1. Alruwaili NS, Al-Kuraishy HM, Fahad EH, Al-Gareeb AI, Alhelfawi S, Mustafa AM, Alexiou A, Papadakis M, Batiha GE. Unravelling GABA Dysfunction in Autism: Pathophysiological Insights and Emerging Treatments. Int J Dev Neurosci;2026 (Feb);86(1):e70103.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition marked by deficits in social interaction, communication and repetitive behaviours. Emerging evidence implicates dysfunction in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signalling, the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter system, in the pathogenesis of ASD. GABAergic neurotransmission plays a pivotal role in neurodevelopment, particularly in balancing excitatory and inhibitory signalling, synaptic plasticity and neural circuit maturation. Dysregulation in GABA synthesis, receptor expression and transport has been observed in both clinical and preclinical models of ASD, leading to disrupted neuronal connectivity and atypical behavioural phenotypes. This review critically explores the alterations in GABAergic signalling in ASD, highlighting the role of various GABA receptor subtypes (GABA(A)R, GABA(B)R and GABA(C)R) and associated transport and metabolic enzymes. The therapeutic implications of modulating GABAergic activity are also examined. Pharmacological agents, such as GABA receptor agonists, GABA reuptake inhibitors and GABA transaminase inhibitors, exhibit varied efficacy profiles. Among these, GABAB receptor agonists, including arbaclofen and baclofen, show the most promise in improving social behaviour and reducing core ASD symptoms. Conversely, some agents that elevate GABA levels, such as vigabatrin and valproic acid, may exacerbate ASD-like features under certain conditions. Collectively, the data suggest that targeted modulation of GABAergic pathways, particularly GABA(B) receptor signalling, offers a viable avenue for therapeutic intervention in ASD. However, further mechanistic studies and well-designed clinical trials are required to elucidate the optimal strategies for harnessing GABA modulation in ASD management.

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2. Amaranth JJ, Meera S. An automated detection system of autism spectrum disorder using meta-heuristic approach of adaptive LSTM with bayesian learning technique. Phys Eng Sci Med;2026 (Feb 5)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the major neurological symptoms affecting young children. Most neurological diseases are captured through speech, voice and changes in sbrain activity. Research leading to ASD diagnosis is done in different ways; still, the early ASD diagnosis is a complex task. Various co-occurring situations may hinder Automated ASD detection, and deep learners effectively tackle such issues and create a better design. Here, a novel automated autism detection approach is proposed employing a deep learning technique with the help of brain image. Initially, the brain images are garnered from the standard dataset links. These gathered images are employed for the pre-processing stage, which is accomplished by using contrast enhancement. Subsequently, the most noteworthy deep features are extracted from the image pre-processed using a multi-atlas-based residual network (MResNet). Finally, the detection process is carried out by influencing the adaptive cascaded attention long short term memory with bayesian learning (ACAL-BL), in which some of the hyperparameters are tuned optimally by the random fixed marine predators algorithm (RFMPA). The performance is examined under Python using various factors and contrasted with other classical models and the results show that our ACAL-BL achieved an FPR of 4.5%, representing relative improvements of 52%, 54%, 56%, 58%, and 60% compared to LSTM, CNN, ANN, auto encoder, and LSTM-Bayesian learning, respectively. Thus, the suggested technique has the tendency to exploit the outstanding results that aid clinical practitioners to diagnose the disease earlier.

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3. Attar SM, Scott S, Chiu M, Broder-Fingert S, Stone WL. Primary Care Pediatricians’ Referral Decisions for Autism in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics;2026 (Feb 5)

BACKGROUND: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends immediate referral of children screening at elevated likelihood of autism for diagnostic evaluation, early intervention, and audiology. However, most children screening at elevated autism likelihood are not referred. We aimed to synthesize decision-making processes related to generalist referrals to specialists for children with increased autism likelihood in the United States. We examined (i) rates of referral from generalist to specialist providers across medical and geographic settings, (ii) child/family factors that influence provider referrals, and (iii) facilitators and barriers to timely referral. METHODS: We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase for studies that discussed autism likelihood in young children, discussed generalist to specialist referral, used empirical methods, and were set in the United States. We extracted the setting, study design, referral rates, child and family factors associated with referrals, and facilitators and barriers to referral. RESULTS: A total of 38 articles were included. In studies with no intervention elements, providers refer children to evaluations and early intervention services at rates ranging from 20% to 58.4%. In intervention studies, referral rates ranged from 45% to 98% after intervention. Perceived symptom severity and greater caregiver concern were associated with increased referral rates. Barriers to referral included providers’ lack of confidence in screening tools and lack of local diagnostic and intervention sites. Interventions to facilitate rates of referral varied widely in their characteristics and outcomes. This review was restricted to the United States and included few high-quality experimental interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Increased research efforts should focus on increasing referral rates to early intervention, which is appropriate even for children with false positive results screening at elevated autism likelihood. Rigorous studies that optimize referral processes across providers and settings are needed.

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4. Beradze M, Fichman S, Meir N. Exploring Maze Patterns in Bilingual and Monolingual Children With and Without Autism: A Pragmatic Perspective. J Speech Lang Hear Res;2026 (Feb 5):1-21.

PURPOSE: Monolingual autistic children show distinct patterns of linguistic mazes (disfluencies), such as fewer filled pauses (e.g., « uh, » « um ») and utterance-initial connectives (e.g., « and »), than non-autistic peers. Maze types are multifunctional, but some (e.g., filled pauses) are used primarily for pragmatic, listener-oriented purposes such as signaling an upcoming delay, while others (e.g., repetitions) reflect speaker-internal processes such as lexical retrieval. This study examined the separate and combined effects of autism and bilingualism on children’s maze production, exploring whether different types are primarily listener- or speaker-oriented, thereby contributing to the ongoing debate about their function in spontaneous speech. METHOD: Four groups of children aged 5-9 years participated: bilingual Russian-Hebrew autistic (n = 20), bilingual non-autistic (n = 27), monolingual Hebrew autistic (n = 17), and monolingual non-autistic (n = 22). Narratives, elicited using the LITMUS Multilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives, were analyzed for various maze types. RESULTS: The results indicated that while autism and bilingualism alone did not predict maze rate, their joint influence systematically interacted with specific maze types. Monolingual autistic children showed higher rates of phonological fragments, inter-utterance silent pauses, and prolongations, but lower rates of the utterance-initial connectives ve « and » and filled pauses than non-autistic peers. Bilinguals in both groups produced more intra-utterance silent pauses. Among autistic children, bilinguals used connectives more often but produced fewer prolongations and inter-utterance silent pauses than monolinguals. CONCLUSION: Bilingualism may enhance communicative adaptability in autistic children by strengthening narrative cohesion through greater use of connectives and fewer inter-utterance silent pauses.

