified in autism. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we measured the effects of the μ opioid receptor agonist tianeptine on brain connectivity in autistic and nonautistic men. We found that, in the former, tianeptine increased connectivity of sensorimotor regions previously characterized by atypically low connectivity. This suggests a role for μ opioid signaling in sensorimotor differences in autism and possibly downstream adaptive behaviors and mental health. eng

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8. Dupas SJ, Parada GE, Li JD, Brown KR, Moffat J, Blencowe BJ. Splice isoform-perturbation coupled to single cell transcriptome profiling reveals functions of microexons in neurogenesis and autism-linked pathways. Nat Commun;2026 (Feb 3);17(1):1217.

A major goal of biomedical research is to assign functions to the myriad alternative RNA and protein isoforms. This challenge is particularly relevant to the mammalian nervous system, which produces complex repertoires of alternative splicing events. Here, we describe CHyMErA-seq, a platform that couples systematic deletion of exons to a single cell transcriptomics read-out, and apply this method to investigate a critical program of brain-specific microexons. Perturbation of microexons during neurogenesis reveals convergent roles in the temporal regulation of gene expression programs that direct signaling pathways and morphogenesis. We further observe microexons, including those in the Bin1, Clasp1, Gfra1, Med23, Ptprf and Ralgapb genes, that are required for the correct timing of autism-linked gene expression. Collectively, we describe a flexible system for isoform-resolution perturbation at a single cell level, together with insights into the roles of microexons in the developmental timing of neurogenesis transcriptomic signatures linked to brain disorders.

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9. Ellington E, Parsons S, Kovshoff H. ‘Bridging the gap’: exploring shared decision-making with autistic young people within an NHS Learning Disability and Autism Keyworker Programme in England. BMC Health Serv Res;2026 (Feb 2)

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10. Foster SJ, Dunn D, Patel S, Pinkham AE, Ackerman RA, Sasson NJ. Discrepancies between feeling and expressing: Perceptions of autistic and non-autistic emotional expressions by non-autistic observers. Autism;2026 (Feb 3):13623613251415129.

Non-autistic observers often interpret autistic emotional expressions more negatively, though it is unclear whether this reflects observer bias or genuine differences in autistic people’s emotional experience and expression. To examine this, 20 autistic and 20 non-autistic adults reported the intensity of their felt emotion while re-experiencing video-recorded events eliciting mild and strong happiness, sadness, and anger. A total of 379 non-autistic observers, half blind to diagnostic status, viewed the recordings and identified the emotion and its intensity. iMotions emotion recognition software also classified the emotional valence of the expressions. Overall, autistic and non-autistic participants reported comparable levels of felt emotion, although differences emerged in how their expressions were perceived. Observers more accurately identified happiness in non-autistic participants and sadness and anger in autistic participants. They also judged autistic participants as expressing sadness and anger more intensely. Informing observers of the diagnostic status of participants largely did not modulate effects. iMotions more often classified mild autistic expressions as neutral and mild non-autistic expressions as positive. Because observer and iMotion findings emerged despite autistic and non-autistic participants not differing in felt emotion, they suggest that non-autistic observers and emotion recognition algorithms differentially interpret authentic autistic and non-autistic emotional expressions, which may contribute to misinterpretations of autistic people.Lay AbstractAutistic people may express emotions in ways that differ from non-autistic people, and non-autistic people sometimes misinterpret them as flat, overly intense, or hard to read. This misunderstanding can affect how autistic people are judged in everyday life, including in job interviews, friendships, and other important situations. In this study, we wanted to know how well non-autistic people-and emotion recognition software-can identify emotions on the faces of autistic and non-autistic people when they are actually feeling emotion. To do this, autistic and non-autistic adults were videotaped while recounting personal experiences that made them feel mild and strong happiness, sadness, and anger. They rated how strongly they felt each emotion during the videotaping. Later, short video clips of their facial expressions were shown (without sound) to a large group of non-autistic viewers, who identified the emotion and rated its intensity. Some viewers were told whether the person in the video was autistic or not. We found that autistic and non-autistic people reported feeling emotions at comparable levels, but non-autistic viewers were better at recognizing happy expressions in non-autistic people compared to autistic people, and better at recognizing sad and angry expressions in autistic people compared to non-autistic people. Viewers tended to rate autistic expressions, especially sadness and anger, as more intense than those of non-autistic people, even though the computer software rated autistic expressions as more neutral compared to non-autistic participants. These results suggest that autistic people feel emotions just as deeply as non-autistic people, but differences in expressive style and non-autistic biases may lead to misinterpretation. These findings highlight the need for greater awareness of communication differences in autism and for reducing misinterpretations in how autistic people are perceived.