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5. Cary AE. Towards the equal recognition of autism in girls and women. Bmj;2026 (Feb 4);392:s120.

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6. Corridore D, Trottini M, Di Giorgio G, Zumbo G, Corvino IC, Salucci A, Nagni M, Vozza I, Bossù M. Assessment of the educational sensory-based approach for dental treatment of children with autism in Central Italy. Front Oral Health;2025;6:1731639.

BACKGROUND: For some children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), over-responsivity to sensory stimuli in a dental office environment and communication barriers can result in uncooperative behavior, in extreme cases necessitating the use of general anesthesia. Tailored educational approaches are a promising tool to address these issues. OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the effectiveness of an existing educational approach, called the educational sensory-based approach (ESBA), which aims to improve cooperation during dental care treatment of children with ASD. The relevant research questions are whether children improve their levels of cooperation during the implementation of the phases of the ESBA and how such improvement depends on study variables. According to our definition, an initially uncooperative child (Frankl scale at first visit rated negative or definitely negative) is considered to have improved by the end of a certain phase if their Frankl scale rating at the end of the phase is positive or definitely positive, while an initially cooperative child (Frankl scale at first visit rated positive) is considered to have improved by the end of a certain phase if their Frankl scale rating at the end of the phase is definitely positive. METHODS: In this study, a retrospective repeated-measures design was used. The final sample comprised 45 initially uncooperative and 40 initially cooperative children with ASD who completed the ESBA program between 2013 and 2020. Data included demographic and clinical examination variables, medical history, and child behavior and cooperation. A statistical analysis was performed using 3,328 cumulative logit models to address the relevant research questions. RESULTS: A statistically significant improvement across the different phases of the ESBA program was observed, independent of the other explanatory variables in the study. The 95% confidence intervals for the predicted probability that an initially uncooperative child would improve by the end of the ESBA program were [0.71 and 0.88], whereas the probabilities for an initially cooperative child improving were lower at [0.04 and 0.20]. CONCLUSIONS: The ESBA represents a promising tool for managing dental care in children with ASD. It facilitates cooperation and limits reliance on general anesthesia. The findings from this study can inform clinical practice in pediatric dentistry, particularly in managing patients with ASD, and provide a starting point for other medical teams to implant and implement alternative educational approaches.

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7. Duan C, Yu Z, Li X, Sakai M, Maejima Y, Shimomura K, Furuyashiki T, Kikuchi S, Kobayashi N, Sasaki K, Matsuki T, Komatsu H, Hino M, Kunii Y, Kasahara T, Ishikuro M, Murakami K, Orui M, Abe T, Nagami F, Fuse N, Ogishima S, Kinoshita K, Yamamoto M, Nakaya N, Hozawa A, Obara T, Kuriyama S, Tomita H. Sex differences in the risk of autistic-related traits in toddlers born to mothers with perinatal depression: Evidence from human cohort and mouse study. Mol Psychiatry;2026 (Feb 4)

Maternal perinatal depression (MPD) is associated with reduced maternal plasma oxytocin (OXT) levels and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. Using data from 23,218 Japanese mother-child pairs, we evaluated the relationship between MPD-assessed with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)-and autistic-related traits (ART) in toddlers, measured by the Tokyo Autistic Behavior Scale (TABS). We also tested the potential causal relationship of maternal stress exposure on OXT, its receptor (OXTR), and offspring outcomes using a prenatal stress-exposed mouse model. In the human cohort study, higher K6 or EPDS scores during pregnancy and postpartum were significantly associated with increased TABS scores in toddlers. Offspring of mothers with MPD (K6 or EPDS score ≥ 9) during pregnancy or postpartum exhibited a higher risk of ART (TABS score ≥ 15; P < 0.05). This risk was particularly pronounced in female toddlers exposed to MPD during pregnancy and postpartum (ORs: 5.805-9.367; P < 0.05). Female toddlers born to mothers with MPD also had lower birth weight, and their ART were positively correlated with K6 scores during mid-gestation and with impaired maternal bonding postpartum. In the mouse model, chronically stressed dams displayed depressive-like behaviors, and their female juveniles exhibited increased self-grooming and impaired social interaction. Furthermore, OXTR mRNA levels were significantly reduced in the prefrontal cortex of female juveniles from stressed dams. These findings suggest that MPD increases the risk of ART, particularly in females, highlighting potential sex-specific mechanisms underlying ASD susceptibility.

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8. El-Ansary A, Al-Ayadhi LY, Alfawaz HA, Al-Ghabban H, Bjørklund G. Plasma KCC2, NKCC1, and GABA as peripheral biomarkers in autism spectrum disorder: a combined ROC analysis. Metab Brain Dis;2026 (Feb 5);41(1):29.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy frequently co-occur, yet clinically actionable markers to stratify seizure risk and anticipate drug resistance remain limited. We evaluated whether plasma γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the chloride co-transporters KCC2 and NKCC1, singly and in combination, provide a discriminative signal for ASD status and severity using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) methodology. Forty-six males with ASD and twenty-six age-matched neurotypical controls were phenotyped with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale and Social Responsiveness Scale. Plasma GABA, KCC2, and NKCC1 were quantified by ELISA. Nonparametric tests, logistic regression, and combined ROC analyses were applied. ASD was associated with reduced GABA (0.06 ± 0.04 vs. 0.12 ± 0.05 ng/mL), KCC2 (1.19 ± 1.01 vs. 4.92 ± 3.27 ng/mL), and NKCC1 (8.07 ± 7.08 vs. 10.96 ± 6.72 ng/mL) relative to controls (all p ≤ 0.035), alongside a lower KCC2/NKCC1 ratio (0.193 ± 0.172 vs. 0.525 ± 0.365; p = 0.001). KCC2 and NKCC1 were positively correlated in controls (R = 0.634; p = 0.001), whereas in severe ASD, GABA correlated negatively with KCC2 (R = - 0.638; p = 0.004), consistent with altered chloride homeostasis and GABAergic signaling. Discrimination was highest for KCC2 overall (AUC = 0.931) and in severe ASD (AUC = 0.987); GABA showed good discrimination (AUC = 0.827), and NKCC1 was modest (AUC = 0.664). Marker combinations improved classification: KCC2 + GABA achieved AUC = 0.939 overall and 0.922 in mild-moderate ASD, while GABA + NKCC1 reached AUC = 0.885 in severe ASD. Logistic models yielded odds ratios < 1 across strata, aligning with the observed decrements in ASD. These data indicate that combined ROC analysis of peripheral measures indexing neuronal chloride transport and inhibition provides a robust discriminative signal for ASD stratification and may inform future, mechanism-guided studies of seizure liability and pharmacoresistance.