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11. Han F, Gao X. « Am I My Sibling’s Keeper? »: the Lived experiences of adult siblings of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in China. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being;2026 (Dec 31);21(1):2625293.

BACKGROUND: Research on families of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often marginalizes adult neurotypical (NT) siblings, particularly outside of Western contexts. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to provide an in-depth exploration of the lived experiences of adult NT siblings of individuals with ASD (IWASD) in China. METHODS: Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach, this study conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with eight adult NT siblings of IWASD from China. Data were analyzed following IPA procedures. RESULTS: The analysis yielded three group experiential themes: 1) the inescapable responsibility within a culture of blood-ties, 2) the struggle between « flesh-and-blood kin » and « spiritual isolation », and 3) finding identity between « fulfilling others » and « losing the self ». The findings reveal that participants’ lived experience is a dynamic process shaped by cultural responsibility, mediated by a paradoxical relationship, and ultimately characterized by identity negotiation through sacrifice. CONCLUSIONS: The study concludes that in the Chinese context, the experience of adult NT siblings of IWASD dialectically unifies risk (e.g., ceded ideals) and resilience (e.g., pride as family stabilizer) under the core tenet of « sacrificing for the family ». This offers a culturally centered, integrative perspective that supplements the dichotomous risk-resilience discussion in existing literature.

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12. Kinjo M, Tamura S, Sugiyama S, van Weert E, Oribe N, Tsuchimoto R, Mitoma R, Takai Y, Honda S, Nakajima S, Hirano Y, Uhlhaas PJ, Noda Y. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the auditory steady-state response in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry;2026 (Feb 3)

BACKGROUND: The 40-Hz auditory steady-state response (ASSR) is a potential biomarker for schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar disorder (BD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the specific differences in ASSR across these disorders remain unclear. Moreover, the neurophysiological characteristics of the stimulation frequency in ASSR have not been fully elucidated. Hence, we conducted meta-analyses to comprehensively analyze 20-Hz, 40-Hz, and 80-Hz ASSR in individuals with SZ, BD, and ASD. METHODS: We included the studies published until January 2025, identified through a literature search in PubMed and the reference lists of relevant studies. We analyzed 52 studies, including 2116 patients with SZ, 271 individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR-P), 110 first-degree relatives of patients with SZ (FDR-SZ), 294 patients with BD, 117 patients with ASD, and 2758 healthy controls (HC). RESULTS: The analyses indicated pronounced reductions in power and inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC) of 40-Hz ASSR in SZ, BD, and power reduction in ASD compared with HC. In addition, reduced power and ITPC were also observed in 40-Hz ASSR in FDR-SZ but not in CHR-P. Power reductions in 80-Hz ASSR were noted in individuals with SZ, while ITPC of 20-Hz ASSR was reduced in the SZ group but not in the BD group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that 40-Hz ASSR serves as a potential biomarker for psychotic disorders, whereas deficits at 20 Hz and 80 Hz may be specific to schizophrenia, reflecting distinct neural dysfunctions across diagnostic categories. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results.

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13. Luglio DG, Yu X, Lin JC, Chow T, Martinez MP, Chen Z, Eckel SP, Schwartz J, Lurmann FW, Pavlovic NR, McConnell R, Xiang AH, Rahman MM. Prenatal Exposure to Wildfire and Autism in Children. Environ Sci Technol;2026 (Feb 3);60(4):2907-2916.

Chronic health effects of wildfire PM(2.5) on neurodevelopmental outcomes are largely unknown. Therefore, the effects of wildfire PM(2.5) on autism were assessed in a southern California-based pregnancy cohort using Cox proportional hazard models. Exposure was estimated from 2006 to 2014 at maternal addresses across pregnancy and individual trimesters using three metrics: (1) mean wildfire PM(2.5) concentration, (2) number of days of smoke exposure, and (3) number of waves of smoke exposure. Analysis was restricted to days over specific PM(2.5) concentration thresholds (3 and 5 μg/m(3)). Nonmovers during pregnancy (75% of cohort) were assessed in sensitivity analyses. There were 3356 autism diagnoses by age 5. Autism risk was associated with increased number of wildfire-exposed days during the third trimester and was strongest for nonmovers. Nonmover hazard ratios (HR) with exposure to 1-5, 6-10, and >10 wildfire days in the third trimester (compared to none) were 1.108 (95% CI: 1.010,1.215), 1.118 (0.957,1.307), and 1.225 (1.043,1.440), respectively. HR per wildfire wave increase (>3 μg/m(3) for 2 consecutive days) during the third trimester were 1.073 (1.009,1.140) and 1.267 (1.054,1.205) for the entire cohort and nonmovers, respectively. There was no association with the mean wildfire PM(2.5) concentration alone. Prenatal exposure to wildfire smoke may increase risk of autism among children.

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14. Mastrogiuseppe M, Famà FI, Bruschetta R, Leonardi E, Campisi A, Aiello S, Carrozza C, Ruggeri A, Baieli S, Campisi S, Turriziani L, Di Rosa G, Lombardo MV, Tartarisco G, Capirci O, Pioggia G, Ruta L. Early multimodal behavioral cues in autism: a micro-analytical exploration of actions, gestures and speech during naturalistic parent-child interactions. Int J Clin Health Psychol;2026 (Jan-Mar);26(1):100664.

Early signs of autism often emerge through distinct developmental pathways, particularly in communication, social interaction, and play. While naturalistic parent-child interactions during free play are ideal for observing spontaneous social behaviors, few autism studies have adopted this ecological and developmental approach. To address this gap, we used a fine-grained microanalytic method to examine motor, gestural, and vocal behaviors in young children, integrating machine learning to explore how combinations of these traits distinguish early autistic neurodivergence. We analyzed video recordings of 58 autistic and non-autistic children (aged 13-40 months) engaged in naturalistic parent-child play. A frame-by-frame micro-coding scheme was applied to capture actions, gestures, speech, and their multimodal integration. Clear differences emerged between neurotypical (NT) and autistic (ASC) children. NT children displayed more gestures, particularly deictic and conventional-interactive, greater gesture-gaze coordination, more functional object play, and more frequent multi-word utterances. In contrast, ASC children showed fewer deictic and conventional-interactive gestures and greater use of instrumental gestures, reduced gesture-gaze coordination, a higher reliance on vocalizations rather than words, and increased object manipulation compared to functional play. Feature selection using ANOVA F-tests identified a core set of key predictors most frequently and independently selected across folds of cross-validation: Alternate Gaze, Reaching, and Instrumental Gesture. Higher values of Alternate Gaze were associated with NT classification, while elevated frequencies of Reaching and Instrumental Gestures were linked to ASC classification. A logistic regression classifier trained on these features achieved over 85% accuracy in distinguishing the two groups. These findings underscore the value of an ecologically valid, and developmentally informed approach to identifying early behavioral markers of autism, supporting earlier recognition and the design of more personalized, strengths-based interventions.

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15. Mitchell S. Treatment of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder with autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Ment Health Clin;2026 (Feb);16(1):1-6.

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16. Moreira C, Oliveira A, Shogren KA, Hagiwara M, Pereira A, Rosário P, Gomes F, Santos S. Linking Self-Determination to Life Outcomes of People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Criterion Validity of the Self-Determination Inventory. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil;2026 (Jan);39(1):e70191.

BACKGROUND: Self-determination has received increasing interest worldwide, both as a key concept in disability policy and as a guiding principle for best practices and lifelong learning. METHOD: The study examined correlations between the Portuguese versions of the Self-Determination Inventory (SDI) and the Self-Determination Scale. A total of 168 participants with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) aged 13-60 years (24.7 ± 12.2) completed both instruments. RESULTS: Moderate and significant correlations were found, providing preliminary criterion evidence for the Portuguese translation of the SDI. The main findings include: (1) participants with IDD reported fewer self-determination actions, (2) women scored higher than men and (3) academic qualifications had a limited influence on self-determination scores. CONCLUSIONS: The SDI PT translation is a valid and reliable tool that supports the operationalisation of the construct within the Portuguese context. This study also contributes to a deeper understanding of how self-determination manifests across diverse populations, offering insights into inclusive practices and future theoretical developments. The Self‐Determination Inventory (SDI) was first validated in American English and has been widely used to understand self‐determination in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The SDI has since been translated and validated in several languages (American Sign Language, Chinese, French, and Spanish), with a focus on assessing self‐determined actions in ways that are contextually relevant and sensitive to development and changes in supports and services. There is a need to validate the SDI for use in Portugal, both to ensure its cultural and linguistic appropriateness, to enable future cross‐cultural studies, and to provide direction for self‐determination assessment in Portugal. A key psychometric property of the SDI that was examined in this study is criterion validity, which assesses how well an instrument estimates its performance on a related outcome measure (criterion) in this case the older, Self‐Determination Scale (SDS). This study contributes to the field by strengthening the conceptualization and evaluation of the self‐determination construct within the Portuguese context. Establishing the best measures of self‐determination of people with IDD will inform and support the development of personalized support strategies and programs based on autonomy, choice, and decision‐making across the life course. eng

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17. Ne’eman A, Clark H. Different Definitions of Developmental Disability and Implications for Outcomes. JAMA Health Forum;2025 (Dec 5);6(12):e255642.