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9. Fyfe C, Winell H, Dougherty J, Gutmann DH, Kolevzon A, Marrus N, Tedroff K, Turner TN, Weiss LA, Yip BHK, Yin W, Sandin S. Time trends in the male to female ratio for autism incidence: population based, prospectively collected, birth cohort study. Bmj;2026 (Feb 4);392:e084164.

OBJECTIVES: To examine changes in the male to female ratio in diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) over a 35 year period, providing temporal trends in diagnosis (incidence rate), the male to female ratio, and the age-cohort specific cumulative male to female ratio (cMFR). DESIGN: Population based, prospectively collected birth cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: 2 756 779 liveborn children recorded in the Swedish medical birth register between 1985 and 2020. SETTING: Sweden. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Age-period cohort analysis investigating associations between ASD and age at diagnosis, calendar period, birth cohort, and sex, quantified by incidence rate ratios and associated two sided 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Among 2 756 779 individuals born in Sweden between 1985 and 2020, ASD was diagnosed in 78 522 (2.8%) by the end of follow-up (2022). The incidence rate for ASD increased with each five year age interval throughout childhood, peaking at 645.5 (per 100 000 person years) for the male cohort at age 10-14 years and 602.6 for the female cohort at age 15-19 years in 2020-2022, and then decreased. Age specific incidence of ASD increased for each calendar period and birth cohort between 1985 and 2020. The male to female ratio decreased with increasing age at diagnosis and, for those older than 10 years, by calendar period. For the final year of follow-up in 2022, the cumulative male to female ratio for incidence of ASD was 1.2 by age 20 years. Further projection of these trends suggested that the cumulative male to female ratio would reach parity at age 20 years by 2024. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that the male to female ratio for ASD has decreased over time and with increasing age at diagnosis. This male to female ratio may therefore be substantially lower than previously thought, to the extent that, in Sweden, it may no longer be distinguishable by adulthood. This finding highlights a need to investigate why girls and women receive diagnoses of ASD later than boys and men.

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10. Goyal A, Singhi P. Unveiling MECP2 Duplication Syndrome in India: A Case Report Featuring Autism and Developmental Delay. Indian J Pediatr;2026 (Feb 5)

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11. Ho TX, Le LMT, Nguyen SV, Nguyen BT. Transthoracic echocardiography measurement versus balloon occlusive diameter for atrial septal defect: experience from a Vietnamese cohort (Vietnamese cohort: TTE vs balloon ASD sizing). Cardiovasc Interv Ther;2026 (Feb 5)

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12. Huang YY, Li CY, Li Y, Fang H, Ke XY. Characteristics and functions of the gut microbiome in monozygotic twins with autism spectrum disorders of varying severity. World J Psychiatry;2026 (Feb 19);16(2):111012.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by pronounced behavioral heterogeneity and individual variability. Growing evidence indicates a strong association between gut microbiota and ASD; however, differences in microbial functions across varying levels of ASD severity remain poorly understood. Monozygotic twins (MZs) provide an appropriate model for examining the influence of nonshared environmental factors in ASD. AIM: To investigate the effects of the gut microbiome in MZs with ASD using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. METHODS: Participants were recruited from the Chinese MZs with autism spectrum disorder (MZCo-ASD) cohort and stratified into mild MZCo-ASD and severe MZCo-ASD (MZCo-ASD-H) groups based on their Childhood Autism Rating Scale scores. Fecal samples were collected and analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. RESULTS: Although overall microbial diversity did not differ significantly between the groups, gut microbiota composition was notably altered. At the genus level, Por phyromonas was significantly enriched in the MZCo-ASD-H group. Clusters of Orthologous Groups analysis revealed decreased expression of key genes in the MZCo-ASD-H group, including fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, membrane-bound lytic murein transglycosylase, PasI (part of the RatAB toxin-antitoxin system), HmoA, and a glycoside hydrolase family 25 domain-containing protein. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Orthology analysis showed that msmF (K10118) and msmG (K10119), involved in oligosaccharide transport, were significantly downregulated in the MZCo-ASD-H group, suggesting a reduced microbial capacity for prebiotic carbohydrate utilization. CONCLUSION: Despite similar overall diversity, children with severe ASD exhibited distinct gut microbiota structures and functional impairments. The enrichment of Porphyromonas, along with the reduced expression of genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and stress responses in the high-severity group, suggests an association between gut microbial dysregulation and ASD severity. These findings provide new insights into microbiota-related mechanisms underlying ASD and highlight potential functional targets for intervention.

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13. Ji Y, Zhu FL, Yin PP, Zeng ST, Huang Z. Sensory processing atypicalities and social responsiveness in autism spectrum disorder: the mediation of executive function. Front Psychiatry;2025;16:1696983.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly display challenges in social interaction, executive functioning, and sensory processing. Nevertheless, the interrelationships among these domains are not yet fully understood. This study aimed to elucidate whether sensory processing affects social functioning in children with ASD through the mediating role of executive functioning. METHODS: A total of 88 children and adolescents with ASD, aged 7 to 14 years, were enrolled. Parent-reported measures included the social responsiveness scale (SRS; social functioning), the behavior rating inventory of executive function-second edition (BRIEF-2; executive functioning), and the sensory profile-second edition (SP-2; sensory processing). Mediation analysis was conducted to examine the proposed relationships. RESULTS: The results indicated that emotional regulation, a component of executive functioning, fully mediated the relationship between sensory avoiding and social responsiveness, whereas it partially mediated the relationship between sensory registration and social responsiveness. Additionally, behavioral regulation, another dimension of executive functioning, partially mediated the effects of both sensory avoiding and sensory registration on social responsiveness. These relationships remained significant after controlling for gender, age, and intelligence. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the importance of both sensory processing and executive functioning in the social responsiveness of children with ASD. The results suggest a potential mechanistic framework in which executive functions serve as a mediating factor between sensory processing and social behavior in this population.

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14. Jiraanont P, Wang JY, Durbin-Johnson B, Hwang YH, Hessl D, Rivera SM, Hagerman RJ, Tassone F. The apolipoprotein gene: a modulating role on brain volume and cognitive function in carriers of the fragile X premutation. Neurobiol Dis;2026 (Feb 2);220:107292.

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), caused by the FMR1 premutation allele, is associated with brain degeneration, yet the mechanisms behind this neurodegeneration still need to be elucidated. Apoε polymorphism has been widely implicated in brain aging in cognitively healthy individuals and brain deterioration in Alzheimer’s disease. This study aimed to examine the interaction of Apoε genotypes, FXTAS clinical symptoms, FMR1 molecular measures, and age, towards brain pathophysiology and cognitive functions. This longitudinal study includes MRI data collected from 205 male premutation carriers with and without FXTAS clinical symptoms and compared to 86 healthy male controls aged 40-85 years. The investigation includes FXTAS-related brain volumes, IQ, self-control behaviors, FMR1 molecular measures, and Apoε genotypes. In carriers with FXTAS, the presence of the Apoε2 allele showed a possible association with more favorable neuroimaging markers, such as reduced white matter hyperintensities, and lower incidence of the middle cerebellar peduncle sign, patterns that were not observed in carriers without FXTAS. Specifically, the presence of Apoε2 allele exhibited a potential protective effect on brain degeneration, and cognitive functions among FXTAS patients; on the contrary, the Apoε4 allele was associated with a worsening of brain volume and brain degeneration in carriers with no FXTAS symptoms. The identification of Apoε genotypes in FMR1 premutation carriers before any clinical symptoms of FXTAS are observed may improve symptomatic management leading to better outcomes for these individuals.

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15. Keyser C, Richardson SJ, Yan J. Targeting autophagy for postsynaptic organization and cognitive rescue in Fragile X syndrome. Neural Regen Res;2026 (Feb 5)

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16. Kiely KP, Brazendale K, Hill M, Burkart S, Beets MW, Adams EL, Armstrong B, St Laurent C, Hogan A, White Iii JW, Finnegan O, Culverhouse J, Holmes A, Weaver RG. Obesogenic behaviors during structured periods among children and adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act;2026 (Feb 5)

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at greater risk for obesity and poor obesogenic behaviors (e.g., physical activity, screen time, diet, sleep) than their typically developing counterparts. The Structured Days Hypothesis (SDH) suggests that in typically developing children and adolescents, obesogenic behaviors worsen during periods of reduced structure (e.g., weekend or summer vacation). However, children and adolescents with IDD have unique factors that may alter how structure (i.e., pre-planned, segmented, adult supervised, out-of-home programs) influences obesogenic behaviors. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to examine obesogenic behaviors during periods of more and less structure among children and adolescents with IDD. METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Web of Science was performed through the end of 2024 based on the PICO framework. Studies were eligible if they included youth with IDD and measured obesogenic behaviors across contexts with differing degrees of structure. Two reviewers independently completed the screening process, extracted all relevant information, and evaluated methodological quality using the NHLBI tool. Results were synthesized using fixed- and random-effects meta-analyses and visually represented with forest plots. RESULTS: A total of 4,236 papers were screened with 323 full-text articles retrieved. After screening, 33 total studies were identified (physical activity = 23, sedentary behaviors = 12, sleep = 11, diet = 1). Meta-analyses indicated that the standardized mean difference of physical activity (Random = 0.27, [95%CI: 0.13-0.40], p < 0.00), and diet (0.16, [95%CI: 0.03-0.29], p = 0.02) aligned with the SDH while sleep (Random = -0.01, [95%CI: -0.16-0.14], p = 0.88), sedentary and screen time (Random = -0.01, [95%CI: -0.38-0.36], p = 0.95) did not align. CONCLUSIONS: Periods of greater structure were associated with more favorable physical activity and diet outcomes among children and adolescents with IDD, although evidence for dietary behaviors was limited. Findings support the relevance of the SDH in this population while highlighting substantial gaps in the literature, including small study numbers and methodological heterogeneity. Future research using rigorous, longitudinal designs is needed to better understand the relationship between structure and obesogenic behaviors among children and adolescents with IDD.

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17. Komatsu H, Sato Y, Tomimoto K, Onoguchi G, Sora K, Shiozawa Y, Takahama M, Utsumi Y, Hamaie Y, Sakuma A, Ohmuro N, Katsura M, Ito F, Ono T, Kanahara N, Matsumoto K, Tomita H. Persistence of autistic symptom differences by severity among individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis and with first-episode psychosis: An 18-month longitudinal follow-up study. J Psychiatr Res;2026 (Jan 27);195:219-224.

Autistic symptoms influence functional outcomes in individuals at high clinical risk for psychosis (CHR-P) and in those with first-episode psychosis (FEP). Our recent findings suggest that these symptoms encompass both enduring trait-like and transient state-like features that improve with treatment over a 12-month period. This study aimed to clarify the long-term course of autistic and non-autistic symptoms by comparing individuals with high and low levels of autistic symptoms at the CHR-P and FEP over an extended 18-month period. Sixty-two participants who completed the 18-month follow-up assessment (CHR-P, n = 37; FEP, n = 25) were included. At baseline, the high autistic symptoms (HA) group exhibited a significantly greater severity of autistic symptoms, more severe non-autistic psychiatric symptoms, and lower global functioning than the low autistic symptoms (LA) group. Over the 12- and 18-month follow-up periods, both groups showed significant improvements in non-autistic psychiatric symptoms and global functioning, and the initial group differences in these domains were no longer statistically significant. In contrast, although the autistic symptoms in the HA group decreased over time, a significant difference in the PAUSS total scores between the HA and LA groups persisted throughout the follow-up. While non-autistic psychiatric symptoms and functional impairments are responsive to treatment, autistic symptoms in individuals with CHR-P and FEP may encompass both modifiable, state-like features, and stable, trait-like characteristics, persisting over an 18-month period. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of persistent autistic symptoms in early psychosis.

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18. Malaia EA, Ahn S, Rubchinsky LL. Temporal dynamics of neural activity in autism: dynamical systems perspective on sensitivity, neural learning, and social interactions. Front Neurosci;2025;19:1711892.