IMPORTANCE: Populations identified under varying definitions of developmental disability (DD) differ in notable dimensions. Understanding these crucial differences is necessary when deciding which definition to utilize for policy analysis or service planning. OBJECTIVE: To examine the distributive implications of 4 different potential definitions of DD using data from the 2023 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) and the University of Minnesota’s Residential Information Systems Project (RISP). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional study of the 2023 SIPP in the US general population, including institutionalized persons, using supplemental information from 2019 RISP reports. Analyses used person-level weights, and 95% CIs were logit-transformed. The 4 definitions of DD are based on self-reported medical diagnoses of those who answered affirmatively to at least 1 of 18 disability screener questions. The narrowest definition captures cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and/or autism diagnoses, while the broadest definition also includes epilepsy, learning disability diagnoses, and/or those identified by the SIPP learning and developmental disability screener question. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Outcomes include DD prevalence, utilization of long-term services and supports (LTSS), congregate residential facilities, and income support (Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability Insurance), self-reported employment, and impairment characteristics. RESULTS: In the study population of 2535 children and young adults aged 5 to 21 years (1285 [50.7%] males and 1250 [49.3%] females) and 9701 adults aged 22 years or older (4617 [47.6%] males and 5084 [52.4%] females), childhood and young adulthood prevalence of DD ranged from 4.17% (95% CI, 3.41%-5.09%) using the narrowest definition to 15.93% (95% CI, 14.43%-17.55%) using the broadest definition. For adults, DD prevalence varied from 1.24% (95% CI, 1.01%-1.52%) to 8.10% (95% CI, 7.48%-8.77%). Under the narrowest definition, 20.35% (95% CI, 16.67%-24.89%) of children and young adults with DD and 33.05% (95% CI, 26.87%-40.30%) of adults with DD were eligible for LTSS from a state DD agency and 0.98% (95% CI, 0.80%-1.20%) of children and young adults with DD and 9.82% (95% CI, 7.99%-11.98%) of adults with DD were estimated to be residing in a congregate residential setting. As definitions became more comprehensive, employment increased while LTSS eligibility, congregate setting placement, income support receipt (Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability Insurance), and functional impairment acuity decreased. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Results of this cross-sectional study of US children and young adults suggest that definition choice substantially affects DD prevalence estimates and the relevance of identified populations for service provision and community integration. A narrower approach may better capture individuals at greatest risk of segregation and who are most likely to utilize publicly funded DD services.

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18. Nishigori H, Nishigori T, Kyozuka H, Omoto T, Fukuda T, Murata T, Ogata Y, Sato A, Kuraya H, Yasumura S, Hosoya M, Go H, Hashimoto K, Fujimori K. Sex-specific associations between maternal prenatal and postnatal psychological distress and autism spectrum disorder in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study. Sci Rep;2026 (Feb 2)

Maternal prenatal and postnatal psychological distress, including depression and anxiety are risk factors for the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. However, there is inconsistent knowledge regarding the period in pregnancy during which psychological distress may influence this risk, and the associated sex-specific differences. We evaluated the association between the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) for mothers and ASD in 6-year-old children, using the Japan Environment and Children’s Study dataset. In total, 32,417 boys and 30,996 girls were included in the analysis. The K6 was administered during the first half of pregnancy (medians of 15 weeks); the second half of pregnancy (medians of 27 weeks); and at 1 year postpartum, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed on the group with a K6 score ≤ 4 as reference. In boys, maternal psychological distress in the first half of pregnancy and at 1 year postpartum were associated with ASD. In girls, maternal psychological distress coexisting during pregnancy and at 1 year postpartum was associated with ASD.

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19. Parellada M, San José Cáceres A, Delorme R, Moscoso A, Moreno C, Calvo R, Canal-Bedia R, Franco Martín MA, Charman T, Strydom A, Parr JR, Urbiola Merino E, Burdeus-Olavarrieta M, Hernández Jusdado P, Solis A, Lucas M, Sipos L, González Navarro P, Blázquez A, Lázaro L, Tomás A, Humeau E, Antoun S, Cooke J, Megalogeni M, Liang H, de-Vena-Díez VB, Leonard H, White N, Wang P, Walton-Bowen K, Winter-van Rossum I, Murphy D, Arango C. Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of arbaclofen in Autistic children and adolescents, the AIMS-2-TRIALS-CT1: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial. EClinicalMedicine;2026 (Feb);92:103760.