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19. Merahn S. Treating Invisible Wounds: The Case for Trauma-Informed Care in Autism. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry;2026 (Feb 2)

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20. Morsy H, Kim H, Jang G, Zaki MS, Severino M, Abdelrazek IM, Hussien H, Self E, Albaradie RS, Bakur K, Firoozfar Z, Efthymiou S, Noureldeen MM, Nabil A, Alvi JR, Molavi F, Alavi S, Alibakhshi R, Topcu V, Mancilar H, Uctepe E, Yesilyurt A, Aldhalaan H, Showki Tous ES, Alhaddad B, Elbendary HM, Scardamaglia A, Murphy D, Yépez VA, Gagneur J, Omar TI, Abd Elmaksoud M, Vandrovocova J, Abdalla E, Reilly MM, Sultan T, Alkuraya FS, Gleeson JG, Um JW, Houlden H, Ko J, Maroofian R. MDGA2 homozygous loss-of-function variants cause developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. Am J Hum Genet;2026 (Feb 5);113(2):380-391.

MDGA2 encodes a membrane-associated protein that is critical for regulating glutamatergic synapse development, modulating neuroligins (Nlgns), and maintaining excitatory-inhibitory synaptic balance. While MDGA2 functions have been extensively studied in murine and cellular models, its association with human developmental disorders has yet to be established. Through exome sequencing, we identified seven distinct homozygous loss-of-function variants in MDGA2 in nine individuals from seven consanguineous families, all presenting with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). Clinically, these individuals exhibited a consistent phenotype including infantile hypotonia, severe neurodevelopmental delay, intractable seizures, along with distinct dysmorphic features. Neuroimaging findings included delayed/incomplete myelination, early-onset brain atrophy, white-matter thinning, basal ganglia volume loss, and small hippocampi. Functional studies of three representative nonsense variants revealed impaired MDGA2 membrane trafficking, disrupted Nlgn1 interaction, and perturbed MDGA2-mediated excitatory synaptic functions in mammalian expression systems and cultured hippocampal neurons. Our findings support the involvement of MDGA2 in a subtype of autosomal-recessive DEE. This not only underscores a loss-of-function pathogenic mechanism but also highlights the previously unrecognized role of MDGA2 in human synaptic development and regulation, significantly expanding our understanding of the genetic architecture of DEEs.

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21. Musa H, Uda Yahaya NIK, Ismail AZ, Yusoff NA, Nasrudin N, Abang Abdullah AF, Abdul Rashid A, Ismail IH. Excessive screen time among young Malaysian children: associated factors and influences on behaviour and development. BMJ Paediatr Open;2026 (Feb 5);10(1)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk for behaviour and developmental problems and factors associated with excessive usage of screen time in children at 18 months of age. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among parents of children aged 18 months in four primary health clinics. Parents responded to questionnaires, including the Developmental Checklist and Baby Paediatric Symptom Checklist (BPSC), to screen risk for behaviour problems. Screen time of more than 1 hour is defined as excessive. RESULTS: A total of 254 study participants were included. Most participants were male (52.8%), the eldest child (39.8%) and of Malay ethnicity (91.3%). More than half (66.1%) had screen time of less than 1 hour. Children cared for in a mixed care environment were 3.10 times more likely to experience excessive screen time (p=0.048). No significant association was found between screen time and developmental risk. A higher proportion of participants who scored more than three on the BPSC had more than 1 hour of screen time, although this was not significant (p=0.475). CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant association between screen time and the risk of developmental and behavioural problems. However, one-third of the study participants were engaged in excessive screen time. Children in mixed care environments were more likely to have excessive screen time, highlighting the need for targeted guidance for caregivers in these settings.

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22. Napoli SB, Vitale MP, Urinovsky MG, López Luro JJ, Gouguenheim B, Fassero MP, Molina JP, Bujan L, Pedernera Bradichansky P, Lejarraga C, Bellantonio E, Escalante A, Micheletti MB, Rodriguez L, Russo F, Argento J, Wieczorko N, Cafiero P. [Autism spectrum disorder: a functional approach to development]. Medicina (B Aires);2026;86(1):44-59.

INTRODUCTION: Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit diverse functioning and share challenges in social communication and repetitive behaviors. Diagnostic classifications do not fully capture their daily strengths and limitations, making functional assessments essential. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) highlights activities and participation as fundamental aspects to describe health conditions. TEA-CIFunciona, an ICF based tool, standardizes functional assessment and defines intervention goals for children with ASD in Argentina. This study aims to: 1) describe the functioning of children with ASD across age-based groups and 2) compare functional needs and intervention goals within each subgroup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TEA-CIFunciona was administered in follow-up consultations of children under 16 years of age with a confirmed ASD diagnosis, from 2019 to October 2024. RESULTS: The functional profile of a sample of 497 children and adolescents was established. Functional categories (activities, participation and contextual factors) were compared between two age subgroups. DISCUSSION: TEA-CIFunciona facilitated the functional assessment, the systematization of data collection necessary to adapt the follow-up of children and adolescents with ASD at national level. It also enabled the identification of individual and group intervention objectives.

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23. Nikahd M, Hyer M, Wolf B, Patterson B, Bishop L, Hand B. Risk of dementia and related neurocognitive disorders among autistic and non-autistic older adults: role of established risk factors. Age Ageing;2026 (Feb 1);55(2)

BACKGROUND: Neurocognitive disorders (i.e. dementia) are a leading cause of cognitive decline and loss of independence among older adults. While reported rates are higher among autistic adults, it is unclear whether this disparity persists after accounting for known risk factors. OBJECTIVE: We compared neurocognitive disorder risk between autistic and non-autistic older adults after adjusting for known risk factors and evaluated whether risk factors moderated this disparity. We replicated our analyses among subsets of autistic older adults with and without co-occurring intellectual disability (ID). DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: National Medicare Standard Analytical Files (2013-21). PARTICIPANTS: The sample included 9201 autistic and 18 356 non-autistic older adults aged 65 or older, who were matched on demographic and clinical characteristics. METHODS: Our dependent variable was time to neurocognitive disorder, defined as years between age 65 or older and the date of first diagnosis. RESULTS: Autistic older adults had a 20% higher adjusted risk of neurocognitive disorders than non-autistic older adults (95% CI = 14%-25%; P < .001). Risk was highest among autistic adults with co-occurring ID [adjusted subhazard ratio (SHR) = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.36-1.57]. The disparity between cohorts was amplified in the presence of most known risk factors, notably hypertension (SHR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.79-2.32), high cholesterol (SHR = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.46-1.75), depression (SHR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.42-1.62), and type 2 diabetes (SHR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.36-1.55). CONCLUSIONS: Autistic older adults, particularly those with ID, face significantly higher risk of neurocognitive disorders even after adjusting for known risk factors. These findings emphasise that risk factors may impact the autistic population differently and highlight the need for early screening and tailored prevention strategies.