BACKGROUND: Previous trials have indicated the potential of arbaclofen for improving social difficulties among autistic children and adolescents with fluent speech. AIMS-2-TRIALS-Clinical Trial 1 (AIMS-2-CT1) examined whether arbaclofen is superior to placebo in improving social function and other secondary outcomes, along with safety and tolerability profiles. METHODS: AIMS-2-CT1 is a multi-site, placebo-controlled double-blind, parallel group Phase II randomized clinical trial. Recruitment was conducted in 7 sites in Spain, United Kingdom and France between September 2019 and September 2022. Eligible participants were randomized 1:1, stratified by age and site, for a 16-week treatment period. Age of participants ranged from 5 to 17 years of age. Primary outcome: Socialization domain of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales change. Secondary outcome measures: CGI-S (Clinical Global Impression-Severity), CGI-I (Clinical Global Impression-Improvement), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2), Autism Impact Measure (AIM), behavioral measurements (CBCL, ABC-C) and Quality of Life (PedsQL). Safety and tolerability were assessed via several instruments. Clinical trial registration: EudraCT number: 2018-000942-21 and ClinicalTrials.gov registry number: NCT03682978. Last protocol v.9.1, dated June 18th, 2022. FINDINGS: 122 participants (out of 123 randomized) comprised the Intention-to-treat sample (59/63 arbaclofen/placebo); 85%/95% of participants on arbaclofen/placebo completed the study.Improvements in the primary endpoint and pre-specified key secondary outcomes did not achieve statistical significance [effect size 1.30 (95% CI: -2.6, 5.1)]. Results on all secondary endpoints favored arbaclofen, with significant improvements on many secondary outcomes including the SRS, the AIM Total scores, some subscales of the ABC, and QoL measures. One Serious Adverse Event (psychotic symptoms) was reported on placebo. Sleep-related problems were more frequent on arbaclofen (N = 34, 57.6% in participants on arbaclofen and N = 22, 34.9% in participants on placebo). INTERPRETATION: Although we found no significant effect on the primary outcome, improvements were apparent on several secondary measures of autistic related behaviors as well as quality of life. Arbaclofen shows promise in addressing some autistic difficulties and in improving quality of life, but larger scale trials are needed to further advance our understanding of its potential and to inform future drug development in autism. FUNDING: Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No 777394.

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20. Rabiei H, Begnis M, Lemonnier E, Ben-Ari Y. Treating autism with Bumetanide: Identification of responders using Q-Finder machine learning algorithm. Transl Psychiatry;2026 (Feb 3);16(1):66.

Bumetanide, a specific NKCC1 co-transporter inhibitor, restores deficient GABAergic inhibition implicated in various brain disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). In keeping with this mechanism, nine successful phase 2 clinical trials, conducted by seven independent teams using an identical protocol, have shown significant improvements in ASD symptoms among individuals treated with Bumetanide. Despite these promising results, two large phase 3 clinical trials (over 400 children recruited in approximately 50 centers and covering age groups 2-6 and 7-17 years) failed with no significant difference between patients treated by placebo or Bumetanide. This failure may stem from the substantial heterogeneity of ASD symptom profiles across the study population, potentially diluting the overall observed treatment effect. To address this, we reanalyzed the phase 3 data using Q-Finder, a supervised machine learning algorithm, aiming to identify subgroups of patients who responded to the treatment. This analysis was based on clinical parameters collected at the baseline of trial and used the same standard endpoints and success criteria defined in the original phase 3 protocol. It enabled the identification of responder subgroups showing a statistically significant difference between placebo and Bumetanide treatment arms. We report detailed descriptions and statistical evaluations of these subgroups. The discovered responder subgroups, representing up to 40% of participants, were cross validated between the two study populations. These findings suggest that meaningful treatment responses can be uncovered within negative phase 3 trials, highlighting the limitations of a one-size-fits-all approach for heterogeneous conditions such as ASD. Machine learning appears to be a promising tool to support this precision medicine strategy.

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21. Rong M, Shen Y, Xu X, Kan H, Cai J, Hua J. Association of Outdoor Residential Noise Exposure with Early Childhood Neurodevelopment among Preschoolers in Shanghai, China. Environ Sci Technol;2026 (Feb 3);60(4):2943-2951.

Developmental delays represent a significant public health issue among preschoolers. Previous research has linked noise to emotional or behavioral problems in children; however, the association between noise and developmental delays remains unclear. To examine this association, a total of 12,130 children aged 3 to 5.5 years were included from 226 kindergartens in Shanghai, China. Neurodevelopment was assessed using the Chinese version of the Ages & Stages Questionnaires-Third Edition, and individual residential noise exposure (LAeq, 40 min) was estimated using a land-use regression model. Higher noise exposure was associated with lower performance in communication, motor, and problem-solving domains. Specifically, each interquartile range [4 dB(A)] increase in noise exposure was significantly associated with a decrease in gross motor scores (0.25, 95% CI, 0.04-0.47) and an increase in the suspected developmental delay (SDD) odds (OR = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.15) and domain-specific delays, particularly in communication (OR = 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01-1.27) and gross motor (OR = 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03-1.19). Stratified analyses showed higher estimates of ORs for SDD associated with noise exposure in boys and those who were delivered by cesarean section, exclusively breastfed for <6 months, and whose mothers were unemployed. Our findings suggest that ambient noise exposure may adversely affect early neurodevelopment in preschoolers.