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24. Pagán AF, Gogola G, Huang A, Loveland KA. Enhancing MRI accessibility through community engagement for autistic young adults. Discov Psychol;2026;6(1):34.

The present study, a community-engaged research initiative, was specifically designed to enhance MRI accessibility and optimize the overall experience for autistic Latino young adults. Crucially, we employed a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach, ensuring that the voices and perspectives of the target community were central to every stage of inquiry. Insights were gathered from Community Scientist meetings and 18 autistic Latino young adults (ages 18-25) through focus groups with nine MRI-naïve individuals and individual interviews with a separate cohort of nine individuals who had prior MRI experience. Transcripts from these sessions underwent thematic analysis to identify key patterns related to MRI barriers and facilitators. Participants voiced initial apprehension and the challenging sensory experience of MRI noise as a primary barrier. To counter this, participants overwhelmingly desired enhanced preparation and information, specifically emphasizing the value of mock scanner simulations and readily available, in-depth explanations delivered in culturally and linguistically accessible language. A robust theme was the profound importance of human connection and unwavering support from both research staff and family members. A key motivational factor identified was the strong desire for personalized results and feedback from their MRI scans. While monetary compensation was acknowledged as a clear and effective incentive, altruism and genuine scientific curiosity also significantly drove participation. Practical suggestions for improvement included enhancing physical comfort within the scanner, providing better visual aids, and proactively addressing common logistical barriers such as transportation to the facility. This CBPR-driven research provides actionable insights to design more comfortable, transparent, and culturally responsive MRI protocols, thereby fostering greater participation of autistic adults.

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25. Phillips WT, Sheesley AP, Schwartz JG. Pathophysiologic similarities between autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer’s disease: therapeutic possibilities. Front Neurosci;2025;19:1737007.

The comparison of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) through shared pathophysiologic features offers intriguing insights into the similarities between the two disease states. The authors suggest diminished cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage through the lymphatic system, perivascular system, and nasal turbinates may occur in ASD and AD, and be an important contributing factor in the occurrence of both disorders. Obstruction of the CSF’s normal nasal lymphatic drainage results in abnormal processing of the waste proteins tau and amyloid in the brain in both of these disease states. Reproducible research has shown that ASD and AD patients, when compared to normal controls, exhibit increased extra-axial CSF, enlarged perivascular spaces, magnetic resonance imaging evidence of glymphatic dysfunction, and olfactory dysfunction. Some comparisons between the two disease states are robust while others remain speculative. However, the recognition of overlapping pathophysiologic and genetic features between the two disease states not only furthers understanding of these complex conditions, but could also pave the way for novel therapeutic avenues. The goal of this article is to demonstrate the empirically known similarities between ASD and AD and to stimulate research investigating CSF lymphatic drainage through the nasal turbinates. The authors suggest various ways to confirm their findings and provide suggestions for new therapeutic approaches for these disease states aimed at increasing the movement of CSF originating in the brain through the glymphatic system to meningeal and nasal turbinate lymphatics.

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26. Russell A, Cremen C, Rainbow E, Melia R. Suicide prevention interventions and supports for the Autistic community: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open;2026 (Feb 4);16(2):e099614.

INTRODUCTION: Suicide is a leading cause of death among Autistic adults globally. Autistic people are up to six times more likely to die by suicide than people in the general population. Research highlights a lack of appropriate support for Autistic individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A scoping review will be conducted to map available literature on Suicide Prevention Interventions and Supports used with the Autistic community. This scoping review will use the methodological guidelines set out by the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis. The searches will be conducted in January 2025. The following electronic databases will be searched; PubMed, CINAHL Ultimate, PsycINFO and EMBASE, as well as the reference lists of included articles and grey literature (including conference abstracts, PhD theses, grey literature databases and preprints). The search strategy will be used to identify literature with an aim of preventing suicide in Autistic individuals. Only literature published in English will be included. Two reviewers will independently screen all literature based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data extraction will be piloted by two reviewers and continued by one reviewer. The extracted data will be checked for accuracy by a second reviewer. Any disagreements that arise between the reviewers will be resolved through discussion or with a third reviewer. A narrative summary of findings will be conducted. Results will be reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Review statement. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval is not required for this study as it is protocol for a review of published literature and does not involve human participants or private data. Findings will be disseminated through professional networks, conference presentations and publication in a scientific journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: This protocol has been registered on the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/bpxnf/overview).

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27. Samanta D. Disease-modifying therapies for Rett syndrome: a review for neurologists. Front Neurol;2026;17:1766679.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder affecting approximately 1 in 10,000-15,000 females, most often caused by loss-of-function mutations in MECP2. Until the recent approval of trofinetide, management relied exclusively on symptomatic treatment and multidisciplinary supportive care. The therapeutic landscape is now undergoing a rapid shift, driven by multiple gene therapy approaches designed to restore functional MeCP2 expression and achieve true disease modification. As these therapies progress toward potential regulatory approval, neurologists will play central roles in identifying eligible patients, counseling families, supporting clinical trial enrollment, delivering treatments, monitoring long-term outcomes, and advocating for equitable access. This review provides neurologists with the essential framework needed to understand and navigate this evolving field. We examine in detail the two most advanced gene replacement therapies currently in clinical trials. TSHA-102 uses an intrathecally delivered miniMECP2 transgene regulated by a microRNA-based autoregulatory system, whereas NGN-401 delivers full-length MECP2 via intracerebroventricular administration using a synthetic expression-feedback circuit. Both approaches have shown encouraging early efficacy, with treated children achieving developmental gains that exceed natural history expectations. However, they differ substantially in molecular design, regulatory control, delivery method, and safety considerations. We also highlight challenges unique to RTT gene therapy, including the narrow therapeutic window between insufficient expression and MeCP2 overexpression toxicity, the impact of X-chromosome inactivation mosaicism, and lessons learned from a fatal hyperinflammatory adverse event. Beyond AAV-mediated gene replacement, we review next-generation strategies in preclinical development-CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing for permanent mutation correction, ADAR-based RNA editing, translation readthrough for nonsense variants, and X-chromosome reactivation to restore endogenous MECP2 expression. Finally, we address key translational considerations such as optimal timing of intervention, dosing constraints, outcome measurement in severely impaired populations, long-term safety surveillance, and barriers to broad and equitable access. The RTT gene therapy experience serves as a model for precision medicine in other monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders, illustrating both the transformative promise and the substantial complexities of translating genetic science into meaningful clinical benefit.