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22. Siminghalam M, Shanbehzadeh S, Karamali Esmaeili S, Miri Lavasani N, Parvizy S, Alizadeh Zarei M. Psychometric Properties of the Persian CASP in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder. OTJR (Thorofare N J);2026 (Feb 3):15394492251407629.

The Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation (CASP) requires further psychometric validation across languages to assess participation in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Persian CASP in adolescents with ASD. The study involved 100 adolescents with ASD and 50 typically developing peers, assessing reliability and validity using Persian CASP, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), discriminant, and convergent validity. The Persian CASP showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.94) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.95). CFA with the diagonally weighted least squares estimator supported a one-factor model, with moderate fit: comparative fit index = 0.925, normed fit index = 0.895, goodness-of-fit index = 0.750, root mean square error of approximation = 0.108, chi-square/degree of freedom ratio = 3.05. Factor loadings ranged from 0.45 to 0.78. Participation differed significantly between groups (p < 0.001). Strong PedsQL correlations supported convergent validity. The Persian CASP demonstrates good reliability and validity, though CFA results indicate only moderate model fit. Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the CASP in Adolescents With ASDThis study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation (CASP) in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The results indicated that the Persian CASP demonstrated strong reliability, internal consistency, and validity. The scale effectively differentiated between adolescents with ASD and their typically developing peers, revealing significant differences in participation levels. The confirmatory factor analysis showed a satisfactory fit for the proposed factor structure, reinforcing the scale’s construct validity. Strong positive correlations between the CASP and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory confirm its convergent validity. In addition, excellent test–retest reliability was observed, with all subscales showing strong consistency over time. The findings highlight the effectiveness of the CASP as a tool for assessing participation in adolescents with ASD, making it suitable for use in clinical and research settings across various languages and cultures. eng

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23. Singhi AK, Gangopadhyay S, Ghosh S, Banerjee T, Islam M, Das S, Sengupta A, De A. From pelvis to heart: A rare case of infective endocarditis following ASD device closure due to tubo-ovarian abscess. J Cardiol Cases;2025 (Nov);32(5):199-203.

Infective endocarditis (IE) following transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) device closure is a rare but life-threatening complication. We report a case of a 41-year-old woman who developed device-related IE five months after ASD closure, likely secondary to an undiagnosed tubo-ovarian abscess. Initially evaluated for abnormal uterine bleeding, she was diagnosed with uterine fibroids and endometriosis. Pre-anesthetic cardiac assessment revealed a large secundum ASD, which was successfully closed with a 48-mm atrial septal occluder. Despite an uneventful early post-procedure course, her worsening uterine bleeding led to clopidogrel discontinuation. Five months later, she presented with high-grade fever and chills, and echocardiography revealed mobile vegetations on the inferior aspect of the device. A tubo-ovarian abscess was identified as a potential source of infection. Surgical abscess drainage failed to resolve symptoms, necessitating device removal and surgical ASD closure with a pericardial patch. Histopathology confirmed vegetation, although no microorganisms were isolated. This case underscores the need for vigilance in diagnosing IE post-ASD device closure, particularly in patients with distant infections. Negative blood cultures do not exclude IE, and echocardiography is crucial. A multidisciplinary approach, including prompt surgical intervention and prolonged antibiotics, ensures optimal outcomes. Long-term follow-up is essential to prevent recurrence. LEARNING OBJECTIVE: This case highlights the critical learning objective of recognizing and managing rare but serious complications such as infective endocarditis following atrial septal defect device closure. It emphasizes the importance of considering distant infection sources, such as tubo-ovarian abscesses, in patients presenting with post-procedural complications. Furthermore, it underscores the necessity of multidisciplinary collaboration, and prolonged antibiotic therapy and surgical intervention for successful patient outcomes.

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24. Sun X, Lin S, Wang W, Qi Y, Jiang K. Concurrent 12p trisomy and 4q34.2-q35.2 deletion detected by WES-CNV: Case report. Medicine (Baltimore);2026 (Jan 30);105(5):e47434.