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28. Şandor S, Hıdıroğlu-Ongun C, Tanfer MC, Gürkaş S, Bora E, Yıldırım E. Validation and Normative Data Study for the Turkish Version of the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC-TR). Arch Clin Neuropsychol;2026 (Feb 5);41(2)

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to adapt the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC) into Turkish (MASC-TR), examine its psychometric properties, and establish normative data. Additionally, the study investigated the discriminative validity of the MASC-TR in differentiating individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from healthy controls. METHODS: The sample comprised 228 healthy adults and 29 individuals with ASD aged 18-45 years. Participants completed the MASC-TR along with established measures of theory of mind (ToM)-the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) and the Faux Pas Recognition Test (FPRT)-as well as non-social cognitive tasks assessing attention, working memory, and executive functions. Reliability analyses included internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Construct validity was assessed via convergent and discriminant correlations. Group comparisons and receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to evaluate discriminative validity, while multifactorial analysis of variance and regression analyses examined demographic effects. RESULTS: The MASC-TR demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.75) and excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.98). Significant positive correlations with RMET and FPRT supported convergent validity. Education level emerged as the only significant demographic predictor of MASC-TR performance. The MASC-TR successfully differentiated individuals with ASD from controls (t = -3.87, p < .001), with an optimal cutoff of 23.5 yielding 97% sensitivity and 52% specificity (area under the curve = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that the MASC-TR is a valid and reliable measure of social cognition in Turkish adults. The availability of culturally adapted normative data enhances its clinical and research utility for assessing ToM functioning across populations.

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29. Scarpis A, Bruno G, Basilicata M, Bollero P, Gracco A, De Stefani A. Parents/caregivers’ perceptions of the influence of oral health on the quality of life of paediatric patients with autism spectrum disorder. Eur J Paediatr Dent;2026 (Jan 1):1.

AIM: The Parental-Caregivers Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ) is designed to measure how parents or caregivers perceive the influence of children’s oral health on their quality of life. P-CPQ can be extremely useful in measuring oral health-related quality of life for patients who are unable to provide firsthand information about their oral health, such as many autistic patients who may have impaired communication abilities or different degrees of intellectual development. METHODS: Italian version of the Parental/Caregiver – Child Perception Questionnaire (P-CPQ) was used to evaluate the oral health-related quality of life of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as perceived by their parents or caregivers. The questionnaire comprises 31 items categorised into four domains: oral symptoms (OS), functional limitations (FL), emotional well-being (EWB), and social well-being (SWB) of the child. Participants included parents or caregivers of neurotypical and autistic children aged 6 to 14 years, recruited from the Padua University Dental Clinic. Data collected from the questionnaires were analysed, and scores from autistic and neurotypical children were compared. CONCLUSION: Parents of children and adolescents with ASD have a worse perception of the OHRQoL of their children than parents of unaffected children. In some cases, the relevance of oral conditions may be overlooked because parents of children with ASD have a huge workload related to the child’s general health problems. Dentists should be part of the multidisciplinary team of professionals who are concerned with the health of individuals with ASD to provide appropriate preventive and rehabilitative oral care.

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30. Wang H, Zhao J. The association between parental resilience and emotional/behavioural problems in children with autism spectrum disorders: The mediating role of parenting style. PLoS One;2026;21(2):e0329989.

Parental psychological resilience plays a crucial role in addressing children’s emotional and behavioral problems. However, the association between parental psychological resilience and emotional/behavioral problems of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has been less explored. This study surveyed 258 parents of children with ASD(aged 3-18) who were receiving training at rehabilitation institutions in Shandong Province, China, using questionnaires. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling to examine the association between parental psychological resilience and emotional/behavioral problems in children with ASD and to identify the underlying pathways. The results indicated that parental psychological resilience is associated with increased prosocial behavior in children with ASD through increased authoritative parenting, while simultaneously being associated with fewer emotional/behavioral problems by reducing permissive and authoritarian parenting styles. This study provides empirical support for family-focused ASD interventions and adds to the growing body of evidence on their effectiveness.

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31. Ward N, Randle-Phillips C, Aldridge R. Autistic Adults and Loved Ones’ Experiences of a Later Life Diagnosis. J Autism Dev Disord;2026 (Feb 5)

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32. Weissenkampen JD, Ghorai A, Carneiro TN, Fasolino M, Gehringer BN, Rajan M, Dow HC, Kunatharaju S, Roenneberg T, Sebro R, Rader DJ, Keenan BT, Almasy L, Brodkin ES, Bućan M. Sleep and activity patterns in autism. Autism;2026 (Feb 5):13623613251413538.

Autism is a heritable neurodevelopmental condition marked by impaired social interaction, repetitive behavior, and co-occurring conditions. Sleep disturbances are common in autism. This study uses low-cost wearable devices to compare sleep, physical activity, and circadian behavior in autistic adults and their non-autistic relatives. We recruited 318 autistic individuals and 130 family members, collecting accelerometer data over 3 weeks (8249 days). Using a data-driven approach, we identified actimetry-derived features associated with autism. We examined 308 traits using the elastic net algorithm and linear mixed effects regressions. We identified 52 actimetry measures associated with autism (area under the curve: 0.812; confidence interval: 0.761-0.862), validated in a test set (area under the curve: 0.756; confidence interval: 0.700-0.813). Both mean and day-to-day variability in several measures (e.g., time spent sedentary, total light physical activity) were associated with autism. In autistic individuals, reduced physical activity during wake was more strongly associated with shorter sleep time than in non-autistic relatives (likelihood ratio: 41.6; p = 1.13e-10). Reduced physical activity in autistic individuals was linked to increased social impairment, as measured by the Social Responsiveness Scale. Long inactivity periods and lower physical activity levels were associated with autism, correlating with less sleep and later sleep onset. Interventional studies are needed to explore if improving sleep and physical activity can improve the quality of life for autistic individuals.Lay AbstractAutistic individuals frequently report problems with their sleep, though what aspects of sleep are most affected is not well understood. In this study, we recruited 318 adult autistic participants without intellectual disability and 130 of their non-autistic family members to measure their sleep, physical activity, and daily routines. Study participants wore accelerometer-based wrist-worn devices over 3 consecutive weeks to record their movement and activity. In total, 154 distinct physical activity, sleep, and behavioral traits were identified from the recordings, 52 of which were found to associate with autism. Many of these traits were related to physical activity, where autistic individuals were more likely to be less active for longer periods and have lower overall physical activity levels. Long periods of inactivity also associated with less sleep, with a stronger association in those with autism. For example, for every hour of inactivity, autistic participants had on average ~23 min less of sleep compared to ~17 min in their family members. Autistic individuals with lower levels of physical activity showed higher social impairment as measured by the Social Responsiveness Scale. Overall, lower physical activity may impair sleep and worsen the core features of autism. Interventional studies aimed to increase physical activity may improve the quality of life of autistic individuals.