RATIONALE: Genetic diagnosis of developmental delay remains challenging, particularly in cases with a negative karyotype. Trisomy 12p syndrome is attributed to dosage effects of critical genes on chromosome 12p, such as KRAS and ETV6. Specifically, germline duplication of KRAS – a key regulator of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway – can disrupt neurodevelopment and skeletogenesis, while duplication of ETV6 may alter its role in hematopoiesis and embryonic differentiation, contributing to the syndromic phenotype. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 21-month-old boy presented with global developmental delay (GDD) as the primary concern. DIAGNOSES: Whole-exome sequencing detected a 35.8 Mb duplication on chromosome 12p concomitant with a 14.39 Mb deletion at 4q34.2-q35.2, leading to a diagnosis of concurrent 12p trisomy and 4q deletion syndromes. INTERVENTIONS: The child exhibited severe craniofacial and upper limb deformities concomitant with GDD. A multidisciplinary symptomatic management plan was implemented, encompassing muscle strengthening exercises and structured language training. A custom dynamic forearm orthosis was prescribed to optimize functional limb positioning. OUTCOMES: At follow-up, the patient has developed independent sitting ability and improved upper limb functional mobility, though no significant change in humeral length was observed. LESSONS: This study delineates a unique case of dual, presumed de novo copy number variants – 12p trisomy and 4q deletion – exhibiting synergistic pathogenesis. The resulting phenotypic superposition, characterized by extreme brachymelia and GDD, was more severe than what is typically associated with either anomaly alone. The origin of these copy number variants, while presumed de novo, could also plausibly result from an unbalanced translocation, a key limitation of this study. This case establishes a novel model for understanding syndromic developmental delay in the context of a negative karyotype and validates the superior diagnostic capability of whole-exome sequencing-based copy number variant analysis in identifying complex genomic disorders.

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25. Tanne JH. RFK Jr names anti-vaccine members to federal autism committee. Bmj;2026 (Feb 2);392:s216.

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26. Tekin S, Brown J, Karadeniz G. Eating behaviours of children with ASD: Associations with parental stress, perceived symptom severity, and parenting style in a sample from Türkiye. Appetite;2026 (Feb 3):108492.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is frequently accompanied by feeding difficulties that can affect both a child’s nutritional intake and family’s well-being. Using a cross-sectional correlational design, this study explored how parenting stress, ASD symptom severity, and parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and overprotective) relate to eating behaviours, particularly food fussiness and satiety responsiveness. Sixty-nine parents of children with ASD aged 2-9 were recruited from a private therapy centre and a foundation providing psychosocial and educational support in Istanbul, Türkiye. Parents reported stress using the Parental Stress Scale, parenting style using the Parent Attitude Scale, and children’s eating behaviours using the Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. Parents also rated their child’s ASD symptom severity on a single Likert-scale item developed for this study. Hierarchical regressions revealed that parental stress, symptom severity and parenting style did not predict food fussiness or satiety responsiveness. However, we found patterns suggesting associations between parenting style and children’s eating behaviours. In particular, higher levels of authoritarian parenting were associated with lower enjoyment of food, whereas more overprotective parenting was associated with greater food enjoyment. The discussion considers how culture-specific norms may shape the relationship between parenting style and children’s eating behaviours.

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27. Wei M, Zhang Q, Zhao Z, Chen L, Tan R. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.): A multi-target phytochemical with potential therapeutic relevance for autism spectrum disorder – A review of pharmacological mechanisms and future perspectives. J Ethnopharmacol;2026 (Jan 31);361:121299.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has a long history of use in traditional medicine practices across Persia/the Middle East, India, and the Mediterranean region. Traditionally, it has been regarded for its potential to regulate mood, support cognition, and promote sleep. This paper explores saffron’s potential applications and mechanisms of action in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related comorbidities (such as anxiety, sleep disorders, and cognitive impairments) from an ethnopharmacological perspective. It integrates pharmacological evidence from saffron’s primary constituents-crocins, crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal-emphasizing the convergence of traditional medicinal knowledge with modern scientific evidence. AIM OF THE STUDY: This review aims to systematically evaluate the therapeutic potential of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its bioactive constituents (crocins, crocetin, picrocrocin, safranal) in ASD, its comorbid conditions, and related neurodegenerative diseases. The goal is to synthesize current evidence on saffron’s mechanisms of action and translational prospects for ASD management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science and Science Direct databases up to May 2025. Search terms included combinations of keywords such as « saffron, » « crocetin, » « autism, » « anxiety, » « depression, » « Alzheimer’s disease, » and « Parkinson’s, » to identify relevant preclinical and clinical studies on saffron’s neuroprotective effects and therapeutic applications. RESULTS: Saffron exhibits pleiotropic neuroprotective effects by modulating multiple key pathways involved in ASD and neurodegeneration, including inhibition of neuroinflammatory signaling pathways such as NF-κB/NLRP3, activation of antioxidant responses via the Nrf2/ARE pathway, and restoring balance between GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission. These mechanisms support saffron’s potential to reestablish neurodevelopmental homeostasis and alleviate core ASD symptoms, along with associated comorbidities such as anxiety and cognitive impairments. CONCLUSION: Saffron is a promising natural multi-target agent with significant translational potential for ASD and related disorders. Its ability to modulate neuroinflammatory, oxidative, and neurotransmission pathways underscores its potential as an adjunctive or alternative therapy. Future research should focus on elucidating precise mechanisms, conducting rigorous clinical validations, and optimizing formulations to facilitate evidence-based integration of saffron into ASD treatment strategies.