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33. West K, Piergies A, Alviar C, Lense M. Social communication development in a contingent world: insights from autism. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci;2026 (Feb 5);381(1943)

Children learn to communicate via real-time behavioural feedback loops with their social partners (e.g. infant vocalizes, caregiver responds and infant learns from the response). Across development, feedback loops become increasingly complex as children master new skills, engage in new activities, interact with a growing network of social partners, and thus elicit a tremendous variety of social responses. For autistic individuals, these feedback loops unfold in distinct ways. Autistic people’s social behaviours (like gaze, gestures and language) differ from the behaviours of non-autistic people; as a result, they elicit different input from social partners, which then has cascading impacts on future social behaviour. Here, we review literature on the mechanisms that underpin social communication development in autism from infancy through adulthood. We discuss how changes in abilities (e.g. motor, cognitive, emotion, communication), social demands and environmental contexts (e.g. interactions with peers) influence the social contingency experiences of autistic individuals. We propose that differences in real-time behavioural feedback loops contribute, in part, to broader developmental trends in autism (e.g. the pace of language learning). Research from neurodiverse samples offers insights into how feedback loops facilitate social communicative development broadly and has real-world implications for clinical and educational initiatives. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Mechanisms of learning from social interaction’.

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34. Widiastuti AA, Kurniawan M, Wijayaningsih L, Rahardjo MM, Listyaningrum EM, Wijayanti TD. From adherence to sustainability: Why parental well-being matters in autism interventions. J Pediatr Nurs;2026 (Feb 4);87:400-401.

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35. Yi A, Huang K, Hu Y, Zhang S, Huang Q, Xiao Y. Altered white matter connectivity is linked to language abilities in children with autism spectrum disorder: An automated fiber quantification study. Front Psychiatry;2025;16:1731647.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies using Automated Fiber Quantification (AFQ) have revealed localized white matter connectivity alterations in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), offering insights beyond traditional tract-wise Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) analyses. However, the relationship between these alterations and language variability in preschool-aged children with ASD remains poorly understood. METHODS: This study included 28 children with ASD and 22 typically developing (TD) peers aged 1.5-6.07 years. Using AFQ, we examined eight language-related tracts-bilateral arcuate fasciculus, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, and superior longitudinal fasciculus-at both tract-wise and point-wise levels. We analyzed the white matter alterations in metrics including fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, radial diffusivity, and axial diffusivity, and correlated these metrics with language abilities and ASD symptom severity. RESULTS: Both groups exhibited significant lateralization patterns, though no between-group differences in lateralization were found. However, ASD and TD groups showed distinct associations between white matter lateralization and language abilities. Tract-wise comparisons revealed no significant group differences, but point-wise analyses identified localized alterations in DTI metrics within the ASD group. While these alterations showed different patterns of association with language abilities in the ASD and TD groups, the between-group comparison of these association patterns did not reach statistical significance. Additionally, DTI metrics correlated significantly with ASD symptom severity. DISCUSSION: Our findings underscore the importance of white matter lateralization and microstructural integrity in supporting language abilities in young children with ASD. The study provides novel insights into the neuroanatomical foundations of language deficits and their association with symptom severity, highlighting the value of point-wise analyses in understanding ASD-related connectivity alterations.

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36. Zhang Y, Wang JJ, Xing HY, Yan J. Neurofeedback for autism spectrum disorder: Current evidence, challenges, and future directions. World J Psychiatry;2026 (Feb 19);16(2):114358.

Neurofeedback therapy (NFT) has emerged as a promising noninvasive intervention for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), targeting core symptoms such as social communication deficits and emotional dysregulation. This editorial synthesizes findings from recent studies, including Wang et al’s retrospective analysis (2025), which reported improvements in Social Responsiveness Scale and Aberrant Behavior Checklist scores following NFT combined with conventional therapy. Mechanistically, NFT may modulate prefrontal gamma-band activity, enhances neuroplasticity in social brain networks (e.g., default mode network, a brain network involved in social cognition), and optimizes cognitive processing via event-related potential changes (e.g., shortened P300 latency). Emerging trends include hybrid approaches (e.g., NFT with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and artificial intelligence-driven protocols). However, challenges persist in protocol standardization, long-term efficacy validation, and biomarker identification. Future research must prioritize large-scale randomized trials, neuromarker discovery, and individualized protocols to establish NFT as a viable component of precision psychiatry for ASD.

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37. Zoromba MA, El-Gazar HE. Motivations for self-care in caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder: A phenomenological study. J Pediatr Nurs;2026 (Feb 4);87:392-399.

BACKGROUND: The rising prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) places increasing demands on family caregivers. While the barriers to self-care are well-documented, the motivations that drive caregivers to prioritize their own health remain underexplored. This gap is particularly evident in culturally distinct settings like Saudi Arabia, where societal norms and religious beliefs shape caregiving dynamics. AIM: This study aimed to explore the motivations for self-care among Saudi mothers of children with ASD. METHODS: A descriptive phenomenological design, grounded in Husserl’s philosophy, was employed to investigate the lived experiences of 12 Saudi mothers. Participants were recruited via criterion-based purposive sampling. Data were collected via semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method to distill thematic insights. Rigor was ensured through bracketing, interpretive member checking, and investigator triangulation. RESULTS: Four key categories emerged: (1) Personal Values and Beliefs, highlighting intrinsic maternal duty and spirituality as a primary sustainer; (2) Social Support, emphasizing family and professional encouragement; (3) Barriers to Self-Care, identifying time constraints and guilt rooted in cultural expectations; and (4) Perceived Impact on Caregiving, linking self-care to enhanced resilience and child well-being. Spirituality and collectivist support systems uniquely influenced motivations, while cultural norms posed distinct challenges. CONCLUSION: Motivation for self-care among Saudi mothers is not driven by a desire for personal indulgence, but by a pragmatic and spiritual imperative to maintain caregiving capacity. Findings advocate for culturally tailored interventions, such as « Self-Care Prescriptions, » that leverage spirituality and family networks to overcome barriers and enhance caregiver well-being.

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