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28. Willcox GM, Shead DA, Maseko BC. Global characteristics of the use of complementary and alternative medicine for autism spectrum disorder: a scoping review protocol. JBI Evid Synth;2026 (Feb 3)

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this scoping review is to map the existing information on the characteristics of the use of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) as treatment for the signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). INTRODUCTION: ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by social-communication difficulties and restrictive, repetitive behaviors resulting from complex interactions of genetic and environmental factors, and associated with psychological and medical comorbidities. It is a global phenomenon with a detrimental impact on families. Supplemental to conventional treatments care givers can consider using CAM. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Primary, secondary, and gray literature sources considering the use of CAM for ASD will be included. Sources proposing the use of CAM for any condition other than ASD or discussing any therapy for ASD other than CAM will be excluded. Studies in all languages will be considered for inclusion, as will sources from the last decade (2015-2025). METHODS: This scoping review will be conducted in line with the JBI scoping review framework and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). A primary search of PubMed to identify keywords and phrases will be followed by subsequent searches of Emcare (Ovid), Nursing and Allied Health Premium (ProQuest), Scopus, and Google Scholar. The titles, abstracts, and full texts of identified sources will be screened for relevancy by 2 independent reviewers, with conflicts adjudicated by a third reviewer. Findings will be discussed in a narrative summary and illustrated using figures, tables, and a gap map. REVIEW REGISTRATION: OSF https://osf.io/c9j5n/overview.

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29. Zhang B, Xu D, Dong S, Zhu P, Jiang P, Sun J, Liu J, Chen H, Zhao C. FOXG1 Hierarchically Shapes Synaptic Functions in Striatal iSPNs and Contributes to ASD Etiology. Neurosci Bull;2026 (Feb 2)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) pathophysiology often involves striatal dysfunction, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Mutations in Forkhead box G1 (FOXG1) cause FOXG1 syndrome, a condition sharing core ASD features. Here, loss of Foxg1 in the indirect pathway spiny projection neurons (iSPNs) in mice recapitulates ASD symptoms, including social, language, and fine movement deficits. Foxg1 deficiency causes dendritic simplification, spine reduction, and impairs excitatory synaptic transmission. Transcriptome reveals that FOXG1 drives gene networks to multidimensionally control synaptic functions from spine morphogenesis, synaptic maturation, ion transmembrane transport, glutamate receptor clustering, to neurotransmitter release and synaptic transmission. Importantly, FOXG1 directly activates the transcription of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) subunits, and pharmacological potentiation of AMPAR activity normalizes synaptic function and rescues behavioral deficits. Our study provides a new perspective on the relationship between FOXG1 and ASD etiology in iSPNs and suggests the potential of AMPAR activation as a therapeutic intervention for ASD and FOXG1 Syndrome.

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30. Zhang Y, Lin J, Tong C, Fu X, Shan M, Huang Y, Zhang K, Zheng J. Remimazolam Ameliorates Autistic-Like Behaviors via Suppression of Ferroptosis in VTA Dopaminergic Neurons in a Mouse Model of ASD. Adv Sci (Weinh);2026 (Feb 3):e08520.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by social dysfunction and stereotypic behavior, with the neuronal excitation/inhibition (E/I) imbalance as an underlying mechanism. The ultra-short-acting GABA-A receptor agonist remimazolam has elicited unexpected long-term improvements in agitation and cognition, suggesting a potential role in modulating the E/I imbalance. This study investigates the efficacy and mechanisms of remimazolam on ASD in a valproate (VPA)-induced model. Intraperitoneal administration of remimazolam significantly ameliorates autistic-like behaviors, with comparable effects caused by targeted injection of remimazolam into the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Chemogenetic inhibition of VTA dopaminergic neurons in VPA-exposed mice reverses the therapeutic effects of remimazolam. Conversely, remimazolam also ameliorate the autistic-like behaviors induced by chemogenetic inhibition. Remimazolam confers protection against VPA-induced injury to VTA dopaminergic neurons both in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting ferroptosis, as evidenced by the reversal of its key hallmarks: mitochondrial damage, iron overload and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, ferroptosis agonists reverse the therapeutic effect of remimazolam and ferroptosis inhibitors alleviate the autistic-like behaviors. This study has demonstrated that remimazolam produces sustained alleviation of autistic-like behaviors by inhibiting ferroptosis, indicating that ferroptosis may be a critical mechanism to its protection of VTA dopaminergic neurons and resultant behavioral improvement.

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